Friday / Saturday Day Pass

Yesterday started very well for Kathy. She told me that in morning PT she increased her walking distance and was able to do this with no assistance from the therapists, they stay very, very close though just in case. Kathy did some visualization work on Thursday evening for her walking. She visualized her leg lifting then landing heal, toe, push and all over again on the other side. Since Kathy had a tough time walking earlier in the week, she felt this would help prepare her for Friday's work. In this case it did and her walking was good, even on both sides of her body, with her heals hitting first.

Kathy reported that the last of the pins and needles feelings are finally leaving her feet and toes. This has been gradually improving over the past two weeks from the knees down through the feet. Additionally, her doctor plans to do a full re-assessment of her capabilities next week. This should be interesting as now there is a base line to compare against (the day she arrived).

A test was run on Thursday to determine if Kathy has any urinary tract issues or infections. Based on the results of this test it is very likely that her catheter will be removed on Monday. This is the last tube to be removed! However, this presents a new set of challenges and fears. Once the catheter is out Kathy is on her own for urinary control and this is not likely to be a problem but sometimes finding assistance to transfer to the toilet is a problem. At times the nursing staff and aid staff at Kessler is a bit overwhelmed and not always able to respond in a meaningful amount of time, not consistently, but occasionally. Of course, even occasionally will not be acceptable once the catheter is out. Based on this fact, before it is removed Kathy plans to ask a few questions to her doctor.

At times, there are reminders of Kathy's home life, school life, and yoga world that bring on emotional moments. Yesterday Kathy received a card from one of the students that she teaches at McGinn Elementary. The card was very sweat and heartfelt and probably not as much the card itself but the personality of the young person who created it. Opening this card became a very emotional reminder for Kathy of everything she gave up in her life to go back to college and become a teacher. She expressed her frustration that just as she began this wonderful new chapter in her life (teaching), she now has to fight to save it after fighting to get it. Yesterday, Kathy wanted nothing more than to return to her school and see all of the young faces that make each of her days teaching so special.

Feel Better Mrs. Fritz

Today (Saturday) will be a cool day. Kathy received a day pass to leave the Kessler facility. Since we had practiced car transfers and also stair and curb obstacles with the wheelchair, we are now allowed to leave using the day pass. I can't wait to get Kathy out and about again. We may start with just a drive but will see where it goes after that.