Merry Christmas, Bob!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dear Friends, When you click on the "play" link, wait a few minutes for it to start up. Be sure your speakers are on AND if you hold your cursor over each photo, you'll be able to click to enlarge. Thank you for loving us . . . We LOVE YOU!

December 25, 2009

Dearest Bob,

Thank you for sharing 26 wonderful Christmases with me. Each one has been special because we've been together but this one is extra special because you've worked SO hard to be here. Thank you, thank you, thank you for hanging in and persisting in your recovery. If I were the real queen of the world, you would be fully recovered from your stroke. You would be walking and talking and using your arm and hand with such automaticity. But, since I'm only a queen in training (much to my disappointment), your recovery is slower than instant but faster than never. AND . . . you ARE getting stronger and better every day! Let me tell you a few of the changes we've noticed in the past month:

1. You're reading short paragraphs with greater accuracy
2. You smile with ease and laugh generously
3. You're understanding so much, much, more
4. You're walking longer distances (3 laps around our cul-de-sac) and with smoother form (still with your cane)
5. Your right shoulder and arm are getting stronger. Oh yes, Bob, the pathways are slowing filling in. You're able to raise your right arm without assistance enough for me to spray on deodorant
6. You sit with your right leg crossed over your left now--I like seeing that.
7. You're able to help me fold the clothes (you do the small pieces, I do the large ones).
8. You're able to follow multi-step directions with greater accuracy. You go, apraxia override!
9. Expressive language is still your biggest challenge. It must be so hard to understand and not be able to tell what you are thinking freely. We continue to work and pray for big miracles. You recognize voices on the phone and say names with greater accuracy. You're beginning to recognize and say numbers. You are recognizing and recalling objects with greater accuracy. You are learning to generate sentences given two words. Whoo-hoo!
10. You call my name with 100% accuracy! No more Olivia Newton John for me

Bob, while some might think of these tasks as small, we know that they are major accomplishments for you! EVERYTHING you do requires concentration, planning, and sequencing and while my heart hurts for your body and for you, I am so proud of you, Bob for NEVER EVER giving up or whining or complaining, no matter how difficult or challenging the task. I also appreciate that you do these things for me as much as for you, and I am so very grateful for your sweet spirit and gentle heart.

Well, Bob, I thought and thought about the perfect Christmas gift for you but as we both know, Christmas really isn't about things and it isn't like you need things. (Although I love and needed my panini press-thank you very much!) So, please accept my five gifts of Christmas to you and know they are from my heart:

• My first gift of Christmas: My heart and love forever and ever!
• My second gift of Christmas: A lifetime of laughs and joy and love and places to see (like Yosemite, Cincinnati, Nova Scotia, Minnesota, Ashland, Connecticutt, Chicago, Boston, and maybe Italy . . . to name a few.)
• My third gift of Christmas: My arms and legs to support yours while you get stronger
• My fourth gift of Christmas: A kick in the butt when you need one
• My last gift of Christmas: 1 massage a week to soothe your aching body. (Oh yeah!)

Lastly, Bob, let's be sure to say thank you to all of our family and dear friends who support and encourage us and continue to pray for your recovery.

Merry Christmas, Robert! I love you! Your Best Friend in the Whole World,

Sharon xoxoxoxoxoxox

Happy Thanksgiving, Bob!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dear Friends and Family, We have much to be thankful for this year . . . Bob's improving health, our family and friends never-ending love and support, Bob's continuous recovery, Shadi and Bill's generous gift of time and teaching the Bob, the angels of Loma Linda (Summer, Rachelle, and Cynthia, jobs, good health benefits, oh, the list goes on and on! Bob's progress continues - slowly but surely.

We thank God EVERY DAY for the wondrous miracles we continue to experience. Keep us in your hearts and prayers! Much love, Sharon

Bob & Sharon are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Shadoan and Bob took us to see "Mary Poppins" at the Ahmanson theatre on Thanksgiving Eve. It was a wondrous evening of music, good food, and good company! And, oh my, we were ready for an evening of fun! Press play and see our evening of miracles!

