March 10, 2012

Mrs Doug emailed me the update and some pictures:

"The man in the pictures has had the same kind of stroke Dale has.  His speech and right side have also been effected.  His name is George Kelly and he was discharged today.  He works for the city of Jackson with the water department. 

 

 

 

When we first got here George wouldn't eat anything or try anything.  One day he and Dale made eye contact when they were in the dining room and Dale nodded to George and they started to communicate with each other through nods and handshakes.  I kept telling George they would finally get something better to eat and to keep trying.  Dale has claimed his spot at the table and George sat across from me because their legs were so long they kept getting their wheel chairs tangled up.  They always sat close to each other if they could.  

 

 

 

One day we met George in the hall as we were going to the therapy room and he stuck his hand out to shake Dale's.  Dale & I had gone outside and stayed for awhile and when we came back in I told Dale "let's go see if George has left."  When we got to his room he came flying out.  They said he had been looking everywhere for us.  While I was talking to him I told him "God Bless You."  Dale also said that to him.  You could see him mouth the words and it was like a whisper but he said it:) 

 

 

 

This past week was really good.  On Friday they started teaching us how to get in the tub with a bench and how to help him stand and move to the bench.  They also worked on Friday with getting in and out of a car.  He did that really well.  They told him to get plenty of rest this weekend because they were going to hit it hard on Monday.  They are using a lot of e-stem on his arm and shoulder on the right side to get movement started.  He can feel the stimulation when they get it started.  We are working a lot on moving from the wheelchair to the mat and to the bed. Standing and pivoting from one place to the other.  I am with him in all his therapy except for Speech & respiratory.

 

They are having him a brace made to wear on his right leg to help support it.  It will be from the knee down.  They asked when they were measuring him for it if he wanted a design on it and I suggested he get skulls and crossbones.  He looked over at me like I had lost my mind.  So, it's going to be clear.  While we were outside today his head got red so, I suggested that we get the red bandanna handkerchief and tie it around his head with his crossbones brace and he would look bad then.  He looked at me and shook his head and laughed.  I asked him if he thought I was crazy and he nodded yes.

Just a little more humor for the night.  We are still the same.  He wants to be at the dining room at least 10 min. early and I say why not wait until 1 min. till.  They are usually late anyway but we are usually there waiting on them.  We are not late for therapy either. 

God Bless you & We love you,

Doug & Dale"

 

 

"⁸ Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble....¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  ¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 
1 Peter 3:8, 12-18