#dadupdate Dad has made amazing and almost unbelievable progress this week. Monday, he sat upright in a wheelchair. All day. Thats the longest hes been upright since BEFORE he entered the hospital on January 14. Three long months. Its difficult to remember that Dad has only been back at Christ Medical Center for one week. Its amazing to consider that Dad only began eating a mere two weeks ago. Its only been nine or ten days since the trach tube was removed and one day less for the feeding tube. And April 16, he was still using the stand assist frame. Dads been busy this week. He was warned! Every day is a session or two of occupational therapy and/or ADL (activities of daily living) therapy, a speech and cognitive therapy session, and two sessions of physical therapy. Wounds need to be dressed (thats typically an hour a day). And, oh yeah... he needs to find time to eat three times a day. At the beginning of the week, Susan, his physical therapist, was helping him stand up and asking him to do ten mini squats. With full assistance. Support for the butt. Knees blocked. Dad had difficulty bringing his hips forward in order to stand upright. Too tight. Too stiff. Too weak. But anything Susan asked Dad to do all week, he did. With a vengeance. No quit in this man. Only failure. And those of you who strength train know that failure in this context is a good thing. And that it requires whatever strength he could muster. And is completely draining. Every session, Susan asked Dad to do just a little bit more. Whatever he could tolerate. But within reason. Dad is still so weak. Yet his display of strength is impressive. He surprises everyone. Every day. And Friday, I was privileged to witness the final PT session of the week. I watched Dad WALK. He walked! Susan will be on vacation next week. So Amy, who will work with Dad next week and collaborated with Susan this morning, worked solo with Dad during the afternoon session. Instead of trying to describe what happened, why dont I show you? I had trouble fighting back the tears. I continue to be in awe of his determination, his resilience, his progress. Video to follow. Dad endorsed.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 06:08:29 +0000
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