Day 50 - Moving about

It's a beautiful day at the hospital. The sun is out and it's warming up, but the outside is a bit harsh for Daniel. We've realized he doesn't like the bright sun right now - I think it hurts his eyes and we have to be careful with his new skin so today we will remain indoors.

Daniel ate his breakfast except for eggs (he doesn't like them so that's no surprise) . His OT worked with him and took turns with using a fork to take bites of his food. She also stretched him and got his arms moving which caused him a fair amount of pain. Once he finished his breakfast he rested a little for the next activity.

We had him up and moving with the help of his nurse Aa. Daniel walked the furthest he's gone thus far. Then we had him sit in his chair angled in such a way so that he had to turn his head and neck to watch a movie. His lunch arrived, but he didn't seem to want to eat it. Daniel sat in his chair for over 90 minutes at which point other therapists arrived (A. and E.). They got him up again and we all walked to the gym.

Once in the gym Daniel was complaining a bit more than usual. I'm sure he was in pain, but I felt that I was hindering his output and being a distraction. I think he was hoping I would stop them and allow him to get out of doing the activity. I stepped out of sight in the hallway and left him to the sadists, um I mean therapists.

I missed out on all of what they were doing, but it seemed like he was able to do most of what they asked. They had him practice sitting and standing up. He sat on a big therapy ball (something he likes to do at home). Other things I could not determine what they were doing.

Earlier in the day Dr. Wi. stepped in to say he thought that Daniel might be ready to leave the Burn ICU unit in under two weeks. The proposed plan seems to be to move him to Children's hospital for his rehabilitation. All of this is in flux until we all collectively decide what's best for him. But what IS exciting about this statement is that Daniel's burns are healing nicely and all that remains (this is a BIG piece though) is rehabilitation.

Our goal each day from here on in is to do something each day that he hasn't done before.

• Sit in chair longer than before, 
• eat a full meal without our help, 
• take longer and longer walks, 
• do more physical therapy. 
• Stretch and extend the arms further... You get the idea. 

Today's goal was to walk further than before and Daniel did that pretty easily. He looked like he was in real pain, but he soldiered on to his room keeping his posture up, his gate true and his breath under control.

Right now he's earned a nap and is snoozing away in his bed before they start wound care. Heart rate still high in the 130s, but otherwise he's doing great!