One at a time...

This week was a roller coaster. Many wonderful moment; many challenging moments. I had to remind myself multiple times one step in the process, one moment, one cast, one patient, one standing or walking or mobilization at a time. Below is some of the details of this week in Rehab.

We are all learning and improving each day. Last Monday proved to be Monday in fine style. All but two children cried or threw tantrums. I am sure part of the crying is due to fear as the mothers say, and part is 3-4 years expressing their strong wills. I am sure it is scary to be on a big white ship with strangers and casts on your legs, having to stay in bed for a day or two and then be told you have to get up and walk. I am sure it is scary to have to lay down for a noisy cast saw to be used and then another heavy cast put on. There are some babies and toddlers which usually calm with nursing. The older children are able to understand what is going on and what is expected. The 3-5 year olds can't understand very well.  

We had a difficult time figuring out what would calm the children. Music, balloons, bubbles, coloring stickers, moms, no moms, were all tried. Sometimes, however, we just had to perform our part despite the crying and screaming. The children on the ward are seen daily. It has been neat to see the daily changes in some of them. They have gone from full on 40 minute tantrum with just standing with support to walking independently with the walker all over the ward. The mom's continued encouragement has also contributed to them overcoming their fear and walking. One evening, I walked by the ward and rewarded by seeing one of them walking in the hallway with their mother without tears.

Still not sure about walking, but mom is doing a great job encouraging her.

Another little boy was hesitant to weight bear. Due to other complications, he is unable to use a walker or crutches. I showed his caregiver how to facilitate walking with him. The next morning, we walked 15 minutes decreasing his assistance to one hand held assist. He could even stand by himself for a minute. I told him it was time to return to ward. He began crying. His caregiver reported he wanted to continue walking. He walked for another 15 minutes with her with a big smile on his face. 

This is one of the little boys I met at screening and have been able to follow his care. 

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to go up to Deck 7 and play with the children. I was hoping to be able to interact with them without making them do things they do not want. One of the girls  who was having difficulty walking even sat on my lap and gave me a hug.  I also played Jenga several times with an adult maxfascial patient.  Good medicine for my soul. Two of the girls who were expressing fear and crying/screaming were walking all over the ward by themselves with a walker. So neat to see.

Fun after walking

Today, I had the opportunity to help a 8 year old stand for the first time since surgery. She stood with help with her eyes fixed to her feet. I asked her what she was thinking, and I received "I am so happy they are straight." She is beginning the road of rehab. She worked so hard to stand and take a few steps. Most of the time she had a smile on her face expressing her thankfulness and excitement for the first few parts of the process being done.

It is moments like these that make the difficult moments worth it. I am so glad God is near all the time. He does not change. Therefore, He is good all the time: good during the difficult days of frustrations in my skills and tears from the children; good during the celebrations of first standing, first steps, changed foot positions, and more.