Written by Kennedy
We are working on getting out of South Carolina! Lynette, Denny and I (Kennedy) can't wait to be home to see all of our friends and family. We were originally waiting on a bed at the rehab facility but have now been waiting on transport. Due to mom's condition, she must be transported by ambulance. The first one available is for Sunday, where she will be taken directly to Ohio State Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital.
Mom has been in better spirits the past few days. She is feeling more confident in her recovery because of her increase in mobility as well as the positive comments from therapists, doctors and nurses about her improvements. We know it will be a long road ahead but we are happy with the progress we have already seen.
She has stronger mobility in her legs than her arms at this time. She is able to lift them, kick them out side to side and bend her knees. Her legs get very stiff and need help stretching occasionally but after a stretch with support, she is able to move them on her own pretty well now. She is working on moving her ankles throughout the day and writing the ABC's with her toes. Her arms are moving more than they were. She can now lift her arms for us to adjust her pillow and has been working hard to scratch her face and attempting to use the call button or press the buttons on her bed. She is not quite able to make a fist and doesn't have much movement in her fingers. The doctors and therapists said the fingers would likely be the last thing to come back.
Her blood pressure has been a little lower than usual. There could be a number of causes for this such as not drinking enough water, the medicine she is on and her spinal cord injury in general. The therapy team is working on slowly letting her heart rate adjust as they use her ICU bed to get her into a sitting position. We have loved the therapists here at Grand Strand. They have given us many ideas for getting her moved and stretched. Mom is working hard to master these movements.
We appreciate everyone reaching out and checking on all of us. We can't wait to see everyone when we are back in Columbus.
Love and hugs from South Carolina.