More Progress!

Dad had another "big day" yesterday - to use his words. He had a great day at therapy. They got him back up to the parallel bars and he actually - with much assistance -took about 5 steps! Here's the scenario - they are helping to hold him upright - he learns to bear weight on his strong right side - and they one by one have him move the right arm down the bar, then take a step with the right leg, then they tell him to move the left leg, but they end up helping him to move that one, then they move his left arm. . . so one by one, he started taking baby steps. He says it feels good to be making progress and that he is "ready to move forward" with the program to get better. I told him I had a dream about him "running" up and down the halls and he said - "well, I'm not far from that"! I love his positive attitude! We are going to go get him this afternoon and take him to the Rec Center for one of my son's basketball games. . . he really wants to get out and go there. . . he's not seen this new Quad gym and I think he will enjoy the little trip. The game is at 4pm. Tomorrow he is excited about going to church again - we'll be picking him up for 2nd service (11am) again.

Keep praying and believing that dad will make a full recovery - he has definitely hit a turning point in his stroke and we can't wait for each day to see what is ahead for him. Thanks for your love and support - and don't forget - you are more than welcome to come see dad - he loves company!

The Work Begins

Dad is still plugging away at therapy. In some ways it feels as if the work is just beginning because dad is finally able to follow instructions and respond to therapy. When I visited last night, he was in good spirits. He is really able to enjoy the company of visitors and his room mate now. He was telling me about his PT session and how hard it was - he didn't realize it was going to be so "tough to walk again". They had him up at the parallel bars with his wheelchair behind him because evidently he told them he could walk. He is finally realizing his abilities and "disabilities" that his stroke left him with. . . but he seemed more determined than ever to learn it all again. He asked me to go get him some cashews and a "orange slushy" at Sheetz last night - and he ate a piece of KFC chicken that I brought him and that was after eating a rib and some potatoes that mom had brought him so that tells you his appetite is back. He still only eats very small amounts of food, but he definitely has a "taste" for things that he's always liked again. Let's believe together that dad will have the strength and courage to really learn to walk and use his hand again - I feel like we are definitely headed in the right direction now - his blood pressure in stable, he has minor nausea issues, and his mind is definitely in the present now. Thanks for praying and supporting us - together we will help dad make it to the finish line!

Lots of Laughs!

The only way to explain yesterday was "lots of laughs". We took dad to Winchester for an appointment and it was a comedy of errors that left us laughing all day. We didn't even see the doctor - it seems we were sent there in "error" and on top of that - we went to the wrong office building and had the wrong appointment time. But thru it all - we enjoyed just being with dad and having some fun with him. He is doing so well with his thinking and talking and boy, has his humor taken on a new height! I just can not explain the difference in him this week compared to last week - you really need to visit him and see the difference. Yesterday his Speech Therapist said he answered every question he gave dad - and he would have to come up with all new ones for dad now that he's gotten so smart on him! (Dad incidently said the questions were "so dumb" that anyone could answer them! He doesn't realize that last week he missed almost all of them!) So we are really excited now because with dad's thinking and cognitive skills getting so good - he should be able to respond well to the physical & occupational therapy and won't that be an answer to prayer!!!!

Getting Better Every Day!

We had another great day Monday. We took dad to his doctors appointment in Winchester about his gall bladder and Dr. Boyd said at this time she does not recommend any surgery and that his gall bladder was not an issue of concern at this time. Dad did so well on the trip and talked to Pam and I the whole way. He has been very chatty ever since Sunday! He really is thinking and talking more and more like himself. We have noticed a major improvement and so had his new physician at Rehab Dr. Phares - he saw dad yesterday before we left for Winchester and he thought Dad looked much better compared to just last week! Dad hasn't stopped talking about church and how much he enjoyed it. He told his therapist yesterday she should have been there - and he went on an on about it. He keeps asking mom when he can go back to church again! That will be his inspiration every week I can tell you. He also is beginning to ask about the kids activities and maybe starting to go to some of them. Today we take him to see another Doctor in Winchester to follow up on his lung clotting episode in November, and also discuss his vena cava filter that was placed at that time. I will try to post after that trip! Thanks for your continued support and prayers - dad is coming back. . . you can see it in his eyes. If you get the chance, stop by and see him!

The Best Day In A Long Time!

Hands down. . .this was dad's best day in a long long time. Yesterday dad was overjoyed with our brother Tommy getting home safely from China after a month away. And today, dad went to church for the first time since his stroke October 16th. It was an amazing and unprecedented moment for our family, who filled two rows beside of dad and mom at The Living Room for the 11am service. Dad was as handsome as can be and although he did get a little emotional at several moments in the service, I have not seen him smile as much as I did this morning. He was shaking hands and getting hugs and kisses. . . and of course, he was high fiving all the kids! He was just glowing. He really was even more alert and his cognitive thinking was very on the mark. Check out the pics and see for yourself.

Thank you God for this beautiful moment today! Tomorrow we will be taking dad to see Dr. Boyd in the morning about his gall bladder. . . I think dad is actually looking forward to it - probably just to get out and get some fresh air. Love you guys!

A Happy Reunion!!!

My brother Tommy is home from China after a month of being overseas with the company he works for Dupont. He came to see dad this afternoon and we hurried in town to capture the happy reunion. Dad and mom could hardly wait. It surely was a happy time! Dad was clinging onto every word Tommy said about his trip and he told Tommy - next time he was going with him! I haven't seen dad this happy in days!

Dad also had a great visit this afternoon from several of the kids from church who adore dad - they brought mom birthday cards and dad posters with their handprints on them that said "A High Five to Mr. Shug" - he made mom hang them on his wall. Thanks to the Hadley & Hurley kids for those awesome handprints - I know every time dad looks at those, he will think of you and it will make him smile!

Dad looked very good today even when I visited the first time at noon - he was in his chair watching tv with mom. I took some pictures of the cake he made her for her birthday yesterday - check them out! It was a yummy cake! That was so cool of the therapists to help him make that for mama.

We are planning to bring dad to church second service tomorrow - he can't wait. He's going to look dapper! The weather is going to be great - so that will be good!

If you get a chance, stop in and see them this weekend!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Well today is mom's birthday and she hasn't gotten to see dad yet because she wasn't feeling well this morning. But she might head over this evening. Dad is having good day at therapy. . . the therapists are helping him bake a cake for mama right now! He still has his sad moments, but he did say he feels like he is getting stronger. I know he is thoroughly enjoying the visits he is getting from family and friends now. You have no idea how much that encourages him and makes his day. He told my nephew Matthew this morning as he looked up at the wall of pictures of the grandchildren that he misses them so much! Our brother Tommy is en route to the U.S. but is 8 hours behind now due to weather. So his visit with dad will not happen til tomorrow some time.
I am getting ready to head over for a short visit and leave my son Robby there for a while to hang out with his Pappy, so if I have any other news, I will update then! Love you all!