Saturday July 16

I just got back from being out of town and my first stop was to visit dad. We had a little scare today according to Lisa. Apparently we had way too many visitors come in at one time which proved too much for him. Sometimes I can't control who and/or when people come to visit.  Should anyone come to visit and sees there are others in the room, please wait outside until those visiting are finished. We're limiting the visit time to around 10 minutes. This afternoon, he was so exhausted he didn't want to wake up for speech therapy. Lisa tried to wake him but he just didn't respond. The nurses came in to see what was happening, drew blood, call his doctor because he just didn't wake up. You can just imagine all of the thoughts the were going through there minds. Once the doctor came in to see him, he suggested that maybe too many visitors at one time was too much for dad to take in.  Scary moment for all of us.  I'm glad to say that
he had an undisturbed 2 hour nap and when he awoke, he was alert and responsive. What a sigh of relief!!!  I'm doing my best to schedule times for visitations with enough time in between for some rest. Only 2 at a time in the room has been suggested by the nursing staff.
I would like to remind everyone, he's still in rehabilitation, working on building his strength so that he can transfer himself alone from bed to chair.  He's far from this but he's showing signs of improvement. There will be times when he'll carry a conversation with us and other times when we can't understand him at all. This is part of his recovery process.
Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  

Friday July 15

Doctors are puzzled for the fact dad's left eye lid is closed. He can't open it on his own. An MRI was performed yesterday and we're all waiting for the results. He can see with the eye when the lid is lifted. He just can't open it. Although he's aware of this, and questioning it, his therapy sessions are progressing positively. He's now able to transfer from bed to chair with the assistance of one nurse. His voice volume is to a point where we can hear him clearly. I wanted to write this blog from out of town to explain the lid problem for those planning to visit him and seeing him this way.
We'll shall see what the results from the MRI read. I'll keep you posted.

Wed. July 13

The good news from the last time I wrote is that his voice is getting stronger, he's carrying conversations with visitors and he's eating more. Yesterday, the doctors lifted the thicken liquids to normal liquids as long as someone is present. He drank a lot of water and milk and was very, very happy. The thicken liquids are just awful!
It's getting easier to transfer him from bed to chair. Keep in mind, as soon as he can transfer himself from bed to chair without any assistance, he goes home. He's working very hard to accomplish this because he starting to dislike the hospital.
He asked that I bring in my laptop yesterday so he could check his bank account. I brought it in only to find out, he couldn't remember his pin. Let's see what a week does for his memory. I'll try again next week.
I'm going to take some more photos of him in rehab to send out. I'll let you know when some are available for emailing.
I'm heading out to Los Angeles today for business, returning on Sunday. I'll be happy to report all new progress upon my arrival. Should any significant news come up while I'm away, I'll be sure to write it in. Otherwise, you'll hear about dad on Monday.
Thanks again for all of your continued thoughts and prayers.

Sunday July 10

We would like to thank those who took time out of their weekend to visit dad. Today he had the most out loud conversations I've heard out of him since his time in the hospital. He carried on conversations with almost everyone.  He even told a visitor that he had head surgery and couldn't remember. Jogging his memory is a great thing. He also proved he can move his right hand and foot for all to see. For those who understand golf, he took his left hand and made a pitching motion to suggest, he can't wait to get back on the course.
Yesterday he stood on his own while his physical therapy team gave him his first shower in 7 weeks. He was soooo happy to get his hair shampooed.
He's a very happy camper at the moment because today there wasn't any therapy. For those who would like to see a picture of him smiling, please email me at davidv1@cox.net and I'll be happy to send you one.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. 

Friday July 8th

7 weeks in the hospital today.
I have some funny stuff to report. Mom came in this morning and said good morning to dad. Dad whispered back, "good morning". She repeated herself but louder, "say good morning loud".  So dad said, "good morning loud" as clear as can be.
There are times when we have to lean over to hear what's he's trying to say. Lisa leaned over him yesterday while he was whispering and he puckered up his lips thinking she wanted a kiss.
Although his watch is safe at home, he keeps looking at his wrist to see what time it is. So Lisa took off her lady's watch and put it on him. He was happy to see time and could care less it didn't quite fit.
The nurse came into his room in the evening to get him changed and ready for bed. It was around 7:30 when she woke him from a long nap. When he saw what time it was, he asked her why she was waking him so early in the morning. Lisa opened the blinds to show him it was getting dark and to explain that it's time for bed. He then just shook his head.
Yesterday, J Parker came in and dad asked him if he wanted to play golf.
It's great to see his sense of humor coming back. All of us are so very happy and proud to have him in our lives. We love him so very much!

Wed. July 6th

I bet many of you are wondering why I haven't written anything since Saturday. I assure you everything is fine with Dad. One week today at St. Mary's and what a difference each day brings.  Since his arrival, he's starting to lift his right leg, rotate and squeeze with his right hand and maneuver his wheel chair down the hallway...slow but steady.
His speech volume is also improving. We had a pretty lengthy talk today. He's still questioning what happened and why he's having difficulties with his right side. He repeats these questions over and over. One of the affects with this type of trauma is short term memory loss. Yesterday he just start talking about the city and work at the U of A. For example, he told mom that he had to do a report for work. We didn't know why, he just said this out loud. Come to find out from one of his partners at work, they have been working on a report that's due soon. He's still sharp at times. So we don't mind him asking the same questions over and over or not remembering things that took place earlier during the day. We know his mind will get better. Mom is starting to go home to rest during the day. Today was the first day she left at 10:30 and returned at 2:00 pm. She stayed until 6:00 pm then left when I returned. Lisa and I come in at various times throughout the day only because on his therapy sessions. There's no need to be present when he's in therapy.
We all notice some kind of improvement from day to day. It's really remarkable how the mind and body works. The Lord tells us to rest when we need to; then tells us when it's okay to slowly begin a new life. Dad's starting his new life.

Saturday July 2nd

Today is dad's birthday, a young 77 years! We all sang to him this morning and since we couldn't light candles in the room, he pretended to blow them out anyway. He's going to have plenty of cake to eat when he wants. The therapy staff at St. Mary's is great and have been working him hard. With some assistance from his nurses this morning, he wheeled himself down the hallway.  I got a chance to sit in the therapy room to see his team help him actually lift himself from the wheel chair to a standing position on the parallel bars. It was the first time I was able to see him standing in 6 weeks. Although his right side is weak and slow to respond, I've seen great improvement with his right hand. He's now grabbing and squeezing objects.We're sooo proud of him! I'm amazed to see his progress in just under a week.
While at Kindred, he slept most of the day. Here at St. Mary's, he's up working hard when he has to be and sleeping in between therapy sessions. Lisa and I no longer have to spend nights because #1, he's in good hands and #2, he sleeps all night because of the activity during the day. We're anxious to see what progress he makes by next weekend.

Have a great 4th of July and spend this weekend safe with loved ones.