Another Try Today

Hey Folks - Dad had his Occupational Therapy Evaluation yesterday and he didn't quite make it across the finish line, but he gets one more chance today. Two things dad was unable to complete unassisted yesterday were to one) put his shirt on and off unassisted without and verbal cues from the therapist. . . and 2) lift his left hand to touch his chin. While these tasks would seem simple, it's the "thinking" part that causes dad to stumble on the first task. . . and probably just nerve damage to his mid arm section on the second. He starts putting the shirt on, but as he gets each step of the process done, he has trouble remembering what comes next unless you tell him. And the hand. . . he can get it so far and then it's just like the nerve damage won't allow the final extension of this arm. So he and mom spent the afternoon working on at least the hand reach, and this morning before we go to therapy I will let him practice the shirt on and off task again. Therapy is at 10am today. I know he would appreciate everyone storming heaven on his behalf at 10 am this morning if you get this message in time! ON A GOOD NOTE. . . they were impressed that his balance sitting and his transfer to the table seemed improved yesterday - so he did have some positive feedback too! I will try to send out results this afternoon. . . thanks for your prayers!

Plugging Away!

Dad is plugging away at life and still doing well. He had therapy on Friday and had a pretty good day. This week we could only get in for 2 days Thursday and Friday. He is going to be re-evaluated this week for sure - that already has dad nervous. He overheard the therapist telling me that we need to sit down and see what kind of realistic goals we could set for the next 30 day session if he makes it thru this evaluation this week - to justify continuing the therapy to insurance. Later on, he told me he didn't like the sound of what the therapist was saying to me - I guess he felt it was a sign that we are nearing the "plateau" of his recovery. And that may very well be what the therapist was indicating, but it is not necessarily "the end." I just encouraged dad - that even if we don't pass this time - we can be re-evaluated 3 months from now if he would make some significant progress to warrant therapy again and that we will still continue with the therapy things at home and never stop working toward his goals of more independence and walking. He seemed to be better after we talked, but I know he is concerned. They are so strict on guidelines of how much progress dad has to make each 30 day period and with him having that cold for about 3 weeks - that really set him back. But we are going to believe for the best and see what God does in dad's body this week - I've been asking him for some miraculous break-thrus!

Please keep us in your prayers this week - we are going to be practicing therapy tasks at home to prepare for Thursdays evaluation and I know dad would appreciate all the support that he can receive from his family and friends thru prayer!

Having Fun

Tuesday we took time to have some fun. . . first me and dad got in the van and went to watch my boys football practice. It was a beautiful evening to do that and he hasn't been able to see them play yet this year, so I think he really enjoyed that and the boys were thrilled to have him there. Then afterward, my sister Pam and her daughter Sarah and her kids stopped by and we all had ice cream. . . we took time out for a picture of dad and all the kids. He always enjoys his grandchildren and great grandchildren's company.

Today we have therapy and a blood draw. I also have a feeling we are getting close on a PT evaluation. But I am always nervous to ask or let dad know it's time so that he doesn't stress about it. . . if you would - pray today and this week that God would just strengthen him and help him to sit for 5 minutes on the table without assistance. . . that he would score high enough on his testing to earn another 30 days. This is so vital to his mental and physical health to continue - even though it feels like to him it is slow. . . any progress is progress! Thanks for flooding heaven with this request - I'll keep you posted!

Great Weekend & Great Monday!

Hey everyone. . . dad and mom had a very good weekend. Dad was thrilled that the Mountaineers won and especially excited to see his nephew Nate Sowers make an awesome tackle. . . and hear them talk about him on the tv. The rain kept them inside most of the weekend, and thenMom strained her hip muscle again getting laundry out to put in dryer on Saturday, but we "treated it" again and she was back to feeling herself again. They both made it to church Sunday and dad was his chipper self at the front door greeting everyone. He was especially thrilled that so many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren were there this week - even little 3 week old Trey made it! Today, mom felt good enough to workout at the wellness center while I took dad to therapy/rehab at 11am. Dad seems to be feeling good and strong. He had a great day at therapy he said. Which means a lot because he is always so hard on himself afterward. . . but today he was very positive and said his physical therapist felt he transfered on the board the best ever. He transferred well on the board for me too - I'm always happy when I can do the transfer on the board and it is a "clean" one. . .today it was 3 hops into the chair from the bed and when we returned from therapy it was 2 hops into the recliner! woohoo! That's about all for now - we are stable. . . moving forward and still believing for the day when dad will be more independent and mobile again! Believe with us - thanks for your prayers! love to all!

Having a Good Week

Dad is having a good week. . . we had therapy again today and he did well. He goes again tomorrow. He keeps running into old friends at Therapy - he saw an old friend today he hadn't seen in so long. I think that part of therapy is neat for dad to just get out and have social interaction as well with friends and professionals in the community. Mom strained her right hip a little at the wellness center during her workout on Wednesday, so we have been trying to nurse that before she returns to therapy. It didn't stop her from taking care of her man though. . . she is so determined. The bathroom is looking so nice, the tile is down and the room is painted. . . we are getting closer! Thanks for checking in on us. . . please keep praying for dad to be healed. We so badly want him to have more mobility so that he can do more for himself and get around a little more at least. We believe- we need you to believe with us!

Looking Good!

Well dad had a great weekend. Saturday he really enjoyed getting out to the park to his great grandson Seth's birthday party. He and mom stayed for about and hour and a half. The weather was perfect. Sunday dad enjoyed church and his Sunday greeting job at the front doors of church. Monday dad had the day off and today dad had Occupational therapy for about 45 minutes. One of his therapist was very complimentary about how dad looked today! He has been really looking healthy again. . .he said he had a good day of therapy and we are still doing the board transfers at home to help strengthen those muscles. Not much new stuff to report. . . everything is looking good! Keep us in your prayers. . . if we can make a little progress everyday. . . then we are moving forward toward our goal! The bathroom is really close to being finished. . . David was laying tile today. We are ordering the shower chair tomorrow and the countdown is on to dad's first shower at home. . . it won't be long now!

Excellent Friday!

Hello folks! We have had a great day today. Dad's blood work from Wednesday was all good - his meds need no adjustments for now. Even though dad was heartbroken when WVU lost last night - he still made good progress today. And that was on very little sleep - he said after the game he could not get to sleep until 2am! No more Mountaineer games the day before therapy! ha ha Anyway, despite being up half the nite. . . today my dad and I succesfully did a new transfer from the bed to the chair without the hoyer lift! I was so excited - I cheered and jumped up and down. This was a huge step for us. . . the more we do this kind of transfer, the more therapy he gets at home and that will help him overall get stronger and easy to transfer. He was exhausted after therapy - he worked very very hard. But we still managed to do the board transfer back into bed! Wow-that was so rewarding to achieve that goal. Tomorrow he is looking forward to going to his grandson's birthday party at the park! That should be fun. Plus, his granddaughter Emily is coming home from WVU this weekend for a visit so he is looking forward to seeing her too. Maybe I can snap some pictures this weekend and share on the blog for everyone! Thanks for checking and keep praying with us for dad's continued progress!