Another good step along the way today. A nurse came from Endoscopy (sp?) and pulled out the P.E.G.feeding tube into Mike's stomach, so now it's All by mouth. A fine change from 'Nil by mouth'. When I write 'pulled', I mean literally that. Amazing really. So now we have what many of us would regard as a nice challenge: How to whack heaps of calories into Mike, so he doesn't lose weight. The food still has to be of fairly uniform texture because he can't manage eating hard stuff, or chewy stuff, or too much variation in texture. We celebrated with a latte and a muffin in the hospital cafe.
The physio is going fine. Each time I watch I can see that Mike is getting his muscles a bit more stabilised and under control. In some ways it is very like gradually building up the weights in the gym. He starts out okay and then as he tires his muscles get wobbly. Because Mike is having to concentrate on each aspect of muscle movement, it is amazing to realise some of the complexity of even a small movement - stabilising other muscles, focusing on the one you want to move, controlling it, positioning the rest of your body to manage, bringing in to play the associated muscles etc.
Yours muscularly
Lee
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9 comments:
Progress is coming thick and fast - unbelievable when you look back at the "early days". Craig wondered if short stories of Roald Dahl would be of interest to Mike - I don't know if they were on the library list or not. Thinking of you, Lee, so often and will catch up in person soon.
Arohanui Lesley M
Now you even smell nice .Think pasta good for calories susi
Hey Mike!
Nice work on those muscles!
You'll have to teach Kent and thing or two when we come home! He has lost lots of weight from all that running!
And he has grown a nice orange beard! hmmmm?
Everyone thinks has about 45! Looks like you'll have to teach him a thing or two about shaving!
We booked our tickets to NZ today! All very exciting! We so cant wait to see you! And Im looking forward to meeting the rest of the amazing Wilkinson family!
Hope the flag is giving you something to read while you wait for the CD books!
Love you lots
Kent and Amanda xxx
Hi, Mike,
Must feel good to be untethered! A stressball might be a good accessory for you. You are supposed to just sit there and squeeze them. (Sure would get me stressed..) But it may help your hand muscles. Graduate to a squash ball before moving to the juggling. I saw recently a press release for a pretty good juggling machine - it managed 11 objects which I think is supposed to be the human record. I think they will release you when you start practicing with a modest three bedpans. (juggling, that is)
Cheers,
Rodney.
Don't you love the serious thought Rodney puts into his comments? Think of Helen having to LIVE with such brilliance! We're all viewing eating in a totally different light now, Mike. Great to be gaining control of your body again. Does Mum do the exercises? Yours, Gran.
Hi Lee and Co
The mail is still getting thru!
It makes great reading, a modern day miracle.
Off to Perth this arvo to catch up with Meredith for 5 days. Heading out to the Swan Valley - vineyards etc for some R & R. Back Wednesday to catch with whats news at Cavitt
Much love Liz
Dear All
Great to access from Samoa after five days of no eletricity and internet, and read of the fab steady progress... Pleased that old PEG is out - now you are really back your handsome self. Congrats to everyone. Thinking of you all heaps in this very hot and sticky climate. Mike, I have quite literally run out of Samoan postcards so I'm having to repeat some of the first ones in send in February so hope your memory hasn't recovered too much!! #36 posted today,
Big hugs
Mary
Hey Mike,
I have a Box of Leppin squezzies with your name on them if you want! We can even put them in a fuel belt for you!
Nick
Hi Mike,
Havent read the blog in a while because I have been travelling. I'd recommend www.audible.com if you want to listen to books on download. You do have to pay but there is a wide range of books and you can listen to them on your laptop or download to your ipod (if you are lucky enough to have one).
Keep up the amazing progress.
Sharyn Jones
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