Rehab day 6

Our day didn't start till 10 with small exercise group, but we managed to be late to that cause we had a visit from the team Doctor. She is concerned about Joy's bladder (after witnessing a little leakage incident during the morning transfer to the wheelchair). They want to ultrasound her empty bladder to try to figure out the cause. Then some OT with Wii, PT walk down the hall, some bleeding pinsites and crying.......then a break for lunch, only our lunch didn't arrive?!? Finally gave Joy a lunchable so she could eat before our next thing. More occupational therapy where Joy mastered the sock-assist device, and got a grabber velcroed to her chair. More walking in the halls with PT, a break, then we were late to the next round of PT due to a lengthy, productive, potty break! The last PT session of the day went well. Wii flying distracted her from the pain as her thigh muscles were made to move a little. As she was getting back into the wheelchair, I wanted her to show-off her new skill from OT, using a stick/loop to control her own left leg as it raises and lowers during transfers. I ran to get it, and happily handed it over. Seconds later Joy is SCREAMING because she somehow lost control and bent her knee back really fast. She was still wailing as I rolled her into the schoolroom 15 minutes late. I finally had to excuse myself to go cry alone, and the teacher said to shut the door as Joy made known her distress. 15 minutes later I returned and helped Joy finish a poem about Stinkles. (Will post later...it's with the teacher) She wasn't yet happy, but quiet at least. She had her dinner,(two ice packs on knee and hip) a quick nap for me, then off to the kids concert downstairs in The Zone. Not a huge crowd, but fun. Paul met us there around 7:15 so I could run to choir practice. Paul later tried to do pin-care himself, but the nurse took over, didn't think daddy was "cleared" to do it.....he's been doing it for a month! I arrived back at the room around 1A.M. to find them both asleep. Sent Paul home for the night and I'm gonna try to turn in soon......but I now have a VCR set-up, and want to watch the ANTM finale!!!

Rehab Day 5

Lots of fun and progress today! All the PT/OT/school/group activities went well this morning. Joy walked a long way down the hall, and only cried on the way back....she used the new bedside potty chair instead of the bedpan, she had her first two peer group activities, which were fun. Good to interact with the other kids. Then after she was done with her busy day, her best friend Briley (and brother Ty) came over!! We all went down to see the cute doggie visitors, and showed them all the fun hospital attractions. I got to meet with the whole team of caregivers for Joy, and ask questions, and found out we are there for two weeks! Pin care was fine too. Whew. I left her playing Wii (while strapped into the CPM machine), in her daddy's capable care. Now to watch The Biggest Loser on video.....and relax at home! Just have to remember to sleep.

Clown visit today!!

Day 4....Monday

Busy, productive, fun, lots of good things happened today! First, the dressing on her split incision stitches was changed, and all is well under there....Then the first P.T. session involved playing Wii! Always a plus! I french braided Joy's hair, very cute! She got to go to the activity room and play on her favorite game, then more Wii during P.T....she killed a lot of "Mii's" while the therapist moved her knee, and she was sitting up normally at the edge of the platform, and wasn't in too much pain! I think her knee got to 65 degrees?! Joy finally let us try ice on her knee, I think she likes it! She did very well today, and got rewarded with yet another plush pussycat from the gift shop.....We had a great bowling game during P.T. too, I bowled a 199!!! I got to watch Oprah in the activity room while Joy happily played her games, then down to "The ZONE" tonight where Joy did some stained glass crafts and played more Wii. (I need to invest in Wii, really amazing during this time! All the kids love it!!!) Then paul showed up to take over, and I came home to have a break. Back in the morning for another busy day! Oh! Can't forget to mention the lovely and uplifting visit from Atlanta Clown Care today too! I really love and support those guys and gals. They make kids smile during the rough stuff. Not an easy job.
Also forgot to mention the visits from the social worker, case manager, teacher, nurses, aides, Occupational therapists, physical therapists, the list goes on and on. Dr. Flanagan came by too, just to check on Miss Joy. We sure are lucky to be exactly where we are. Soaking it up while we can.......

Day 3 Rehab

Today was a good day! When I arrived after church Joy was happily strapped into the new CPM machine and painlessly bending her knee! WOW!!(Up to 35 degrees already!!!) I brought Grandpa Tom with me, and then Missi, Matt and Megan stopped by. We played Wii (funny trying to teach Grandpa Tom how to bowl!)and had a nice visit.(Love the new glasses Missi!)
We can see the lobby from the 3rd floor window, so we let Megan (6) ride down the elevator by herself to go sit with her daddy. On her second trip down I was standing and waiting to see her emerge below, but instead I hear a terrified scream from inside the closed elevator..."Aunt Heiiiiidiiiii!!!!!" Laughing, I reminded her she had to push the "1" button before she'd go down. Seconds later I saw her emerge and run to her daddy for a much needed hug. Poor baby.
Our guests left as Joy prepared for her first sponge bath. Glad to finally get some of the marker drawings scrubbed off her arms (from International night at school). She played in the activity room for a long time afterwards, even managed to sit completely upright in the wheelchair now that the bar is off the fixator! She was quite pleased with that!
Pin care was done by a different nurse, and was MUCH easier tonight! Hardly a peep out of Joy. Last night's nurse must have been really rough on her. It was a relief to not have to hear the screams.....Joy hardly has a voice today.
She's had a sleeping pill, and finally turned off the T.V. at midnite. Big day tomorrow! Full schedule of PT! Yay!!

Rehab Day 2: part two

Joy's occupational therapist evaluation session went well. He was impressed at how Joy can dress herself ( liked our velcro modifications!), and her ability to transfer from the bed to the chair. (Still painful though!) Then Joy got to play computer games while forms were filled out and we answered questions. Then our friends Janet and Charleston came by bearing gifts!!! It's a true friend that will come visit you in the hospital! We had a lovely visit, Joy loved her gifts and I enjoyed a yummy chicken salad sandwich on flatbread from Subway! Thanks Y'all!!

PT/OT will get tougher come Monday, but for now, not too stressful.....that is, until it was time for the dreaded pin-care! The nurse had the pleasure of unwrapping, cleaning and rewrapping tonight as Joy screamed louder than I've ever heard before. I managed not to cry along, and tried to encourage her to breathe and get through it. Pin-sites look pretty red and raw, but Dr. Flanagan gave them a mighty scrub while Joy was under. The gaping hole with a new stitch looked much better! Once Joy was wrapped up, she passed out, and I tried my best to nap with her. Then daddy arrived with a Wii for the room (which he then wants to donate to the hospital...) AND a tiny TV for me so I don't have to watch the Disney channel anymore!!!!!!!! Wow!! What a great husband, huh! :) They are happily playing Wii while I get to have quiet time at home.

Rehab Day 2 (morning)

Aside from not getting much sleep thanks to Joy the night-owl....this morning went really well! Dr. Flanagan came in and said we could remove the stabilization bar PERMANENTLY!! Then PT got her into the wheelchair and to the gym for a few simple tests. Nothing traumatic. Then we were free to wander about for a bit. Saw some nice clowns!! Played video games in the activity room, enjoyed the crazy stacking turtles, saw the fish pond, the fountain, and shopped in the gift shop. Then back to the room for some lunch. The trouble started when Joy had to go potty, and it's tough to do in the wheelchair. Transferring to the bed was too hard, so finally the nurse and Paul lifted her up and moved her. My ears are still ringing from the intensity of the screaming. Not good, won't do that again!!!!! ACK! She's finally calm again, next session (OT) at 2.