Positive Impact Upon a Loved One

Michael had a truly remarkable day today. He walked 20 feet down the hall using a walker this morning. He had difficulty breathing so his O2 was put up to 10 liters. He is on 3 liters in his room. His heart rate went up very high so he had to rest. This afternoon he was able to walk 60 feet and climb 3 stairs and only needed his O2 raised to 6 liters! Between walks he did arm exercises in bed.
His is now able to sit up for hours at a time. He can eat, brush his hair, shave, use a computer, text, and study Mishna with his brothers without help.
OT and PT were amazed today at the progress he has made since Friday when he arrived at Spalding. He even outshone himself this afternoon. He was able to walk farther and his recovery time decreased. (the amount of time it took his heart rate and O2 to rebound). He seems to be progressing in leaps and bounds!
His appetite is improving and he has been trying to eat loads of protein in order to rebuild his depleted muscle stores.
OT always remarks on how much stronger his left arm is than his right arm. The therapists always ask if he is left handed. He responds that he is right handed. What a difference the passive range of motion exercises I did with his left arm and both legs has made in his recovery! I am so glad that I found the article on using passive range of motion on intubated patients on paralytics. I am glad that Doctor Michael Schwartz (the Pulmonologist) agreed to order PT to show me how to correctly do passive range of motion exercises on Michael. The article said that patients who recieved passive range of motion exercises recovered mobilty faster than those who recieved no therapy. Dr. Schwartz said it was important for a family member to do the therapy becuse it changed the feeling of helplessness to one of making a positve impact on their loved one.