Love, Shadi

Happy Halloween, Bob!

Dear Family and Friends,

Shadi and I loaded the Bob and Toddi into the car and headed over to Sonia's and Jeff's for our annual Halloween fun. We don't get many kids in our neighborhood but Sonia gets carloads because her street goes all out for Halloween. All of the neighbors decorate their homes and then set out chimineas and chairs and give out candy. Bob was a little worried about sitting outside when he saw all of the children but as soon as he saw Jeff, he felt lots better. Anyway, we had fun and wanted to share our pics with you! Happy Halloween, all!

Warmly,

Sharon

The Bob is "Talk of the Town" (LLUMC Rehab) (video below)

Dear Friends and Family,
It's hard to believe that the Bob is in his 6th month of stroke recovery and although progress has been slow, it's also been steady and sure. Our first prayers were that God would grant him lots of little miracles that would add up to BIG miracles. Our biggest miracle was getting Shadi to move in with us and work with Bob all day long while I'm at work because that has made a huge impact on his getting extra intensive work.

Bob is the talk of the rehab center because his improvements are so dramatic! We see lots of stroke patients in rehab and it seems that we haven't seen anyone yet who's stroke is as devastating as Bob's is where the language, speech, legs and arms/hands are all so severely affected. Believe me, we look because we want to talk to others about recovery. Tom and Bonnie are the only others we know personally who have come back from deep brain injury, thank God. Anyway, the Bob's rehab "A-TEAM" (physical therapist Summer, occup. therapist Rachelle, and speech therapist Cynthia) are so encouraged and inspired by his progress because what they're seeing are consistent daily improvements and much faster than they anticipated. They are moved by the Bob's resilient spirit and his commitment to recovery and my oh my, they work hard and reset his goals because the man is having breakthroughs. Bob will be a guest at medical center's PT program.

Here are some of Bob's big changes. He:

• walks with a cane at home and in the community and is improving his form. He's starting to stand taller and look around and smile as he walks (we have to remind him but it's getting better)
• is strengthening his right leg and glut muscles
• is able to walk up and down the stairs (to and from our bedroom)
• is able to shower with only a little assistance over the step up in our upstairs bathroom (thank you for making that bathroom accessible, Jeff). He's independent downstairs, though.
• pushed a chair loaded with phone books back and forth the neuro-gym floor in therapy
• is able to lift and curl his toes 60 degrees on command (especially necessary to walk upstairs). In therapy, he is learning to walk in Tevas and flip flops. Yes, I said flip flops.
• is able to lift his right leg to put his pant leg on his right pant leg. This means that he doesn't have to roll on his back as often and lift his leg to dress now. Whoo-hoo!
• is learning to activate his shin muscles. Summer made him ride a stationary bike without taping his leg to the stirrup. He rode for 20 minutes . . . and got a shin splint. Ouch.
• is learning to activate his right bicep and tricep. He is learning to push his arm forward and back without assistance.
• is learning to lift his hand at the wrist about 15 degrees. OMG! His hand and arm are slowing but surely coming back!
• is slowly but surely combatting his apraxia. He's better able to follow multiple step directions with consistency and accuracy.
• is getting much better at retrieving words. His newest fill in phrase is "I don't know" and "okay" which we're trying to expunge and replace with other descriptors.
• has convinced his speech therapist (Cynthia) that he WILL improve by his consistent committment to learn and she's so excited by his improvements and is pulling out all stops to advance his recovery! Anyway, he's doing so much better at confrontational cueing (naming objects on demand which he couldn't do with better than 20-30% accuracy a few months ago.) Now, when she shows him pictures, he actually gives the latin or species name (for example, she shows him a picture of a monkey, and he responded, Madagascar macaqur or I asked him what a plant was (jimson weed/loco weed) and he said "datura mendotoildes?"). His therapist laughs and tells him, "Bob, I'm just a speech therapist, bring it down".
• is using strategies that Shadi and Cynthia have been teaching to "work or go around" when he can't find a word.
• is speaking more complete sentences. He's getting better at stringing the subject and verb and he tries with all of his might to hand on to the object of his sentences. We've learned that background noise and side conversations are very distracting so we don't frequent noisy places (restaurants). You have to be very patient and just wait and he'll try to talk. Jeff and Sonz are delighted because he's just started talking with them (beyond saying, "yes".
• told me the other night, "I am tired but I don't think I can make it up the stairs tonight". I almost fell off my chair with that compound sentence. Today, Josh called him and he had a full on conversation with Josh about the book Josh is writing. It was a slow and belabored conversation but OMG, it was a two-way conversation and I almost cried with joy.
• called Terry Taco (the Oregon out-law) to sing "Fight On, USC" today. Okay, the Trojans aren't doing so well right now. (Bob's watching the game.)

