Ted has been home for 12 days, and it is really going much better than I could have expected. He is walking, doing the stairs and steps, showering, and dressing quite well. He is getting most of his balance back, and is not as wobbly as before. He still needs some assistance, but is becoming quite independent in those areas. He was getting up three times a night, which was really wearing me out. But, now he gets up only once at night.... THANK YOU!
Ted loves his speech therapy sessions, and looks forward to them daily. She is willing to come daily! He "demanded" to go to Target yesterday, where he purchased two pairs of pants ( he has lost 45 pounds!) and a white board. He loves his white board! When he tried to communicate verbally yesterday and it didn't work, he would write on the white board. Some of it didn't make sense. He wrote 4 of the 7 days of the week, but not sure why. Then he wrote " appendix". We don't know if he was referring to the human body or the back of a book. Knowing Ted, it was probably the back of a book. But, where did that come from?
He takes another swallowing test tomorrow. His speech therapist is very encouraging about him having regained his ability to swallow. Keep him in your prayers for the big test at 11 am tomorrow! His last swallow test was on January 10. He wants to get off the feeding tube, as do I. He is very patient about being fed at 6am, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. He is like an infant on a formula schedule!
We do not get any recreational therapy as part of home health care. He enjoyed his recreational therapy in rehab. I encouraged him to do golf therapy, and he agreed. He was leery about hiring a golf pro. I have hired a golf therapist - Christine Hoy - yes his daughter! She needs a job, she has been trained well by Ted and her coaches, and she has the patience of Job. He will do 4 one-hour sessions weekly. Their first session was on Sunday. It went quite well. He remembers his grip, but not much else. They have another session tonight! We will see what she has planned for him tonight.
Ted's speech is still very halted, but he is starting to put together several words and whole ideas, but much of it doesn't make sense yet. Some examples are : what day? may mean what time is it? Where are the people? may may refer to what time is swim team practice? Stomach may refer to his feeding schedule. Numbers may refer to when his next therapist is coming. It is good that I like charades.... I have been playing alot of it lately.
Ted did something uncharacteristically sweet today. When I came into the living room this morning, he went over to the organ, opened it up, and pointed to an envelope and box of candy inside. Yesterday, at Target, he had bought me a valentine and valentine candy! It was very sweet. Maybe that sweetness will stay......
Ted was very upset about Ohio State's loss to Michigan State's basketball team. Tonight we play Minnesota away ( Coach Tubby Smith and remember Luke Witte - Minnesota beat him to a bloody pulp in the 70's). He will be watching the game intently, as will I!
I am happy to have my blubbering valentine home. His blubberings are getting longer, becoming more intelligible, and are even starting to make some sense! There is much progress, and I am very grateful. I wish you all a happy valentine's day and much love to you and yours. I hope to have good news tomorrow from the swallowing test..... Fondly, Anne
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