I don't have much new to report from yesterday. We still are not totally clear on Dad coming home on Saturday. Dad continues to progress, yet gets extremely tired. Because of this I waited to go visit Dad until after Ramie got home from school. I decided to take Dad some of the Erin's Potato Cheese soup for dinner because he hasn't been eating well. I guess today he threw up but he thinks, and the nurses think, it is due to the medicine they give him at night to help him sleep. So they are changing that prescription and hopefully he will get his appetite back.
When I got to the rehab center Dad didn't look like he was in his room. But as I opened the door I saw Dad sitting in a chair playing his guitar. I was tickled pink to see Dad playing. I sat down with my girls and we just kind of listened to Dad for a bit. Dad had no trouble playing chords or songs. He did have trouble remembering the words and he would get really frustrated. He was trying to remember the words to the Warren Zevon song he likes to play. (Apparently, I have been spelling Zevon's name wrong and no one has corrected me!) I helped Dad to remember the words to the chorus. If you give Dad a cue he can figure out the rest.
Dad then tried to remember the words to his song "Ralph and Rachel." I thought that when I saw Dad trying to sing his songs I would be sad, but I wasn't. I must know for sure that he will relearn them. In fact I'm banking on it. It's almost like Dad just has a brain fart and has to work around it! So I wasn't sad for Dad that he couldn't remember. I know Dad was very frustrated, as we all would be.
Actually, it was great that the girls were there to listen because it made Dad play some silly songs. Dad would always make up silly songs as he practiced guitar. Usually, Dad is quick witted when it comes to thinking up words to silly songs. At first he couldn't come up with many rhymes, but as he continued to practice and tried to make up songs he started coming up with more rhyming words. I don't think he noticed but I certainly did. That was my favorite part of seeing Dad play was to see how his mind was starting to flow and find the right patterns.
Dad and I didn't talk much about things. It was like the times when Dad would write songs and I would just listen. Dad and I don't feel like we have to say much or fill the silence with words. It's just a feeling of relaxation and contentment. So I just hung out with Dad, listened to him play, and watched the girls dance and be silly. Finally, I could tell Dad was getting tired and he went to lay down on the bed. As soon as Dad laid down, my little Sagey went and cuddled up into his arms. She is so much like me when I was little. I could sit in Dad's arms for hours and be content just to sit there. Well, she nestled right into her Grandpa and laid there for a few minutes. Now if you know Sage a few seconds is an accomplishment for her to hold still, so for her to hold still for longer then a minute is a miracle!
So I told the girls we needed to go and both didn't want to leave. Sagey didn't want to leave Grandpa and I was so grateful they both expressed their frustration with leaving. I felt that their reaction to leaving was so important for Dad. Ramie was such a sweetheart. When Grandpa couldn't say a word she would help him to sound it out. Or when he couldn't remember a word she wouldn't give him the word but again would sound it out with him. She was acting like a mature adult! When Dad was playing with Sage, Ramie came and sat next to me and whispered in my ear, "I really think Grandpa is doing much better. It's amazing how well he can talk. I really feel he may be able to come home this weekend." Yeah, Ramie is 5 going on 25. I just had to smile and agree with her!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Day 28 of Jim's Recovery
Okay, so I have been really excited to tell you all about Dad's angel, but yesterday's blog was so long I had to wait until today. Yesterday I was just chatting with Dad and we got on the subject of him falling down the stairs. Dad can not remember anything from the accident, or being in the hospital. It seems like his memory will only go back a couple days, obviously his short term memory is still affected. I was telling Dad about his fall and my perspective on what had happened. Then just to tease Dad I said "So did you have an out of body experience?" "What did heaven look like?" He smiled and said he didn't have an out of body experience. Darn it I was hoping he could tell us something cool about the other side.
Then Dad said "But I did have that guy that sat with me on the thing..." I assumed Dad was talking about a doctor or nurse. He said it wasn't a doctor but that they guy was from across the... It took Dad a minute to think of the word "sea." I thought Dad was talking about a doctor that looked like he was from India. So I said "Oh, your doctor from India." He said no. "The guy had an accent and was from...Ireland," Dad final figured out the correct words. Well I couldn't remember any doctors or nurses with an accent or from Ireland. So I asked him where the guy was sitting again. Dad couldn't think of the word. Then I thought perhaps it was a doctor I didn't know. So I asked Dad if it was a doctor that took an x-ray or MRI. He said no. Finally, Dad remembered the word "bed." He said "there was a guy with an accent from Ireland, with red hair, that sat with Dad on his bed."
