By Sunday (his first father's day) he was able to slightly move a toe and
felt pain when he got a shot in his belly. The neurologist told us that
since he had shown early signs of improvement, his chances at recovery were
now better than average - we were elated! He finished his course of
steroids and was moved to a rehab hospital. We all had such high hopes at
this point. Now the reality sets in - they tell him he needs to accept his
paralysis and learn to live with it. They are saying the doctor should
never have told him he had a good chance of recovery. In essence, they are
killing his spirit. Yesterday was the lowest of the lows so far. They
were considering putting him on an antidepressant. One nurse finally came
in and told him he needed to be in his wheelchair so that his body could
remember what it is supposed to do - i.e. sit up. He sat in his chair for
4.5 hours. When he got back in bed, his wife got him to close his eyes and
just try to wiggle his toes. HE DID IT!! Then he was able to move both of
his kneecaps. Then he was able to turn his foot and leg inward from his
hip. He has a renewed outlook on things. Once again, he feels he will be
able to get better if only he works hard at it.
My question is, are rehab hospitals required to be so negative? What's the
point? Why try and crush someone's spirits when they are already so down?
My brother knows there is a chance he won't improve any more than he
already has, but why on earth should he stop trying to improve? Any
responses will be appreciated.
Take care, my prayers and thoughts are with all of you,
Debby