Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Week of January 21, 2008

Therapy on Monday went very well. Terry was able to lay down and sit back up with minimal help from the therapist. Then, when the session was over, James helped Terry stand and pivot to get back into his chair. When we get to the point that I can assist with that--safely-- it will make a HUGE difference in Terry's mobility. Tuesday therapy was fantastic! Terry was working in the parallel bars. That day, he STOOD AND WALKED WITH NO ASSISTANCE!!! Then just to prove it wasn't a fluke, he did it again! Praise God!!! The strengthening and improvements are coming much faster at this point. After therapy, I took the van in to be worked on again. We didn't get it back until Thursday, so we got a ride to therapy on Thursday, but didn't go anywhere else those days. Friday at therapy was a harder day. James has shown Terry that his balance point is off-center, and wants Terry to find the RIGHT balance. Due to all of the injury to his left side, he leans to his right a bit. Since he's done this for so long, it's HARD to FEEL that it's wrong. This will be an on-going challenge for a time. We baby-sat for two different sets of grandchildren this week, and had one set overnight. It was great to spend time with them! We also had a couple of naps in our bed. I look forward to the time when Terry's pain and discomfort are down enough that he can sleep in our bed for a full night! We had a full, EXCITING week!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Week of January 14, 2008

James (therapist) is encouraging Terry to do more "regular" exercising. Pick a few things, and do 15-25 reps of one each hour. Over time Terry has gotten out of the habit of moving, so he has to INTENTIONALLY re-learn that habit. Terry has worked at it fairly well this week. We had to take the van to McCrocklin Ford this week. It needs a couple of things worked on. They have ordered the parts, and we'll take it back for repair when they come in. I took the day off on Wednesday, Jimmy stayed with Terry and I spent the day with my mom. We went downtown this time. It was a COLD day, but we enjoyed the time together. On Thursday, Terry pointedly asked James about his progress. James said that in the past two weeks, he's seen a LOT of improvement. He sees much more potential than he had for awhile. The land therapy seems to be strengthening Terry just as we had hoped. On Friday after therapy, Terry and Mike went to the wood-working show at the fairgrounds. That gave me a few hours at home alone. I got a few things done, and just enjoyed the un-interrupted time alone. On Sunday, we went to Sunday school for the first time in a LONG time. We enjoyed it! Later, Esteina invited us to go bowling with her and the boys and Donna. We all had fun doing that! Esteina was the champ of the day, almost doubling anyone else's score. We had a quiet evening.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Week of January 7, 2008

I was sick from Sunday to Wednesday. We went to therapy anyway on Monday, and found out we have a problem with the door on the van. We tried to get it worked on, but will have to take it to the mobility place next week. Later in the week, we also found a gas-line leak in the van. Sometimes it seems we have more than our share of problems. Therapy this week - Monday, Thursday, and Friday went well. We keep finding things Terry CAN do that we weren't aware of. The therapist will have him try a new way of moving, and he'll just do it. Hopefully it will translate into new functional gains in the next weeks. He's definitely getting stronger! Terry went to Pro Bull Riding with Michael on Friday. It was a surprise evening planned by Mike. I got the evening off, so I had a hair appointment, and then went to visit Esteina and the boys. It was a nice evening! Saturday was family day. We had one family for brunch, and another for dinner. We hadn't seen much of the grandkids since Christmas, so we were glad to see them. As usual, we've had a full week!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Week of December 31, 2007

We started land therapy exclusively this week. Terry's hit a plateau in the
water and needs the strengthening that land therapy will provide. One of the
major things they will be working on is balance. In order to really walk,
Terry will have to find his balance WITHOUT holding on. That was a tough one.
Wed. was the first time he tried, and it was frightening! He'll get better with
time and practice. We saw the neurosurgeon this week. He was very pleased
with Terry's progress, and AMAZED that he's taking steps. The doctor doesn't
need to see Terry for a year, now. The rest of the week was fairly routine, but
Terry is making progress in therapy. He has strength we weren't aware of, and
we'll build on that. I woke on Sun. feeling under the weather, so we didn't
get to church. Before 1:00, we had received three phone calls with people
from church checking on us. It's GREAT to be cared for by so many. God is GOOD!!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Week of December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve with the family was GREAT!!! We went out to the track again, so we had PLENTY of room. The kids (and Terry) chased around a lot, and we all had a good time just catching up. Terry's sister and family were here from N. Carolina. Jeannine and Craig hadn't seen Terry since he was in intensive care, so they were VERY pleased with how good he looks. It was a wonderful day. On Christmas, we went to Mom's. It was a small gathering this year. Lincoln and Jen are in England (they called) and Debbie and her family are on their normal Christmas vacation, so there were only 7 of us. Terry was hurting a little more than usual today, too, so we didn't stay long. We enjoyed the time, though. It's ALWAYS nice to visit. with family.
We had a quiet day at home on Wednesday, just trying to catch up on housework. Jeannine and Craig came for a visit. It's easier to talk when everyone is not there. We enjoyed seeing them again.
At therapy, James said we would try land therapy only for a while. It will still be 4 days a week, but all on land. Two days we'll work on walking, and the other 2 will be time for other skills and strengthening.
On Saturday, we finally babysat the boys again. It's been a LONG time! It was good to spend some time with them. The rest of the weekend was quiet.

Week of December 17, 2007

Water therapy on Monday went MUCH better. He was able to stand unsupported for about 3 minutes. He IS getting stronger! Aunt Liz had therapy today, she had a large tumor removed. We'll be praying that her cancer treatment goes well.

At Tuesday therapy, Suzanne from church came to tape Terry walking. The church has been SO supportive, we wanted them to have visible proof of the power of prayer. They'll edit that and show it on Sunday.

On Wednesday we went to have Terry's leg shortened just a bit. Now that he is standing on land, he noticed a pinching. They took care of that, and he could tell a difference immediately.

On Thursday Debby Knox came to do a follow-up on Terry. They showed it that evening! (There is a link to it on this site.) She continues to be impressed with his progress, as we all are. Praise God for His wonders shown! After they left, James wanted to try a walker with wheels and a seat. James sat on the seat facing Terry, and they tried that. It's a little early yet, but it looks like it could be soon.

At Friday therapy, we discussed the possibility of going to land therapy only for a while. Terry seems to be at a plateau in the water, so it might be time for a change again. We'll talk to James about it next week.

Saturday was a fairly quiet day.

Then we had the exciting Sunday! We got to show the video of Terry!!! Everyone was pleased. We had a quiet day after that.

Week of December 10, 2007

This was a week full of ups and downs. Terry was having a rough time early in the week. Therapy in the pool wasn't going too well, and that is discouraging. Then Tuesday came. He had land therapy today. James wanted to work in the parallel bars. Terry got all set up, then he TOOK SEVERAL STEPS!!!!! Then, just to prove he could, he did it twice more! PRAISE GOD!!!! God definitely lifts us up when we need it most! Thursday therapy was good again, but then Friday in the pool he had a hard time again. He can't seem to put weight on the prosthetic in the pool. Then it snowed on Sat., so we were homebound Sat. and Sun. It was a FULL week!