Okay, now here is the twist for those of you who don't know our ancestry, we are from Ireland. Dad's Grandfather Crowley was from Ireland, Court County to be exact. Anyone know if he had red hair? (Hee Hee) Pretty cool, huh? Well, I think so at least. Dad didn't say much after that and knowing Dad if you ask him about it he will only poo-poo the idea of an angel. Dad has never believed in any unexplainable events. But I know someone was there with Dad. A guardian angel, or a relative, who knows? Perhaps it was only a trick of the mind because it was dealing with such severe trauma. I'm leaning more towards a guardian angel or relative. Energy is everlasting.
So anyways, I thought that was really cool. Well, today not much happened. Erin and I visited Dad around 1:00PM. Dad keeps asking when he can go home, of course. We think it will be this Saturday. Dad's contract will be up on Friday and we were told he would be discharged on Saturday. But with head trauma patients, if they are exhibiting progress the hospital will take them back and continue with physical therapy until they feel he can go home safely. So we aren't sure if Dad will be coming home on Saturday or going back to the U.
Also, head trauma patients have their ups and downs as they progress. They will go up the coaster of progress then decline. Dad isn't declining but we are hitting a downward slope. Dad gets extremely exhausted very easily. He says he doesn't understand why he will all of a sudden feel overwhelmingly tired. He asked Erin and I to leave he was so tired. It's good that he is asking us to leave though, instead of trying to stay awake. So if Dad does come home on Saturday we would love to start having visitors but we will have to limit visit times to 15-20 min. Those of you who are visiting now please try not to stay more then 20 min. We have to give Dad's brain a wind down period. Thanks all.
Then Dad said "But I did have that guy that sat with me on the thing..." I assumed Dad was talking about a doctor or nurse. He said it wasn't a doctor but that they guy was from across the... It took Dad a minute to think of the word "sea." I thought Dad was talking about a doctor that looked like he was from India. So I said "Oh, your doctor from India." He said no. "The guy had an accent and was from...Ireland," Dad final figured out the correct words. Well I couldn't remember any doctors or nurses with an accent or from Ireland. So I asked him where the guy was sitting again. Dad couldn't think of the word. Then I thought perhaps it was a doctor I didn't know. So I asked Dad if it was a doctor that took an x-ray or MRI. He said no. Finally, Dad remembered the word "bed." He said "there was a guy with an accent from Ireland, with red hair, that sat with Dad on his bed."
Okay, now here is the twist for those of you who don't know our ancestry, we are from Ireland. Dad's Grandfather Crowley was from Ireland, Court County to be exact. Anyone know if he had red hair? (Hee Hee) Pretty cool, huh? Well, I think so at least. Dad didn't say much after that and knowing Dad if you ask him about it he will only poo-poo the idea of an angel. Dad has never believed in any unexplainable events. But I know someone was there with Dad. A guardian angel, or a relative, who knows? Perhaps it was only a trick of the mind because it was dealing with such severe trauma. I'm leaning more towards a guardian angel or relative. Energy is everlasting.
So anyways, I thought that was really cool. Well, today not much happened. Erin and I visited Dad around 1:00PM. Dad keeps asking when he can go home, of course. We think it will be this Saturday. Dad's contract will be up on Friday and we were told he would be discharged on Saturday. But with head trauma patients, if they are exhibiting progress the hospital will take them back and continue with physical therapy until they feel he can go home safely. So we aren't sure if Dad will be coming home on Saturday or going back to the U.
Also, head trauma patients have their ups and downs as they progress. They will go up the coaster of progress then decline. Dad isn't declining but we are hitting a downward slope. Dad gets extremely exhausted very easily. He says he doesn't understand why he will all of a sudden feel overwhelmingly tired. He asked Erin and I to leave he was so tired. It's good that he is asking us to leave though, instead of trying to stay awake. So if Dad does come home on Saturday we would love to start having visitors but we will have to limit visit times to 15-20 min. Those of you who are visiting now please try not to stay more then 20 min. We have to give Dad's brain a wind down period. Thanks all.
