Day 55 - April 9, 2007 Monday

Today Terry was brushing his teeth when Lynn came in the room. It is good to see him doing simple activies on his own. Then he shaved. He is getting his picture taken today for a RHI brochure. After breakfast, Terry headed to rehab. He had mat work first. They did leg ranging first. Then one of the therapist noticed one of the bars on his external fixator was loose. They immediately stopped all work and called the doctor. The doctor said to put Terry in bed and call his orthopedic surgeon's office. Terry's doctor wasn't in but his partner was. He wanted Terry brought to the office. Transportation arrangements were made. When Terry got to the office, they took x-rays of his hip and arm. Then he and Lynn waited for the results. The doctor said the fixator could come off. YEAH!! Then he told them that the two bones in his arm were growing together somehow. This will prevent him from being able to twist his arm very well. When the bones are mature they could fix, but he may choose not to. They finally got back to RHI around 3 pm. The doctor unfortunately did not write any new orders for care or therapy. This meant the staff at RHI had no idea what was safe. They all "think" the normal routine should be okay but without the doctor's orders, they won't take any chances. Terry and Lynn are glad they are doing that, but it means he has to stay in bed 24/7 until they know. They also met with the claims adjuster for the man that hit Terry. Lynn left early but had to drop her car off so Thomas (son-in-law) could fix the brakes. She didn't get home until late.