Monday, July 03, 2006

Calm Before the Storm

Tomorrow is the big day, the day Mike starts his gruelling schedule! He took it relatively easy during the long weekend, taking naps during the day and though he got up in the chair a couple of times each day, he still spent a great deal of time lounging in bed. BUT Tuesday is a whole other story:

8-10 am – breakfast and personal care routine
10-11 am – physical therapy
11-12 am – dressing changes on his burns (and if he’s lucky, a little snooze!)
lunch
1-2 pm – working on hands
3-4 pm – occupational therapy

And then finally he has supper and free time. No doubt it will take him a few days (weeks!) to get used to the activity but perhaps now he will start sleeping during the night instead of during the day! Mike and I talked about the impending “gloom” of rehab but he is trying to look at it as simply being a work day. It wasn’t any fun getting up for a 10 hour shift but he did it. This won’t be “fun” but the payoffs will be rewarding.

Mike looks forward to getting a better fitting wheelchair (hopefully early this week) which might make sitting in the chair more comfortable. His tolerance is improving although his blood pressure still fluctuates but the good news is that he hasn’t thrown up for the last couple of days. (Except for when he threw up in bed last night but we won’t count that!)

The nurses are already warming up to him (are you surprised?) and a few times they have asked, “Is he always this nice?” They keep waiting to see his “dark side” but they’ll probably have to look for a long time! However, we haven’t seen Tuesday yet...

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the puke free day zones! Love how you are choosing to perceive your new 'work' days. We should have placed a pool on how long it would take the nurses to 'warm up' to you - way to work the charm.

Good vibes for your day...celebrate all the steps.

Leanne

Anonymous said...

If anyone can make the world of "the Glenrose" spin around him I think it will be Mike.Soon you'll be flying thru that schedule and on your way to ruling the world...or mabey Edmonton first.
The Shewchuks

AndreaJ said...

Hey Mike!

Congratulations on the big move! I am sure you will have those nurses swooning over you in no time.

As always, I will continue praying that God will grant you courage and strength; that He will reveal His plan for you and you will be able to rejoice in the Love He has for you.

Don't forget that even on the hard days, you are loved, respected, and admired - by your family, your friends, and most importantly by Your Heavenly Father.

God Bless,
Andrea Evans

Anonymous said...

Hey mike,

Hope that you're first workday is going well (let's see, hands work now, with the time change). Never give up, cause you've got 57+ friends to please...jk. Keep up the positive attitude!

God Bless,
Britney H

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control... Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."
Galatians 5:22-25

Anonymous said...

mike and family sorry i have bot been in touch latley, but i have read up on all the up dates and it sounds that you are getting better very fast and that is great i am gald to hear that you are not getting sick as much and that you are getting srtonger. and those nurses will not have to worry about seeing your bad side because you dont have a mean bone in your body or a dark side that that matter. any way hope that you get into the swing of things fast and try and get lots of rest were ever you can take care buddy.

sherraz

Anonymous said...

What, how come breakfast so late? Don't those nurses start work at 7:00?
Seriously, Mike I know you will meet this challenge and work hard. The staff will be impressed. We continue to think of you and pray for you and the family. So glad that you were well enough for the big move. I don't think they will find a dark side. I loved the pictures too -thanks guys. Take care -shelly

Anonymous said...

Mike I'm sure you are glad Tues. has come & gone. The unknown is always scary. Remember each day will get a little easier. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
Ken & Brenda

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike
Another hill for you to climb, and no doubt conquer with good humour. You continiue to amaze me! Keep on sluggin'. You are always in our thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike! When the workouts are tough, just picture all of us lined up around the room cheering you on. This is one great marathon you are running and you will be victorious. We will be praying you through the hard days and rejoicing with you in every goal you achieve. May you and your family experience daily the true rest that is only found in Christ.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike

Sounds like a grueling schedule ahead but I know you can do it. I just recently saw your cousins (the Dickau's) and I know that they are all rooting for you. We believe in you and know that you get persevere. Keep it up...
Oh and about the map ... that is sooo cool, I can't believe that there are people from England and Germany ... You are quite popular Mr. Barker.
Anyways, keep going strong and rely on God's strength to get you through the tough times.
God Bless,

-Julie-Anne

Anonymous said...

I so apreciate all the up-dates that we're getting. That alone takes a lot of perserverence. Thankyou so much.
I know the road will be grueling but it will be worth it in the end. My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. Keep up the hard work. Aunt Doreen

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike...it's a good thing you're a fighter and a charmer, how else can you manage this dog of yours? If it wasn't for the extra strong leash, he would have ripped off the face of the dog next door by now. He doesn't seem to know that his 4lb. body can't stand up to a 100 lb. dog who's at the end of his rope. I'm thinking he just wants to be friends but wow, he has an interesting way of going about it....otherwise, he spends lots of time in the water and rolling in dead things....he passes on a 'grrrr' and high pitched 'ark, ark' which means 'I can't wait to go crazy when I see you'. Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Cindy P.

Anonymous said...

Mike,

At first it may be difficult getting used to your schedule. I know I had a hard time. However, with every day comes a new strength and a little more energy and it will become easier.
You have a great attitude and you will find that your "NEW WORK" will become very rewarding and as you progress you will look forward to sessions.
Do not be surprised if you have a set back as that is completely natural. Some days will be better then others but the end result will be worth it all. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Smiles~ Sheri Strang ( Tanya Kudla's Friend

Anonymous said...

hey Mike,

how's it going? just wanted to say that we still all love you and miss you!can't wait to see you out of that hospital. come visit soon.

luv yah!

p.s.: you're hot!

Anonymous said...

hey hottie,

Why are you so hot? I just can't get enough of you. can't wait to visit you in the hospital again, then i can look at your face again in person. Hope i don't drool!!!!!

Anonymous said...

hey Mike,

do you like moving to Glenrose. make sure you continue to amaze the nurses at how capable you are of doing things with a limited amount of movement. we're all proud of you.

love, your admirer

Anonymous said...

micheal,

you are one of a kind.you continue to amaze people all over the province. never forget to trust in God through this tough time. my family and i are going through some hard times and i have realized that the more you pray the easier it will be. some things will still go wrong but just keep going and break through the darkness, you will soon see the sunshine. God can get you through anything if it is meant to be. don't ever forget that. he has saved people from some of the worst events imaginable and i think he could bring you through this without so much as a second thought. help your parents to remember that you are still the same person inside. your heart will always stay the same.people everywhere still love you (including one of my friends who will probably drool all over you next time she sees you). the church members are all praying for you night and day.we all miss you.

love, stephanie anderson

p.s.(brenda and neil) my grandma and grandpa anderson want you to know that they are praying for you. they hope that you know that God is watching over you! they say hi!

p.s.s: you can see thye lime green stickers on a lot of vehicles in town. it shows just how much people really care.

Love, Stephanie Anderson