October 21, 2011

October 21, 2011

Oh yeah….blog time again.

Last one came out on Saturday, I believe.  So I had a boring Sunday as usual.  It is nice to have visitors as they certainly do break up the day.  A little bad news, my left knee got hurt again with all the rolling and turning I do as there is not enough muscle anymore to hold the knee together.  So it is all swollen up again and hurts like hell….but I guess I am used to that.  I talked to the Doc here and he suggested perhaps another cortisone shot and I agree because the knee is shot now and more cortisone really can’t do anymore damage other than taking the pain away.  So the left knee at this point in time is the show stopper.

As mentioned before, they have spoken to an orthopedic surgeon and they are looking into a knee replacement but ‘when’ is the question.  But Grandpa was here on Wednesday and we didn’t run over any more pee bags and he was quite happy about that and we had a good time, and he really is a “care giver.”

Trivia question:  “Guess what part of care giving Grandpa did do? “  (1) He put saline solution in my nose; (2) He cleaned the snot out of my nose with a Q-tip; (3) He cleaned the gunk out of my eyes with a Kleenex; (4) He put eye lube in my eyes; (5) He waited around until they put my pooping suppository in; (6) He wrapped me in my blanky; (7) He worked my fingers on both hands; (8) He massaged my feet; (9) He massaged my left knee; (10) He stayed with me from 10 am until 8:30 pm; (11) None of the above; (12) All of the above.   (Circle all the correct answers.)  Thanks Grandpa….you’re wonderful.

So 5 days of physio this week, half hour on the MotoPed, had my maximum mileage which was about 7k if I remember correctly, and today I had my minimum mileage because my knee is so sore.  I did under 3k today by myself.  The good news is that the left knee did almost 40% of the work for the mileage I did do.  Hopefully, with 2 days off because there is no physio or OT until Monday, my knee will recover a bit.  OT was really interesting this week.  Doing a weight lifting program, working on biceps, triceps, pecs, lats and traps; exercises with my hand from squeezing about 12-15 lbs and I want to get up to Neil’s (retired AirForce Colonel) weight who is just a little guy and he is squeezing 70 lbs……it’s inspirational.  I am also leaning forward while sitting in my wheelchair which is strengthening my back extensor muscles which I will need when I am going to stand.  In OT, they are strengthening my arms so I will be able to lift my butt out of my wheelchair and sit up and get into bed, onto a chair, onto a commode, etc.  So my right arm is getting stronger and my left arm, according to the therapist, is improving every day. 

The x-rays that I had on my shoulder indicate there are some arthritic bone spurs that prevents it from moving a lot.  The physiotherapist has taped my scapula which is giving me a lot of relief from the pain in my back and my neck….yeehaw!

A neat thing that happened is when I came back from my shower on Monday night the nurse said there was a present on my bed and of course I asked what it was and who it was from.  And of course she said she did not know.  When I looked at the bed there was a washcloth (a Wilson) with a smiley face on it which will remain near and dear to my heart for a long, long time.  My roommate had one of the nurses put a smiley face on the Wilson.  There were 4 nurses in the room at the time getting me out of my chair and into bed and the 5^th one stuck her head in the door and asked if they needed any help.  So, all the nurses on duty that night were in my room.  It was a hoot and a moment to remember.

You meet some very inspirational people in this place.  In the cafeteria today, I met a gentleman who has had both legs amputated due to poor circulation.  He always has a smile on his face and I believe he is in here for life.  His mind is still sharp and I found out from his wife that he is 95 years old.  She is with him all the time.  He is in a wheelchair and she uses a walker and she is 91 years old.  She was very curious about what happened to me and when I was going to get out of the chair and get rid of my neck brace. 

Next week should prove to be interesting as I will be off to Toronto leaving at 8 am on Tuesday morning for an x-ray and to see my surgeon to see what he has to say about my progress.  It should be interesting being in an ambulance on the 401 leaving here at 8 in the morning……I hope I get to Toronto before midnight. 

Two things are happening here, either I am getting used to their routine or they are getting used to mine.  I don’t think I have upset any nurses very much this week.

Thanks for all the support.  I love having visitors as long as there aren’t too many at a time.

Talk at ya later.