StrokeSurvivorBlog

The aquatic therapy at the CP pool is going quite well, and Steve feels that if he can free swim, then his arm and leg will automatically kick in to move. His therapist felt the same way and she was greatly encouraged by his progress. The buoyancy of the water gives him more confidence that if he should stumble or misstep, at least he won’t fall flat and get hurt. This has helped him to try things he is afraid to try on land. In the video below you can watch him take his first swim.

Steve has been progressing at a steady rate in stroke rehabilitation, although it seems slow at times. He is using his wheelchair less and less, and we don’t even bring into the house anymore. Today he walked down the stairway by himself without assistance, and I can tell he is more confident about his ability to do things he hasn’t done for over 7 months. He was going to therapy 5 days a week – 2 at the pool and 3 at the hospital.

Physical and occupational therapy at St. Vincent’s Hospital is going well and Steve is getting good movement in his arm and ankle. His ankle gets very stiff because it never properly healed from the break he had 3 wks. prior to the stroke. His fingers are still slow to come back and his wrist still appears very weak, so we are working to strengthen that.

We were advised by all of his therapists that Oct. 11 will mark 90 days since he started outpatient therapy. Medicare usually doesn’t want to pay after 90 days unless there is significant evidence of improvement. Although his therapists want to keep him on because they an see his steady improvement, they say that Medicare doesn’t always agree. If they (Medicare) feel Steve is reaching a plateau, they will not pay for any more therapy. The therapists take copious notes to document every little improvement in case Medicare audits them, although, they say, that is rare. They said the next two weeks will determine if they will continue to pay, so they want Steve to try his best to show great improvement. What he needs is a breakthrough is some area, and also that we will find favor with Medicare so they will continue payment. Although we have a supplement ins. policy, it only pays on those items that Medicare approves of.

We would really appreciate your prayers concerning this–for a breakthrough and for favor so Steve can continue in therapy.

Thanks so much for your faithfulness to pray now and in the past.
Love, Kathy

“For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people…” Psalm 28:7-8

“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13