What a week!

Karl is improving so rapidly that it’s difficult to keep up with all the things that are happening. On Monday he sat at the edge of the bed while his physical therapist Megan tested his equilibrium. She pushed him this way and that while he resisted. He is getting so much more stable. He had a hankering for fast food so I ran to Arby’s and McDonald’s. His caloric intake is much improved and you can tell it’s really helping him build strength.

Tuesday saw even more activity. Karl was dressed in shorts and a tee shirt when I arrived. His occupational therapist Katie has been working his arms and will help him to do chores that seem pretty easy for you and me. For Karl, putting on a shirt is quite a task and so getting his arms back in shape is very important. He’ll also need arm strength when it comes to getting around in a wheelchair. Around 2 p.m. Megan came in with a wheelchair and a board that allows Karl to slide from the bed to the wheelchair. After wrapping his legs with Ace bandages to help ease the pressure Karl feels when he puts them down, Megan and Anne, his nurse, slid Karl into the wheelchair. Off we went to tour the 3rd floor inpatient rehab area. Once he’s discharged from the 8th floor orthopedic med/surg wing, this will be his new habitat.

Karl met with a bunch of doctors Tuesday to plead his case to be transferred. Our thoughts are that he is ready to start the intense three-hour-a-day rehabilitation. He can’t have chemotherapy until the incision on his stomach is completely healed and they expect that to be at least two more weeks. Rather than wait on the 8th floor, why not do the rehab and then come home for the chemo? All of his doctors seem to be in agreement…except that Dr. Yaszemski likes his patients to have chemo first. Unfortunately he’s out of town. We’re hoping we’ll know something by the end of the week.

In the meantime, Karl is continuing to improve. Today he got into the wheelchair again and Katie took him to an occupational therapy gym where he worked a hand bike and boxed three rounds on a Nintendo Wii. After doing the bike, he said he felt like Lance Armstrong. Only different. He was so intense while boxing that both Katie and I got a good laugh. You’ll be happy to know that his debut bout was a draw. Even though he suffered no literal punches to the eyes, he said, “Cut me Mick.” (Referring to the scene in ROCKY), which of course made us laugh even more. Boy was he wiped out though.

We are so thankful for these improvements and for your prayers and kindnesses. God is good.

Blessings,

Kerry

Redeemer of Life and light that shines in darkness, we thank you for your renewing spirit. Receive our thanks, O God for your healing grace. Forgive, restore and empower us. Sustainer of Life and ever present comforter, we thank you for the gifts of hope and peace. Receive our thanks, O God, for all who journey with us. Receive our thanks, O God, for strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
Amen.

(A.F. Frieze)

Karl working on the hand bike with Katie, his occupational therapist. Karl said he felt like Lance Armstrong. Only different. Karl is guarding his head from punches while boxing on a Nintendo Wii.