Bill: Weds. Dec. 18: march, kick, clam, slide

A new version of standing! Last week's PT had Bill stand without assistance. On the edge of the table, lean forward, lift, slowly sit back down.

Unfortunately last week he didn't have his first speech evaluation (first outpatient visit for rehab), because Bill and Ayn canceled - ice on the sidewalks!

Also unfortunately, they had a difficult time trying to get prescriptions refilled. One problem was a missing script. The nephrology doctor said she wasn't changing anything, but only gave papers for four of the five meds. Standing at the pharmacy, Bill was getting bounced in phone calls between nephrology and his general practice doctor. Then pharmacy said their insurance was canceled. Wait a sec, we got all this straightened out last month! Bill was on the phone again, this time with United Healthcare, and was told that when he went on COBRA, the group and member numbers changed. So the billing went through. Oh, and they were out of labetalol, and could get it the next day.

This week, Monday's PT was a once-every-three-weeks evaluation. His assigned homework is all for leg and hip strengthening:

• March: sitting in a chair, lift the knees as high as possible, with controlled descent.
• Kick: still sitting, keep the knee down but lift the foot. Ayn is tasked with holding her hand out as a target!
• Clam (clamshell): lying down, with knees bent up, let the knees drop to the side and PULL/squeeze 'em back up.
• Slide: again lying, extend the leg out and slide the heel toward the butt, keeping the knee pointing up.

Bill had a follow-up appointment with his general doctor, and lab work. The doctor asked what his long-term plans are, does he plan to go back to work. Bill said yes, of course. It was good for her to ask, as that doesn't seem to be brought up often enough! And she didn't drop it there, but was encouraging about different options to explore if his left arm still limits his ability to use the computer.

Keepin' on keepin' on.