Working out at Home

Check out Mr. Max!!!  Just a few months ago he couldn't swallow, or move any part of his body...   His feeding tube came out this past Monday and he's been working out at home.  We're stopping formal PT and we're working with some other folks who know him well and know his limits, his drive and his personality.  In speaking with other stroke patients (humans) who have gone through what Max has gone through, they've said it's really important to keep him in a positive, encouraging and motivating environment. 

Max Practicing his standing and keeping his head up

It's hard to keep your head up when you're so darn smart and have so much info in there!!!

Working on pushing up... and he almost gets it on his own!

Max standing on his own and then trying to catch himself as he leans back

A Treat after Acupuncture

Max chewing on one of his favorite treats after his acupuncture appointment today

A picture says 1000 words

Nothing to say.... just a photo that speaks 10000 words... ! 

He was standing up straight for a while before leaning back, Mighty Max held that pose for a good minute for his friend Amanda and I and then did it again this afternoon!

Keep the good positive energy flowing!!!

Max got his feeding tube removed!

Yesterday was a big day!  Max got his feeding tube removed! He hadn't used it at all over the last 2 weeks so it was time to bite the bullet and give it a go!  He's doing well.. Although yesterday must have been a REALLY stressful day. He's never had an upset tummy through any of this and yesterday and last night he sure did- vomiting and puking all night long. He's doing ok now... Just wondering if they gave him something at the hospital that didn't agree with him. The Internist mentioned that his tube was clogged when I asked if they had drained his tummy... (probably b/c he was eating whole foods again and veggies... which don't fit well through the tube! Wonder if they tried to flush it with something.. anyway - he seems to be doing ok so far today... He wanted to sleep in his cart last night.. thank goodness for the cart...

He's definitely feeling better physically without the tube and can scoot around more in his cart. His tummy was so upset last night that he scooted himself up and over the 2 inch ledge into the back door on his own - he also managed to turn the corner and roll down the ramp on his own... he still needs to master breaks though...   He starts PT back up again tomorrow. 

Today's objective - keep him eating and drinking and happy... I did manage to get him in a sternal position today too and he tried to get up - not quite there yet.. but we're still working on..

Pics to Come..

Max Trying to Stand Up

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words... well.. how about a video! Or a few videos


Max standing in his cart working on lifting his head 10/9/2012

Max sitting in bed demonstrating how he can now turn his head 10/9/2012

Max working on pushing himself up to a standing position  10/16/2012

If you think that last video was something - check this one out!

Max looking around and turning his head

Here's Max up to his latest tricks today!  (October 9, 2012).  Isn't he handsome?!!!  Not sure if you can notice.. his eyes moved towards me when I asked if he wanted to go for a walk later in the video!

The latest trick

Max's latest trick is pushing on his front leg stirrups so that he can stand up in his cart and lift his head and then turn it to the side and then sit down again and get his head stuck in the side... his head rest may need to come off soon...

Another morning of Max eating his whole breakfast by spoon!  A whole cup of the Honest Kitchen!