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Chat is working again. thank you


ruthpill

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I am so glad that chat is up and working again. thank you, Steve for all of your hard work.

 

William is going to PT with his cargiver on Tues and thurs mornings.

He is doing the nustep machine. this machine has his arms pushing and pulling and his legs pushing in and out also. His left hand and left foot are strapped onto the machine.

Wm said that is gave his arm a really good work out.

William had his AFO adjusted. He has the type that can have the dorsiflextion changed with a change of a screw.

William does torso twists. This entails lying on the bed and moving both legs to the left and then the right. while the back is on the bed. This stretched the hip flexors.

We need to do bridges. This is where the bottom is lifted up off the bed with the feet planted next to the bottom or gluteous maximus. We also do this with his legs on an exercise ball.

I also push his weak left leg in and have him push out. Either on the exercise ball or just against my hand.

The care giver stretches his hand and foot.

The therapist is working with the caregiver on transfers and walking William with assistance.

William complains that the therapist will not help him move his weak left leg while walking. He makes him do it himself. I give in and help the leg move.

 

We were going to see RedTails on Wed. But, we had a soaking rain that day. I decided that getting soaked and sitting in the theater would not be pleasant. One of the differences in after stroke life. I cannot just take off in bad weather as easily as before. Getting the wheel chair out of the car and having William slowly walk to the car and transfer into and out of the car would be a drenching experience in the rain.

 

I will try to reschedule for Friday. or this weekend. He keeps buggin me about seeing that movie.

 

William loves to get out and move about. The caregiver noticed that his attitude changes when he has a planned outing. Even if it is to the physical therapist.

 

William gets to eat lunch out with the caregiver after PT. sort of like a reward after therapy. That is why the 11A appointment. They are out and can easily go for lunch.

 

Wm gets fuzzy headed in his thinking sometimes. It was weird. The other night he calls me and wants to me get home so that I can drive him somewhere. Unclear as to where that is. He says that he cannot drive or walk and therefore needs me. I get home and he wants to go out and get something to eat. Usually he says that he is not hungry. Who knows? Getting out of the house is good exercise. He has to walk to the car and transfer in and once we get there transfer to the chair and get into the restaurant.

 

Wm continues to get better. It is just sooooooooo slow. But, when I think back to 12-13-08 when he had his stroke. He could not do much of anything.Sitting on the edge of bed without help and support was an accomplishment.

 

Just goes to show you. You do one thing and I want and expect more. William has leanred this. I just expect too much from him. Yes, I am the nag and pusher. The stroke has not made William a hard worker. I do not think that he was that hard a worker before. But , he loves to do stuff. Just no exercise.

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Hi Ruth. Enjoyed reading your blog. I'm glad William is doing well in therapy. Maybe he can get those legs working more now. Larry is so different from William in that he does not enjoy going out to things much. I applaud you for taking him out when you have to struggle with the wheelchair. It is somewhat trying for me too in rain and cold weather. Larry walks so slowly and holding an umbrella and guiding him is a challenge. The cold temps are bad when coming back into a cold car. Larry does some of the same excercises on his bed. He also asks me to help lift his weak arm to stretch it

 

I hope things continue to be improving, even though they are slow. Such is our life.

 

Julie

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Ruth: thank you so much for checking in and updating. Downed Chat was tough on all of us.

 

Bruce is a lot like William, loves getting out. Looks forward to the day's schedule. But the difference between them is Bruce still initiates very little. He is doing a lot for his aphasia and short term memory issues and will occasionally say "Let's go swim." But I guess we take what we can get and that pretty much defines Bruce. He goes with the flow as long as the flow is set up for him.

 

Between the new PT and your swim schedule, William is well on his way to even more recovery. I am so glad you both decided to have a round of PT. Often a good thing to have the pros re-eval what is going on and get some new ideas. Please do let us know and yes, glad Chat is back! Debbie

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Hey Ruth,

 

Even I will join in tonight (Friday) for the newbie chat! Got my PC fixed! Have William sitting by you, OK?

Fred!

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