We had a late night last night and I don't think tonight will be any different. Right now we are having a fishing tournament and let me tell you, it is not easy (coming from someone who cannot do computer simulated fishing!).
Matt woke up late this morning so the day didn't really start for him until 1130 but it was full bore the rest of the time. Our nanny Airene and her friend came to give Matt a workout (they are both physiotherapists). They worked on him for 2 1/2 hours and Matt was exhausted. First with four people we were able to get Matt to stand. It is like holding a tree in the wind and trying to prevent it from blowing down. After the workout Matt had to take a nap because the heat of the day (30 degrees) and the excitement, he was exhausted.
After he woke up we spent the remainder of the day outside. Every time someone would go past Matt, they would make him do something, such as throw a Frisbee, toss a ball, kick his legs, etc. Even tonight he is really tired but we are still bugging him. I think he is ready to go back to Parkridge! But he enjoyed the homemade hamburgers, sausage, baked potatoes, and corn.
We are sure enjoying having Matt here. Jacki and Gary came with the kids, Nolan and Lindsay are here as well. Grandma and Grandpa are enjoying the grand kids (and Jacki and I are enjoying that!).
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. More good things to come I am sure. It is a far cry from Christmas. So much to be thankful for. 1 Cor 15:57 "But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ".
Saturday, May 17, 2008
THEY MADE IT!
Just wanted to write a quick note to let everyone know that Mom, Dad and Matt made it safe and sound. They arrived at 9 pm and everything worked out great. The first part of the trip Matt was overheating until they realized that the heater was on! The wind really put a dent in their fuel consumption but other then that it was alright.
Nolan and Lindsay came down to help get everything unloaded and help get Matt settled. The ramp is a little short so it takes four people to make sure he doesn't tip backwards, the incline is so steep. I was able to get a lift, bed, mattress, special duvet mattress, and a Sara lift (sit/stand machine) for free through a great organization called Lending Cupboard. They receive donations from people, service the machines and make sure everything is in working order and then supply it free of charge. So all there is is the cost for transporting it to and from the organization outlet.
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful support group out there. So if anyone is in Red Deer this weekend, swing by. We have enough food to feed a small country!
Nolan and Lindsay came down to help get everything unloaded and help get Matt settled. The ramp is a little short so it takes four people to make sure he doesn't tip backwards, the incline is so steep. I was able to get a lift, bed, mattress, special duvet mattress, and a Sara lift (sit/stand machine) for free through a great organization called Lending Cupboard. They receive donations from people, service the machines and make sure everything is in working order and then supply it free of charge. So all there is is the cost for transporting it to and from the organization outlet.
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful support group out there. So if anyone is in Red Deer this weekend, swing by. We have enough food to feed a small country!
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Trip Is On!!
I have been waiting on pins and needles to see if they were going to make it to Red Deer. Mom just phoned and said they are on their way! A few tense moments waiting to see if the van would be done in time. They were supposed to be here yesterday but the van wasn't ready. So today Matt was able to get a bath before leaving which is great so no stinky boys (except John, Gary and Nolan).
So now I can do an update on the weeks events.
Wednesday was another good day. Matt was able to walk 50 feet with of course lots of help. The right leg again goes pretty good on its own with plenty of encouragement and a few shoves and pulls. The left was able to go about 3 steps and then wants to quit. But all in all great progress. I asked Matt how he is doing when he tries to stand up and he estimates he does about 20% of the work. The legs don't help too much, those quads are just too weak. But he tries to pull himself up using his right hand on the bar. And that arm is coming along nicely. When Matt tried the upper tone machine he could pull 20 lbs 3 times, then he went down to 10 lbs. And the left is improving. It can actually pull 2.2 lbs. Now to explain the upper tone machine, it has 3 levels of weight training, full, medium, and close. Think of it as a stick with weights on it. If the 2 lb weight is at the end of the stick, it is harder to lift. If you bring the weight more to the middle of the stick it is a little easier and if you bring it closer to your hand, the stick with the same weight is easiest to lift. So Matt's left hand was able to lift that 2.2lbs in the middle, and with the right he is at the end of the stick. At occupational therapy they are really focusing on Matt moving himself in the chair to reposition himself. Takes quite a bit of strength and so will practice when he gets here. We have all kinds of things planned for him. Matt may be wishing he had stayed at Saskatoon!!
