RIC day 7

Whew, I’m beat.  Super long day.  Lots of cool things happened, though…

9am - Managed to eat more for breakfast.  Ensure, Honey Nut Cheerios, Milk, OJ. 

10am - PT session with Svetlana.  She put me in this contraption that looks like a chair, at first.  It has a lever on the side that lets me jack myself up like a car with a flat tire, until I’m in a fully standing position.  Since I have a chance of “returning function,” this is used to keep my legs and feet used to supporting my weight.  Also people typically get dizzy or can’t handle the change from all the bed and wheelchair time.  I didn’t experience those issues at all.  I felt the warm blood rushing to my legs, which felt amazing.  It also somehow made my back feel better.  Honestly I can’t wait to do this one again.  I stood for 40 minutes.  Also I transferred to and from this without using the plank, which was another improvement.

While I was standing, a man came in and started talking to me.  Svetlana didn’t seem to have a problem with it, which confused me.  He had incredible credentials and wanted to give me the heads up on stem cell research stages, who to avoid, etc.  The whole time I was thinking, “Who the heck is this guy???” But it turns out I didn’t read the text on my phone from Joe Riccardi saying he’d be visiting me.  His name is Dr. Fessler and he’s world famous for his stem cell studies.  He was the chief neurologist for Northwestern Hospital for some time.  Now he focuses on stem cell research.  After my dad pulled him away to talk more, Svetlana let me know how amazing it was that he visited me at all, and that I should use him as a resource if needed, definitely.  I felt bad for being so skeptical and went and made nice with him.

11am - Group therapy.  We did some stretches and then played volleyball with a balloon.  It was actually really fun.  They put 2 lb weights on my wrists to make it harder on me.  I’m pretty sure me and slim (don’t know the guy’s name in the dreads, yet) dominated that game.  And it was 2 on 3!

Noon - Lunch and a quick surprise visit by Crystal and Kate.  

1pm - Another OT session.  We focused on transferring to the bathroom chair.  Then we spent the rest of the time balancing on a raised platform.  Before I had to hold my hands in front of me.  They let me play Wii this time, which was way more entertaining.  Bowling and swordplay.  I went 1-1 at bowling but dominated at swordplay.  Oh yeah.  That volunteer didn’t know what was coming.

2-3:50pm - Worked.

3:50-4:10pm - Talked with Rebecca who just made it back to Maputo.  Heavy hearts on both ends of the phone.

4:10pm - Late for group psychology session.  I didn’t like it that much.  It mainly consisted of people complaining that doctors weren’t better at predicting problems they had had.  The end result and advice given to the new guy (me) was to speak up and keep the doctor informed of my needs instead of letting issues get worse and worse.  I’m already doing that.  Hopefully next week is better!  They were good people, though.  Lots of kind souls here.

5:30pm - Dinner with parents in cafeteria.  Ate more again - turkey burger, sweet potato fries, two milks, two pickles, some green beans.  I think my appetite is back!  Erik and Nina showed up for some good conversation.

6:30pm - More work.  Shower in chair and bathroom routine.  Fun times!  

Gnight!