This morning started a little rough, (bad headache at 4 a.m.), but we found yesterday that once we get moving things seem to get better. So after the early morning rush of doctors and vital checks, and nurses changes (Brendan slept through it all until they had to shine the light in his eyes), it was time to sit up, eat, and change clothes (therapy goals for today).
Yeah for straws!! Brendan made sure I asked ENT today if it was ok to start drinking from a straw. They've had the date on the board for a week, and even at 4 a.m., Brendan knew that today was the day he was cleared to use a straw.
Much easier to drink this way!! (And mom doesn't spill down your neck as much either.)
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| Morning routine. |
As per therapists orders, Brendan got up, ate, walked to the bathroom, and dressed himself. Whew! Then he was back to rest after ID (infectious disease) came to check him and before occupational therapy.
Time to head to the therapy room!
We had to find the shoes in the bottom of the cupboard. It's been exactly three weeks since he last had his shoes on.
Sarah providing support from behind, since he hasn't sat upright by himself for a few days now.
But first, Brendan has to brush his teeth. (He can also spit!) First time standing at the sink for a few weeks.
Seeing if he could walk all the way to the therapy room. We brought the wheelchair behind -- just in case.
He walked all the way! Then Aimee decided on the game Blokus to play. (learning new rules, cognitive funtioning -- lots of skills to practice)
Wait a minute! Brendan beat us all? (We will never live this down. . .)
Walking back to the room.
Still not too tired to try out the kendama for a minute.
Dr. Bollo comes to check to see if there is any leaking into Brendan's sinuses by tipping him forward.
He's supposed to be resting and eating before his next therapy session this afternoon. But he and Sarah couldn't resist a game of Monopoly during lunch.
Upcoming: Tomorrow will be the "Tumor Board" meeting where the doctors, radiation specialists, and head and neck experts will get together at the Huntsman Institute to discuss what to do about Brendan's lymph nodes in his neck.
Education and Speech Therapy just arrived and Physical Therapy is waiting outside for him to finish up his test. Looks like a busy afternoon. . .
This post took me back to some of my own memories. When I was almost 19 years old, a horse I was riding rared up, fell over backwards, and landed on top of me. It broke my back and crushed my pelvis in three different places. It was a long recovery! Seeing the pictures of Brendan walking "all the way to therapy" by himself reminded me of the first time I used a walker to "walk" the full circle of the nurses station! It took me about 30 minutes to walk the 30 feet, and I was CELEBRATING!!! 🎈 i felt like I had just accomplished something amazing...and I had!! :) So congratulations, Brendan, on accomplishing something amazing -- your first walk in weeks! Oh, and congratulations on winning Blokus! I'll take you on when you get home! That's one of my favorite games! :)
ReplyDeleteThis seemed like a VICTORY post to me. So happy to see the amazing progress. Love to you all and keep those shoes at the ready.
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