What is Better
I think I should list the things that have improved in Robb's condition. In no particular order.
Robb can press down with his feet.
Robb can feel the heels and sides of the bottom of his feet, and is regaining sensation in his toes. He says he cried while putting on his socks today, because he could feel his toes.
Robb can wiggle his toes.
Robb is regaining sensation in his pelvic area.
Robb can get out of bed, and into a wheelchair without assistance.
Robb stood at the sink, and washed up today. (He called this a "Normal Daily Activity as Personal Triumph.") Prior to today, he was washing up using the wheelchair.
Robb no longer finds sitting up in the brace completely exhausting. Nor, is lying on his back in the brace agonizing. However, neither of these activities can be done for extended periods of time.
Robb can climb up and down stairs placing his feet on alternating treads. He can do this using a banister, or a cane.
Robb can walk with a walker, and is beginning to walk without one.
Robb can laugh without excruciating pain. Some jokes are still dangerously funny.
In fact, thanks to his medications, Robb is not experiencing much pain at all.
He will probably kill me for being so corny, but Robb can maintain a positive attitude through all of this process. I have not seen him upset or frustrated or depressed or anything other than optimistic since the day of the accident.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. I'm tired, and it is actually difficult to keep track of the progress. I had to remind Robb that just a few days ago, he couldn't feel the bottoms of his feet. As we understand it, the swelling of the spinal chord is still going down, so there is lots of room for more improvements, even before the real healing begins!
Robb can press down with his feet.
Robb can feel the heels and sides of the bottom of his feet, and is regaining sensation in his toes. He says he cried while putting on his socks today, because he could feel his toes.
Robb can wiggle his toes.
Robb is regaining sensation in his pelvic area.
Robb can get out of bed, and into a wheelchair without assistance.
Robb stood at the sink, and washed up today. (He called this a "Normal Daily Activity as Personal Triumph.") Prior to today, he was washing up using the wheelchair.
Robb no longer finds sitting up in the brace completely exhausting. Nor, is lying on his back in the brace agonizing. However, neither of these activities can be done for extended periods of time.
Robb can climb up and down stairs placing his feet on alternating treads. He can do this using a banister, or a cane.
Robb can walk with a walker, and is beginning to walk without one.
Robb can laugh without excruciating pain. Some jokes are still dangerously funny.
In fact, thanks to his medications, Robb is not experiencing much pain at all.
He will probably kill me for being so corny, but Robb can maintain a positive attitude through all of this process. I have not seen him upset or frustrated or depressed or anything other than optimistic since the day of the accident.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. I'm tired, and it is actually difficult to keep track of the progress. I had to remind Robb that just a few days ago, he couldn't feel the bottoms of his feet. As we understand it, the swelling of the spinal chord is still going down, so there is lots of room for more improvements, even before the real healing begins!
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Three Doctors
Three doctors are waiting in line to get into the pearly gates. St. Peter walks out and asks the first one, "What have you done to enter Heaven?"
"I am a pediatrician and have brought thousands of the Lord's babies into the world."
"Good enough to enter the gates," replied St. Peter and in he goes. The same question is asked of the second doctor.
"I am a general practitioner and go to Third World countries three times a year to cure the poor." St. Peter is impressed and allows him through the gates.
The third doctor steps up in line and knowing the question, blurts out, "I am a director of a HMO."
St. Peter meditates on this for a while and then says, "Fine, you can enter Heaven...but only for 2 days."