Bob turned 67 in September. This stroke has aged us both but hasn't dampened our committment to each other nor are we ready to give in the towel. I thank God every day for allowing Bob to be part of my life. He truly inspires me to be a better person and to be thankful for each day. I thank God for Shadi because her work with Bob is making hugh differences in his recovery. There is no way that what insurance covers would have been enough for Bob due to the severity of his stroke, but we're grateful for what we get and we're blessed to have a wonderful family. We know that his recovery will be slow but it's happening.

Please continue your prayers for Bob, for us. We need them! And please send cards (they've slowly trickled down to a few) or emails. He loves hearing from you and yes, he reads them. I read emails to him every night (although I don't respond) and I wish you could see the look of joy and peace on his face knowing that you keep him in your hearts. So, if you want to send him emails, send them to me at: scorkrum @gmail.com.

I'm back at work again and it's hard to be away from Bob all day but I know he's in good hands with Shadi, or Terri Taco or Rick (Gigi's husband) so I'm able to do my job. Well, it's time to say good night for now. Take care and let us hear from you, soon.

Warmly,

Sharon

Bob Goes to DBHS Homecoming!

Dear Friends and Fans, (ha!)

As you can see by the pictures, the "Top Brahma" went home for DBHS Homecoming Game. We can't thank Denis Paul (the current Lead Brahma), Susan, and Jon for making it possible for Bob to see his beloved Brahmas up close and personal. What grand treatment he received! We were so moved by Denis's thoughtfulness. Denis had the signboard in front of the school announcing Bob's return and Jon arranged for the cart to drive the Bob down to the field. (Thank goodness, too! I needed the cart more than Bob.) They stopped in front of the stands and announced his return to the crowds of millions and Bob "doffed" his gift cap just like old times! It was wonderful to see old friends who stopped by the end zone to say hi to Bob. It was wonderful! Terri Taco and I couldn't were so moved by the warm welcome given to Bob. He loved watching the game and stayed up, even though it was late. Wow! He was pretty awesome, if I say so myself! Bob and Terry told me that the only bad part was my driving to the game (AND we got caught in traffic). Hmmm! Well, signing off for now!

Much love to all,

Sharon

Terry Taco Talks About The Bob

October 8, 2009

Terry Taco signing in...I'm here for a week as Shadi is in Nova Scotia attending a wedding and enjoying time with her husband Bill.

The time is going so fast, i want to let you in on

WHAT I KNOW.......

1. Bob's smile brightens anyone's day.

2. He's my hero.

3. Bob walks up and down 13 steps to get to their 2nd floor bedroom and study room.

4. He lifts his legs high as he marches and bounces on a trampoline.

5. He walks barefoot on the carpeted hallway walking quickly (almost a run)....watch the video!

6. Bob listens to morning prayers from the Jesuits, Prairie Home Companion and News from Walls Street Journal.

7. 90% of the time Bob cooperates......the other 10 he'll let you know:)

8. Bob has great new team member, Rick, to help & support .....he is so positive and loves the Bob too!

9. Bob is saying more and more full sentences....one i loved....when asked where would he like to fly if he could go anywhere, he replied, "I would fly to Nova Scotia". I think he misses Shadi:)

10. Shadi & Sharon have set up an amazing "DAY" for Bob.....he is making amazing progress.

11. Almost forgot.....Bob walks 1/2 mile around their neighborhood cul-de-sac.

Keep sending your prayers and "CARDS" they both are helping his miraculous healings.

