Day 71 - DIY Physio

There is a lot to be said for normality. The last couple of months or so, we can honestly say that we have had little normality in our lives. Today felt just a little more normal again. Hannah is having a friend to stay over tomorrow night, and Sarah is off to see some band I have never heard of in London. These normal "family" things make me feel much closer to how we were, and I am sure cleo feels the same. The fact that the girls are beginning to do their own things again is good for them, and for us too.

Today started early, with my getting home from work about 8am, and no chance to rest, as we had physio at 9.00 with James. Arriving at the rehab gym James had hardly started working on cleo's arm when he got a call from the hospital car park: he was having a new windscreen fitted to his car, and they had turned up so he had to go off and sort the repair guy. This took some 30 minutes during which time I manipulated cleo's hand and wrist. On his return James continued working on the hand and he says he is still hopeful of a response in the hand and lower arm, but at the moment nothing has happened. What is interesting is that since friday when the ring was cut off of cleo's finger, her hand and wrist has been so much more relaxed. James thinks the pressure of the ring might have been causing a pain induced reaction, making the whole hand sensitive. It certainly is better now, that's for sure

This must be the new NHS regime. Get the patient in, and allow them to self administer treatment: far cheaper, and great for staff costs! Seriously though, over the past few weeks I have learned quite a lot about how to manipulate muscles and joints safely, and this will of course stand us in good stead in the future. While we were there we managed to talk with one of the OT staff, and mentioned that we were still waiting for the bannister to be fitted at home. Funny how sometimes these things work, because not 2 hours later we get a call from the technician. The bannister is being fitted on Thursday.

Tomorrow we are at the hairdressers: cleo is going blonde again. This will make her feel better i am sure, because it takes us back to before the stroke, and will of course make her look so much better too.