A Long Day

Mom, Matt and Cecilia finally arrived home just before 7 pm. I was starting to get worried because I knew the meeting ended at 1 pm. The story was as follows:
After arriving in Edmonton Tuesday night, the hotel had switched the room to wheelchair accessible which you think would have been great, however there was only one bed with a huge washroom (which Matt doesn't use anyway). It was so crowded when they added the cot, they needed to move all the furniture just so Matt could get in the door. There was no menu's in the room and they were unable to access the dining room because it was not wheelchair accessible (Mom didn't see the extra tiny step and fell sprawling to the floor and hurt her arm. In response the hostess said "didn't you see the sign about watch your step", very unfriendly). They had to order out for food. Next morning they wanted to get to the meeting early so tried to leave in plenty of time. However what van is quite long and unfortunately the hotel opens up parking to the city residents at 7 am. They would not allow mom to back out because it took some manoeuvring to get around the person parked behind her (where there was a no Parking sign). 20 mins after trying to get out mom finally succeeded. So they arrived late for the meeting, which isn't a great start to the day.
In half hour increments, they meet a different specialty.
1) Physio: was excellent and had great tips on strengthening exercises for shoulders and arms. Encouraged Matt to go to a private physiotherapist who specializes in spinal cord injuries. The Alberta gov't will pay for the initial assessment and 5 subsequent visits. He told Matt to go online about research projects that take place all the time and get his name in for clinical trials. One of interest is implanting a stim machine in his left arm to get it to move.
2) Recreational therapist: told Matt he must go to school, move to a bigger facility such as Calgary or Edmonton. A social network is vital and was quite concerned that Matt didn't have any friends outside of his family coming to see him on a regular basis. Explained that Matt needs to talk with people who are in a similar circumstance. Apparently Edmonton has a huge contigent of quads who meet on a regular basis.
3) Psychologist: was concerned that Matt still has flashbacks. Not of the accident but of the time spent in ICU, being on the ventilator and the nightmares associated with possible future admission to the hospital for any reason. Suggested seeing a psychiatrist and going through hypnosis and acupuncture.
4) Social worker: wondered why Matt wasn't a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Society, which should have been done as soon as he was out of ICU. They will forward Matt's name and they will contact Matt in the near future.
5) Occupational therapist: was fantastic. You could tell she had been dealing with quads, para for a long time. Was very excited to see movement in the left arm and hand and thought with the possible implanting of a stim machine and certain intense exercises, Matt still may get some use out of the Lt arm.
6) RN: discussed the importance of self-catheterizations so Matt can be more independent.
7) Dr. Guthrie: John had told us before that Dr. Guthrie did not really want to see Matt at all, so John had told mom and Matt not to mention much about wanting to walk at the present time and focus on 2 main goals. 1) Needs mobility in left hand and 2) wants to be independent as possible. One way for Matt ot get some independence is to take his driver's exam. Dr. Guthrie said 100% that was a must and will look into organizing this in about 6 months time. Matt was very excited about this prospect as he told me he will never again drive with mom in the city!! (I will explain later). Dr. Guthrie does not think Matt should try to be in a manual chair as it will cause long term difficulties with his shoulders and neck. Discussed medications. At current, Matt is on 2 antispasmodics and the one is very hard on the liver, as is the Accutane. Very important to get liver functions every 3 months and possible decreasing the use of the harmful antispasmodic and increasing the dosage of the other one to compensate. However he was very concerned that Matt's spasms are getting worse, not better which is not typical. Matt should be be experiencing very little spasms 2 years after injury. Unfortunately the MRI wasn't sent and Dr. Guthrie would like to see if the pocket that is currently around the spinal cord, which may be empty or just filled with some remnants from the bleeding that occurred after the accident, is not filled with spinal fluid. So Matt may have to see a neurosurgeon once Dr. Guthrie sees the MRI. Dr. Gutrhie stated there was very little chance that Matt will get into Glenrose as an inpatient, however there is a possibility of seeing Matt on an outpatient basis once to twice a week. Matt stated what he needs is someone to show him how to be independent, seeing someone living on their own with some assistance of course, having someone to show him how they get dressed, how they self-cath, get on the bus, etc instead of just telling how to do it. Visual learner.
So now, the team will meet and discuss everything and come up with a plan. They will let Matt and mom know in less than 2 weeks.
So overall it was a great experience, with so much vital information given. But it was a very long day and they decided to go to Earl's at West Edmonton Mall with Auntie Ardis and Uncle Ken. Big thanks for the meal, Uncle Ken. They said it ws fantastic! Get some rest Auntie (long day for her as well).
So they didn't leave the mall until 3;30 and let us just say briefly, most people can exit Edmonton within 1/2 hour. It took mom more than 1 and 1/2 hours with 2 wrong turns and getting to see areas of Edmonton they wouldn't usually see! I remember driving with mom while having just my learners and Matt will need hypnosis just for the driving with mom flashbacks! Matt said he is suffering from whiplash from few major bumps mom forgot to slow down for and also forgetting to strap him into the van! 3 very exhausted individuals when they entered the house last evening.Thanks for all the prayers that I know were being sent and next time let's pray for their save arrival and return! Nothing is impossilbe with God, even mom's driving!