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June 10, 2013
Apr 22 Email: Therapy and my Intestines
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:36:04 -0400
From: Jon Nathan
Subject: Neuro Update: Mon 04/22
Hi everybody, continued thanks for everything.
Today I worked very hard. I had to physical and one occupational
therapy session. PT continues to focus a lot on posture and attention
to muscular and joint alignment. I also did a good amount of walking
without a walker. I need to concentrate on about eight aspects of
my gait to move effectively. This is difficult, but that is what I
have to do. I'm getting better at controlling the pain in my neck
and shoulders, which helps as well. I am starting to be able to
view my legs and feet a little more while walking, which helps with
my proprioception. I am sore and exhausted now as a result, but I
think it is for a good cause. One phrase that I'm happy to be on
top of is, "I would like my Valium now please." I will rest and
recover for the remainder of the evening.
OT focused on more fine motor skills. Picking up and manipulating
small objects with my right hand is difficult because of the stiffness
in my fingers. I think I have neglected this area little bit because
my left hand is in extremely good shape. But I need to stop
compensating and concentrate on regaining right-side dexterity. I
will be brushing my teeth and eating at least part of my meals with
my right hand in an effort to address this.
One more fun detail is that my bowels are still not moving regularly.
Trying to find a comfortable position on the toilet is difficult.
All of my old tricks cause discomfort. I will ask the nurse for
pointers.
Still no word on the pathology results. I'm continuing to pester
the doctors about that. One unrealted item that I've neglected to
discuss until now was that I had something of an abscess on my right
elbow prior to this procedure. It was swollen and spongy and ugly
looking, but it did not cause much discomfort or problem. Somehow
through the course of all the treatments, it seems to be clearing
up on its own. It is good to know that I do not have elbow cancer
on top of everything else :)
I'm also working more with hot and cold therapy. A warm compress
on my back is relaxing, and I hope to stimulate sensation with a
cold ice pack on the right side of my body. The doctor thinks that
my extremities and core are regulated by different neural tracts,
and that it is a similar process to retrain the students to listen
to the substitute teacher. Meaning that there is not much I can
do except take the time and work at it. Recovery in this specific
area is not expected to go quickly, but it is one of the more
tolerable deficits.
The doctor and therapists seem to be encouraged by my progress.
Tomorrow is their team meeting where they will discuss my prognosis
and hopefully discharge plan. It seems reasonable to me right now
that I could leave here by the end of the week, but that is obviously
not my decision. I would probably need additional time at home
before I could return to anything resembling a normal life, but it
will still be good to get out of the inpatient rehab center. And
I've said this before, but when I can take off my neck brace, I
think a lot more things will fall into place.
Thank you again and again for listening to me discuss this. I will
continue to update with my thoughts and progress
-Jon
Posted by jon at June 10, 2013 1:15 AM