Good Evening,
A very tiresome day today we only managed two sessions and was pretty tired through them as well. It was a very sunny day today and fairly warm out of the wind, so we took a few walks all the way around the complex to get lots of fresh air.
New drugs tried and old ones up a little so adjustments are expected.
Along with the bike and exercise area, we also have Monday afternoons to ourselves in the pool and now a Wednesday morning session with Rec therapist helping out! It does pay to not give up, just be persistent. Couple of things planned for tomorrow then Shelley will be here in the afternoon and Chris will get to see his new niece and the old nephew!!!
Looking forward to tomorrow and more change?
Good Night,
Kevin
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday April 28, 2009
Hello,
Tuesday was a rather quiet day, Chris has a bit of a cold or stuffy nose keeping him a little more subdued than usual. Still got to some Ot /Physio today but most was passive and quiet. Tomorrow will be a busier day with the bike and a full day ahead.
Just let me add in here, that as and when I refer to time spent at home and not getting any treatment that amounted to anything, I refer to our system and lack of foresight and general common sense thinking when it comes to rehab. ( the system sucks) I did not want to paint all of the nurses and aides that gave so much of their time caring for Chris with the same brush I use to refer to the disdain for the outdated facilities and the inept, archaic way of running medical rehab system.
You all know who you are and how much we appreciated your contributions to Chris' healing and providing piece of mind for us when we could not be there for him.
Just wanted all to know the human factor in all of this is what keeps us going. Credit should be placed where due, so thank you all again for your caring touch and thoughts they have changed me in an unexplainable way and has really made me a more compassionate and understanding individual.
It has also made me a stronger and take no crap person when caring for Chris' well being.
Had to add this today, it may mean something to a few of you and nothing to the rest but I feel much better having said it. It has also pushed me to help more people than just Chris and will continue to do so.
Back to matters at hand Chris will be able to use the pool for a two hour window with me on Mondays and we will have the pool to ourselves hard to believe but persistence pays off.
We also have open authority to use the exercise room when not in use and to use the equipment, so no more down time with nothing to do.
It is so true, some days you move forward with strides and some days you stand still. It is important not to judge by the day nor by the week or month but to just keep moving forward and taking in all the little wonders that happen keeping in mind how quickly they can be taken from us.
Kevin
Tuesday was a rather quiet day, Chris has a bit of a cold or stuffy nose keeping him a little more subdued than usual. Still got to some Ot /Physio today but most was passive and quiet. Tomorrow will be a busier day with the bike and a full day ahead.
Just let me add in here, that as and when I refer to time spent at home and not getting any treatment that amounted to anything, I refer to our system and lack of foresight and general common sense thinking when it comes to rehab. ( the system sucks) I did not want to paint all of the nurses and aides that gave so much of their time caring for Chris with the same brush I use to refer to the disdain for the outdated facilities and the inept, archaic way of running medical rehab system.
You all know who you are and how much we appreciated your contributions to Chris' healing and providing piece of mind for us when we could not be there for him.
Just wanted all to know the human factor in all of this is what keeps us going. Credit should be placed where due, so thank you all again for your caring touch and thoughts they have changed me in an unexplainable way and has really made me a more compassionate and understanding individual.
It has also made me a stronger and take no crap person when caring for Chris' well being.
Had to add this today, it may mean something to a few of you and nothing to the rest but I feel much better having said it. It has also pushed me to help more people than just Chris and will continue to do so.
Back to matters at hand Chris will be able to use the pool for a two hour window with me on Mondays and we will have the pool to ourselves hard to believe but persistence pays off.
We also have open authority to use the exercise room when not in use and to use the equipment, so no more down time with nothing to do.
It is so true, some days you move forward with strides and some days you stand still. It is important not to judge by the day nor by the week or month but to just keep moving forward and taking in all the little wonders that happen keeping in mind how quickly they can be taken from us.
Kevin
Monday, April 27, 2009
MondayApril 27,2009
Hey everyone,
Good day today started with getting familiar with the cycle equipment which Chris spent 40 minutes on and we tried all the different configurations and looks like it is going to be a welcome addition to the workout regime. Snow storms all day today after lunch we went out side in warm sunshine and stood in the snow fall letting it cover our faces and shoulders quite a sensory awakening experience. We had a great session on the tilt table and have worked out a few changes with custom cut foam supports and Auntie Helen's head band. I will be cutting a custom arm support out of wood in their shop tomorrow and getting it to fit properly so it will support his upper body. Had talk with Dr Gray re: some other drugs that were recommended by some of the docs Chris worked with and Dr. Gray is willing to give it a try. The pool thing I think is now going to work out as I ended up talking to the head of the Unit and she is happy with my ability to handle Chris in the water, so it looks like I can get in when ever open pool time permits. I left him asleep with the game on and having dinner a bit late, but he was completely wiped out with activity today. So we look forward to another day the same tomorrow.
