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