You Cheated!-Craig, Day 4

Physical therapy got a little more intense for Craig on Friday. He is in a lot of pain unless he is lying flat in his bed and even then he is often uncomfortable. One of our doctor friends explained that he went from a 38 degree curve to 0 and the muscles have to adjust and stretch, as does the skin, since he grew approximately two inches in 3 1/2 hours. He had trouble sleeping again Friday night so the nurse gave him a muscle relaxer. His doctor is reluctant to use those on him due to the Friedreich's Ataxia because it just makes him weaker and wobblier, but he was asleep within 10 minutes so it definitely helped. I think he is having some spasms which cause sharp pains. Unfortunately, the physical therapist doesn't want him taking the muscle relaxer during the day, but hopefully he'll be able to sleep now.

When the PT comes she has him sit in a chair, then walk to the door, then to the bed. Each trip gets a little longer. Because it hurts so much to be upright, Craig is usually begging to get back in bed. The PT will tell him, "Just sit in the chair for a few more minutes." After a few minutes he'll say, "Okay, times up. Put me back in bed." Then the PT will say, "Okay, now we're going to walk to the door," which causes Craig to ejaculate, "YOU CHEATED!" He doesn't believe anything we say now, but he is getting stronger and steadier.