Day 27 of Jim's Recovery
Tonight Dad and I had the most amazing, awesome experience. It seemed like it was right out of the pages of a fairy tale or like an episode of , oh what's the name of that darn show where they tear down one crappy house to build a better one for people who truly deserve it?
Anyway, I went to visit Dad tonight around 7:00Pm. Mom told me that Dad would be watching a folk music show. I assumed it was going to be on the t.v. When I arrived the room was empty. I had brought Dad some of my famous spaghetti dinner and had forgotten about the folk music show. I assumed Dad was in the restroom so I sat down to wait. The nurse popped her head in to let me know that Dad was in the cafeteria watching the show. Again I thought perhaps it was on t.v. and they had a bigger t.v. in the cafeteria.
As I walked in there were two ladies at the front playing music, one had a guitar the other a violin. I saw Dad and he gave me a great big wave hello. I was so happy to see Dad up and excited to see some live music. There were only two other people in the room so I just walked in a grabbed a seat to sit and listen with Dad. When I got all comfy I looked up and my jaw dropped to the floor. There playing the fiddle was Kate MacLeod, one of my favorite folk artists ever! With her playing the guitar was Anke Summerhill, who I didn't recognize until she sang her last song "From Way up Here." I couldn't believe that these two famous ladies had come to play at Federal Heights. I was so excited and thrilled for Dad because I knew he knew who they were and was thrilled that he basically got to have his own personal concert by some of his favorite local artists! I couldn't believe that no one was listening. I supposed that after seven everyone had more important things to do like go to bed or go have a smoke! It was just ridiculous that no one was there. If people had realized what gems they had playing at the facility the place would have been packed.
I just had perma-grin on my face. I couldn't believe I was sitting there listening to Kate MacLeod and Anke Summerhill! They were absolutely beautiful and the music was hauntingly beautiful. I wanted to cry that these ladies had taken their time out of their extremely busy schedules to come and do some community service. I mean not that I didn't already admire their talents but now I absolutely admire them as individuals because of the time they took to play for us.
I know that this was just as amazing for Dad. Dad has an extremely difficult time because he can not remember the words to his songs. He recognizes his songs, he remembers writing them, he knows he can play guitar, but when asked to sing he can't remember the words to the songs. Dad is extremely depressed about this. If you have ever heard Dad play you know how much heart and soul he puts into just jamming on his guitar. Dad would go downstairs and just pluck away to relax. I can remember sitting in the basement of our house in West Valley and listening to my Dad write and fix and improve his song "Swing Me." This is my favorite memory of Dad. I would sit on a red stool and he would play for me, or I would just sit and listen. I would ask him to play "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle" and "What a Day for a Day Dream." I would sing with Dad and love every minute of it.
This is why I would play his songs for him when he was in his "sleepy coma" hoping that the music would spark some of those old memories. Now watching Anke and Kate play and watching Dad listen was awesome in so many ways. Dad was able to remember the words to several songs they played, which is just amazing because he has a hard time with this. And also awesome because I knew how much he adores their music. Dad started to cry when they sang "Morning has Broken." We sang this at the Bountiful Community Church a few months back. It was our first song we played after Russel Baker, the previous minister that brought us together to sing music, left. I got choked up myself.
Now the really cool thing is Anke Summerhill has a song on a CD called Slickrock and Sagebrush. This was done by SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, shame on you if you don't know who they are or the acronym.) They made the CD to help raise funds for SUWA back in 2000. Well, the really neat thing is that one of Dad's songs was chosen to be on this CD also. So I believe Anke's song comes on just before Dad's! Crazy small world, eh? Dad was tickled pink that I was able to relay that info to Anke and she was going to go look up the CD to listen to Dad's song. Dad also tried to relay that he was starting an open mic night at the Bountiful Community Church and asked if Anke and Kate would come and play. Both said that they would love to and told him to e-mail them. How awesome for Dad. He was a little frustrated because he said he had to get better and learn how to use the equipment for the sound system first.
Wow, what an amazing evening. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with Dad tonight, just me and him! Dad and I used to go over to the Gallivan Center and wait on the grass for hours to save a spot to listen to the free concerts. This was like Dad and I hanging out again listening to an awesome concert. Another favorite memory to add to my list. This one might top them all though!
