Bro. Dale had a good day today. They stood him up and put him between 2 parallel bars. He was able to stand on his left leg and with an air brace on his right leg, they would pull his right leg forward and then he would take a step with his left leg while the right leg was bearing his weight. He went the length of the parallel bars three times, taking a break when he'd get to the end. When it was over, he was really tired, but he was really pleased with what he had done.
The speech therapist worked with him and he is now able to open his mouth on command. She had him do that about 10 or 12 times. He is trying to say some words as well, but they are not able to make them out yet. The respiratory therapist came in and said that he was able to take a deep breath on command now as well. These are things that he was not able to do when he came to this facility just a couple of weeks ago. The therapist said eventually all of this is going to just click with him and it will be amazing what he will be able to do.
The OT had him working with pipes again. He had several straight pieces and joints. He was able to put the pieces together and when he picked up one that didn't fit, he looked around until he got one that did. And when he was done, he was able to put them all back up in the bag. He is really comprehending a lot more now.
His blood pressure was low this morning, which makes him a little sleepy. But once he got into physical therapy, his blood pressure went up a little and he was more alert. They have taken him off another of his blood pressure medications and the only one he is on now is given only as needed.
The physical therapist had him on the mat for about 30 minutes. One of the exercises they did with him was to have him lean back as far as he could and then pull himself back up. She said that he was doing that all on his own, that she wasn't helping him do it. So he was basically doing a partial sit up. The only help she offered was if he started to lean to the side, she would get him back up.
Tomorrow he has a CAT scan and an appointment with Dr. Bevrin about replacing his skull. Mrs. Doug will call me with an update again tomorrow afternoon with what they find out from that appointment.
Sunday morning, Mrs. Doug shared with the church a brief update on Bro. Dale. One of the things she shared was a conversation that he had with Janice on Saturday. She quoted to him Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." When Janice said that, Mrs. Doug said he nearly came up off the bed he was trying so hard to speak and communicate. He was nodding in agreement. There's no doubt that God is doing some amazing things with Bro. Dale and we praise God for what He has done and what He will continue to do.
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