Free of the Ex Fixes!
The external fixators are gone!! Well, actually, they're here in a bag. And they're surprisingly fun to play with. But our handles on Dad's legs are gone, and he/we couldn't be happier about that!
Friday morning he got picked up from rehab a little earlier than he thought was necessary, and although he felt sure he would be sitting in pre-op waiting for hours, they took him back to the OR an hour earlier than surgery was scheduled for! Mom settled into her waiting room chair expecting to wait for the 90 minutes she had been told, and 17 minutes later the surgeon came out to tell her they were finished! Dad was on his way back to rehab only about an hour after the surgery was supposed to have started in the first place. We were all shocked at the efficiency of the whole production, especially after his six hour outing the previous week when he had two appointments back-to-back.
The first weekend without the fixators has gone well. Dad is somewhat disappointed that he still hasn't been able to roll over in bed to sleep on his side due to the bulky splints that are now on his legs. He'll get those off in a week and a half, and we're not sure what's next in terms of treatment for his legs after that.
Dad was downright giddy on Friday evening when my sisters and I took him dinner. After spending at least half an hour telling us about some recent political events he felt strongly about, he bit into his cold dinner and exclaimed at how tasty it was. He ate a full plate of beef, potatoes, and carrots, and then had a second helping of beef! It was the most I've seen him eat in one sitting since before the accident. Then he proceeded to enjoy a Snickers bar and a small bag of peanut M&M's, two of his favorite treats pre-injury that had unfortunately not tasted good to him until that evening. He grinned, held up his Snickers, and said "Take my picture!" We all thought it was really strange and fascinating that as soon as the metal was out of Dad's legs, his taste buds seemed to make a full recovery. His food never tasted like metal, though. Everything just seemed to have exaggerated flavors. Savory food tasted like salt or grease; sweet food tasted like pure sugar. He was so happy to be able to actually enjoy his food that night!
Halfway through the bag of M&M's we took them away, handed him his weights, and said he had to work for the rest of the candy. He obliged and did several arm exercises while I fed him M&M's like he was a baby bird. We were all laughing at his antics and ongoing commentary.
One of Dad's favorite tools for his rehab is a set of small logs his friend/occupational therapist made for him. She cut two pieces of wood the same size and wrapped them in that grippy material people use to line their cupboard shelves. Dad uses those logs to lift himself up to get dressed, get on and off of the slide board, move up and down in his bed, and a host of other little movements for which he just needs a little bit of a boost. I have smiled with appreciation so many times over the fact that my cabinet-building, tree-cutting dad is getting the most help with mobility from a pair of logs. How decidedly apropos.
Friday morning he got picked up from rehab a little earlier than he thought was necessary, and although he felt sure he would be sitting in pre-op waiting for hours, they took him back to the OR an hour earlier than surgery was scheduled for! Mom settled into her waiting room chair expecting to wait for the 90 minutes she had been told, and 17 minutes later the surgeon came out to tell her they were finished! Dad was on his way back to rehab only about an hour after the surgery was supposed to have started in the first place. We were all shocked at the efficiency of the whole production, especially after his six hour outing the previous week when he had two appointments back-to-back.
Dad was downright giddy on Friday evening when my sisters and I took him dinner. After spending at least half an hour telling us about some recent political events he felt strongly about, he bit into his cold dinner and exclaimed at how tasty it was. He ate a full plate of beef, potatoes, and carrots, and then had a second helping of beef! It was the most I've seen him eat in one sitting since before the accident. Then he proceeded to enjoy a Snickers bar and a small bag of peanut M&M's, two of his favorite treats pre-injury that had unfortunately not tasted good to him until that evening. He grinned, held up his Snickers, and said "Take my picture!" We all thought it was really strange and fascinating that as soon as the metal was out of Dad's legs, his taste buds seemed to make a full recovery. His food never tasted like metal, though. Everything just seemed to have exaggerated flavors. Savory food tasted like salt or grease; sweet food tasted like pure sugar. He was so happy to be able to actually enjoy his food that night!Halfway through the bag of M&M's we took them away, handed him his weights, and said he had to work for the rest of the candy. He obliged and did several arm exercises while I fed him M&M's like he was a baby bird. We were all laughing at his antics and ongoing commentary.
One of Dad's favorite tools for his rehab is a set of small logs his friend/occupational therapist made for him. She cut two pieces of wood the same size and wrapped them in that grippy material people use to line their cupboard shelves. Dad uses those logs to lift himself up to get dressed, get on and off of the slide board, move up and down in his bed, and a host of other little movements for which he just needs a little bit of a boost. I have smiled with appreciation so many times over the fact that my cabinet-building, tree-cutting dad is getting the most help with mobility from a pair of logs. How decidedly apropos.
Before and After with the external fixators:
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