Bill, June 20: changing the dance from a waltz to the two-step

Bill did a TON of walking today.  From the apartment, down the hall, standing in the elevator, out to the car. From the car, to the elevator, into the clinic and PT room ...  Actually, let's just say the only wheelchair time he had was the trip through Whole Foods!

One of his PT activities was the balance-feedback stand. He learned to weight shift by doing a "hip-check" (yes, like in ice hockey) instead of leaning his shoulders over.

Getting back to this post's headline, and the reference to dance.  His walking routine has been a three-step: cane forward, step left, step right. That's a waltz rhythm. Now he is challenged to make it a two-step: cane-and-left-step-at-the-same-time, step right. Once again, this video doesn't show up on my iPad, so switch to your PC for a really good show. He got really smooth later in the morning, trust me!

 

Bill, Fri. June 6: elliptical, biking, and stairs

You can see how hard Bill is working on the elliptical, above.  But dig how well he does on the "recumbent stepper:"

 

Sorry I didn't get a video of him on the free-standing steps; he was too fast!

 

Bill reports that his work hours went well this week, despite not having access to all the subsystems he needed to work in.  Yeah!

Bill, June 2: PT and PT

PT #1: Physical Therapy
PT #2: Part Time back to work!

Physical therapy Friday included: walking all the way from the waiting room, lots of stretching, movement.  The session was capped off by seeing if Bill's new SF-Giant-themed Crocs would work. Sort of, but they will need to try another size.  The good news is that the "heel cup" is deep enough to keep the brace stable, plus it has a heel strap.

Part time work starts tomorrow!  Bill can work up to six hours (per his doctor).  He already has an assignment from his boss.

Please send Bill your best wishes on this achievement.

Bill: Monday May 19: partial release to work

Bill saw his rehab doctor (from his time at Good Sam's RIO), which was scheduled as a follow up on the recent Botox treatment.  Doc signed a partial release for Bill's return to work. Beginning of June, up to six hours a day, 2 - 3 days per week.  He's so excited, and we are all so very happy for him.

Next we made a trip to Fit Right, a shoe store just north of the hospital.  We had been guessing on the shoe size, so it was finally time to get it right. He needs a 12.5 4E (to fit the brace).  Another happy event.  Except Bill wanted orange shoes to support his San Francisco Giants, and he could only get black and white in the store.  Anybody want to send them some bright orange shoe laces?

Afterwards, it was another trip to Whole Foods.  Something happened, and Bill wants me to post it, though it wouldn't have been my choice.  As Bill stands from the car, he usually gives Ayn a big hug and kiss.  This time he managed to sneeze just as he was kissing her.  That's it, that was the big event. Aren't you glad he shared?

Today, Wednesday, was occupational therapy. She's relieved at how much his left hand is relaxing, letting go of the "tone."  I trimmed his mustache, and we had a call with Social Security.  It seemed like a long call, 'tho it was under 15 minutes.  And the guy was very helpful, methodical, and non-rude.   I need to send a note to that local office supervisor as a thank you.

Beyond that, Bill and Ayn continue to downsize toward their late July move.  I took a bunch of books to Goodwill for them (as in, filled up half of the back of the Highlander).  They are free to find another happy home.

Bill: Sunday May 18: catching up

California trip; upcoming move: yes, they made their visit to the Bay Area, including a trip to Bill's work headquarters. (Anyone who was there, please feel free to post observations on how well Bill was doing!). Ayn reports Bill walked some long corridors, using closer to normal pace and more even steps. They got to have lunch with the boss and some coworkers.  The boss had Bill review a code change and generally quizzed him on processes -- I think to get a feel if he's ready to come back.

Rather than try to buy a home now, they've decided to rent. This will give them more time to get to know the housing market.  Also, the more Bill has physical progress, it can expand their options if he can do more stairs. They decided on an apartment, cleared the background, and sent a deposit to move in late July.  (Insert Mom's sad face here)

More crazy downsizing.  If you're a fan of sci-fi books, let them know because they are letting go of a ton.  Old programming books and other genres.  Maybe not 2,000 pounds, but I bet it could be 200!  Stuffed animals, too.  They are attached to many, but others will be available to good homes.

Physical therapy this week was lots of work.  Balance, which he easily got to 50-50 this time; so the challenge was to hold at 60% on the left side! Then do it with the eyes closed! Then 70%, and hold it while talking about something else. Then step-through walking.  Then walking at the bar with a lunge/squat pose. He earned that trip to Whole Foods for grilled cheese Friday!

Bill: May 8, ten months

Today is ten months.  Such a journey. 

Bill wants to get back to work this month.

I say he has been working.  Very hard.

Bill: Tues., May 6: fingers, funny, and other

Bill has had a lot of work over the last two weeks toward his left arm, with focus on his fingers.  I already reported on the latest round of Botox.  One "funny" to add from that visit. As the medical assistant was getting him settled in, one of her questions was, "Do you know your approximate height?"  Bill answered, "five-eleven and three-quarters." We all giggled at the approximation.  Of course it's probably off by a whole lot of mils.  (Thousandths of an inch)

OT made a little hand insert to more easily work his large finger joints. Anne-Marie is really worried about them permanently freezing up on him.

PT really worked him Monday. Before he got on the balance-feedback platform, she had him do toe taps. Toe tap up, down, other foot up, down.  The step up is fairly high, about ten inches. A set of balancing on the platform, rest, another set of toe taps, then a different balancing routine, then the floor exercise of walking through the "ladder," then leading with the right foot, then side steps through the ladder (easier to the right than to the left).

Bill and Ayn are on another trip to Northern California, and will be checking out housing options. Yes, sad face, they are planning to move there in August.

Oh, and Bill's Social Security disability was approved.  It doesn't do anything for him because he has LT disability insurance, so it just goes to the insurance company to offset their cost.

And he hopes to go back to work, at least part time, soon.