Got no calls while on my trip regarding Dad. Had texted Haydee and she reported that Dad has been walking and doing well. Have only been able to check in with him briefly the past couple of days since my return. On Monday he gave me a big smile and hello when I saw him. He was a bit reluctant to move from the couch and started very slightly to do the "push backwards" and "hand grabbing" when we were prompting him to lean forward, but eventually did do so and then walked with me about halfway down the hall. Yesterday I was delivering some lotion and only had a minute....they had just started dinner and he was digging into a nice looking plate of roasted chicken and a broiled potato/carrot vegetable dish. Al and Juana reported that he had been quite awake and talkative during the day.
Dad's bed alarm mat arrived while I was gone and I gave that to them as well.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
PT today
Dad was a bit grumpy at PT this morning. He was walking, but seemed to need a little more help getting up and was not very talkative. We thought we "smelled" something, so we realized we should take him to the bathroom. The trip was quite successful and afterwards he said he was feeling "much better." We wanted to see if he would get in the car again, and when we asked if he wanted to go for a ride he said Yes. We went outside and got him to the point where he was sitting on the seat but with his legs still hanging to the side...then he protested about getting in further asking "Why were we doing this?" Told him we thought that was what he wanted, but if he didn't want to, then fine....he easily lowered himself off the seat and that was it for the day.
After lunch, Haydee arrived, but she phoned me to say Dad was very sleepy. She left and returned later in the afternoon. She got him to walk down the hall, but again he was quite sleepy. It's been a gloomy, misty day here today...perhaps that contributed to his sleepiness.
THursday is Dad's last PT day with Lucinda...Haydee will be there so she will get a good set of instructions for follow through. Anna is doing great as well. Reminder that I'm leaving Thursday until the 20th, and extra caregivers will continue at least until my return. Lucinda said not to hesitate to call and request more PT if we see any downturn.
After lunch, Haydee arrived, but she phoned me to say Dad was very sleepy. She left and returned later in the afternoon. She got him to walk down the hall, but again he was quite sleepy. It's been a gloomy, misty day here today...perhaps that contributed to his sleepiness.
THursday is Dad's last PT day with Lucinda...Haydee will be there so she will get a good set of instructions for follow through. Anna is doing great as well. Reminder that I'm leaving Thursday until the 20th, and extra caregivers will continue at least until my return. Lucinda said not to hesitate to call and request more PT if we see any downturn.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Car and doctor's appt
Wednesday during PT we had a bit more success getting Dad into my car in the 2nd row. THe rest of the session went fine as well. Lucinda commented that it "gives her chills" to think about the progress Dad has made.
I arranged for Anna to be able to come with me to Dad's doctor's appt today to help getting Dad in/out of car. It worked out! He seems to get better each time. He still goes into a little bit of the "fear mode" when being asked to come forward (leaning forward to get out of seat) but handled it better with each successive attempt. Note that getting Dad into the car does require someone (in our case Anna) pulling up on his pants from behind to help lift him onto the seat. Once on the seat, Dad participates in adjusting his feet, body to sit in the seat.
At appointment, doctor had requested x-rays, but I asked him if they were needed---mentioned how difficult it was to get him on x-ray table on prior visit. After checking the prior xrays and examining him (he picked up Dad's leg in a flexed position and rotated it in a circular motion, during which Dad chuckled), as well as being told that Dad is walking several times a day, he agreed it was not necessary and to keep up the good work. He recommended that PT continue, but I will probably have to contact insurance if I want to push it to continue beyond next week (anyone interested in researching this?) . I'm sort of feeling he probably is getting enough exercise each day at this point, so perhaps not worth it. Lucinda also mentioned that should Dad's situation changed, they can always try to "re-activate" it.
Anna also reported that Dad is getting more and more talkative.
Bed Alarm mat has been ordered, but is on back-order. Only cost $75.
I arranged for Anna to be able to come with me to Dad's doctor's appt today to help getting Dad in/out of car. It worked out! He seems to get better each time. He still goes into a little bit of the "fear mode" when being asked to come forward (leaning forward to get out of seat) but handled it better with each successive attempt. Note that getting Dad into the car does require someone (in our case Anna) pulling up on his pants from behind to help lift him onto the seat. Once on the seat, Dad participates in adjusting his feet, body to sit in the seat.
At appointment, doctor had requested x-rays, but I asked him if they were needed---mentioned how difficult it was to get him on x-ray table on prior visit. After checking the prior xrays and examining him (he picked up Dad's leg in a flexed position and rotated it in a circular motion, during which Dad chuckled), as well as being told that Dad is walking several times a day, he agreed it was not necessary and to keep up the good work. He recommended that PT continue, but I will probably have to contact insurance if I want to push it to continue beyond next week (anyone interested in researching this?) . I'm sort of feeling he probably is getting enough exercise each day at this point, so perhaps not worth it. Lucinda also mentioned that should Dad's situation changed, they can always try to "re-activate" it.
Anna also reported that Dad is getting more and more talkative.
Bed Alarm mat has been ordered, but is on back-order. Only cost $75.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Last Friday and Monday
Dad had a pretty good therapy session last Friday. Since he was doing so well, we decided we would try and see if he could get into my van (hoping that perhaps I could take him for a ride on the weekend, and also to prepare for going to the doctor.) Dad seemed motivated to get in, but couldn't seem to get his butt up high enough on the seat, and then he started leaning back (but he was leaning towards the driver's side, not against the back of the seat.) He then seemed to be a little afraid and as we tried to assist him to come forward, he resisted, and leaned back (pattern we've seen in bed and before in hospital.) With Al's help, we eventually got him out, and Dad seemed a bit unhappy with us. He did do another walk in the house, and a brief set of exercises.
I had planned to check in at the end of Lucinda's therapy session yesterday (had Dylan with me, Paul/Ryland out of town), but I just missed her by the time I arrived. Lucinda told me that Dad did well with the walking and such. She tried getting in/out of bed...in was OK, but getting out was difficult again.
Lucinda mentioned that she wants to try the car again, so I will be there tomorrow and we will attempt it. We had the idea to try the 2nd row seat of my van (instead of passenger), which should actually be easier since the door won't be in the way, and also, allows easier assistance from someone who can sit in the 2nd row.
Lucinda also said that she has requested two more therapy sessions next week, but then he reaches his max on therapy. As it turns out, Dad has an appointment this Friday with the ortho surgeon, and I will talk to him about the possibility of more therapy. Depending upon how getting in the car goes tomorrow, i'll see if I need to arrange for a taxi to the doctor's appt again.
I had planned to check in at the end of Lucinda's therapy session yesterday (had Dylan with me, Paul/Ryland out of town), but I just missed her by the time I arrived. Lucinda told me that Dad did well with the walking and such. She tried getting in/out of bed...in was OK, but getting out was difficult again.
Lucinda mentioned that she wants to try the car again, so I will be there tomorrow and we will attempt it. We had the idea to try the 2nd row seat of my van (instead of passenger), which should actually be easier since the door won't be in the way, and also, allows easier assistance from someone who can sit in the 2nd row.
Lucinda also said that she has requested two more therapy sessions next week, but then he reaches his max on therapy. As it turns out, Dad has an appointment this Friday with the ortho surgeon, and I will talk to him about the possibility of more therapy. Depending upon how getting in the car goes tomorrow, i'll see if I need to arrange for a taxi to the doctor's appt again.