Good Night
Kevin
Good day today started with getting familiar with the cycle equipment which Chris spent 40 minutes on and we tried all the different configurations and looks like it is going to be a welcome addition to the workout regime. Snow storms all day today after lunch we went out side in warm sunshine and stood in the snow fall letting it cover our faces and shoulders quite a sensory awakening experience. We had a great session on the tilt table and have worked out a few changes with custom cut foam supports and Auntie Helen's head band. I will be cutting a custom arm support out of wood in their shop tomorrow and getting it to fit properly so it will support his upper body. Had talk with Dr Gray re: some other drugs that were recommended by some of the docs Chris worked with and Dr. Gray is willing to give it a try. The pool thing I think is now going to work out as I ended up talking to the head of the Unit and she is happy with my ability to handle Chris in the water, so it looks like I can get in when ever open pool time permits. I left him asleep with the game on and having dinner a bit late, but he was completely wiped out with activity today. So we look forward to another day the same tomorrow.
Good Night
Kevin
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday April 26, 2009
Hello,
Sorry for the delay in posting but my week was cut short here in Ponoka with the birth of my granddaughter and Chris' niece.
Chris has had a pretty mild week with the typical therapies going on. The water therapy apparently didn't happen because I was not here, so I guess I am really going to have to push the access issues this week.
Still waiting for the OT to deliver the cycle machine that we can use to get his legs and arms moving on a regular basis. Chris has been pretty tired all weekend and and slept most of it other than watching hockey, walking the hall ways and skipping outside for 5 minute intervals to be refreshed by the snow and wind in our face.
More updates after the new week gets rolling.
Thank you
Kevin
Sorry for the delay in posting but my week was cut short here in Ponoka with the birth of my granddaughter and Chris' niece.
Chris has had a pretty mild week with the typical therapies going on. The water therapy apparently didn't happen because I was not here, so I guess I am really going to have to push the access issues this week.
Still waiting for the OT to deliver the cycle machine that we can use to get his legs and arms moving on a regular basis. Chris has been pretty tired all weekend and and slept most of it other than watching hockey, walking the hall ways and skipping outside for 5 minute intervals to be refreshed by the snow and wind in our face.
More updates after the new week gets rolling.
Thank you
Kevin
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday April 16, 2009
Good Thursday afternoon,
Early start to the day today, I could not sleep so headed down at 530 to see Chris and the good things we have been working on. I see how and when things get going in the morning it is not always as told. But it all worked out and moved forward very fast.
We started leaving him in bed a little longer in the mornings so he has more energy when Therapies start. Then a mid day break while having lunch then up for afternoon therapy and stay up for dinner and the game of the evening (hockey that is) we watched the Montreal game while having dinner and then went to bed and watched the Calgary game to fall asleep to.
We did make it in the pool today, a very good thing, I am glad I paid attention to Joyce and Holly when in the pool because it was me today to do it all and I so appreciate all the moves and techniques they shared with me while in the water with Chris. Really makes me see the patience and willingness to be there day after day methodically providing the aqua-therapy the way they did.
(Thank you again Joyce and Holly)
Bev the Rec-therapist did come in the water with us but she is still quite uncertain about all that is possible, but she is learning the over cautious can be carried to far.
I can see that I will have to get a water access chair of our own in order to gain another day in the water as it is not having access to the chair when the open water times are available.
I am tired and my thoughts are not coming in order so anything I missed I will update tomorrow.
Thank you
Kevin
Early start to the day today, I could not sleep so headed down at 530 to see Chris and the good things we have been working on. I see how and when things get going in the morning it is not always as told. But it all worked out and moved forward very fast.
We started leaving him in bed a little longer in the mornings so he has more energy when Therapies start. Then a mid day break while having lunch then up for afternoon therapy and stay up for dinner and the game of the evening (hockey that is) we watched the Montreal game while having dinner and then went to bed and watched the Calgary game to fall asleep to.
We did make it in the pool today, a very good thing, I am glad I paid attention to Joyce and Holly when in the pool because it was me today to do it all and I so appreciate all the moves and techniques they shared with me while in the water with Chris. Really makes me see the patience and willingness to be there day after day methodically providing the aqua-therapy the way they did.
(Thank you again Joyce and Holly)
Bev the Rec-therapist did come in the water with us but she is still quite uncertain about all that is possible, but she is learning the over cautious can be carried to far.
