Dear Friends, Ok, so the photos make it look like all we do is play! If only that was true. Bob's treatment schedule is grueling and demanding for both of us. So, we're trying to make sure that we balance (what, did I say balance????) hard work with hard play on weekends. We're trying to normalize our lives as much as we can.
So what's happened in July? Well, Bob made lots of progress in PT and OT:
- Bob progressed from the walker to a single point cane and he's learning how to walk with his head up, shoulders back, and keeping his knee bent so that his gait will look natural. He wears a gait belt with me so that I can intervene safely given his size.
- Bob was fitted for a special, custom-made foot/leg brace that will articulate his foot and help him not to hyperextend his knee. He was also fitted for a new hand brace that will flex his fingers and wrist.
- Bob walked up and down stairs . . . including the stairs in our home for the first time in 3 months. The physical therapist came to the house and taught him to walk up and down the stairs. We have to wait to practice on our own until the new handrails go up this week, but Jeff Hinkley is on that one! Once they're up, we'll be able to move into our own bedroom. Whoo-hoo!
- We went to the Ahmanson Theater and saw Spamalot! Can you believe it? Bob was a real trooper and said that he'd try an adventure (scary when we have to figure accessibility and bathroom stops). So when Josh and James came to visit, we got rooms at the LA Marriott after therapy so that Bob could nap and wouldn't have to withstand the play and a long trip home. We even went to dinner before the theater at our favorite little bistro at the Music Center (photos included). What a treat! We both felt like we really got away, even for a night! And Bob said it was "wonderful!"
- Bob's long-lost, newly-found older brother and wife came for a visit from Minnesota. (See picture.) They got to see Bob in action at PT and OT - - he's such a survivor! Thank goodness his brother is also a man of few words so they got along well.
- Bob walked on the cane in public for the first time to my father's 79th birthday party and he sang happy birthday to my dad! My dad was soooo happy to see his buddy!
- I ordered a Hoyer lift so that we can get Bob in/out of the pool easier/safer. Jeff installed it in their pool so that Bob and I can have pool days. Of course, Jeff, Josh, and James wanted to to catapult Bob into the pool! HA!
- We went to San Clemente and had breakfast with dear friends, Tom and Bonnie. Tom had a similar stroke 10 years ago and is fully recovered, so it was so good for us to share.
- Believe me, I have my moments of despair so we look to those before us who've made it through, so I know we will make it.
Speech is still Bob's hardest recover and source of frustration and sadness. He works at it so hard and struggles to express language. He's told me that he "just wants to be able to have a conversation". He is very self conscious. Please pray for his full recovery, especially in speech! And I just miss talking with him about everything. It's so hard but we just have to believe that he will be able to have conversations again.
Friends, thank you for your patience and continued support and words of encouragement. Although I don't have time to respond personally to each of you, know that I/We appreciate your "reach out and touch". Thank you for remembering us and keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. (Guy, Gail, Gaby, Dianne P., et.al, thank you, thank you!) We plan to rejoin the land of the living and reconnect as soon as we can.
Much love to all,
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