Work, work, work

Mom got back on Wednesday and she hasn't given Matt a moment of peace. She used to say the same thing to Jacki and I when we would get home from school. "Oh good, you're home, now you can work, work, work"! The rehab has also been breathing down Matt's neck to do his "homework". Every day Matt has certain things he must accomplish, march in bed (if he can) leg curls, move both his arms every 20 mins, stuff like that.
Rehab on Wednesday was the arm bike. It is a little older, but they have rigged it up so it is higher and Matt has to use his shoulders more. Finds it easier to move and did it for 15 mins straight. Pretty stiff the rest of the day. I can tell by watching him in the video that he is moveing a little easier. Unfortunately Matt wasn't feeling so good and the soon found out why. He had another bladder infection. But by Thursday he had drank 3 1/2 litres of water to flush the nasties out of his system and is feeling much better.
Thursday Matt had another session with his arms on the pulley. They don't have anything to work his legs so has to wait until he goes to City rehab, hopefully next week. Matt was also able to enjoy some more company.
Matt met another quad in Parkridge who has been ther for 11 years. He severed his spinal cord C3 C4 I think while playing hockey when he was 22 years old. So he has no movement. Matt went to see his room and was quite impressed how it was set up. There is a huge 50 inch plasma screen TV, and everything is run by his wheelchair. The controls are on the head portion of the chair and if he turns his head a certain way, the chair moves. If he turns it another way, the TV comes on. Quite amazing.
I haven't been able to speak to mom or Matt today, so not much to say about Friday. Just want to take the time to thank the Lord for all the blessings we have received. Matt's continued progress, a great support system, caring staff, warm and comfortable bed, a great mom and dad, the list goes on and on. Psalms 84;12 "O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you"

No rehab yet

Things are of to a slow start regarding rehab. But Matt is very optimistic and in good spirits. Monday his neck was really hurting so the physio came and did some stretches. She said his left shoulder is hanging lower than the right which is causing him alot of the discomfort. The stretches really helped and last evening his neck wasn't hurting quite so bad. Matt talked to Nolan on the phone, watched hockey (yes he did see Montreal beat Boston!) and decided to stay in from the cold. For breakfast Matt had pancakes and pork sausage. He hadn't had pancakes for years and found he really liked them, especially when you eat them with sausage! For supper they served him chicken stew. Matt was tentative but once he started he really loved it.
Tonight he didn't have much time to talk. He was able to play a bit of Wii for rehab and had company. Said he didn't do too much seeing the weather still wasn't cooperating. Glad that he is having some company and will talk to him again tomorrow night. God's blessing on all!

1st bath in 6 months

Matt seems to really be settlng in to his new environment. God never asks if the burden is too much, He just gives the strength to persevere. And our expectations of a certain situation are never as clear as when the Lord is in control.
On Saturday Matt was able to meet some of the long term residents. But they are not exactly what would be expected. One is a llama, there is a minature horse, tarantula, and a snake which Matt had the immense pleasure of wrapping around his neck! Not for me thank you, but Matt said it was actually not that bad. I will take his word for it and leave it to my imagination! It even went on Matt's hand and tasted him with its forked tongue! Yuck!
Had a visitor form City, one of the occupational therapists. For supper, Matt had chicken breast, ginger beef, and some other tasty things. He was pretty impressed.
Today he had a bath. While at City, he had showers instead so this was the first bath he has had since RUH. What a feeling that must have been. Had more company. Barrett for rehab came. He had been a patient at Parkridge as well as rehab. Krista the RN came again so he wasn't lonely. The weather wasn't cooperating so he didn't venture outside. For supper Matt had 2 hamburgers, some real roast beef, with great gravy and some oven roast potatoes. Thank goodness they took the feeding tube out! He will gain so many pounds that they will have to order a new chair! A far cry from when he weighed a meager 165 lbs and was struggling with everything. God is truly watching over you and giving you the good things in life now. Only those who have been without can really appreciate when it comes back to them.
Met a family who recognized Matt from rehab. Their mother had been a patient and had often seen Matt with dad, so they were able to start up a conversation.
To anyone that wants to visit,Matt is on the 2nd floor, Northridge II, room 214. Each pod is called a neighborhood, and in each neighborhood are 45 patients. What he was impressed with is that each one has a big screen TV to watch. Of course! That way he can watch the hockey games on a big plasma screen!
Matt was also able to keep the same bed he had in rehab so that is one thing familiar. So many things to be thankful for. Give time tonight to be thankful for everything in your life. God loves to hear songs of praise.