Anyway, I went to visit Dad tonight around 7:00Pm. Mom told me that Dad would be watching a folk music show. I assumed it was going to be on the t.v. When I arrived the room was empty. I had brought Dad some of my famous spaghetti dinner and had forgotten about the folk music show. I assumed Dad was in the restroom so I sat down to wait. The nurse popped her head in to let me know that Dad was in the cafeteria watching the show. Again I thought perhaps it was on t.v. and they had a bigger t.v. in the cafeteria.
As I walked in there were two ladies at the front playing music, one had a guitar the other a violin. I saw Dad and he gave me a great big wave hello. I was so happy to see Dad up and excited to see some live music. There were only two other people in the room so I just walked in a grabbed a seat to sit and listen with Dad. When I got all comfy I looked up and my jaw dropped to the floor. There playing the fiddle was Kate MacLeod, one of my favorite folk artists ever! With her playing the guitar was Anke Summerhill, who I didn't recognize until she sang her last song "From Way up Here." I couldn't believe that these two famous ladies had come to play at Federal Heights. I was so excited and thrilled for Dad because I knew he knew who they were and was thrilled that he basically got to have his own personal concert by some of his favorite local artists! I couldn't believe that no one was listening. I supposed that after seven everyone had more important things to do like go to bed or go have a smoke! It was just ridiculous that no one was there. If people had realized what gems they had playing at the facility the place would have been packed.
I just had perma-grin on my face. I couldn't believe I was sitting there listening to Kate MacLeod and Anke Summerhill! They were absolutely beautiful and the music was hauntingly beautiful. I wanted to cry that these ladies had taken their time out of their extremely busy schedules to come and do some community service. I mean not that I didn't already admire their talents but now I absolutely admire them as individuals because of the time they took to play for us.
I know that this was just as amazing for Dad. Dad has an extremely difficult time because he can not remember the words to his songs. He recognizes his songs, he remembers writing them, he knows he can play guitar, but when asked to sing he can't remember the words to the songs. Dad is extremely depressed about this. If you have ever heard Dad play you know how much heart and soul he puts into just jamming on his guitar. Dad would go downstairs and just pluck away to relax. I can remember sitting in the basement of our house in West Valley and listening to my Dad write and fix and improve his song "Swing Me." This is my favorite memory of Dad. I would sit on a red stool and he would play for me, or I would just sit and listen. I would ask him to play "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle" and "What a Day for a Day Dream." I would sing with Dad and love every minute of it.
This is why I would play his songs for him when he was in his "sleepy coma" hoping that the music would spark some of those old memories. Now watching Anke and Kate play and watching Dad listen was awesome in so many ways. Dad was able to remember the words to several songs they played, which is just amazing because he has a hard time with this. And also awesome because I knew how much he adores their music. Dad started to cry when they sang "Morning has Broken." We sang this at the Bountiful Community Church a few months back. It was our first song we played after Russel Baker, the previous minister that brought us together to sing music, left. I got choked up myself.
Now the really cool thing is Anke Summerhill has a song on a CD called Slickrock and Sagebrush. This was done by SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, shame on you if you don't know who they are or the acronym.) They made the CD to help raise funds for SUWA back in 2000. Well, the really neat thing is that one of Dad's songs was chosen to be on this CD also. So I believe Anke's song comes on just before Dad's! Crazy small world, eh? Dad was tickled pink that I was able to relay that info to Anke and she was going to go look up the CD to listen to Dad's song. Dad also tried to relay that he was starting an open mic night at the Bountiful Community Church and asked if Anke and Kate would come and play. Both said that they would love to and told him to e-mail them. How awesome for Dad. He was a little frustrated because he said he had to get better and learn how to use the equipment for the sound system first.
Wow, what an amazing evening. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with Dad tonight, just me and him! Dad and I used to go over to the Gallivan Center and wait on the grass for hours to save a spot to listen to the free concerts. This was like Dad and I hanging out again listening to an awesome concert. Another favorite memory to add to my list. This one might top them all though!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day 26 of Jim's Recovery
Today we had a huge step for Dad. Tonight Dad was able to attend our Ecumenical Program that was held at the Grace Baptist Church in Bountiful. Every year several different religious organizations from around Davis County get together and put on a program to ring in the Christmas season. Dad has been involved in singing in this program with the Bountiful Community Church for the past 2 years. As Dad began to remember more and more and was able to express himself better, he has been asking us if he could go. We weren't sure until today that we should take him. I know Dad is healing quickly but he did have a head trauma and we don't just want to throw him into the thick of things. Well, all week Dad has been telling us he wants to go but that he can't sing. So we decided to try it.
