Steady Progress

Mum’s had a couple of really productive days in physiotherapy this week. Progress may be slow but it’s been very noticeable.

When Mum first transferred to the Prince Charles, she needed three physiotherapists to help her stand and couldn’t shift her hips the way she needed to. She also tended to collapse at the end of a movement rather than waiting for the physios to be ready for her to sit down. Yesterday and today, Mum was standing almost by herself, with only minimal support from two physios. She could move her hips into position, stand almost upright and lock her knee into place.

She’s also taken a few small, supported step with her right leg. The physios are working towards Mum being able to use her left leg for support in transfers so having enough strength in that leg to do so is a big first step (pun totally intended).

Mum also did some work on rolling to a sitting position and was able to push herself up from the bed with her elbow. Again, this physio work is about helping Mum to need less assistance moving between her bed, chair and shower after rehab is over.

Mum rocked the sliding machine again today, doing 70 reps (60 with her left leg only) at 10 degrees. She’s also shown a (little) movement in her left arm. While this is obviously very positive, recovery of the left arm in someone with a severe right hemisphere stroke is far less likely. Unfortunately this is an almost universal reality.

Mum also had an OT assessment today and there was improvement since she was admitted.

So steady steady as she goes. Mum is still making progress but of course there’s still a very long way to go.