Rehab has been a bit slow this week. Since Wed., Matt has been feeling lousy. Tried to do some standing exercises and BP dropped to 70/46. So was unable to go on his big outing. Not so good. Same thing happened on Thursday, so had to stay in his power chair. However he did have a bath which I can always tell because he is so nice and shiny!
Today he was feeling more like himself. This morning did some self care and discovered if his shorts are on the top of his lower legs, he can do a bridge by himself and pull the shorts the rest of the way. Feels like he is getting stronger with that. The therapists also got him in the sit/stand machine and just put the waist support on, not the butt support sling. They wanted to see if Matt could sit on an actual toilet, which he did. Hasn't done that for over a year but he said it didn't seem the same, he didn't have an Archie book with him!
Matt feels his shoulder is getting a bit better. When they got him on the mat on his tummy, they positioned his arms just right and was able to support himself quite comfortably, just like a kid laying on the floor watching TV.
They also tried the TENS machine on his left quad muscle to help him lift they leg while sitting in the chair. He could then hold it extended for 5 secs, which he proceeded to repeat the exercise for about 5 mins. So about 20 reps or so. His right leg doesn't need the stim machine because he can already lift it fairly well.
When I asked Matt how the left hand and arm was doing, he explained it like this: it feels like there is a heavy book on top of it and he doesn't have the muscle strength to lift it. With the right hand, even though he has lots of movement, it feels like it is underwater and there is always a weight on it as well. But just watching him on SKype, the movement is so much more fluid and he can lift his right arm so much higher over his head. So KUDOS to you Matty!
It is so encouraging to hear and see improvement all the time. So many people in your same situation are so discouraged about lack of improvement, or no improvement at all. With Matt, every achievement is meet with optimism and hope from not only Matt but the rest of his cheering squad.
1 Chronicles 16:8-9 "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Shoulder Feeling Better
Well Matt shoulder isn't any different but they are giving him enough meds to numb the pain so he can be comfortable. Praise to God that it is feeling better.
Thursday Matt had a CAT scan on his bladder and kidneys to see if there were any more stones. His kidneys were clear however he has calcium deposits in his bladder. Should be fine. Pain is when it goes through the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder. Friday not too many therapists around so did some mat work. On the weekend Matt was supposed to watch some ladies fastball. They got to the diamond at 6 pm, payed the entry fee, just got under the bleachers when it began to rain. It rained and rained, then it began to hail. You couldn't even see the ball field it came down so hard. Then after the rain they went home, the game was cancelled. It was an expensive rain to watch!!
Sunday Matt went on an outing to the forestry farm and was able to see two baby Siberian tigers in a cave.
Monday Matt had OT therapy, really worked on his neck and arms. Lots of stretches and practiced doing dips in his chair. He goes from a sitting position and bends at the waist to try and touch the floor, then sits himself up again. Did really well. Strengthening his stomach muscles. Tried to do some standing but got really dizzy. They know it is from not standing enough, should be standing everyday but will try for at least twice a week.
Matt is excited about an outing he is going on without mom or dad (dad actually went back to Weekes on Sunday) and only with his therapist. She/he is taking him to the Midtown Plaza on Wednesday. He is always worried that he will need to be catheterized so is a bit apprehensive but prayers the trip will go smoothly.
Continue to pray for improvement in Matt's conditiona and shoulder. Psalms 5:1-3"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
Thursday Matt had a CAT scan on his bladder and kidneys to see if there were any more stones. His kidneys were clear however he has calcium deposits in his bladder. Should be fine. Pain is when it goes through the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder. Friday not too many therapists around so did some mat work. On the weekend Matt was supposed to watch some ladies fastball. They got to the diamond at 6 pm, payed the entry fee, just got under the bleachers when it began to rain. It rained and rained, then it began to hail. You couldn't even see the ball field it came down so hard. Then after the rain they went home, the game was cancelled. It was an expensive rain to watch!!
Sunday Matt went on an outing to the forestry farm and was able to see two baby Siberian tigers in a cave.
Monday Matt had OT therapy, really worked on his neck and arms. Lots of stretches and practiced doing dips in his chair. He goes from a sitting position and bends at the waist to try and touch the floor, then sits himself up again. Did really well. Strengthening his stomach muscles. Tried to do some standing but got really dizzy. They know it is from not standing enough, should be standing everyday but will try for at least twice a week.
Matt is excited about an outing he is going on without mom or dad (dad actually went back to Weekes on Sunday) and only with his therapist. She/he is taking him to the Midtown Plaza on Wednesday. He is always worried that he will need to be catheterized so is a bit apprehensive but prayers the trip will go smoothly.
Continue to pray for improvement in Matt's conditiona and shoulder. Psalms 5:1-3"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
