Started the morning with a 1:15am request to turn Justin; wasn't time yet but he said he could feel the pressure from laying that way for two hours, so he was turned. By 4:00 he was ready to turn again and by alarm clock time at 6:30, I let him sleep while I showered then got him up and raring to go.
We met with his new outpatient case manager who gave us the usual orientation speech and tour and he met with some of his therapy team. One is in Canada on vacation. Those we met seemed nice and gave Justin a feel that they would be beneficial but with good personalities to interact with Justin (not the cut & dry variety or Augusta attitude type---by the way, we were informed by our new case manager that a team from the Augusta VA are to visit the Shepherd Center next week, maybe they will learn some better techniques and will actually use them).
After orientation, it was "stretch time with family" so I spent an hour working on Justin's legs. He's still got some serious spasms going. We did lunch and then it was back to PT/OT. OT Darci was impressed with his improved balance and upper body strength. She gave him some "terrible threes" exercises he can do 2 - 3 times per day on his own that will help strengthen his arm and shoulder muscles and he can do them on his own. He was able to express some goals and she offered up a few of her own ideas. Hopefully he's on the right path with this program.
We had heard from several here that the day program is nothing like inpatient therapy and they were disappointed how "relaxed" it seemed compared to the intense workouts inpatient. Maybe Justin's goals and motivation will push them and himself.
He has an appointment with the nurse in the morning who suggested he also see Dr. Lin based on a few issues we had questions about. They are also supposed to be scheduling a Eurodynamics test which will help determine the current status of his bladder and kidneys.
Mostly paperwork and linen cleaning today. Tomorrow really starts the workouts and family training and beginning of what improvements can Justin possibly gain.
Will keep you all updated and thank you all so much for your help, support, encouragement, prayers and yes Ms. Henri---for being the wonderful, wonderful friends that you all are!!!!
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Hey Hey Folks! All sounds busy and great! You have come SSOOooooo far! I am so glad a team from the VA is coming! That is FABULOUS! Every chance for others to see and learn is good for patients who will pass their way! Keep on chugging along...ya'll are do great! Look around and see if there are a couple of other folks from the Dothan area....we have sent a couple of others in the last month or so....think of ya'll all the time and always with a smile!
ReplyDeleteJust want to say how proud I'm of all of you. first for fighting for what you know to be right and second for staying strong in your faith. When you told me that you had boldly prayer for help and shortly afterwards Justin was move. I also want to thank you for your work in up dating all of us on your every day progress. You also take the time to thank all of us for our prayers and all the ones that has gone out of there way to do what they can. I to say thank you and God bless all of you for your act of kindness for this family.
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