I played my flute in the program and was so excited to have Dad there. I couldn't sit down and kept pacing until he arrived. Then when Mom and I got him out of the car we were concerned about the stairs. Dad got irritated at us and told us we were treating him like a cripple. I said "Dad, if you could have seen yourself two weeks ago, you would understand why we are so paranoid." Dad had absolutely no trouble with the stairs and in fact lifted his walker almost above his head as he went up them. Smart butt!
Everyone who knew Dad that attended, were thrilled to see Dad. Dad did surprisingly well, considering this was his first time out of the hospital and rehab facility. He seemed to remember everyone that came up and said hi. He couldn't quite remember names but was very excited to see our BCC choir group. It was a little sad to see the program because we had originally put Dad as our program director and accompanist. I did send an e-mail to have them change his name but apparently they didn't, so Dad's name was still on the program.
When our group went up Dad did get a little emotional. You could see it in his eyes. But every time I looked at him while playing he was bobbing his head to the music and cheering us on. It would not have been the same if Dad had missed the program. At the end of the program all the groups go to the front for a finale song and the audience sings along. Our group decided to hang back and as the audience sang Dad was singing along with us. This is so fabulous because he has been having trouble remembering songs. Dad gets extremely frustrated because he can't remember the words to his own songs that he has written. So to hear Dad remembering words to "Silent Night" makes me very hopeful that his own songs will soon follow.
Dad was able to sit through the entire program which was an hour and a half. After the program was over he told us how well we did and how much he enjoyed our choice of songs. He also told us Monday he is going to speak to his doctor about leaving the rehab facility. He told us he does not need to be there any longer. Which obviously he doesn't. I hate red tape. I hope that we can get through all the red tape on Monday and get him home.
I think the more Dad has contact with the things he did prior to the accident the quicker his memory will come back. Hopefully his humor will return soon also because he can be pretty ornery. He gets so mad at himself for not being able to remember words correctly or names. He also gets mad when we try to help him even when he does truly need help.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Yesterday I took some cards to Dad and he was able to read some words off of them. I was totally thrown back because earlier that day he had tried to play Scrabble and couldn't play. So perhaps just putting the words together is difficult to remember but once the words are in front of him he can read them. It was awesome to hear him try to read.
I played my flute in the program and was so excited to have Dad there. I couldn't sit down and kept pacing until he arrived. Then when Mom and I got him out of the car we were concerned about the stairs. Dad got irritated at us and told us we were treating him like a cripple. I said "Dad, if you could have seen yourself two weeks ago, you would understand why we are so paranoid." Dad had absolutely no trouble with the stairs and in fact lifted his walker almost above his head as he went up them. Smart butt!
Everyone who knew Dad that attended, were thrilled to see Dad. Dad did surprisingly well, considering this was his first time out of the hospital and rehab facility. He seemed to remember everyone that came up and said hi. He couldn't quite remember names but was very excited to see our BCC choir group. It was a little sad to see the program because we had originally put Dad as our program director and accompanist. I did send an e-mail to have them change his name but apparently they didn't, so Dad's name was still on the program.
When our group went up Dad did get a little emotional. You could see it in his eyes. But every time I looked at him while playing he was bobbing his head to the music and cheering us on. It would not have been the same if Dad had missed the program. At the end of the program all the groups go to the front for a finale song and the audience sings along. Our group decided to hang back and as the audience sang Dad was singing along with us. This is so fabulous because he has been having trouble remembering songs. Dad gets extremely frustrated because he can't remember the words to his own songs that he has written. So to hear Dad remembering words to "Silent Night" makes me very hopeful that his own songs will soon follow.
Dad was able to sit through the entire program which was an hour and a half. After the program was over he told us how well we did and how much he enjoyed our choice of songs. He also told us Monday he is going to speak to his doctor about leaving the rehab facility. He told us he does not need to be there any longer. Which obviously he doesn't. I hate red tape. I hope that we can get through all the red tape on Monday and get him home.
I think the more Dad has contact with the things he did prior to the accident the quicker his memory will come back. Hopefully his humor will return soon also because he can be pretty ornery. He gets so mad at himself for not being able to remember words correctly or names. He also gets mad when we try to help him even when he does truly need help.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Yesterday I took some cards to Dad and he was able to read some words off of them. I was totally thrown back because earlier that day he had tried to play Scrabble and couldn't play. So perhaps just putting the words together is difficult to remember but once the words are in front of him he can read them. It was awesome to hear him try to read.
