Athena is fast tracking towards becoming more independent. She is now on a breakfast / lunch schedule. She is also transitioning from a Foley to using a bed pan. Progress at both ends is essential to freeing herself from her bed. Athena has full strength in her legs but it’s coordination she is lacking. The only way I can explain it is if your leg fell asleep and when you try to walk on it you almost fall over. Athena’s body has been asleep for a long time and getting her body to function normally again isn’t going to be easy.
Athena was allowed to have some of my Starbucks Pike coffee today. She had pot roast and mashed potatoes for lunch. I don’t think it will be long before Athena is taking all nourishment orally. The PEG tube is her last connection to support and then she will be on her own again.
Athena has been playing Yahtzee with her recreational therapist. Holding the dice and rolling them is good therapy for her hands. Athena is getting out of her bed a lot more.
The PT team took a great picture of Athena standing (unassisted) using a bracing table. (picture of a photo copy)
A smile with an acknowledgment to those that wrote her off as a vegetable.
Athena had her first full meal today. It consisted of a vegetable medley, ground beef, mash potatoes and gravy, soup with Sherbert Ice Cream for dessert. To wash it down she had a Sprite which was the highlight of the meal. Athena has been longing for a Coke-Cola over ice for some time. This journey with Athena has made me appreciate the simple things in life when I see her having to work hard just to hold a spoon. You may want to ask yourself what not eating or tasting food for 10 months must be like.
The report I got from the weekly staff meeting is that Athena is making steady progress and the care team is working on foundation building skills. The estimate is 6-8 weeks of continued therapy for Athena to achieve her goals.
Athena is doing well progressing with her physical therapy. She is able to sit up to a table and has starting one meal a day. (still has the PEG tube for primary diet and meds) Athena has been cleared for thin liquids (water, 7up, etc.) The PT/OT and Speech team are happy with Athena’s progress.
Her doctor seems to have her pain meds working well for her and she only needs additional sedatives after 5 pm. Athena really likes the people taking care of her as they are kind and compassionate towards Athena’s needs.
I got the HP portable (too big to be called a laptop) working yesterday and scheduled a webcam with Robert and Madison for Athena. As it turned out, Athena was in excruciating pain with her stomach and was unable to participate. All wasn’t lost as I got to spend some time with Madison and introduced her to her moms nurse and CNA.
Athena went down for an x-ray and CT of her abdomen and it turned out to be a bad case of gas. They gave her some Simethicone to relieve the gas and discomfort. The silver lining is that she was returned to her baseline with her anxiety meds and got a couple extra does of pain meds as well. I found Athena’s prescription bottles for the meds she was taking for her acute anxiety syndrome she has had two years or more prior to getting sick with H1N1. I hope her doctor will stop trying to reduce her Klonopin dosing and direct his efforts to pain management. I don’t see the point in trying to cure issues she has already been diagnosed with for years and was being treated for by her primary doctor.
Athena had a really good day. OT/PT said she made good progress and was clear and focused with physical therapy.
For months I would hold Athena’s hand and play thumb wrestling to help her build strength with her fingers. I was surprised when I grab her hand today and she pinned my thumb instantly without a start declaration. (cheater 
)She had the biggest smile of accomplishment on her face as this was a personal achievement she has been working on for some time.
I have a good feeling Athena is going to make great progress this upcoming week.
Athena’s new wheelchair arrived today. It was special built for her. This will allow Athena to get around the facility until she is able to walk again. Athena is happy to be at Providence and likes her care team.
Before I left tonight I took this shot off the hospital parking garage top floor of the sound and Everett shoreline.
Athena is doing well with her therapy and when asked if she is getting tired or wants to stop, she says no and asks to continue with therapy. She doesn’t complain about having to wear her drop boots or hand splints. She has remained motivated and is happy with her care team and the resources being provided. She likes getting dressed in her own clothes and tennis shoes to work out.
The care team had their weekly meeting and the initial assessment is that Athena is going to need 4 to 6 weeks of therapy to obtain basic skills. Athena went to the Colby campus this morning to have a new PEG (feeding tube assembly) put in.
I’m pleased that her doctor switched her back to morphine (liquid and faster acting than Opana crushed up pills) and may be easier to find her current baseline with the increase in activity.
Athena was on the mats this afternoon working out with PT/OT. Speech also worked with her today. Athena is talking more and working towards sentences. I asked Athena’s nurse how she is doing on the endurance side and he said that she isn’t showing any signs of being tired.
