Cold Shoulder

      Seen in the parking lot this morning.

My host family let me borrow a small Christmas tree. It looks nice in the room at night as it has a reflection in the window. 

     MRI results on left shoulder, tear in one of his rotator cuff tendons, tear in the labrum. Orthoscopic surgery will slow down recovery, will begin anti inflammatory medicine. So the question is do we do surgery now because he is not progressing or wait until later. They will consult and let us know. Either way works for us. We are not going anywhere.

     Now for some good news: 

     He can flex some of his tummy muscles. He has feeling on both feet now. Which means not just his toes but both feet are ticklish. He can sign his name and it is readable. He is doing Sudoko puzzles. He moved his left foot in view of the therapists so it is confirmed. 

       The OT therapist worked with his right arm and strengthening muscles, she did stretching with his left hand and some movement. 

      The speech therapist is having him sing Christmas Carols. We are singing with the Mo Tab, Joy to the World was too fast. The First Noel was better. La las and do re me's.  Pitch weaving is singing 'basket ball' going higher in pitch and lower in pitch.

Row, row your boat with not too deep or loud inhales. Talking over the background music increases diaphragm strength. She said he needs to practice oral reading so he can speak for 20 min at a time. Good he can read scriptures with me now.

     PT is here and they are stretching his legs, one on each leg. 

    Lunch was cod, rice, green beans, 2 percent milk, and a 3 inch chocolate chip cookie.

    For PT Bruce worked on sitting up without assistance. He balances and then they push him with a finger and he has to resist that and stay sitting up. No it is not bullying.

   

     OT showed him what a slide board is and how is works. It is used for transfers from a wheelchair to a bed, a wheelchair to a car, it is used for sliding from seat to seat.

     I thought it would be as long as the bed. This is a nice size. Bruce said they were talking about using it tomorrow.

They talked about putting a pulley system on the bed for strength exercises. We might be moving to another room that has a lift in the ceiling if that doesn't work.

      We found they won't be doing the shoulder surgery while we are here. It takes two months to recuperate so that will be put off for awhile. They gave him anti inflammatory medicine, ice, heat and strength. The arm would regress to much if it isn't moved, so we push on.

    Lee and Lovena Clinkinbeard came by for a chat after therapy. That was a nice break.

     Followed by a car full of friends from La Grande, Sandra Morehead, Verna Feik, Beverly Kirkwood and Carma and Bob Bedard. They were on a temple trip. Bob said he had to be back in time for the scout canned food drive, travel safe. 

       Dinner was Hunter's beef stew in a bread bowl with a fruit plate.

Talked to Luke on Skype about bb games. 

     Bruce shaved and then brushed his teeth. He is listening to BYUtv Handel's Messiah, it is a documentary, but they have characters in costume that act it out. I watched part of it the other day. I found it interesting.

    Brought home Bruce's clothes to wash. My host family the Robisons let me use the washer and dryer. They invited us over for Christmas dinner. Hopefully Bruce will be able to do transfers by then.