I can see that I will have to get a water access chair of our own in order to gain another day in the water as it is not having access to the chair when the open water times are available.
I am tired and my thoughts are not coming in order so anything I missed I will update tomorrow.
Thank you
Kevin
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday April 15, 2009
Hello,
Today was a good day we started out with rec-therapy and then went for a walk. It was a bright Sunny day today and fairly warm out of the wind.
Had lunch in his room and watched the noon news and the hockey highlights.
Slept for an hour or so and then went for another walk and really woke up just prior to Speech therapy. Speech was great today hitting about 70% of the things that were asked of him. We watched the Pittsburg game while having dinner as it was on the big screen. Then went to bed and watched the Canucks play until falling asleep.
Pool session in the morning tomorrow getting really excited about that will let you know how it went tomorrow, Hopefully we will be doing all rec therapy in the pool from now on!!!!
Bye for now.
Today was a good day we started out with rec-therapy and then went for a walk. It was a bright Sunny day today and fairly warm out of the wind.
Had lunch in his room and watched the noon news and the hockey highlights.
Slept for an hour or so and then went for another walk and really woke up just prior to Speech therapy. Speech was great today hitting about 70% of the things that were asked of him. We watched the Pittsburg game while having dinner as it was on the big screen. Then went to bed and watched the Canucks play until falling asleep.
Pool session in the morning tomorrow getting really excited about that will let you know how it went tomorrow, Hopefully we will be doing all rec therapy in the pool from now on!!!!
Bye for now.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday April 14, 2009
Hello,
It's now Tuesday, April 14 I got back to Ponoka yesterday. Progression is definitely slow but there is always a little something to move forward on. Today was the meeting for family with the therapists and the doctor, all went well in general and everyone has seen an increase in mobility and response's.
The challenge now will be to get more direct responses that are consistent to questions and related activities. Physio had him out right after lunch and gave him a good workout.
We then had the meeting and Chris decided to take a couple hours of nap time was great because he was a little more attentive with the directions of the speech therapist.
Will be changing his meals and times up in the chair to be more effective to take advantage of his alertness.
The Drugs and other tweaking will continue over the next couple of weeks so patience is the order of the day. Water therapy is back sort of although he will not be in the water tomorrow during rec-therapy he will be going in on Thursday so I will have to be persistent and keep tugging and pushing until all rec-therapyis taking place in the water.
Will keep you informed as it happens. Did not get out for a walk today as there was quite a snowstorm happening here all day, we did however have several walks through the facility down to the lunchroom cafeteria and then back here to to his room to watch a little bit of hockey highlights. We watched the Canada game and then the draft take place. Chris is looking forward to a nicer day tomorrow with some warmth from the sun to enjoy a walk along pathways.
Thank you,
Kevin
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday April 9, 2009
Well after a little break, I am posting again. The treatments continue some get delayed with meetings and such but they are good when they are being done. Delays in access to the pool as each therapist has thier own worries and concerns as they have not dealt with some in the water before. I have tried reassuring them but it will only happen as fast as they think appropriate. I do believe that with a little more pushing and the talk with the doctor about addressing some of the therapists concerns it will be back on track very soon.
One of the regular nurses on Thursday night heard us talking about not being able to watch the hockey playoffs. So she found and extra TV that was not being used, it was left over from a donated TV in the main room. So she brought it in and set it up. He now is all set for the playoffs.
Attching new photo's.
Bye for now
Kevin
One of the regular nurses on Thursday night heard us talking about not being able to watch the hockey playoffs. So she found and extra TV that was not being used, it was left over from a donated TV in the main room. So she brought it in and set it up. He now is all set for the playoffs.
Attching new photo's.
Bye for now
Kevin
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thursday April 2, 2009
Got here at 10:40 this morning, just as Anthony and Kristi were putting Chris back into his chair after a "good workout", to quote Anthony and Kristi. They did much the same as yesterday. He is good shape today again. As he was quite tired after the morning, he was put back into bed for his lunch and a rest. The Education Centre was cancelled again today. Alanna will be working on some swallowing and communication with him at 3:30. She said that when she came yesterday at 3:30, he was sound asleep so she did not wake him. Tara and Roberta will get him up and in his chair again very soon. He had a good nap after his lunch. A couple of good big coughs and he was able to clear his throat. It's only 2:25 now, so we'll have time to got outside for a little bit before the 3:30 appointment with Alanna. The sun is now shining and it's pretty nice.
Bye for now.
U Larry
New posts will not be done until April 7th sorry!
Bye for now.
U Larry
New posts will not be done until April 7th sorry!
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