Sharon here. This past Thursday marked the two-month mark since Dad's stroke. Wow. Feels like two years. But at the same time, feels like it happened yesterday!
I've been wanting to do a blog update for several days/weeks now. Lately, its hard to know what to say. We've all settled into a sort of routine when it comes to visiting my Dad, and its hard enough trying to stay updated just among us in the immediate family. So unfortunately, keeping this blog updated has fallen by the wayside. But I know that so many people are wondering how he is doing and hoping for an update. So here goes.
I guess the biggest and most interesting news it that Dad was transferred out of the U or U hospital and into a new care facility on Thursday, May 5th. After six weeks at the hospital (one week in the NCCU and five weeks in the inpatient rehab) his team of doctors and care workers determined that it would be in Dad's best interest to move to a less intensive rehab. Somewhere where he could continue therapy on a daily basis and have nursing care, but that wouldn't require quite so much. After much deliberation and consideration for Dad's situation, it was decided that he would move to Woodland Park in Sandy.
It was bittersweet when we left the hospital. Dad (and the rest of us) really got attached to a lot of his nurses and therapists. Collin and Tracy from Physical Therapy were especially helpful and kind to Dad. We will miss them and so many of his nurses that quickly became our favorites! But I can definitely say that not one of us will miss that drive! Or the ten-minute walk from the parking garage to Dad's room!
Its been a long road since the move. And not always an easy one. The first few days at the new place were the hardest. It took a while to get used to the new facility and the way they ran things. (We still aren't quite used to it.) We had a whole new set of nurses, CNAs and therapists to get to know. And because half of the facility is a nursing home, it sometimes feels like Dad is in a nursing home. But he is in the nicer, newer part of the facility that is for non-resident rehab patients. He has his own room (YAY!) and a private bathroom. Lots of things that are good about it, and some things that aren't so great. But its all part of the process.
Probably the hardest thing that we've had to deal with is that after the move, Dad's condition and emotional state regressed severely. For the first few days, it was particularly difficult and we felt as though we were starting over at square one. Very frustrating for us, but I can't imagine how hard for him. He had made so much progress at the hospital. So much so that we were feeling as though him going home and being able to take care of himself was in the not-so-distant future. Now... we aren't so sure what will happen or how soon things will happen. (Hence the reason that we don't have much to update!) From what we've been told, this type of regression can happen with a stroke patient when there is a big change like this. Not that that makes it easy.
He is continuing to have therapy every day. Just three sessions a day instead of six. Occupational, physical and speech. We aren't seeing quite as much progress as we did at the hospital, but that can't really expected at this point, either. In each therapy, he is continuing to work on his strengths and hopefully get better at everything. I think it would be accurate to say that he is almost back to where he was when he left the hospital. Maybe a little better in some ways, but mostly the same or a little worse off.
More specifically, he still cannot use much of his right side. His right arm/hand are exercised daily and kept in a brace for much of the time. But he still has no feeling or use there. His right leg has started to have some feeling/pain and he can move it around when he tries. But its still not quite to the point where he can support his body weight on it, which makes relearning to walk difficult. He does use a walker in therapy, but the therapist still needs to pull his leg along so he can take steps with his left. Hopefully he'll get there soon!
His speech has gone up and down a lot. For a few days, he really regressed a lot and couldn't say much of anything and is back to using an almost silent whisper. But we are keeping at it, and trying to help him remember little tricks that he has learned in speech therapy to help him communicate. Some days are great and we understand a great deal. But a lot of days, its very difficult. Very very frustrating for us, but again his frustration with this is unimaginable. The other day I said to him that I couldn't imagine being trapped in a body that simply doesn't work. He just nodded. But we'll continue on with the therapy and hope for the best.
Most of his days are spent in bed, waiting for meals and therapy. He can't transfer himself to his chair or anything, so its a lot of waiting. Lots of TV. Lots of sitting there trying to communicate with whoever is visiting that day. Lots and lots of telling the staff that he wants something, but isn't able to tell them what exactly. Lots of trying to keep spirits up and trying to stay motivated so that the therapy will work. Lots of sad days, mad days and a few happy days thrown in between.
I wish that this post were more positive. We've tried, for the most part, to keep this blog mainly positive. But my Uncle Von said something to me the other day when I called him to give him an update. He said that he appreciated knowing the negative things, so that he could adjust what he was praying for. And right now, we need prayers. My Dad needs those prayers. We need him to continue to get better, so that we are able to take him home. I know that he misses his home and his "normal" life. Its hard to accept that this is his new normal. Its hard for all of us, but we continue to hope for the best! I keep hoping that one day I'll go to visit him and he'll just stand up and say, "I'm ready! Let's go!" LOL!
If anyone would like to call or visit, please let us know. I know that my Dad would really appreciate any emails, cards, visits or calls that he gets. Visits and calls are a little harder, because we never really know what his schedule will be like or if it will be a "good day" communication-wise. So please contact one of us and we will try to help you arrange something. And its usually better to have one of us there with you, so we can "translate" if needs be. :) We aren't at the new facility with him 12-14 hours a day like we were in the hospital. But between my Mom and our very large family, my Dad still has at least 1-2 visits a day. So at least that is something!
I can't promise that we will update again any time soon. If you would like some more information, please let me know and I'll try to give you an update if I can. Thanks again for all the love and support from all of you. We have felt it and we have needed it. Keep it coming! Love you all!
