We are back on track today! We had a good night watching the "Bachelor" together and exchanging Valentine's gifts. It was nice to just relax. We both got a good night's sleep and Erin's nurses let her snooze until 7:00 which is about an hour to an hour and a half later than usual. The occupational therapist stood by while, for the first time, Erin walked to the bathroom with her walker to get dressed. Erin also stood at the sink to brush her teeth before breakfast.
During her therapy sessions today, she walked 230 feet with one stretch being 150 feet without a rest. She "kicked Butkus"! Physical therapy also included stretching exercises which Erin said felt very good and they were also helpful in loosening up her tight muscles. These stretches will ultimately help her gain more strength in her legs. While stretching, she found out that she could move her right ankle over her left knee in a sitting position and hold it there. She had stated the other day that she just wished that she could cross her legs to sit more comfortably in her chair......she did today! The left leg isn't quite to this point yet, but it is slowly getting stronger. She rounded out her therapy today with some weight lifting and resistance band training for both her upper and lower body.
The biggest accomplishment during PT and OT today was that she received the doctor's approval to sit up from a lying position and also lay down from a sitting position without having to wear her brace. This will allow her to more easily put on and remove the brace independently. The old process of "log rolling" to both sides and having Andy slide the brace underneath her is going to be a thing of the past very very soon. This is great, because it was a pain in Erin's "Butkus".
We just finished up dinner from Denny's. It probably wasn't the healthiest choice for us, but dang those seasoned fries were good. We all need a little comfort food every now and then.
We are turning in early tonight to keep rested so that we can have another successful day tomorrow. Erin plans to watch Biggest Loser and Andy will head back to the hotel to get some laundry done--the only downside to Erin wearing her own clothes again.
Have a wonderful evening and once again, we appreciate everyones support and encouragement during this challenging time!
Love & God Bless,
Erin and Andy
Keep it up, Erin! We are keeping you in our prayers out here! Love, Shawn
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