Rehabilitation

Silver Stream Rehabilitation

Two and a half weeks after being transferred from the hospital to Silver Stream Rehabilitation, I had my first planning conference yesterday.  I have been approved for three more weeks of rehab, with the probability of getting a wheelchair.

The major objective is to get me back on my feet and independent.  Before hospitalization, I was able to ambulate around my home with a walker.  Now I need help to stand up and then to remain standing for a short period. Using one side of the parallel bars, with help, I pull myself to a standing position from the wheelchair.  Today, for the first time I walked the length of the parallel bars between them, three times.  Progress!

Also I have leg exercises consisting of sitting and doing marches, kicks, swings, and ankle extensions. These are repeated in the afternoons with a different therapist, plus I do them on my own often. Occupational therapists work on my arms to strengthen them as well.  These involve lifting weights, bars, and a 20 minute without break constant bicycling action with my arms.  Today, I went 5.4 kilometers -- a new record for me.

The facility has 110 beds and is quite large with very long halls.  My room is about as far away as one can get from the front entrance, gyms, and dining room.  I try to wheel myself to the front, but my wheelchair does not roll easily, so this becomes very difficult. (See last paragraph about a new wheelchair.)  This place should be renamed "The Chandeliers" because there are chandeliers everywhere including right outside my room.  The chandeliers  all burn incandescent bulbs, so the carbon footprint is huge.

I have a large private room which is very nice.  The bed a not very comfortable with a mattress that is too thin for my  big body.  Originally the length was 75 inches which is exactly my height, but they found a ten inch longer mattress for me. 

The administration, nurses, and CNAs are good and attentive with a few minor exceptions. 

The room has the usual amenities including TV, private bathroom, with walk-in shower.  So far, I have not been able to use the bathroom due to my lack of strength and have had to settle for sponge baths in the bed.

Being diabetic, I have been very disappointed in the menu items, which are carbohydrate intensive.  I just discussed my dietary preferences asking them to remove all bread, waffles, pancakes, french toast, and biscuits from my trays.  After all I do need to lose a lot a weight so that my weak muscles will not have so much to deal with.  I asked for more vegetables and fruit.

Eggs, grits, and a sausage gravy covered biscuit

Then I had a discussion about my meal preferences, and for lunch, I received a tossed salad with chicken strips, yogurt, and melon.

Wound care of the left leg cellulitis ulcers has been continuing with daily dressing changes.

Since I arrived, I was assigned a wheelchair that just would not roll or be pushed easily.  Today, they assigned me a new wheelchair that rolls easily, so now I can move myself easily all over the facility. Big improvement.  Because the wheelchairs are too low for me to stand up from, every evening they have to use a Hoyer lift to move me from the wheelchair to the bed.  In the mornings however, I can transfer myself from my bed which I have lifted into a very high position to the wheelchair using my walker to stabilize me during the transfer.

Progress!!!  Goals seem more attainable!