Day 25 of Jim's Recovery
"Don't let us get sick, don't let us get old, don't let us get stupid alright, just make us be brave, and make us play nice, and let us be together tonight." One of Dad's favorite songs. Apparently played it every morning to warm up at church.
Our cousin Brian passed away today in a motocross accident, and our good friend Brittany also passed away. Dad knows and remembers both. So I apologize if I don't update this for a few days. I don't know perhaps it's the only thing that will get me through all of this. I couldn't sleep until I wrote all this down. Love you Dad, love you Bri, love you Brit.
Dad is progressing well but struggles still in speech. This truly frustrates Dad because language was what he excelled at. Though, I was surprised when he was able to read a few words on a card this evening. Apparently Scrabble, the game, trips him up. He'll get it sooner or later.
Dad looks forward to tomorrow when we he gets to go to the BCC ecumenical program. He kept asking me the time it starts. Can't wait for Dad to get out and about.
Our cousin Brian passed away today in a motocross accident, and our good friend Brittany also passed away. Dad knows and remembers both. So I apologize if I don't update this for a few days. I don't know perhaps it's the only thing that will get me through all of this. I couldn't sleep until I wrote all this down. Love you Dad, love you Bri, love you Brit.
Dad is progressing well but struggles still in speech. This truly frustrates Dad because language was what he excelled at. Though, I was surprised when he was able to read a few words on a card this evening. Apparently Scrabble, the game, trips him up. He'll get it sooner or later.
Dad looks forward to tomorrow when we he gets to go to the BCC ecumenical program. He kept asking me the time it starts. Can't wait for Dad to get out and about.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Day 23 and 24 of Jim's Recovery
Happy Thanksgiving all! Not too much to report from yesterday because it was a holiday and therefore Dad didn't see any of the therapists. Dad did have lots of family visitors so he wasn't lonely on Thanksgiving. I stopped by around 3:00PM and brought my lab, Hintza. She adores Dad and was very excited to see him. Dad recognized her and tried to remember her name. She kept standing up on the bed and putting her head underneath Dad's chin. Dad told us that he wanted to take "his boys" for a walk. He couldn't remember his dogs names but it was great that he could remember he had dogs!
I took Dad some Honey Baked Ham and Garlic Mashed Potatoes for lunch. At the time he didn't want to eat it, so I'm not sure if he got to enjoy it. Though Erin said she stopped by around 5:00PM and took Dad some of Cindy's (Erin's Mother-in-law) gourmet turkey dinner. Erin said that Dad was "gobbling" it up, (hee hee) and taking great big bites. Mom had to leave the room because she was so worried he would choke, but he wouldn't stop taking big mouths full.
Today, November 27th, Dad had a very busy day. Apparently, he saw his therapist and the doctor. I will get those details from Mom tomorrow (or today because I'm writing this at 2:00AM) for all of you. Dad had several visitors and so did not have any dull moments.
Dad keeps asking to come home and Mom and I have to be really careful not to let our emotions control our desire for him to be home. We were trying to get Dad discharged so that he could come home and finish his therapy. But today with all the work he did and with seeing the doctor we hope that Dad can grin and bare it so that we can take advantage of the great therapy he is getting. It's really hard to leave Dad in the evenings but I think if we can all just hang in there one more week it's going to move Dad along even further.
Yes, Dad does have four hour time slots he can use to get out of the facility and we may try to use one of those times on Sunday. Dad keeps asking to go to church, which seems ironic to me. Huh, Ironic might not be the correct word. Growing up Dad was never a religious man and he only started going back to the church he was raised at when he began a new job. Then he started playing in the Community Churches choir and Dad hardly ever missed a service after that. Now he is asking to go back to church even though he can't sing. It just blows my mind that going to church is his priority when he was so against religion growing up. The Community Church has been such a place of camaraderie and friendship that I understand why he wants to return as soon as he can. Plus, living a miracle certainly changes ones perspective on life. Erin says that Dad was taking about things he remembered from the hospital and he keeps on talking about himself in third person. Wonder if he had an out of body experience? Either way thank goodness for the Community Church that gives Dad such a feeling of purpose. A great big hug and thanks goes out to the Bountiful Community Church Members. You folks are amazing! We love you.