Thursday Matt had missed his morning rehab because he was too tired, so mom made him do his "homework" all day! Next time you'll get up, right Matt? In the afternoon, Matt had a pizza and Wii party at City, courtesy of Paul Gustafson and the rehab staff. Rocky, Barett, and Matt played games and Matt "caught' a 12 lb fish. I think it was the only fish he has ever caught. No wait, that was Nolan! When Matt and Nolan went fishing with dad when they were young, Matt kept catching fish and Nolan caught nothing. So Nolan made Matt change rods with him, and Matt then caught a whopper on Nolan's rod and Nolan caught seaweed!
Prayers for the long trip here and for a safe journey. I will use my favorite verse proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
So now I can do an update on the weeks events.
Wednesday was another good day. Matt was able to walk 50 feet with of course lots of help. The right leg again goes pretty good on its own with plenty of encouragement and a few shoves and pulls. The left was able to go about 3 steps and then wants to quit. But all in all great progress. I asked Matt how he is doing when he tries to stand up and he estimates he does about 20% of the work. The legs don't help too much, those quads are just too weak. But he tries to pull himself up using his right hand on the bar. And that arm is coming along nicely. When Matt tried the upper tone machine he could pull 20 lbs 3 times, then he went down to 10 lbs. And the left is improving. It can actually pull 2.2 lbs. Now to explain the upper tone machine, it has 3 levels of weight training, full, medium, and close. Think of it as a stick with weights on it. If the 2 lb weight is at the end of the stick, it is harder to lift. If you bring the weight more to the middle of the stick it is a little easier and if you bring it closer to your hand, the stick with the same weight is easiest to lift. So Matt's left hand was able to lift that 2.2lbs in the middle, and with the right he is at the end of the stick. At occupational therapy they are really focusing on Matt moving himself in the chair to reposition himself. Takes quite a bit of strength and so will practice when he gets here. We have all kinds of things planned for him. Matt may be wishing he had stayed at Saskatoon!!
Thursday Matt had missed his morning rehab because he was too tired, so mom made him do his "homework" all day! Next time you'll get up, right Matt? In the afternoon, Matt had a pizza and Wii party at City, courtesy of Paul Gustafson and the rehab staff. Rocky, Barett, and Matt played games and Matt "caught' a 12 lb fish. I think it was the only fish he has ever caught. No wait, that was Nolan! When Matt and Nolan went fishing with dad when they were young, Matt kept catching fish and Nolan caught nothing. So Nolan made Matt change rods with him, and Matt then caught a whopper on Nolan's rod and Nolan caught seaweed!
Prayers for the long trip here and for a safe journey. I will use my favorite verse proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
New Machine
They are always trying new things with Matt to try and improve his current abilities.And you can really tell. When I watch him on the webcam, I ask him to move his right arm and he does it so much easier and with greater range of motion. The physio is really focusing on his mobility and taking his movements to the max and spends less time on weight training. So he may not be able to lift as much, but he can move so much better.
Monday Matt spent the day in his electric wheelchair. As much as Matt wants to be in his manual, he is unable to do his exercises in it. The back is high and wraps around him like a seat of a sports car, so he can't pull his arm back when he does the arm bike. Matt went outside for quite a bit and was proud to show me the beginnings of a tan. He has been eating spitz like crazy which makes him stay outside longer. He can grab the spitz out of the bag himself, however his hands are too big to get them out of the bag. So dad pours the spitz into a cup which Matt grabs and he can pour the quantity he wants into his mouth(which is usually alot!). Spent 1 1/2 hours in therapy doing the arm bike and pulleys.
Today was another beautiful day, maybe not with sunshine but was still warm. They made the trip to City for rehab and they tried Matt in a machine that he stands in, but doesn't do any walking. It is on a stand with wheels, and they strap Matt's upper body in and his legs rest against a cushioned area in the front. It can be moved around the room, so Matt can remain standing and go other places. It would be a great machine to have at home to gain muscle in his legs when he visits. He didn't stand long today, just getting used to the new machine. Felt like he was tipping to the right all the time. Also worked out in the gym on the stepper, however wasn't very successful because he had tired himself out on the stand machine. Matt is finding his left arm is getting stronger, the dexterity is slow but the pushing/ pulling movement is coming. Neck is feeling better because he just got a massage.
