When AJ's rehabilitation first began, the nurses met with him to discuss his daily routine. They talked about things like meal times and therapy session times. Along with that, he was also given 3 choices for a specific time during the day when the nurse would assist him with necessary bodily functions. His choices were 5 am, 9 am or 9 pm. AJ has always been an early riser, so 5 am was the best logical choice. So, AJ's day begins at 5 am, without the possibility of hitting the snooze button a time or two. Unfortunately, last night we stayed up too late talking and getting ready for bed (went to bed around midnight). Today was a little rough for AJ, in terms of energy and staying awake. After his therapy classes today, he came back to his room and took a nap in his bed from 3 - 5 pm. The nurse took me aside and told me I needed to do a better job of getting him to bed earlier. I think she's right! So today we set a goal of being in bed by 9:30 every night. We know a good rest will help with the healing process.
In Occupational Therapy today, AJ did very well because 1) he beat the therapist in Yahtzee (AJ actually rolled a yahtzee!) and 2) he was able to increase the amount of weight that he can grip and lift with his fingers - increased to 11 oz. with the left hand and 9 oz. with the right. The therapist also performed some stretching of his shoulder/arm muscles.
In Physical Therapy AJ continued to improve in his ability to hold himself in the tripod position. He held it for 6 minutes! We have been a bit lackadaisical in AJ's stretching and strengthening exercises every day. We are going to start including them on the daily therapy schedule so that we don't forget to do them. They are really important to AJ's ability to get the most out of the muscles that he can use at this time.
Family Home Evening was great tonight as we were visited by Aunt Debbie and Uncle Stewart (my sister and brother-in-law). After visiting a little about AJ's progress, they shared a great message with us regarding following the prophets and remaining faithful to God's commandments. Debbie also shared some favorite family history stories with us about early pioneers and left us with some great stories to read during stretching time. They left us with one of our favorite scriptures from King Benjamin's address in Mosiah 2:41, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
AJ didn't make his goal of a 9:30 bedtime, but 10:00 was way better than last night!
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