Tomorrow after PT & OT and some rest we'll take on a Diamond Bar football game and then a trip to the condo.......it's a full plate......lovin it!

Terry Taco

Bob,Sharon, Shadi's, and Toddi's Excellent September Adventures!

Stay tuned! This page is STILL under construction! We have LOTS to share about Bob's steady progress. I'll add text later - just wanted to get some good pics of the Bob and Friendout!

Meet Shadi, Toddi, and the Bob!

Hi there!

We thought you might want to see a picture of the newest members of our household: Shadi (my twin), and Toddi (little Hot Toddi Corkrum), our new cairn terrier. Yes, the first photo is of Bob with my twin and Toddi.

Oh, in case I didn't tell you, my twin has 20 years of special education background. Guess what? Many of her students were also aphasic and apraxic. How seredipitous! God works in mysterious ways! Anyways, we're a good tag team. I get Bob up, showered, dressed and fed and then hand him over to Shadi. She shuttles him to OT, PT, ST AND then teaches him the rest of the day. AND, she gives him OT and walks him in Lowes. She keeps the house neat and tidy (including laundry). Then, we trade off when I get home and I cook dinner, clean up, get Bob ready for bed and prepare Bob's bathroom for his morning shower (non-skid mats, towels, bench, scrubbers, shaver, waterpik, toothbrush), lay out his clothes in the sequence in which he dresses, and set the table for breakfast so that he can serve himself. (Everything has to be prepared for one-hand use.) We have a pretty workable system - I get up at 5:30 and we're dressed and downstairs by 6:50 am. Did you notice that I said downstairs? YES! Bob is able to go up and down the stairs with an escort (me or Shadi).

Toddi joined our family the day after Josh took his dog back to New York. I was so sad and just a tearful mess. So my sisters, the Witches of East Highland, did their thing and found Toddi through a cairn rescue. She's two and simply adorable and yes! She is the queen of the house. Somehow, she seems to know that Bob is injured. She barks when he gets out of bed and I'm not close by and she follows him when he walks around the house.Toddi loves her some Bob and Shadi. So do I!

Here's a photo of Bob with Jeanie and Shadi (2 sisters out of 3).

Enough for now! Bob's sawing logs and I need to get ready for tomorrow, but stay tuned! I have lots to tell you about Bob's adventures and progress. I promise to be more current. Thank you all for your cards, emails, calls, shout-outs. We realllllllllly love them and appreciate them. I'm sorry for not getting back to you but know that I love hearing from you.

Warmly,

Sharon and the Bob . . . with Shadi :) (Can you tell us apart?)

Why Me? Who Knows? (video of Bob walking)

Dear Friends and Fambly,

You're probably wondering where we've been???? Sorry, we've had some major changes in our lives and that's kept us pretty busy--too tired to write. I returned to work on August 31. WHAT? You know the song, "We work hard for the money??" Well, while money isn't the end, it does pay the bills and provides insurance and we are very grateful that my company allowed me to stay home with Bob this long. It was a very difficult decision since Bob is still in the initial phase of his recovery and I couldn't have done this if my twin hadn't moved in to take over Bob's caregiving, speech, OT and PT during the day. Bob and I are forever indebted to Shadi and Dr. Bill Letson for allowing Shadi to take a "leave of absence" from your home in Korea to help us.

