Dec. 26, 2011

Bro. Dale had a good day today.  Mrs. Doug gave him a shave and washed him up a bit.  When she was shaving him, he indicated that he wanted to go back over his upper lip a few times until it was like he wanted it.  Then she decided to try giving him a toothbrush.  He instinctively took it, opened his mouth and started brushing his teeth with his left hand.  He was not able to open wide enough to brush the back teeth, but he was able to get the ones towards the front.  She put some mouthwash on it and he used it about 3 times before he was done.  Then she gave him a napkin to wipe his mouth and then gave him his chap stick which he put on himself.  She cut his fingernails and washed his hands good.  Then she put some powder on his right hand because it tends to stay damp since he keeps it clinched.  She told him his hand smelled like a baby's butt and the expression on his face was priceless.  He grinned so big and acted like he wanted to laugh.  So while he has had some sad emotions expressed over the weekend, he is also starting to find more humor. 

Mrs. Doug is hopeful that the speech therapist could use the toothbrush as a way to have him open his mouth more since he has not been opening his mouth for her as well. 

The occupational therapist had him try to write his name.  She had written his name "Dale" and then he tried.  You could see where he tried all of the letters, but could definitely make out the "D," "a" and the "l." 

At one point, they brought a pillow and put it under his left side.  He decided he didn't want it there, so he wiggled himself and worked until he got it out and then threw it on the floor on his right side. 

Mrs. Doug has a plan for going back to work at least on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until they do the surgery on his skull again.  That will probably be done sometime in February.  She's hopeful that he will be off the trach before that is done.  Pray that he can be! 

"12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:12-17