The Bionic Man

Dad's back brace arrived today. It is a rather large contraption, has a huge back support covering all of his middle and lower back and a front support that even has a T piece that rests just below his neck. He has to wear this ANYTIME he is out of bed. So they fitted him with it and asked him to walk.....no big deal right? WRONG! Laying in bed for two days really changes your strength and especially with the fractures in his back, nothing feels right. He was able to take 3 steps forwards and backwards, but then started to have a lot of pain and muscle spasms. Later the physical therapist worked with him again, but it was so much pain and spasming that they got him back in bed and took the brace off. When they did, his back locked on him and they noticed a lump in his back. This prompted another CT scan---the good news is there wasn't any bleeding or changes noted. Swelling yes, but nothing else. This swelling is most likely from him laying in bed for the last two days. They said they were going to increase his muscle relaxant dose and try to treat him with pain medications. What this means for him going home we aren't sure. He really can't move, so how can we expect him to get home?

Not much else to report. Just a waiting game....