Big Day

This is Karen. I got here bit ago, and as you can tell from reading the previous post, Sharon and I had a bit of a comedy routine going on in here this morning, trying to understand what dad wanted, and trying to make him a good 'drink'. I do have to admit however, that after feeding him a couple spoonfuls of the Dr.Pepper concoction we got the 'okay' to make him, I found out that it really is quite nasty. (It tastes like Dr.Pepper mixed with baking soda...*blech*) I'm hoping that today the speech therapist will give him the go ahead to starting having liquids, sans the baking soda stuff. But in the meantime, his nurse Ann (who is super), is on a 'ice cream hunt', looking to make him a chocolate shake, because as she put it "Hey...ice cream is thick right?!" LOL! She is very nice, and hopefully that will be a nice break from baking soda flavored 'drinks'.

I am super happy to report that when the physical therapists came in today, dad was pretty wide awake so they were able to get a good 'work out' in with him...and were even able to help him stand! This was a great accomplishment, as he hasn't stood up since Saturday. He has almost no feeling on his right side, so they had to support him on that side, but he stood nonetheless and it was wonderful! After that, they left his bed in a chair position and let him sit upright for as long as he wanted to. So we sat and watched a little bit of the Dancing with the Stars episode from last night. After about 20 min...he started to get sleepy, so I asked the nurse to come in and change his chair back to a bed, for a much needed rest. The therapists reassured him that although he can not 'feel' his right side, that he does have function in it...(when pinched or something, he jerks his arm or leg), and they said that it will improve with time.

After a brief (15 min.) rest, he woke up again, and expressed that he was hungry. Luckily it was time for lunch anyway...so he is eating now. His appetite has increased a litte more, and he does pretty well, even though nothing is very appetizing.

At times today, his speech has been very clear, which is very encouraging. But for the most part, he tries to speak quite a bit, but we still have a hard time understanding. He is trying to speak one word at a time, which helps with some words. He realizes that it will take some work, and I can't even imagine his frustration with trying to tell us something, and we sit and guess 100 things...to no avail. I brought a white board with me today, and as soon as he feels up to it, we might try to see if he can write at all. This in itself with be difficult because he is right handed, and right now can not seem to use his right hand at all...but we will try anyway! Overall, it appears that his speech is improving each day. And he is more alert for longer periods of time, which allows for more time to 'practice' speaking.

He was able to communicate clear enough this question: "What do they say about how long I'll be here?" So I explained to him, everything they have told us so far. And he understands that it is based on how he does each day. But that he would be going to a Rehabilitation Center, once he is released from here. I was also able to explain to him more about his diagnosis and about getting better (physical therapy, etc.). Anyway he seems to have a full understanding about the entire situation.

His attitude right now is positive. I think he's glad to have company, even though we frustrate him sometimes, because we can't read his mind! I did read him the comments (at his request) that people have left for him. He chuckled at some, and appreciated them all! He was also able to enjoy a video that my 2 girls made for him, of them wishing him well, and blowing him kisses, and telling him they love him, that seemed to make him happy. All of his grandkids miss him terribly, and look forward to seeing him again soon!

That's all for now! Keep the prayers coming....they are working!