Dec. 1, 2011

Bro. Dale had a good day today.  He sat up for a couple of hours today and was alert.  When the speech therapist came in today, she brought a sponge that is flavored with peppermint.  She would put it in his mouth to try to get him to open his mouth.  After tasting it a few times, he started voluntarily opening his mouth as he came toward his mouth!  He was making the connection not only that it was coming toward him, but he could open his mouth too.  That is an answer to our prayers!!  She also used ice on his lips and he could tell when it started to melt and run down his chin because he would start reaching up with his left hand to wipe it off.  So he does have sensation in that area as well and coordination.  Mrs. Doug said that the look on his face when the speech therapist was asking him to open his mouth was as if he wondered why she was telling him that because he knew how to do it already.  So pray that he can make the connection of what he thinks he can do and what he can actually do.  Mrs. Doug also said pray that he can open his mouth and stick out his tongue at her!  Tomorrow they will be putting a speech tube on the end of the trach so that he will be able to make sounds and hopefully soon form words. 

The occupational therapist used the electric stimulators on his arm today.  In the right forearm, he didn't seem to notice it, but when she put it on his upper arm, he did notice it.  When Mrs. Doug was holding his upper arm tonight, she could feel it quivering under her hand.  That was an encouraging sign. 

The physical therapist came by and said she could feel some resistance in the right leg.  He was also able to pick up his left leg by himself and on command.  That is a good sign! 

His infection seems to be getting better and he is coughing less often as well.  So that is also encouraging. 

"¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
   his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
   let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together....
⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:1-3, 8