Wednesday Evening

This is Karen. I got to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, just as dad was finishing his last therapy session. My mom was with him all day again today...(she is filling most of the day shifts during the week now, so we can get back to our 'normal lives'....and my sibilings and I will continue to fill the afternoon and evening shifts).

He had 6 therapy sessions again today, one of which included a session with therapy students, who each took turns giving dad instructions of things to do. Mom said he did very well. His days are getting more routine now...waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and heading off for a combination of 5 or 6 therapy sessions...with a break for lunch in between. Dad is doing really well in each. I think speech is his least favorite, as this is probably the most frustrating to him, since his speech has not returned. The speech therapist described this condition as Aphasia, or a disorder caused by the stroke that affects the portion of the brain that controls language (speaking and writing). As I spend time with my dad, this I believe is the most frustrating thing that he is dealing with. We spend a fair amount of time, trying to understand what he is telling us. He is getting better at using his left arm/hand to play 'charades'...sort of....to try to help us better understand. Once in awhile...he does speak a short phrase or something, just clear as can be. It will be interesting to see, as the weeks progress, how his speech recovers. Prayers in this regard would be greatly appreciated!

Dad was pretty upbeat most of the evening I was there. I'm not sure how at this point...but I am grateful for that nonetheless. ;) I talked to him about some of the information we had gone over in his stroke class. He always is very interested in learning more about the 'specifics' of what he is dealing with. I updated him on stuff going on with the grandkids, etc. He is always most interested in hearing about what's going on outside the hospital. I kept asking him if he wanted me to stop talking and let him rest, and he said no. I am glad when he can spend time alert and busy during the day, so that he has a better, more restful night.

The highlight of my visit today, was seeing a picture that dad drew (with his left hand), during one his therapy sessions. They asked him if he would draw something. They didn't tell him what to draw, they just let him choose. He drew a simple landscape scene, consisting of a mountain, sun, and a couple of streams, running at the base of the mountain. I loved seeing this! And I have to admit, he did a much better job, inspite of using his left hand, than I could've done with my right. Love it.

Thank for all the well wishes we continue to receive. We use those to continually remind dad that so many people are pulling for him, and he needs that encouragement right now. Sorry for the updates being so few and far between now....but as we have stated before, no news is good news, and dad just keeps plugging along, doing his best to be able to return home soon!