February 27, 2012

Mrs. Doug called and said Bro. Dale had a good day.  They are planning to leave his trach capped tonight to see how he does with that.  If he does well, they are talking about taking it out sometime this week.   They got him up around 7:30 this morning and didn't get back into bed until about 3:45!  He was give out after a full day of therapy.  He took a nap and by 5 was ready to get up and go to supper. 

 In speech today, they mentioned that he is doing so well with the puree diet that they are going to start him on more solid foods tomorrow.  Today he had his first slice of pineapple since November.  He lapped it up!  (For those who may not know, Bro. Dale LOVES pineapple and has eaten a pineapple sandwich for lunch just about everyday of his life prior to his stroke!)  Also during speech today, she used music, with short familiar songs like Happy Birthday and Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  At one point, he said, "happy" and it seemed to shock him so much that he could say it that he didn't say it again.  The therapist said it's normal that it would shock him because it's common for a stroke patient to think they will not be able to get to the point of saying more than just a couple of words.  Also, they have been using some word pictures and such for him to match.  He does well as long as there are just a few, but when it gets to be more than about 3, he gets frustrated.  But she's going to give him some picture words that he can use to give signals, such as a sink if he wants to wash his hands or a toothbrush, etc.  That will give him a base for his communication that will reduce some of the confusion.  He has already gotten into a pattern of using a few hand signals, such as waving his hand in a horizontal line, it means turn the volume up on the tv, NOT change the channel.  :)

 In OT, they taught him to use what they call a slide board.  They slide it under his hip and then he slides on it to wherever they are wanting him to sit.  Today they had him sitting at a table.  So he can move himself from the wheelchair to a seat by himself.   

 In PT, they had him stand straight up and bat a balloon back and forth for about 20 minutes.  They also walked him this afternoon with his right leg (the calf and ankle) wrapped in an ace bandage.  They had him do that for about 15 minutes and then had him lay down and worked on his feet and legs for several more minutes.  They are going to start walking him earlier in the mornings from now on because he was pretty tired by the time they got to PT today.   They do 30 minutes of each type of therapy in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  He has a break from about 11-12 that he can rest without laying down.  Today they went out on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful weather for a little while.  

 Mrs. Doug said to tell everyone that the best times for a visit would be from 11-1 or any time after 3:30.   

Mrs. Doug wanted to share a verse tonight.  She read a devotional that said we often avoid the hills for the flat ground, but it's when we must walk up the mountainside that we are strengthened and learn to depend on God for our strength.  The scripture that went with it was Exodus 15:2. As well as this prayer:

"Dear Father help me to learn to depend on You daily.  Show me your mercy and grace, I pray."  She said they are learning to do that daily.    

 "² The LORD is my strength and my song;
   he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
   my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

 

BROTHER DALE'S BENEFIT: All first pre-ordered benefit t-shirts are ready and can be picked up at Cotton Ink. Their hours are Monday - Friday 7-5 and Saturday til 2. Thanks to everyone who has bought tees and dinner plates, who plans to cook, serve, who has donated auction items, or work in any way to make this benefit a success!