12/02/2020 A good day. Did not really jinx it from yesterday’s entry. Today was three hours over at the lab practicing independent voluntary leg movement and, in addition, core balancing in a seated position. It is quite spastic and difficult to tap into but, again, it is all about concentrating and trying to tap intoContinue reading “More voluntary movement”
Author Archives: henrystifel
Voluntary movement
12/01/2020 This week began the next mapping phase, which focuses on voluntary movement and core balance. Today was my second session after a pretty tough day yesterday of not eliciting too much motion. For two hours, the goal is for me to lay on my back and concentrate on trying to move three different muscleContinue reading “Voluntary movement”
Getting to know you
11/18/20 – Truly electrifying! Today was the first day of turning on the stimulator. I did not know what to expect and was a little anxious. It began with the supine section of Mapping. During the preparation for the experiment, they placed about 24 different muscle sensors over my trunk and legs, put two bloodContinue reading “Getting to know you”
Mapping
11/17/20 Did it. Made it through three weeks post surgery. Doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but when you’re asked to keep the activity to a minimum and you are on a long-term antibiotic regimen, it doesn’t make for the most comfortable and energizing three weeks. Well, energizing is the proverbial word goingContinue reading “Mapping”
Two weeks post surgery
11/10/20 I continue to keep a low profile for the week, but I’m allowed to resume my normal activities. Mostly I am relaxing and resting up for next week. The healing of the scars looks great, but I will continue to be a bit anxious that we did our part successfully during the three weeks ofContinue reading “Two weeks post surgery”
Cleared for take off
11/9/20 Big day. Stitches removed at my 2:45 PM appointment with Dr. Boacke. Cleared me to ride my bike*, moderate range of motion and leaning forward to about 30°. Will feel great to be able to get the blood flowing again. (* I have a recumbent bike with electrodes that attach to my leg muscles. ThisContinue reading “Cleared for take off”
About that bed rest
11/4/20 In hindsight, being up for the first day was wonderful but a bit difficult. I did okay with my blood pressure, but I know my body was completely out of whack and did not know what was going on. So fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day that day, but I did feel likeContinue reading “About that bed rest”
One week post surgery
11/3/20 Thank you all for the support and encouragement during this past week. To me, it seems to be so counterintuitive to be told to stay in bed 100% of the time after a major surgery. I know many of you saw me struggling a little bit both emotionally and physically but we got throughContinue reading “One week post surgery”
A week of bed rest
10/28/20 With the help of four research techs, they gingerly placed me back into my chair so I could be driven back to the apartment. This occurred late afternoon because they were not certain if the pic line (used for intravenous antibiotics) was going to be removed that day. They decided to leave it in andContinue reading “A week of bed rest”
And so it begins
10/27/20 – Day of surgery We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 AM. During pre-op, Claudia (another one of the major PIs) and the team placed a very large number of muscle sensors all over my legs, hips and back muscles. Surgery was approximately 5 ½ hours long, done face down. I obviously was putContinue reading “And so it begins”
Henry Stifel 