Taking Charge

Yesterday Ryan and I spent a lot of the day feeling trapped and frustrated. It seemed like all we could do was wait...and wait...and wait some more. Today we decided that we couldn't change our circumstances, but we could change our attitudes and what we chose to do. So, after another difficult night, we seized the day and Ryan got up in the chair first thing this morning. We spent a few minutes outside before the day got too hot, then I wheeled Ryan around the hospital and explained where everything was. He still gets a little confused sometimes, thinking that we're somehow in the new addition of the Power County hospital, and asking which of the doctors there is overseeing his care. Ryan said that he wanted to do therapy all day, until he turns into a zombie, so that he can walk out of here. :)

Ryan's occupational therapist caught up to us while Ryan was in his chair, and Ryan decided that he wanted to try standing up. His therapist and I helped him stand 3 times, for a few seconds each time, and he did so great!!! It was very difficult for him, and he felt frustrated that he was so weak. But we were very excited at his efforts and progress! All of that work wore him out, so now he is taking a well-deserved afternoon nap.

He is still dealing with extreme anxiety. He gets to the point where he feels like he just can't do it anymore, multiple times a day. We believe it's being mostly caused by a medication, and they have weaned him off enough that his last dose of it was this morning. I'm praying so hard that tonight, after that medication has completely worn off, he will notice a huge difference in the anxiety he's been feeling. 🙏🙏🙏

Today, Ryan's greatest desire has been to eat real food. He cannot wait for his speech therapist to get here and let him eat something. Even though he knows it won't be a hamburger or steak, he keeps hoping it will be something better than applesauce. ;)