Don is doing great still, he now has added respiratory physio to his repertoire. They have to relearn how to breathe and exercise. Most of the people doing physio haven't exercised in many years (some can't even see there feet). So when they do their physio they tend to hold their breath.
It looks like the post op will be friday so that will be a big day.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Special Guests
Quite a lot of excitement this morning. The Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla came to the hotel today for a conference.
We are headed to the pool to take in some sun, first time in a week.
After she arrived we sent off two more people to get liberated. It was kind of funny because they do a send off where everyone waves a kleenex in the air to wish them well on thier surgery. So the President had all of us there as she pulled into with her motorcade. We stood and watched, then turned around and let out a big cheer and waved kleenex for the people going to the Hospital.
After they were gone Don and Gary had to go into the hotel and get there "Liberated Pictures". Everyone who gets the surgery has to have this picture taken.
We are headed to the pool to take in some sun, first time in a week.Sunday, August 22, 2010
Another great day!!!
Sunday was a day of rest, atleast that's what they call it here. Not much goes on on Sunday in Costa Rica. At the hotel there is no physio and the major excitement was a blood pressure test in the morning. It has been a rainy day here so spending a relaxing afternoon at the pool was out of the question. Instead we jumped on the bus and went to the market. "The Market" is basically a Safeway. It has a pharmacy, food, liquor and some misc. stuff like socks and toothbrushes.
Don who is feeling great decided to walk to the bus. I drove his scooter so if he got tired he could have it. Well, boys will be boys. As soon as I got on the scooter I drove it into the hallway and kranked the speed. I was zipping down the hallway and who do you think is behind me, RUNNING, you got it Don. I won the race but I think my dad was very happy to take second place.
There was seven of us that piled into the bus (which is an 11 passenger van), supplied by Passport Medical and they drove us to the market. But beause it didn't have a lift for Don's scooter he decided to leave it at the hotel. The drive was about 10 minutes and the market was nice. Don was the first out of the van and the first to grab a cart. Smiling away, he walked the whole market, every isle and a couple isles twice (the one with beer).
Eventually he did get tired and sat down on a bench while we paid for the groceries. His new legs are doing great but he still has a ways to go. New muscle needs to be built and he needs to retrain his brain to work with him and not against him. Everyday we do exercises to help break the habits of holding his left hand closed or holding his arm up against his chest. The Liberation Treatment is only the start, if you do nothing after the procedure your body won't improve.
After the market we sat out side, watched the storm pass over us and played some cribbage. Don did pretty good holding the cards in his left hand, not good enough to beat me but still pretty good. Then it was happy hour time and shortly after that dinner time. You get to know so many people here, it's almost like a new family. You can sit down in the lobby and start talking with someone and you lose track of time. One conversation leads into another and by the time your done you've talked with 6 people and it's an hour later or more!!
Don has physio at 1pm tomorrow so i'll post some video. I believe he will be in the pool unless it's raining. Tomorrow is my last day but I will continue posting info on how Don is doing, just maybe not 5 times a day. We don't know for sure but we believe Don will have his post op on thursday so that could be a big blog. They will do another Doppler and make sure his vein has remained open.
Don who is feeling great decided to walk to the bus. I drove his scooter so if he got tired he could have it. Well, boys will be boys. As soon as I got on the scooter I drove it into the hallway and kranked the speed. I was zipping down the hallway and who do you think is behind me, RUNNING, you got it Don. I won the race but I think my dad was very happy to take second place.
There was seven of us that piled into the bus (which is an 11 passenger van), supplied by Passport Medical and they drove us to the market. But beause it didn't have a lift for Don's scooter he decided to leave it at the hotel. The drive was about 10 minutes and the market was nice. Don was the first out of the van and the first to grab a cart. Smiling away, he walked the whole market, every isle and a couple isles twice (the one with beer).
Eventually he did get tired and sat down on a bench while we paid for the groceries. His new legs are doing great but he still has a ways to go. New muscle needs to be built and he needs to retrain his brain to work with him and not against him. Everyday we do exercises to help break the habits of holding his left hand closed or holding his arm up against his chest. The Liberation Treatment is only the start, if you do nothing after the procedure your body won't improve.
After the market we sat out side, watched the storm pass over us and played some cribbage. Don did pretty good holding the cards in his left hand, not good enough to beat me but still pretty good. Then it was happy hour time and shortly after that dinner time. You get to know so many people here, it's almost like a new family. You can sit down in the lobby and start talking with someone and you lose track of time. One conversation leads into another and by the time your done you've talked with 6 people and it's an hour later or more!!
Don has physio at 1pm tomorrow so i'll post some video. I believe he will be in the pool unless it's raining. Tomorrow is my last day but I will continue posting info on how Don is doing, just maybe not 5 times a day. We don't know for sure but we believe Don will have his post op on thursday so that could be a big blog. They will do another Doppler and make sure his vein has remained open.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What is this salty liquid coming out of my skin?
First day of physio and the old man got worked!!!!! or worked out!!!!!
1. 4 sets of leg lifts, 8 left leg lifts, 8 right leg lifts, and 10 lifts with both legs (on a machine)
2. 4 sets of step ups, 10 starting with the left leg, 10 starting with the right leg
3. 3 sets of squats while hold a bar on the wall
4. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling forward
5. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling in reverse
Now if you think that is amazing (which it is) add in that he's not tired, not sore (yet) and still happy.
1. 4 sets of leg lifts, 8 left leg lifts, 8 right leg lifts, and 10 lifts with both legs (on a machine)
2. 4 sets of step ups, 10 starting with the left leg, 10 starting with the right leg
3. 3 sets of squats while hold a bar on the wall
4. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling forward
5. 5 minutes on the bike pedaling in reverse
Now if you think that is amazing (which it is) add in that he's not tired, not sore (yet) and still happy.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Goods
Here are the three video's of the doctor explaining the procedure and results. They are taken consecutively, they were broken up to make it easier to upload. Enjoy!!!!!
#1. The Bad Valve
#2. The Vertebral Veins
#1. The Bad Valve
#2. The Vertebral Veins
#3. The Good and The Bad, but the bad first please!!
After dinner I will try and upload some video of the Venogram!!!
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