Follow up at Neurosurgery Dept at HKL

TOday was the first and last follow up at the Neurosurgery dept in HKL. The doctor said that as far as Neuro dept is concerned, Dad's condition is stable. The blood from the ruptured vessel would have diffused. Blood pressure under control. Th only thing is the dementia has gotten worse, mood swings have heightened, so this will fall under Geriartric section to follow up. I tell you , these bloody government doctors. Get to work by 8am, Dad's appointment was at 830am and they want to go off for coffee break already. Sheesh.

Physiotherapy follow up #2 HKL - 24 November 2015

Dad went for his second physio follow up at the hospital today. I explained to the physio that while he has been gaining strength, his coordination has been poor. She recommended that he did more stretching exercises as his muscles are always tense which make movement harder.

Today we did purely hand stretches and some standing up (about 5 times). There were many MAHSA students on their internship today and naturally Dad was a guinea pig, which I am not complaining as I also learn together with them on how to handle him.

They recommended 3 stretches: (looks like the knowledge I learnt during my Personal Training Certification is coming back into use again)

1. Passive stretching: Dad lies down on the bed and we place one hand on his shoulder and the other hand on his wrist and roll it back and forth like a rolling pin.

2.Overhead stretches lying down - get him to extend his arm all the way back while lying down

3. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation - Get Dad to sit at the edge of the bed, with both hands by his side, Sitting upright, chest opened up, get him to press his palms against the bed.

Feeling kind of flat out today, signing off.

For Someone Who Didnt Want Children... sigh- 18 November 2015

Dad learnt to stand up a bit yesterday and the nurse assisted him a little bit to try to scoop food with his right hand.

Today we had our first follow up physiotherapy session at the hospital. The doctor said that while Dad has some mobility and a good range of motion, he lacks coordination. She made him get up and lie down a few times - things he needs to learn to do on a daily basis by himself. She also made him cycle with for 15 minutes at Level 2 resistance and hand cycle at Level 1 resistance for 15 minutes. As he was unable to hold and grip the handle with his right hand, she had to strap him right hand on.

She also made him move stacked cones one by one from the right to left. I need to look for children's toys which teach you hand coordination. Or if I cant find any I guess I have to improvise. It is then that I realised also I need to be equipped at all times as a mother to a child - ensuring I have tissues, wet tissues, water etc with me wherever I go and whenever I am with Dad.

Life's ironic isn't it? For someone who didn't want to have a child nor have the burden and responsibility of doing these things.

And of course, shit always happens. A million and one things to do and the key had to break in the backdoor and poor Caramel is locked out. Managed to call a locksmith but they charged a frigging RM100 for house call. Well I haven't much choice as I needed to get it done quickly.

My ambition is to be lazy but I guess God is not putting up with any of that nonsense. I still wonder why He thinks I am a good candidate at all to do any of His work.