Beverly left Tahlequah for Baton Rouge on September 17th, telling Mom, "I'll see you in a week!" Finally, three months later... she got to see her Mama today! It was an emotional reunion since they were used to seeing each other every day. Mom is 89 and has virtually no short term memory but is aware of Deedy accident and often says she's glad the sisters can be with her at a time like this. Chris drove mother from Tahlequah for the visit and after we had a great lunch and great visit(and pictures), Pauletta and Steve drove her back to Tahlequah.
Today Deedy's physical therapy was very, very difficult. After 3 months of being on her back and side, she was able to get onto her stomach on the mat in the gym. Getting from the power chair to the mat is down with a "slide board". The sisters are learning how to do this but still need help from Paul, the physical therapist. Once she was on the mat and practiced her sitting and balancing, she went down on one elbow, tried to pull her legs up on the mat (technique by Paul), and then with tremendous effort and assistance, rolled onto her stomach! While there, Janie massaged her back and shoulders. She certainly enjoyed this position but also knew the struggle awaiting her: getting back into a sitting position. While she cannot do these things without assistance, she is learning the technique and ways to work with her existing strength in her arms and elbows. She struggles with the 'dead weight" of her hips and legs. Just think about how hard this would be for you to do this if you had no movement in your hips and legs. Try it.

Beverly also had her usual occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions. When Paul returned for more physical therapy on her arms, Janie said it would be so good if he could just shock them into movement. Well, he returned a few minutes later with just that. I don't understand it, but he placed electrodes on her upper arm (triceps) and with an intermittent stimulus, she practiced moving her arms further than before. She didn't really enjoy this but said she was up for anything that will help her regain movement.

I think she is looking for a lighter workout this weekend. It's really nice to have Chris back with us!