Great Day @ Therapy!

Kat had a great day at her therapy session at HealthSouth in Concord today. Her Occupation Therapist Melanie, saw some great improvement with Kathy's left hand stretch. For a few months now, she has been wearing an arm/hand splint to keep her hand outstretched. She naturally (since her hand has been paralyzed these past 18 months) clamps up into a sort of fist. The plastic splints were more of a problem than a help but this special splint called the "SAEBO Stretch" (see below) has been the perfect solution for Kathy's tightened hands.

We purchased the "stretch" so Kat wears it at night and a few hours during the day. Mel says Kathy has improved enough to begin using the SaeboFLEX. It looks like a mechanical hand... but it aids in retraining the brain to flex the hand and fingers. So next Tuesday (yes, election day), Kat will be trying out this device working the hand to pick up and drop rubber balls. This is an exciting turn of events. See the photo below:

As you can see in the picture, the patient has a ball grasped in his hand. This is the goal for Kathy. Pick up and grasp the ball then release the ball. We will update you with her progress.

MORE NEWS

Today, Kathy heard from DHMC in Lebanon where she had been receiving botox treatments to relax the tone (muscle tightening) in her hand and leg. She is scheduled for the next treatment November 10th. Mel has singled out to the Drs. where the muscles are that need treating. So there is a lot of good news in our home today! We are grateful to God for His working in this way!

More coming ... keep connected to the journey!

FINALLY ... An Update!

SEPTEMBER>
Much of September (and this month) has been working on Kat's hand at HealthSouth Rehab with OT Mel. We purchased a Saebo Stretch which helps the tone in her arm to keep the hand from always clamping tight.

OCTOBER>
A few week's ago, Kat was walking in the house after a pool visit. She didn't have her brace on her leg/foot and she twisted her ankle badly. Xrays show she suffered an Alvusion Fracture where the tendon pulled a piece of bone away from the ankle. OUCH! They treat it like a bad sprain. Some of her swelling has really gone down but her tone is really making it difficult for her to walk as it loosens her brace often through the day.

HOSPITAL VISIT>
On Monday (Oct 20), we travelled to Boston Medical Center to visit Kathy's oldest sister Barb. All her siblings and her Mom were there. Barb is having difficulty breathing and the meds she is being given don't seem to help. Barb appears to be in discomfort. We are praying for God's healing for her.

It was a long trip for Kat, even considering the next morning she had to go to Concord for her visit at HealthSouth with Mel. She is doing amazing as she goes on this journey. More to come! Keep tuned!