Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Update # 192

8 Years

You are correct. This is Wednesday, not Thursday.

Jeff requested I tell you about rehab day 1.

His 2-person Occupational Therapy team came early morning – 7:20 AM. Jeff had to participate as much as he could in his morning sponge bath. He then had to move hands and legs. Next he actually had a pair of his shorts put on for going places in the hospital. They had Jeff sit on the edge of the bed with support and used a sliding board to help transfer him to a wheelchair. Pretty good first hour!

Jeff was rolled to the cafeteria for breakfast and had to feed himself as much as possible.

Around 10:00 AM, Jeff met his 2-person Physical Therapy team. They discussed goals for Jeff.

Rest was next on the agenda followed by lunch.

A respiratory gal came in to discuss Jeff’s trach.

Physical Therapy returned at 1:30 for Jeff’s next hour workout. He sat on the edge of the bed and used the sliding board to transfer to the wheelchair. They took Jeff upstairs to the “stroke” therapy gym. Jeff is not quite ready to use the normal gym on the first floor. It was interesting to watch how they rolled the wheelchair as close as possible to the “standing frame”. Harnesses were put around Jeff and then he was pumped up (with Jeff trying to help) to try to stand. The first attempt was a problem when part of the trach interfered. Jeff was willing to try a 2nd time. This was successful and Jeff stood between 1 and 2 minutes. They were pleased with the way his feet were in correct position and how he tried to use his arms.

PT then rolled Jeff across the gym to the “bicycle”. Jeff was to let the machine do the work of moving his legs – to remember the motion. Well, the machine barely began before Jeff started using his legs actively. They were impressed as were we! The machine scans various information continuously. The team was glad to see that Jeff was using both legs equally. One person asked if Jeff could do 5 minutes. He kept going so -- could he do 10 minutes. Ten minutes came and went and Jeff kept biking. Jeff actively biked on his own 11 minutes 16 seconds for a distance of 2.08 miles!!! The grin on Jeff’s face lit up the room.

An afternoon nap was definitely in order after working an hour upstairs.

Jeff is thrilled with what he accomplished on his first day of rehab. And naturally, we are so proud of him for working full strength doing everything they asked. Yes, he’s ready for rehab, don’t you agree?

Tomorrow’s schedule is already posted and Jeff will be working 3 hours. He’s well on his way back to work in Iowa! We love how you care for Jeff and his accomplishments.

love,

Marcia