Training for Transfers!

Daniel had his regular physical therapy appointment today, and since there is only one more appointment before surgery, his therapist wanted to prepare me for what we will experience on day 3 after surgery. She taught me the specific ways we are to move Daniel and get him out of bed and into his chair. No spinal extension, no trunk rotation or tipping side to side, no hip-leg angle greater than 90 degrees. It was good to get some of this information now. They will teach us again in the hospital, but she said she finds that people take it in better when they’ve had exposure prior to the hospital environment when they may be tired, stressed, and the child is beginning to experience the pain after the epidural has been removed. I asked if we would need to continue to perform Daniel’s transfers in this same way after we got home or if this was just for in the hospital. She said we would need to do it for a while – like months. Wow.

Daniel seemed to think this was all hilarious. The therapist had also mentioned that there are touch screens over the beds that are horizontal so you can touch them while lying flat in bed, so he is super excited and thinks this is going to be the greatest time ever. I’m glad he feels positively about it all, but we did try to help him understand that it isn’t going to be all fun and games and to be at least somewhat prepared for the pain that will come as well.

Tonight I have a lot going through my mind about the logistics of his post-surgery care here at home. We don’t think his current bed is going to work for all of this, so we will need to find something else for the next several months. I’m wondering about how we will safely get him up and down the stairs as our bedrooms are all not on the main floor. So, I have a busy mind, but I also have a creative God, so I know He will help us figure all these things out.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying especially about Daniel’s discomfort at night and the impact on all of our sleep. Things are considerably improved in that regard. He is still not getting the greatest sleep, as he is quite tired during the day, but he is not crying out a lot during the night and we are for the most part getting through the nights without interruption. Thanks again for upholding us!