Monday 4/26

Today started off a bit rough as Kathy was not feeling well and had to miss both of her normally scheduled therapy sessions. By 2:00pm she was finally feeling much better and was able to get into a later therapy session. Missing the two sessions was stressful, it is very obvious that she wants to be in therapy as much as possible and make every bit of progress she can make everyday. Thankfully, her sister Coleen was here for most of the day and helped her through feeling sick, the emotions of missing therapy and missing her "normal" life.

This rough start to the week came on the heels of a very busy Sunday with lots of friends and family visiting for most of the day. Kathy also did a Skype call with her niece who was off to her first prom. Kathy and her niece are very close so Kathy's inability to be there to see this milestone was difficult for both of them. Kathy's resolve always impresses me, just like her need to be in therapy consistently, she is now totally focused on not missing any other big events in the lives of her friends and family. It seems that out of every tough emotional challenge she simply strengthens herself for the next push.

The progression of Kathy's physical strength is subtle but significant. The new thing is her ability to fairly easily use the phone and the super extending TV mounted to the wall behind her bed. As long as the TV and phone are close she is able to use them. Also, we have been joking for weeks that once Kathy was able to operate the controls for the bed we would know she was on her way, of course she know works the controls effortlessly.

The therapy session today included core work and additional strength and dexterity work mostly on her left arm. Kathy's right arm has come along very quickly and she can quite comfortably do most things with the right arm. The left arm is lagging behind the right and the shoulder muscles do not allow her the same range of motion. However, tonight was the first time Kathy lifted her left arm over her head without any help. While I was off to run an errand, Kathy told me she planned to work on the flexibility in her left shoulder. By the time I had returned she was showing off her new ability!

The plan for tomorrow is for Kathy to get back on her feet and work either in the walker or possibly on the parallel bars. Her therapists are not sure if she is ready for the parallel bars, so we will see what happens tomorrow.