Left Arm

Matt continued to do similar exercises all week, however on Thursday Matt was able to squat and do 100 lbs with the total gym machine. Last week he could only do 70 lbs. Great job Matt!! Also when Matt was on the total gym, the trainer put Matt's one leg on his shoulder and then with his right leg he could do single leg squats. The single leg squats were harder to do with his left leg.
On Friday they really wanted to see what Matt's left arm could do.The staff got Matt to supinate/pronate, which means turning wrist so hand faces upward and then turning the wrist so the hand faces down wards. Matt needs help to this, so the staff tap a muscle in his forearm to stimulate it to move. Matt found it really hard to turn his hand from supination or "holding soup" with palm facing upwards to turning it to pronate, or palm flat on the table. Matt quotes "stupid wrist". They then worked on Matt's left elbow with the stimulator machine, which is electrical stimulation sending electricity to Matt's muscles to innervate the small muscles. The staff were able to get Matt's left arm to bend up while laying down. Matt didn't have to do much but the big thing is repetition to get his left arm stronger. They are encouraging Matt to think about moving his left arm while the stimulator is sending electrical currents to get his brain to remember how to move that muscle. Today Matt's left shoulder hurts but hopefully it is just do to using muscles he hasn't used and not a problem with his sublixation.
Matt had a great time at the pig barn Christmas party, so nice to see everyone. Matt stayed for about 4 hours but came home earlier than usually, I think he was exhausted from the rehab.
John and I are off to South Africa tonight with the girls, so mom will try to update the blog as much as she can. Matt and I will also use skype to communicate too.