I took Dad some Honey Baked Ham and Garlic Mashed Potatoes for lunch. At the time he didn't want to eat it, so I'm not sure if he got to enjoy it. Though Erin said she stopped by around 5:00PM and took Dad some of Cindy's (Erin's Mother-in-law) gourmet turkey dinner. Erin said that Dad was "gobbling" it up, (hee hee) and taking great big bites. Mom had to leave the room because she was so worried he would choke, but he wouldn't stop taking big mouths full.
Today, November 27th, Dad had a very busy day. Apparently, he saw his therapist and the doctor. I will get those details from Mom tomorrow (or today because I'm writing this at 2:00AM) for all of you. Dad had several visitors and so did not have any dull moments.
Dad keeps asking to come home and Mom and I have to be really careful not to let our emotions control our desire for him to be home. We were trying to get Dad discharged so that he could come home and finish his therapy. But today with all the work he did and with seeing the doctor we hope that Dad can grin and bare it so that we can take advantage of the great therapy he is getting. It's really hard to leave Dad in the evenings but I think if we can all just hang in there one more week it's going to move Dad along even further.
Yes, Dad does have four hour time slots he can use to get out of the facility and we may try to use one of those times on Sunday. Dad keeps asking to go to church, which seems ironic to me. Huh, Ironic might not be the correct word. Growing up Dad was never a religious man and he only started going back to the church he was raised at when he began a new job. Then he started playing in the Community Churches choir and Dad hardly ever missed a service after that. Now he is asking to go back to church even though he can't sing. It just blows my mind that going to church is his priority when he was so against religion growing up. The Community Church has been such a place of camaraderie and friendship that I understand why he wants to return as soon as he can. Plus, living a miracle certainly changes ones perspective on life. Erin says that Dad was taking about things he remembered from the hospital and he keeps on talking about himself in third person. Wonder if he had an out of body experience? Either way thank goodness for the Community Church that gives Dad such a feeling of purpose. A great big hug and thanks goes out to the Bountiful Community Church Members. You folks are amazing! We love you.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Day 22 of Jim's Recovery
Well day 22 brings us amazing miracles! Dad is eating on his own, using the restroom, and walking! Dad is starting to use full sentences more and doesn't mumble incoherent words. He uses a ton of sounds and is getting ornery with Mom! It's so wonderful!
I went in late this evening when I found out Dad was eating. So I made Dad a delicious Split Pea soup because I could only imagine what awful things they were serving him. When I got there thank goodness I decided to make him dinner. He had mashed potatoes, patoes is what Dad called them, broccoli, and some strange mystery meat. I mean this meat was scary! It was worse then school lunch. I couldn't tell if it was meatloaf or something my cat coughed up! Needless to say Dad gobbled up the soup! Dad doesn't have much of an appetite yet but at least he is eating. He does still have difficulty with liquids. The faster the substances travels down his throat the less response time his muscles have to react. This will just take therapy and time. But the speech therapist are happy and he is no longer on the feeding tube. We do have to wait until we can take the entire tube out but at least he is not connected to a long line.
Today the physical therapist brought Dad a walker and he was able to walk up and down the hall. Dad uses his right side quite a bit and is no longer non responsive with that side. It is still a little weak but not enough to inhibit him from walking or needing help so that the leg doesn't buckle underneath him. Dad is having trouble with his right ankle and this is the reason he can't walk far. We suspect that he has gout though tests came back negative. Like I said before we took x-rays and do not understand why it is bothering him. It could be that he just pulled some ligaments while falling and we just have to wait for them to heal. We are doing everything we can to get that healed.
Dad's speech has dramatically changed. The problem Dad has is with names of people, places, and things (hee hee, nouns!) So we are supposed to ask him to give descriptions of items. Also, he has a hard time following conversations for the same reason, he doesn't know what the names are for things. Remember, the part of Dad's brain that was affect was his speech. We didn't know what would be affected until he started getting better. So now we are just beginning to understand what part of his brain was affected by the bleeding and swelling.
