Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday, September 20

Big day today – Sydney graduated from the ICU! Her next destination is Acute Neuro Rehab, but as they do not have a bed available yet, she will be admitted to the hospital for a few days until they have space. The therapists have been training Mom, Dad and Grandma, and we are now responsible for passive range of motion exercises every hour (where we bend and stretch her legs and feet to keep the muscles flexible), position (where we rotate her every 2 hours from back, to side, to other side to avoid bed sores), and her fashionable sheepskin boots (which we take on/off after 4 hours to avoid foot droop). We have also learned how to put on and take off her turtle brace, and are observing and assisting with physical therapy.

Today Sydney practiced sitting in a chair. The therapist does a “log roll” to roll her on her side, pulls the blanket under her to slide her to the edge of the bed, holds her legs and torso to lift her into a sitting position, bear hugs her and pulls her into a standing position, pivots, and then sits her on a chair. Her goal is sitting in a chair for 4 hours over the course of a day. Sydney also practiced finding her center of balance so she can sit without tipping over.

Highlight of the day – getting her hair washed! She is now ready to model for VO5 commercials! (The brand of shampoo we found in the hospital). Low point of the day – the pain meds caused a lot of bloating and she had an extremely painful distended stomach most of the day – no fun! Another highlight – reading a giant card from the Primary kids, getting a cute stuffed animal and books, and a cute card from Maren. So sweet!

We have been asked about whether she can have visitors yet. In rehab visits are only allowed between the hours of 5pm and 8pm. Other than close family and friends, let's wait a while longer to allow Sydney to get her strength up. (And with close family and friends, please check with us so we can let you know if it is a good time/day). As she starts feeling better, I think she would love to have her friends stop by for a short (and positive) visit to show support and love. This is a team effort – right?! For now, it would be better to send a card or post on the blog (I will read posts to her). She gets really exhausted from therapy and is still dealing with a lot of pain. (You may want to know it is her birthday on the 30^th if you want to wish her a great day!)

Sydney is so grateful for all the love and support you have shown her. She has felt your prayers and the power of your fasting – it is working miracles! Thank you to our Methodist friends who are praying as well! To all, your comments and cards really lift her spirits and keep that beautiful smile on her face. This will be a long road, so I know she will appreciate continued support down the road as she focuses on an intense therapy regimen. I appreciate the delicious meals friends and neighbors have brought in, and the acts of service such as neighbors picking and bottling my fruit (wouldn't you know it would get ripe this week!) Thank you to Carin for setting up this blog for us, and thank you so much for all your phone calls, emails, texts and notes. At some point I will have an opportunity to return all these calls, but for now know that we feel your love, it has helped us, and we are very grateful.