Yes, my twin, Shadi finally arrived! She flew in on a westerly and settled in a little over a month ago to help me with the Bob while I returned to work. Thank God, she's here. Two things: caregiving is HUGE (who knew) AND the quiet in the house all day, except for my being "nagging teacher" and my mindless nattering (which was beginning to annoy me, let alone, the Bob) is overwhelmingly quiet. I'm used to making ALOT of noise and having Bob at least say "um hum" or "let's think about it, Sharon", or anything to acknowledge my deeply philosophical nonsensical observations.

Shadi's presence and work with Bob has made the world of difference for us. Before her arrival, I felt like I was holding my breath every day, waiting for this bad "movie" to be over. I was so sad and though I really, really tried to be happy and upbeat, my heart and soul was heavy. I missed my old Bob, I missed everything that was. Okay, well maybe there were a couple of things I didn't miss like taxes, but I did miss almost everything else. You see, although small miracles occurred every day, when you're deep into recovery and caregiving work, we couldn't see them clearly, and my oh my, it felt like we were moving at a snail's pace.

Speech is still Bob's challenge (or pain). We are so hopeful and positive, however, because he is generating more language. It is still difficult and my heart aches as he struggles to find the words. Before Shadi arrived, he couldn't stick with a thought or find words. Shadi works with Bob for 2.5 hours of intensive speech/language aphasia and apraxia treatment and OMG, what a HUGE difference! When she arrived, he mostly said "yes" and "no". Well, now, he is learning to string words to make sentences. And guess what? Bob and I have meaningful conversations every night when I tuck him in bed. It isn't the style of conversations that we had before the stroke, but it's way more than yes/no. I'll lie beside him and hold hands in the dark and we talk, really talk, about our feelings and memories. I cherish those 20-30 minutes every night!Now, he'll try to work around the words until he finds what he wants to say. The other night he asked me, "Why me?" and honestly, I didn't have a good answer except what he would have said to me, "There is no good answer. I don't know why it happened to you, to us. It is what it is so we just have to deal with it." But I would be lying if I didn't say that I had to fight to hold back tears.

Here are a few Bobisms:

• Upon my commenting that he seems to be speaking a little more and asking to what he would attribute the change, he said, "I would cite Shadi".
• Today, in response to my blubberings about missing the dog, Bob said, "I am sad but I am all out of tears."

PT and OT are still going fabulously: His PT has him walking without a cane during PT. It's scary for him but he just trusts and does. I love him so much for his wonderful spirit.

Oops! Have to start dinner. More later!

Bob Speaks!

To all of Bob's Friends and Family:

Spontaneous recovery of speech following a stroke is a miracle to behold!  Bob's brain's language center is beginning to awaken and daily we see improvement in his speech production.   He attends Speech Sessions once or twice a week with the rehab therapists, BUT he has 5 days of 2.5 hours intensive language with me daily and I'm here to tell you that he is making positive progress.  He is immersed in a language and laughter rich environment with ALL of the sisters here now and while WE have to be conscious to speak slowly and to allow Bob lots of opportunities to speak (this is real work with the Chambers sisters constantly talking, but we're working on it), we have noticed more from Bob each day.  He, of course, doesn't see the difference because he wants to have full, deep, philosophical discussions and conversations, but those days will come and they'll come soon, I know because there is no order of difficulty in miracles.  The other thing is that once he returns to those professional, philosophical or political conversations he'll have to find other speaking buddies, because we like to talk about beauty products, shoes, hair, cosmetics, etc., and those other subjects are Oh-so-boring to us mental lightweights.   But for now, he's learning a lot about girl stuff.  And yes, we let Bob get in words in between the female verbal din.  I wanted to share with you all some newsworthy, unadulterated, Bobisms spoken by the Bob over the past week:

After breakfast and before going to therapy:    "I desire to have my hair coiffed".

In response to a question he didn't understand:  "Perdone?"

When his answer is "no", be begins his statement with "Au contrair".

To Jeff walking around while all were waiting for him to sit so we could begin to eat dinner:     "Jeff, I wish you'd get off your .... high horse".

Upon being rudely awakened from slumber and noticing that Sharon and Izumi were not in sight:    "Is Sharon's dog alright?"

