Week Two

I've received my orders for week two of rehab for the Noodlehead. We're to increase walks from 10 mins to 15 mins, 3x a day. He says we can sneak in another 10 mins if I'd like. I'm to start sit/stand drills 2x a day, and keep up stretching 2x a day. Next week the only change to make is up the walks to 20 mins, 3x a day, with one extra 10 min if I'd like. The doc says that after next week we'll increase rapidly in getting him back into shape, but I'm to continue to be conservative at this point.

While it's frustrating and slow, I do think he's right. Nick is looking nice and sound - carrying his weight evenly (well, as evenly as Nick ever does) and is pushing off of both back feet as he should. He's carrying his weight squarely again, which is good to see, and isn't short striding or hobbling around or any of that funky stuff. The doctor told me not to be too concerned if I see him hop on rare occasion at this point - but if it becomes pronounced or frequent to call him right away. So far, though, the only hop I've seen since starting was last week coming off the patio, and I realized he didn't want to step in the goo.

Nick, on the other hand, would appreciate some love here. He's digging the going for walkies, and he's tolerating the stretching thing (on his side) providing there's no distraction whatsoever. But he is not loving the enforced quiet time. This morning, in fact, the beastie was trying to run zoomies in place. Yeah, I'd say he's feeling pretty good.

So, tonight I'm making a pot of my Chili, plus a pot of spicy black bean soup for lunch at the Jack Knox clinic tomorrow. It's going to be butt crack cold, and I'm not exactly looking forward to THAT part. It feels weird to not enter Nick, but I think Jack and I will have fun with Linc - mr.nostopnocalloffwildman. It's been a crazy week, that's for sure.

My brother is going through a rough patch, and it breaks my heart. His situation sounds similar to what I was going through a little over a year ago, and it not only makes me sad but also makes me quite angry too - on his behalf. That being said, last night we had dinner together and he was telling us (my Mom, sister, and I) about how he likes to go to McDonalds and give them a hard time. He'll go up and ask for a "McNapkin" or a "McApple Pie". Sometimes he'd like some "McFries" to go with that. He insists that life is more fun if you just put a Mc in front of everything. I'm not sure why, but for some reason this strikes me as hysterical. He's a funny guy - and one of my favorite people in the world.

So for lunch tomorrow at the clinic we're going to be having McChili. I might even bring some McCheese to go on top.