www.todddube.com - March 25 ~ 31

MARCH 25 ~ 31

Monday, March 25, 2002

Todd went to physical therapy today. He also attended assisted technology class where he used the Dragon Naturally Speaking program and a PC again.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

Mom and Todd attended family training in his room to discuss his daily routine once he returns home. He also had physical therapy and occupational therapy today. In therapy, the therapist stimulated Todd's wrists to determine if wrist movement may be possible. Electrical stimulation causes the muscles to contract and Todd's wrists lifted as though he is waving. This may be the beginning of some possible wrist control. Todd got a haircut from a real barber, not his father this time. He also learned to play cards using a mouth stick.

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

During physical therapy today Todd's therapist had him lie prone again on his stomach for about an hour. He loves this and looks forward to being able to sleep this way in the future. Late that evening, Todd and Mom went on another group outing to Longhorn's Steak House with the entire therapy group.

Thursday, March 28, 2002

Todd had occupational therapy and physical therapy again today. Todd gave away his Superman towel to another patient today because it was his birthday. Todd hopes it will help him, like it helped Todd. The Easter bunny and volunteer children and their families delivered Easter baskets with personal care products to all of the patients. He also received some Easter candy from the family of one of the other patients.

Friday, March 29, 2002

Todd visited pool to discuss the routine he will need to follow for pool therapy that he will be starting next week. One his way back to his room, he ran into Dad and Uncle Philip as they arrived from Massachusetts. Dad, Carol, Danielle, Eric, Ryan, Auntie Michelle, Uncle Bill, Billy, and Uncle Philip all arrived for the Easter weekend. Todd demonstrated his ability to use his joystick control on his wheelchair. His arm is supported by a spring-loaded sling to increase his mobility by holding his arm up. He still has better control of his chair and go a lot faster using the sip and puff control. He needs to practice as much as possible using the joystick. As his muscles get stronger, he should only need the joystick control. Todd got his first weekend pass to go out whenever and wherever he wanted for the entire weekend. We all had dinner together at Longhorn's Steak House. Todd loves this place. I not sure if it's the food or the waitresses!

Saturday, March 30, 2002

Dad and Danielle went over on Saturday morning and Danielle got to help Todd eat his breakfast. The entire family attended Todd's physical therapy session. We took lots of pictures that should be out on Todd's picture page soon. One of the waitresses from Longhorn's stopped by to check what kind of cookies Todd likes. She had brought him some cookies in the past. For lunch, the entire family went to the Piedmont Hospital, which is connected to Shepherd by a underground tunnel. We had a massive pizza party. It was a lot of fun. It was rainy and sort of a quite day. Todd rested quite a bit in his chair and the family spent a lot of time in the recreation room. For dinner, the family went to TGIFs while Todd rested in his room. When we returned Helga, a patient at Shepherd, stopped by to tell us about her trip to Germany to visit her grandchild for 3 weeks. She asked Todd to leave his address so she can keep in touch with him.

Sunday, March 31, 2002

Todd slept in as usual. He is still very tired on the weekends. It was still a little rainy out. Dad and Uncle Phillip got Todd up. In the early afternoon we all set out for an early dinner to The Cheesecake Factory. The trip started with a Bus ride on the MARTA to the Cheesecake Factory. Thankfully the rain stopped. Getting Todd into the Bus was a bit of a problem because his chair was a bit big. Once we got there we had an hour wait unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate so we had to wait inside. The place was a zoo. Finally we had a table set and we engaged in a great dinner. Getting home was a bit of a trip due to the rain. We all got pretty we including Todd. Thankfully his wheelchair didn't short out! We made it back and got Todd changed up and in bed. Several of us had to have some of our clothes dried. Dody, the waitress from Longhorns, stopped buy with some cookies. We all spent some time with Todd in his room and then had to leave for our flight home. Todd was very happy to have us visit but also he was thankful to get some peace when we left.

Quite a week ~ And a weekend of bundles of food!