When I asked Bob if he needed anything:  "Yes, I would like a drink".

Following a particularly tedious session with the Rehab Speech/Language Path at Loma Linda and on the drive home:   "Shadi, I would like to vacate -- no -- postpone our speech today and play games".  (We have speech on top of speech but games sounded more fun!)

To the particularly tedious rehab speech path who wouldn't stop perseverating about 'root crops -- potatoes, beets, carrots, etc.':  "I wish you would get off of that".  (I was thinking the same).

In response to Sharon's enquiry about her uncombed hair style:  "It sucks".

In response to Sharon's greeting to Bob 'Hi pee pee':  "Hi doo-doo".

To his Angels, the physical therapist and occupational therapist:  "I just want to tell you thank you for everything."

So, Bob  is beginning to initiate speech -- slowly, yes, but more each day.  These are Bob's words spoken in context, semantically and syntactically correct, and with no prompting! Hooray! Your prayers are helping.  I see Sharon regaining trust in the Universe as she observes the miracles of Bob's recovery and I see Bob regaining his sense of self and confidence that he is recovering.   Their love for each other is undeniably beautiful and healing for both of them.

They spent the weekend relaxing with Saturday being a day of beauty and spa -- two hours of massage and range of motion for Bob and hanging out at the resort pool with the family including Terry Taco who is a wonderful support for Sharon and Bob.   Thank you to all who continue to support and love my twin and brother-in-law.  We couldn't do it without you.

Yes, Bob, It's Really August!

Dear Friends, The last week was a yo-yo week for us - lots of ups and downs. Bob is recognizing that progress is s-l-o-w in coming (it's only been 3.75 months but feels like a lifetime). He's walking short distances with his single point cane but his therapist told him that she 

wants to break a habit that's starting (a limp) and that he'll need to strengthen his right hip and practice form on the walker again (he doesn't want to go back to the walker). He saw that as a back step and coupled with negligible (in his eyes) improvement in 

speech, he was disheartened and broke down for the first time since his stroke and that made me cry too. I can only imagine if it was me who was going through this and I couldn't talk and how I'd react (a raging crazy woman).

     The good news is that Shadi arrived and is helping me and she's supplementing his speech lessons daily (he was tired of me) so god-willing, we will see bigger changes. He just needs a few miracles in speech and soon!

     PT and OT are going strong and he's making big progress (I've included a couple of pictures from his therapies):

• Bob walked up and down a flight of 17 stairs not just once, but twice during PT. I was a wreak and exhausted for him.
  
• He is learning to do "fall recovery" (get up from the ground). More exhausting! Shadi needed a nap after witnessing that.
  
• He's getting more movement from his biceps and triceps -small but important. They're reviving! 
  
• You can see that his new hand/arm brace arrived and that helps to flex his hand so that the hands and fingers won't freeze.
  
• Bob getting his first drink of water from the water fountain at OT (with lots of assistance, of course).  
• Putting his arm around me for the first time in 3 months. We (Bob, his OT, Shadi, and I) all burst out crying at that accomplishment.  
• Bob opening a cupboard door (with assistance, but still a first).
  

     

After that peak and valley week, I figured we needed happy times and hauled him down to my sister's (in San Diego) for the weekend where he got two massages, which I think, uplifted his spirits. (He did say that the best part of the weekend was "getting on the mat" and he invited Jeanie up to our place and told her to bring the mat.) We went to dinner on Coronado on Friday night and saw fireworks on the bay and then to dinner in La Jolla on Saturday night. Oh yes, Bob was a wreak from my driving--and I mean an anxious mess! Go figure? The Witches of East Highland (my sisters) are super (as you can see in the photos). Sonia is demonstrating the new Hoyer lift (how we get Bob in and out of their pool. Whoo-hoo!

      I'm grateful for his resilience. He just pulls it back together and takes another step forward.  Please, please, pray for his speech to improve ALOT and SOON!  Pray for speech recovery!

Love to all,

Sharon