Slow and Steady

    On Wednesday Bruce tried the standing chair several times and it just didn't work. He was pretty tired and his muscles weren't functioning. So they put him on the mat and he started moving his legs like he was riding a bicycle. He was pretty excited about that. I told him to show me and he wasn't able to because his muscles were tired.

    Bruce uses a hydraulic lift to get from bed to chair and bed to shower chair. It takes two people to put him in the sling and shift him over. On Thursday Bruce started using a slide board transfer, which is using the strength of torso, hips and arms, he can move from place to place with moderate assistance. He can hold himself up right with his torso by himself, his hips are stronger, he needs to get his arms stronger. So with the help of two assistants he can do a transfer from a taller power chair to a shorter mat using a board and then they raise the mat and he slides back into the chair. We were excited about that and figure in about two months we won't need the sling and lift anymore. 

   On Saturday my friend Bonnie from quilting and her two handsome young grandsons brought over a delicious scalloped potato and ham casserole, homemade cookies and rolls. Thank you so much that was a pleasant surprise. And needless to say it didn't last long.

    Today in pool time Bruce was able to walk back and forth in the pool four times.

He was also able to kick his feet up while sitting in the transfer chair in the water. He is worn out from pool time.

    We are making progress, slow and steady.