Saturday, June 28, 2008 4 WEEKS

It is almost unbelieveable that is has been 4 weeks and what a roller coaster ride it has been.

Here is a glance at Don's week from Britney.

Occupatonal therapy: Dad got to enjoy getting in the shower this week. He loved that! He has mastered shaving, teethbrushing, and combing his hair. The therapist is working on his right arm as well as dexterity of his left. He gave us some games that work on cognition and also left hand dexterity. One of them is called High-Q, it is similar to checkers but is played by one person and with small pegs. First, Gary had him put the pegs on the board. Dad arranged them in the shape of the Greek cross, the board is kind of shaped that way. Gary said that was good. He did well at that game. Dad and I also played war with the deck of cards. He did that one without really having to think so cognitively he is doing very well. Gary left the deck of cards and High-Q for us to play this weekend. At this point, his left hand ( and he is right handed) will be his writing, and other fine motor dominant hand.

Physical therapy:

Dad is doing very well in physical therapy. Every time he walks the bars he gets faster, and also is less tired afterwards. Today he walked the parallel bars three times, very quickly, no panting afterwards. So, they decided to get out the cane. He used the cane while walking inside the parallel bars. He is doing very well. They still manipulate his right leg for him but it is getting stronger. Next week he will transition from the parallel bars to the cane. Also they will have him use the seated step machine.

As far as reading cognition, Dad is doing really well. They keep advancing him to the next level. Also, we have been getting out of his room more. Yesterday we went for a walk around the hospital. We looked around the chapel. I am going to get a Nazarene hymnal because there is a piano on his floor and I thought we could sing some songs he knows.
Today we went down to the cafeteria and had a cup of the good coffee and looked out the window at people. It was fun. It’s good for him to get out of the room, he likes it. He also likes to watch Wheel of Fortune during dinner.

The last 2 weeks have shown amazing improvement and every day he is getting stronger and relearns more things.

kjw