Stephanie Knapp
In the morning
Ken was seen by an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and his
nurse to do a bedside assessment. They were seeing what he can do:
Sitting, transferring, eating and swallowing and speaking.
Occupational therapy hooked him up with a new wheelchair. Looks
similar to the one he had on Saturday. In the evening Ken asked to
get up into his chair. After the transfer we didn't put the foot
rests down, he just had his feet flat on the floor. We told him he
could just shuffle along to move his chair. He used his right arm to
turn the wheel and his right foot to pull forward on the floor, he
needs to remember to kick up his left leg. He ended up lifting up
the left leg and moved it forward too. His chair rolled forward. I
think he surprised himself. He didn't think he'd be able to get
around in the chair on his own.
Joan, the speech pathologist sat with Ken during his lunch to
observe how he ate/swallowed. She suggested bringing in sauces, etc.
to enhance the taste of the food. (Although seems better than KGH).
She wanted Ken to have a goal towards chewing. She asked him what
food he really missed. He told her cookies and apples! He is still
very cautious with his foods, he doesn't feel as though he can chew
anything small enough to swallow it. They will work on that later.
Dr. Kennedy was going o put him back on "nothing by mouth" because
he had chocked on water on Tuesday (this was just after his move and
he was very tired). Joan spoke with him and said he was ok for a
pureed diet. Just needs small mouthfuls, to go slowly and needs to
sit up at the side of the bed or in the chair. They decided that Ken
is not to eat alone. He is still having the occasional ensure, but
these meals are much more substantial than the meals at KGH. They
are continuing to hook him up to his feeding tube from 8pm to 8am.
Joan told Ken later on down the road he could go down to the kitchen
and cook!!!
Physio is scheduled for 10am Thursday. Chris Zufelt was down to
visit the physio room when he was in to visit last night and it
sounds as though they are well equipped. Some of his exercises will
be done in his room.. and others down in the phsyio room.
They have a month schedule of activities posted around the halls.
BINGO was last night in the cafe. Ken declined to go!! Maybe he'll
make it to Wiihabilitation on Tuesdays at 1pm!!!
Ken received his first email at St. Mary's from his aunt Nancy!! It
was posted up on his window. (he was asking to decorate!). If you
would like to send Ken an email you can through the St. Mary's
website. The address is
http://www.pccchealth.org/cms/sitem.cfm
On the left side of the page is an icon to email a patient.
xoSteph
If you want to email Ken at St, Mary's you can use his email address
pcccsmolpostcard@providencecare.ca
**PLEASE NOTE**
We'll need the patient's name and the room
number if you know it.
We also require your full name and e-mail address.
Your message will be printed and hand-delivered to your loved one.
Please be aware that we do not provide a means for patients to reply
to messages.
Treat your e-mail as if it were a postcard; do not include anything
in the text message that you would not write on a postcard.
Please don't insert pictures or send any form of attachment - they
will automatically be deleted.