Day 84 - Meh!

Captain's Log: Day 84 Still at Sea - Not much to report today. The crew is weary, our stocks are running low, the larder infested with rats. From the crow's nest a report of red sky at dawn. The first mate overheard the crew muttering...

First mate Daniel did okay with therapy. He seems a bit less happy than his happiest, a bit of complaining all day; more as the day wore on I'd say. I think this stems from a lack of the return of the MOAB, this being day 4. Those opioids again clogging up the works!

A short while after lunch Daniel hurled. We think it's the minute dose of Milk of Magnesia that we tried to have him drink. He swallowed a very small amount and refused the rest. About 25 minutes later all that came up and out! (This is the only time he's been sick here and we think it was the MOM to blame).

He did pretty good with his shower today. Maybe we are getting better at giving them. Today we made the executive decision to not use the Hibiclens as it dries his skin terribly. We obtained foaming soap that they use in the tub room named Remedy - it is not quite as nasty (no alcohol, fewer caustic chemicals). It may not clean as well, but he doesn't have but a few open wounds still so we skipped the Hibiclens all together. After his shower we soaked him in lotion. It didn't seem to matter, he started itching and scratching like crazy again. Takeaway: I think we need to time his shower so that his anti-itch Atarax medication has more time to fully kick in.

We discussed the use of a CPM device for a two-week trial to see if it can help increase his range of motion in his shoulder. It was Jamie that came up with this therapeutic idea as was the Jazz splints for his elbows. We should have the continuous passive motion device on Thursday. The Jazz splints (they force the elbow to bend and extend range) will be arriving soon too.

We asked the team leader Dr. Payne (I know, right?) to work out and prioritize amongst themselves what things are most important each day for when Daniel is discharged. We try every day to do all the therapies for the recommended hours, but I also realize that some days will be harder than others and we need to know what is most important if we just run out of time. I think we do a better job than most patients since we force our own will on Daniel and he does his best to comply.