Praise the LORP! He has risen!

Today was a HIGH day! Bob's therapies are demanding and take alot out of him but he's rising to the challenge, as you can see in the photos. Although it looks like Bob is paying homage to the chair, he's actually learning to stand by pushing up. His PT, A, miracle worker extraordinaire, is bearing weight on his right arm so that his body will learn that it exists and "jumpstart the muscles" to move. He stood again, and again, and again and finally, A. got him to step off - baby steps. YEAH! He worked with the speech pathologist and she checked his retention: she called out a series of sentences and he had to repeat them. She started with simple sentences and then increased to complex sentences such as: "I went to a restaurant and ordered a roast beef sandwich, french fries, and apple pie" (none of which is served in Loma Linda, the vegan hospital). And OMG, he repeated every single sentence she gave him. She was pretty amazed and told him that he would do very well in relearning speech and language and that he needed to be patient while his brain repaired and rewired itself. He struggled during the reading assessments and seemed truly perplexed that he couldn't recognize words but she reassured him that he will learn again. Bob can't initiate conversation yet but it's just a matter of time.
Bob was Social Bob today: Judy Watson, Josh, Pam Chavira, Lori Thompsen, Rick Cooper, Bonnie Drolet, Jeff, and Sonia dropped by to visit. Judy, you sparked up his day--could you see how surprised and happy he was that you were there? And what progress he's made! Today, Judy witnessed Bob making choices for tomorrow's meal from the menu. Thanks Pam and Lori for the meal and visiting with me while Bob ate dinner. Gigi, thanks for sending your Rick over to shave the Bob and read Jimmy Buffet to him. He enjoyed it and I loved Bob telling Rick that he could come back and read again "the day after tomorrow" (on his own). Bonnie, I think you could see that Bob was watching you and listening to you intently when you spoke of Tom's recovery from stroke. Your personal experience lets him know that this can be overcome. After all, he doesn't want Tom to think he's a slacker.
Bob's estimated discharge date from Rehab is May 15 and then he'll receive outpatient treatment. Pray that he's ready to come home (or that they extend his stay).
The Rehab hospital is connected to Loma Linda's Urgent Care so the staff is highly concerned about an outbreak of the flu because they have so many immunosuppressed patients. They've set up a quarantine area to restrict the spread of infection. Y'all know how I am about sharing any kind of germs so know that we won't be offended if you don't visit. Well, keep those prayers coming in! I'm going to bed now.

Take care and much LORP,

Sharon