Not just Sudoku, but 3D Sudoku with colors? I am out.
OT teaches you how to function in the world independently. Okay, that is a very simplified way of putting that so please don't get offended if you are an OT and reading this. Clearly this blog is through the eyes of two people how really have no expertise in PT or OT unless you are talking about playing time and overtime. But I digress.
His lovely OT had him doing a 3D Sudoku that was with colors and different block shapes. This had to be done in 30 minutes and the OT had never seen anyone finish it before - Alex came with mere blocks of solving the puzzle and asked if he could finish it in his afternoon session. It is moments like this that I realize he might not actually be my kid (as I would have just made pretty pictures) and that I am reminded how lucky we are that his cognitive function wasn't effected by this unfortunately accident. He says he almost finished it that after by the way, so I wonder if they will work on it today....
So PT did not include the big stick but did include stairs and squats. He told me he could hear his Strength and Conditioning Coach in the back of his head yelling at 'lazy slackers' about the right way to do squats. He was doing great considering he has to put all his energy into not snapping back or hyper extending his knee. Butt out, chest up - better than I would do I assure you! He also learned the freaky feeling of E-stim therapy which is electrical stimulation. This doesn't hurt but does try to wake up the muscles he needs to fire. Bill offered to hook one up for him at home but somehow I think that wouldn't be the same thing.
So there is this big game...
The meeting with the doctors went better than we could have all hoped for - even Alex with his high standards. We have the best team of doctors that are very supportive of Alex and his journey. They gave him the good news that he could be discharged and home on Saturday morning. After they told us the other details on what that meant, I decided (as a sometimes protective mama bear - a right that I deserve) to see what I could do as I saw the kid's spirit crush a little when he realized he would miss the last regular season home game and senior night. I asked if we could jail break him Friday night for the game if we promised to be super careful and bring him right back. This is when his Doctor became the super hero of the hour - she said 'Let's just discharge him Friday morning then! No reason to miss another game and I think you have earned it!' Okay, I have seen a lot of joy and pain, happiness and frustration out of Alex (and all of us to be honest) this week but that moment? His eyes sparkled like he was just told he was taking of Disney but wouldn't have to work, just live in the park and have fun for the rest of his days. That moment Alex knew all his hard work had paid off and convinced him to work even harder as he KNOWS he will continue to beat expectations and be just another kid walking down the hall in no time. He went into his next PT session informing me that he was going to work even harder as he knew he had drops left in the tank. I have always been a person who appreciates the small things in life and was raised as one who meets ever challenge as an adventure but after seeing Alex go through this with the grace he has shown at 17? Well that just cements that I will continue to live my life that way!
The Boss - and the Boss ladies who delivered
The other day, Saturday (in what seems like a year or two ago), I brought Alex The Boss from Ruthie's Food Truck and tweeted a picture with a caption about how The Boss sandwich was going to help him kick ass in therapy. To my surprise, the amazing ladies at Ruthie's reached out to me and let me know they were praying for Alex and would love to come see him! HOLY COW!!!! I mean HOLY PIG!!! So yesterday, after therapy and the excitement of our meeting, the two lovely ladies, Robin & Kelly came and met Alex in his room!!! They brought a bag of goodies - yes, including free sandwich coupons and a hat - and talked with him about his experience and how he was their Man of the Month. I cannot even explain to you how amazing this is - the owners of our favorite food truck took time out of their day to come see Alex and just talk with him! They passed along prayers and hugs from all their drivers. They sat with him in the bed and talked about the duck. They laughed with all of us and brought more sunshine into rehab. They also brought us some amazing Live Love Pop! popcorn as the owner had heard Alex's story (she offices next door to Ruthie's) and was not only praying for him but also wanted him to have some good snacks! I cannot even tell you how blessed we are as a family. Not only do we have family and friends praying for us, but complete strangers are not only praying but are embracing Alex and supporting him in his journey! Just amazing!!!It's the fun
- Bill "I am sure I can lift us on this, put on the belt and I will try it out." Oh yes, there is a lift and lots of buttons in this new room and someone wants to try it out very badly...
- Nurse "I like this room, I only have to worry if I come in and there isn't laughter!" We laugh in here, a lot. At each other, with each other, it doesn't matter - we just laugh
- Erin "There is a big game Friday night..." Doctor "We don't do therapy on Friday night anyway so let's just switch it to Friday. We have to have our priorities and the big game is a big one!" She came in later and talked to just Bill & I and shared that Alex's continued involvement with his teams over the past week and a half has only helped drive his therapy goals and could only help more.
- Buddy "I got something to remind you what to do when you see a ball coming your way...it's a duck" This was last week but bears repeating as this duck is now a fixture in room 300 and a comforting snuggle for adults and kids alike when needed
- OT "I want a cool pink therapy belt - ours our so blah!" Talking about the once hated and now love pink PT belt that Alex wears just in case someone needs to grab him and stop a fall
- Chocolate shakes, KFC fried chicken bowls and Ruthie's - with food like that, how can a teenage boy not succeed? He is going to be so sad when he realizes I will be cooking again when we get home...
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