April 20, 2012

Mrs. Doug and I had the opportunity to walk and talk together this afternoon.  She said that they had a good week.  She feels like Bro. Dale has really adjusted to their schedule well and seems to feel good about everything.  She said that even though she gets tired sometimes, she's always glad to come home.  They like to sit and have a cup of coffee together when she first gets in from work and talk about their day.  She feels like Bro. Dale is getting better at communicating and she's getting better at understanding what he's trying to say. Part of their routine every night before bed is she tells him that he has to say a certain number of words to her before she will help him out of his wheelchair into the bed.  She said he usually looks at her as if to say, "you've got to be kidding me" but he does it! One day this week, when he was on the phone with Joan, he said, "alright."  Every time the speech therapist comes, the amount of words he's saying is going up.  Yesterday he was able to say 16 words. 

The physical therapist showed her how to get the brace on his leg and she's been able to help him walk now.  He's doing really well with it, she says.  This morning he got her attention and was really proud of himself because he was standing straight and tall without holding onto anything.  He was balancing himself really well.  She said he's come such a long way with that and was very proud of him. Glenda has noticed how much better his balance is getting just in a week.  He's getting so much stronger over all.  They brought a lift chair for him, but it was kinda small and he didn't fit it so well.  But he's gotten so good at lifting himself that all she has to do is get him started and he can do the rest.  She said it's not a strain on her at all anymore.  And once he's up, he is able to turn himself and take a step to get into the wheelchair.  And when he's walking, his legs are not crossing over anymore.  He's just made so many improvements. 

This past Sunday, Mrs. Doug felt that the time was right to let him know that his father passed away 2 weeks after his stroke.  She said that of course he got upset to hear that, but he pointed up as if to heaven and nodded.  They know for certain that he put his faith in Jesus and is in heaven.  That is something I recall Bro. Dale mentioning on Wednesday nights as we'd come to his father's name on the prayer list.  That hope and assurance means everything.  She said that she could tell he was surprised to hear about his father's passing, but she explained to him why she hadn't told him prior to now and he indicated that he understood.  Mrs. Doug said that later in the week, they had to run some errands over in Bruce and as they passed the nursing home in Bruce, Bro. Dale pointed to it and then smiled and nodded as he pointed to heaven. 

Today they went to Calhoun City.  She said that before she'd take him anywhere he had to shave himself because he looked like a goat.  He is able to shave and brush his teeth and everything by himself now.  She's not having to help him at all.  And he does all of it with just one hand.  He's not using the right hand at all still.  It's still really stiff.  Mrs. Doug said that she tries to exercise it everyday but it's gotten to where it's really hurting him when they do that.  They have an appointment May 2 in Jackson to see about his arm and what options they have with it.  

It's so encouraging to hear such good reports with Bro. Dale's improvements.  We thank God for all he has done!  I can't help but think of the verse in Colossians 1 that Bro. Dale quoted so often:

²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ²⁸ We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. ²⁹ I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.  Colossians 1:27-29