Dad's occupational therapist had Dad play his guitar yesterday. I'm extremely happy to inform you that Dad was able to play his guitar, but he could not sing. He couldn't remember the words to his songs or any songs. This will just take time and practice. Who knows, he may struggle with speech the rest of his life, but the miracles we have seen leads me to believe that he will overcome this too! So don't feel bad if Dad can't remember your name. He remembers people, just not names. He asked my sister this morning "What is my best friends name?" Erin said "Byron." Dad remarked "That's right," and repeated the name over and over again.
So basically we are trying to get Dad home. We think that he can continue his physical therapy at home but no longer needs the assistance of a nursing facility. Unfortunately, this is the Thanksgiving weekend and of course no one works. Dad asks everyday if he is coming home. He tells us every evening that he will be going home tomorrow. Anyone have connections with case management at the U of U so that we can get him discharged? It's hard to slow things down though when you see how far Dad has come. He told us this evening that he wants to go to church this Sunday but that he won't be able to sing. So part of me wants to get him to the church where he can be surrounded by friends and support, but I have to stop and remember that just sitting up to eat his dinner makes him tired. Oh, it's so hard to wait. But we do have to consider that Dad's brain is still healing even though he has come so far. Heck, if it was me I would take him home tonight, make him a huge Thanksgiving feast, and have him play guitar in the Ecumenical program. But, I have to stop myself or be reminded that Dad needs time to heal even though he seems to be on the quick mend.
I went in late this evening when I found out Dad was eating. So I made Dad a delicious Split Pea soup because I could only imagine what awful things they were serving him. When I got there thank goodness I decided to make him dinner. He had mashed potatoes, patoes is what Dad called them, broccoli, and some strange mystery meat. I mean this meat was scary! It was worse then school lunch. I couldn't tell if it was meatloaf or something my cat coughed up! Needless to say Dad gobbled up the soup! Dad doesn't have much of an appetite yet but at least he is eating. He does still have difficulty with liquids. The faster the substances travels down his throat the less response time his muscles have to react. This will just take therapy and time. But the speech therapist are happy and he is no longer on the feeding tube. We do have to wait until we can take the entire tube out but at least he is not connected to a long line.
Today the physical therapist brought Dad a walker and he was able to walk up and down the hall. Dad uses his right side quite a bit and is no longer non responsive with that side. It is still a little weak but not enough to inhibit him from walking or needing help so that the leg doesn't buckle underneath him. Dad is having trouble with his right ankle and this is the reason he can't walk far. We suspect that he has gout though tests came back negative. Like I said before we took x-rays and do not understand why it is bothering him. It could be that he just pulled some ligaments while falling and we just have to wait for them to heal. We are doing everything we can to get that healed.
Dad's speech has dramatically changed. The problem Dad has is with names of people, places, and things (hee hee, nouns!) So we are supposed to ask him to give descriptions of items. Also, he has a hard time following conversations for the same reason, he doesn't know what the names are for things. Remember, the part of Dad's brain that was affect was his speech. We didn't know what would be affected until he started getting better. So now we are just beginning to understand what part of his brain was affected by the bleeding and swelling.
Dad's occupational therapist had Dad play his guitar yesterday. I'm extremely happy to inform you that Dad was able to play his guitar, but he could not sing. He couldn't remember the words to his songs or any songs. This will just take time and practice. Who knows, he may struggle with speech the rest of his life, but the miracles we have seen leads me to believe that he will overcome this too! So don't feel bad if Dad can't remember your name. He remembers people, just not names. He asked my sister this morning "What is my best friends name?" Erin said "Byron." Dad remarked "That's right," and repeated the name over and over again.
So basically we are trying to get Dad home. We think that he can continue his physical therapy at home but no longer needs the assistance of a nursing facility. Unfortunately, this is the Thanksgiving weekend and of course no one works. Dad asks everyday if he is coming home. He tells us every evening that he will be going home tomorrow. Anyone have connections with case management at the U of U so that we can get him discharged? It's hard to slow things down though when you see how far Dad has come. He told us this evening that he wants to go to church this Sunday but that he won't be able to sing. So part of me wants to get him to the church where he can be surrounded by friends and support, but I have to stop and remember that just sitting up to eat his dinner makes him tired. Oh, it's so hard to wait. But we do have to consider that Dad's brain is still healing even though he has come so far. Heck, if it was me I would take him home tonight, make him a huge Thanksgiving feast, and have him play guitar in the Ecumenical program. But, I have to stop myself or be reminded that Dad needs time to heal even though he seems to be on the quick mend.
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