Update from Pat

Pat has worked so hard in the pool that he has worn a hole in his swimming trunks.  He says that it is for ventilation, but we think it is for easier gas propulsion. His therapist requested some smaller ones, his are so baggy, she can't tell if he is bending his knees or if the suit just makes it look that way.  Who would have thought he would wear out his swimming trunks faster than his shoes.  :)

Happy February

We are so grateful that there is sun out now!  But it sure makes lots of mud for Pat to walk through.  :)

We just finished our evaluation appointment with his new physical therapist.  We both like her, she seems very knowledgeable and very interested in helping Pat to be involved with his therapy.  Our next appointment is on Friday morning, in the pool.  So that will be fun for him.  I think he is really excited to show off what he can do.  It makes me smile to see her showing him the same exercises and stretches that I have been trying to get him to do for a long time.  Maybe he will listen to her because while I knew it was a good idea, I just didn't have the scientific reasoning behind why it helps his specific conditions. 

He is finding the increase in his medication a little more difficult expected.  He gets tired a lot more quickly and isn't able to do quite as much on his own as he was before while at the pool.  On the plus side, his calf muscles have almost doubled in size this month, and he is a lot more flexible.  We go to the doctor again next week, he may increase the dosage again, I guess we won't know until then.  Evenually, Pat may move to a Baclofen pump which is much more effective because he would get small doses of Baclofen intrathecally injects at a steady rate instead of taking the medication orally.  He doesn't think he wants to do that, but it sounds like it may be our best option.  He may be more willing once he starts to feel some relief from the pain he is in.

One other item of note, I have a job interview with the State of Idaho in the morning.  I have applied for quite a few things with them, and can see that several different departments are reviewing my application/test scores, but so far only one call.  State run agencies seem to move so slowly when it comes to hiring.  I think their idea of testing is pretty smart though, it is a great way to weed out the serious contenders from the people who try to make themselves look better than they really are.  I think that even if I am offered the position tomorrow, I will decline it though because it doesn't pay enough to make it worthwhile to commute from Emmett.  I am hoping to hear something from a training specialist position, but since it is open for applications until the end of the month, it might be a while still.