Rehab - Day 32 (17 Dec 2010)

Woke up at 5.30 - had a lovely sleep, didn't wake up once and it felt great.  I did some secret Xmas shopping from oo.com.au so was pleased with myself *G*  I had to get it delivered to work because unsure about Vonn's movements and I know Julie is planning to visit next week.  Very hard to coordinate things from a hospital bed.

Got up when I should and had a shower (Carol replaced the bandage with one Steristrip which was more fitting for the size of the wound - lol) so was ready for my escort to OT (today is the last day for the student nurses so didn't see Ann-Marie this morning and Bree did the dressing herself).  This morning I didn't fall or cause any consternation and sat down without mishap and started my routine.  I had to move a few times during the course of the hour and managed to sit/stand each time so that was pleasing.  Into physio and straight into exercises on the plinth (discovered you have abs in your hips as well as your stomach so we worked on those - helps with the "thigh saddle"), some more foot pedalling (I am having the foot pedaller over the weekend so I can keep exercising to strengthen my legs), then over to the parallel bars to walk, managed about 6 laps before I'd had enough.



Lavendar angel

 Gwen was escorting me upstairs when Penny (speechie) came out bearing gifts - Chuka lollipops to suck on - they had a conference yesterday and they want to see how to improve the muscle that makes my esophagus work because that is the biggest problem, it doesn't work well.  That's where that feeling comes from that the food stops just underneath and won't go "over the lip" and down the food tube.  Because I have no trouble with Breakas, they want to see if some concentrated sucking and swallowing will help "exercise" the esophagus and help swallow the food down.  When Penny was gowned up, she handed me 3 Lavendar doll sachets for my drawers from Denice at Reception - how kind of her - they're super cute, so I took a photo of the angel one :o) - will give one to Lolly and one to Vonn - good idea for Xmas presents for Lolly.  Then Tiki (student nurse) brought me in the soup of the day for lunch - Broccoli - so by the time I ate that, time to go down for OT again.

I did another hour and tried not to skimp on things even tho was pouring sweat and was finding it very hard work!  Emily had to help me up with a good grasp on my nickers:  it makes it so easy for me and it's not too heavy for them.  My poor legs were just cactus by the time I got back to my room - very glad to get horizontal again!

I stayed in bed and watched (and had a cry in) "NCIS" (where the Jenny, the Director dies) and also a couple of "Bones" and tried to download another "NCIS" and "Castle" but the connection was super-slow and it kept timing out:  am not really enamoured of wi-fi, prefer broadband and when I get home may even try ADSL :o)  But I'm still grateful I've got access to the internet, even if sometimes I want to pull my hair out with the slowness!  Had tea in bed again and whilst I was rearranging sheets etc, found a Xmas card under the pillow from all the student nurses - I was really touched that they felt I'd been special enough to do that.

Went off to sleep about 10.30 after I finally remembered to send an email to Mark with the latest news re going home, Lolly coming, etc. cos am sure he wouldn't get time to read the blog!!