Lots of prayers for the van to be road worthy for the long trip. Dad is quite concerned but Matt really wants to come and just visit with family and have a different change of pace. Nothing is too great for God when you put your trust in Him. Psalms 56:4 "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid."
Monday Matt spent the day in his electric wheelchair. As much as Matt wants to be in his manual, he is unable to do his exercises in it. The back is high and wraps around him like a seat of a sports car, so he can't pull his arm back when he does the arm bike. Matt went outside for quite a bit and was proud to show me the beginnings of a tan. He has been eating spitz like crazy which makes him stay outside longer. He can grab the spitz out of the bag himself, however his hands are too big to get them out of the bag. So dad pours the spitz into a cup which Matt grabs and he can pour the quantity he wants into his mouth(which is usually alot!). Spent 1 1/2 hours in therapy doing the arm bike and pulleys.
Today was another beautiful day, maybe not with sunshine but was still warm. They made the trip to City for rehab and they tried Matt in a machine that he stands in, but doesn't do any walking. It is on a stand with wheels, and they strap Matt's upper body in and his legs rest against a cushioned area in the front. It can be moved around the room, so Matt can remain standing and go other places. It would be a great machine to have at home to gain muscle in his legs when he visits. He didn't stand long today, just getting used to the new machine. Felt like he was tipping to the right all the time. Also worked out in the gym on the stepper, however wasn't very successful because he had tired himself out on the stand machine. Matt is finding his left arm is getting stronger, the dexterity is slow but the pushing/ pulling movement is coming. Neck is feeling better because he just got a massage.
Lots of prayers for the van to be road worthy for the long trip. Dad is quite concerned but Matt really wants to come and just visit with family and have a different change of pace. Nothing is too great for God when you put your trust in Him. Psalms 56:4 "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid."
Sunday, May 11, 2008
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Hope everyone remembered their Mothers on their special day. Matt was quite funny actually. I was at Jacki's this weekend celebrating Bobby's 3rd birthday and Matt wanted to know if we had got mom anything. We had all said what we had gotten her and Matt was just chomping at the bit wanting to say what he had gotten her. He had phoned the florist in Porcupine for flowers and had arranged for Auntie Karen to pick them up for mom. But the best part is they were 21 different color roses, one for every year since he was born. It made me tear up a little. Much better then my gift!
I must back track quite a bit, time just seems to fly and I can't seem to find a few quiet moments to do the blog. Thursday Matt didn't have therapy until 4 pm and really focused on the bike machine. He had slept in until 11am, but said he had slept well all night as well so his body obviously needed a rest.
Friday Matt again did the arm bike for 20 min and was up in his manual chair all day. His neck gets really sore but he is determined to do it. When he tries to propel his wheelchair, the biggest obstacle is his left arm. If dad puts Matt's arm and hand in the proper position on the wheel, Matt can move forward. however he can't lift up his left arm back on the wheel. Also when he pushes with his arms, his muscles in his neck stretch a bit and he begins to spasm. So slow progress but with alot of practice, I am sure it will come.
Saturday Matt was again in his manual chair and went outside for the beautiful weather. Dad and him went to the local Co-op store and treated himself to the summer goodies of beef jerky and sunflower seeds. As soon as it is warm enough to go outside with a light jacket there is always an urgent need for spits!
Proverbs 23:25-26 "May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways."
I must back track quite a bit, time just seems to fly and I can't seem to find a few quiet moments to do the blog. Thursday Matt didn't have therapy until 4 pm and really focused on the bike machine. He had slept in until 11am, but said he had slept well all night as well so his body obviously needed a rest.
Friday Matt again did the arm bike for 20 min and was up in his manual chair all day. His neck gets really sore but he is determined to do it. When he tries to propel his wheelchair, the biggest obstacle is his left arm. If dad puts Matt's arm and hand in the proper position on the wheel, Matt can move forward. however he can't lift up his left arm back on the wheel. Also when he pushes with his arms, his muscles in his neck stretch a bit and he begins to spasm. So slow progress but with alot of practice, I am sure it will come.
Saturday Matt was again in his manual chair and went outside for the beautiful weather. Dad and him went to the local Co-op store and treated himself to the summer goodies of beef jerky and sunflower seeds. As soon as it is warm enough to go outside with a light jacket there is always an urgent need for spits!
Proverbs 23:25-26 "May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways."
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