Physical Therapy

With the incision healing properly and the infection under control, focus now turns to building strength so Shirley can bust out of this joint.  She is working daily with Physical Therapy and for the last four days has doubled each previous days' distance walking.

The therapist suggested today that on Sunday we take a field trip to the Rehab unit where they will eventually transfer her. But before moving there she will need to demonstrate that she can handle a minimum of three hours per day of PT and OT.

Today Shirley made what I think is her sixth trip to the OR to change out the wound vac dressings. The surgeon said that at least once more will be done in the OR and then they hope to be able to do it bedside.

I've also been remiss in mentioning that yesterday they removed one of her chest tubes.  She has also been totally off supplemental oxygen, so her tube count has dropped from ten down to seven.  And while she still has her feeding tube in, they are only running it at night as a supplement and are encouraging her to eat as much solid food as she can.