Day 57: May 31, 2012

Dallas has been improving every day.  He is getting around much better, though we still walk beside him (or behind him) to make sure we are there just in case he falls.

Over the weekend, Dallas painted his mask.  He was quite scared of it, so Travis helped him to paint it in a camouflage look.  They had a lot of fun painting it together, and it seemed to relieve some of Dallas' fears about it.


Mac wanted to do the same thing, so Donna cut out a cardboard mask for him and Travis and Dallas helped Mac paint it.


The boys then wore their masks together for a little while.

Dallas is supposed to wear his mask all day long, every day, only taking it off to eat and shower.  This is NOT working out very well.


Dana, his Occupational Therapist who made the mask said that he could work up to wearing it for this amount of time, but it seems to have loosened even more, since more swelling has went down, and doesn't fit him properly.  It will have to be adjusted when we go back for clinic visits.

Dallas went to physical and occupational therapy today.  His therapy is a little more than 30 minutes away; then therapy was about an hour and a half.  So it took right at three hours today for therapy.  Dallas was pretty reserved at first, he didn't want to do any of the therapy, he only wanted to sleep; but after 10 minutes or so, he really opened up and had a good time.  He seemed to impress them with what he was able to do; but they said he still has a long ways to go.


Dallas went on the swing, played with balls, rode a bike, walked up and down stairs, and bounced.  He did great.  We did give him a half dose of his Oxycodone, since it was going to be intense.  It seemed to help him; but caused him to itch tremendously.


They will be scheduling more PT and OT for next week, looking at 3 times a week; at least for the first year.


Dallas has clinic Monday; so Travis and I will be going to NC Friday evening.  Saturday, we will be taking Dallas to the Golf Benefit, at least for a little while.  We think it will be good for Dallas to get out, but also for everyone to see how much he is improving, and to see what their donations are giving.


Sunday, I think we will do a party for Mac, since his birthday is Monday.  Perhaps just a cook out, something enjoyable for him; but something Dallas could also attend without getting too exhausted.  Hopefully all will go well this weekend, at the Golf Benefit, Mac's Bday, and the clinic visit.


Please continue to think about Dallas!  Even though he is out of the hospital, Dallas still has a very long road ahead of him.