Day Sixty Five

9:27 PM

Don was awake and in the day room when I arrived at a little after 7:00 this morning. The staff got him up about 5:00 and got him dressed. He went to the day room to wait on breakfast. He was finished with breakfast when I arrived. The transport service came just before 8:00 to pick us up. Our appointment was at 8:55 but we didn't arrive until almost 9:15. We had to wait about 30 minutes to be called back. They had to do x-rays again before removing the pins. The x-rays didn't show the extra bone like the hip and elbow. Dr. Gaston said that the extra bone usually only shows up in the hips and elbows. They removed 2 of the 3 pins in Don's hand. Dr. Gaston tried to get the third one but it was too deep to get. He told Don to wear his splint and to use his hand but not abuse it and the pin should work itself out. They will try to remove it in 4 weeks. If it can't be removed then, they will have to schedule Don for an out patient surgery to get the pin out. The doctor is allowing Don to have 2 pounds of weight in his left hand and wants him to use his hand but no weight baring with it. We were out of the office and on our way back to the center by a little after 11:00. We got back just in time for Don to eat lunch. After lunch he went to OT. He did all his arm exercises and had e-stim. He went to PT next and did a few exercises before attempting to stand. They helped Don to stand and transfer to his wheelchair to go outside and try to transfer to the car. Donnie Lee arrived just before we went to PT. He was on his lunch break. Donnie Lee was there to help with the transfer so that he could help with Don when we get him home. The PT got Don in the car pretty easy. He then explained to Donnie Lee what to do. Donnie Lee then stepped in helped Don out of the car. After resting for a few minutes Donnie Lee helped Don back into the car but then he had to leave to go back to work. Both did a great job! The PT helped him out of the car. He rested a bit and then his PT had him to walk with the walker back to the front door of the center. This was uphill and on pavement. Don made it up the grade and on to the porch area. He rested in the rocking chair for a good bit but then had to walk the rest of the way back to the rehab room. The PT did a re-evaluation and then e-stim on his legs. I checked with the business manager this afternoon and Don will be allowed to come back to the center of OT and PT. He will be able to come back as much as needed with no limitations. What a blessing! The therapists and the business manager said they had never heard of such but she assured me that the insurance had approved the therapy. We sat in the lobby until supper. Kristi came by when she got off work. While Kristi was gone to get us something for supper, the CNAs & I helped Don back to bed. About 8:30 I got Don settled for bed and Kristi and I left for the night.