24 Hours On

After one of the worst days yesterday, today dawned a lot brighter! When Pete has a shower, which obviously he needs help with, I can usually tell his mood depending on how much he disapproves of where I am aiming the water! Today it went well, so I knew his mood had changed from yesterday.
The community rehab nurse came, as promised, to do blood tests. One of the first things she said was "has the doctor contacted you?" my answer? A big fat NO! She has seen him and said about sleeping tablets and he said he would contact me. Really? As usual, not a squeak out of him, so she said leave it to mid week and then ring him. Also he is supposed to be taking over regular blood tests and blood pressure checks. So I don't hold out much hope about them but we are alright now for a couple of months, if I have to chase him again then will think very seriously about trying to get another GP to take Pete on. In the meantime, obviously I am going to have to ring him about sleeping tablets. Helpful isn't he?!?!
Pete did his walking stints today and then about half an hour before the physios were due he put the FES on! I told Suzanne we had done nothing yesterday but she was fine about it. Pete can be a fib pot when asked what he has been doing, she asked had he used the FES much - Pete nodded yes (fib no. 1), has he been walking a lot - Pete nodded yes (fib no. 2) and has he been wearing his splint - Pete nodded yes (fib no. 3), she also asked which he preferred, the FES or the ankle brace and he indicated the FES (big fib no.4 as he has told me several times he prefers the ankle brace)!! He is too anxious to please her, but unfortunately for him, I put her straight!! Susie has now moved on as they work in rotation and we have a new young lady called Claire, but she seems just as nice as the rest of them. They both put him through his exercises, he is doing really well bouncing on the gym ball, not as nervous of it now and no hesitation getting onto it. The physios are excellent in the way they instill confidence that Pete can and will do as they ask.
This afternoon we had a visit from the lovely Leanne and Amelia. Pete had been looking forward to this and he thoroughly enjoyed it - Amelia is gorgeous and was brilliant with us, not shy and no crying or moaning at having to entertain us!!! Pete was smitten I think. Lots of chat with Leanne, she has experience with stroke survivors being a professional carer, but also lots of personal chat. She has never come across the FES before, so not everyone gets them which was interesting.
Tomorrow is the second lot of Botox injections - Suzanne thinks he will probably give a higher dose as the first lot haven't lasted 3 months, I would say in the last 2 or 3 weeks Pete's arm and hand have been getting tighter and more painful, and we are back to square one now. But they definitely help to manage his arm and will continue for as long as they help, possibly years. So, roll on tomorrow!