job well done

There was probably a little “too much stimulation” concern for Michael’s participation last night but he did better than fine.  Intimate visits with friends and family help heal and are necessary but to see Michael surrounded with that much love and laughter warmed my heart.  He was so alive, so on point, so funny and so happy!  Thank you for making it an evening I will always remember.

This week’s update from the round of therapists brings confirmation that Michael will be home in two weeks.  There was a blend of good news and bad news.  Part of the good news, is part of the bad news.  Michael is more confident and more comfortable each day.  The knee is healing, he’s able to put more weight on it and as a result he feels confident in transferring himself.  This is not good!  He may have the physical strength but is far from being balanced enough or clear enough to get up and go on his own.

Yesterday, one of the therapists found him in the other bed in his room.  The day before, I had taken him to the bathroom and as soon as I walked out of the door to give him privacy, he got off the toilet and went back to his wheelchair.  Great news…NOT!  This will be tough for him to grasp…do you think Michael wants to hear that he can’t do something?  Has he ever?  You tell him he can’t do it, you better consider it done.  Until Michael actualizes his limitations, there is the likelihood that he will unknowingly place himself in great danger.  Restraints anyone?  For you very serious folks…that was a joke.  Just kidding.

Michael says that his knee still hurts.  With this brain injury, the therapists are not able to perform true tests to verify if, what, where the knee hurts.  His doctor suggested they start him on Cymbalta to see if the pain is a nerve association that may not be related to actual pain but a reactor from the brain injury.  With any medication, it will take a week or so for them to see if there is improvement.  His daily dose of Cymbalta began yesterday.

Their forecasted goal for discharge is to get Michael to a 25% assistance level with everything but stairs.  He’s at 75% assistance for stairs as of yesterday and in two weeks, they hope to see the need for only 50% required.

They are pleased with the gains this week and feel that he is back on course.  We have our last family meeting on the 27th at 2pm and then a week and a day later…Michael will be home.