Dave cares for Alex while I'm at work but this Friday and Saturday Dave got a "kitchen pass" and was able to help his son in law build a brick wall and then Saturday play some sand volleyball with his friends. Which gave me the opportunity to help Alex. I was shocked at how much more Alex was able to do since I last helped him shower and prepare for the day.
Fast facts... Alex's fingers don't work, think of all the things you do each day with your fingers. Alex can't do those things. But he is adapting and doing SOOOO much more than he was just 2 weeks ago. Since he is still pretty unstable, he sits on a transfer bench to shower. This weekend, he put the bench in the tub himself and he pulled the curtain (using both hands palms together) around himself, getting it all situated so the water wouldn't end up on the bathroom floor. Only thing he needed help with was washing his hair. Its awesome!!! Progress is still happening!! Its been 5 months since the Strike, the days seem long but the progress is evident and still continuing, I can't wait to see all that he can do 5 months from now. Kaleen aka Alex's mom
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Alex on Wednesday, Oct.6
Dane Thursday Oct 7th
Before Life Support was removed
Alex's Room
Thanks for all the love
Check you out, Alex! For all of those able-bodied folks out there let me let you in on a little secret ... manhandling one of those transfer/shower benches when your balance is compromised, PLUS without the use of fingers to grasp anything is quite astounding. That is an awesome accomplishment. I couldn't use a bench because our shower (built in the 50's) is too small. We purchased a shower stool, but it was so little and my balance was so bad that I felt like I would fall off. So, I ended up sitting on the shower floor, Indian-style trying to chase bars of soap out from under my legs and find a convenient place to hang the hand-held shower, usually on my own shoulder, while washing my hair. Why didn't I ask someone to wash it for me?! You're a lucky man, Alex. People pay good money to have others wash their hair! (wish I would have thought of that)
ReplyDeleteKaleen - you'll be gobsmacked by what Alex will be able to do in 5 months! Also, TOTALLY jealous that you have a husband that can lay brick and play sand volleyball all in one weekend! If you put my spouse in the sand he could build me one heck of a castle, but that's about it!
I have been reading this blog since its creation. I am so grateful for the updates and I have to say that I have to think about you boys every time I hear thunder and it makes me shake a little more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story on this blog. We all have struggles in this life...but we are rarely left alone in them. Often we manage with other people helping, either by action or words. That is what makes this life so beautiful. No matter our circumstances, everybody has the ability to help another.
Thank you for your help.