Friday

Mom visited Dad this morning and said that he was able to walk quite a ways and even brushed his teeth at the lavatory (he told me this evening that it was quite  a chore though). He sat in a chair for two hours this morning and was sitting in a wheel chair when Charlotte and I got there at 5:30. His dinner came shortly after we got there. It was a small piece of chicken, a cup of asparagus, some very gummy rice and gravy, a fruit cup and a piece of bread. Dad made quick  work of the chicken, bread and fruit, but the rice and asparagus didn't cut the mustard. It is very difficult to watch Dad struggle with the simple use of a spoon, fork, or tooth brush. His  upper body mobility and coordination has suffered with the long period of being bed ridden. His strength has ebbed away. 

We talked for a while and he had a  couple of phone calls and a visitor. Dad's mind is as sharp as always but his speech is slow. It began to get hard for him to keep  from slumping in the chair so I decided to help him get back in bed, which I had done before. He was so fatigued tonight that he could not stand and lock his knees with just my help so we had to call for help. That really bothered me. He just seemed so much more frail and I was not expecting him to be so weak. I don't know how he has been able to walk. I hope it was just that it was at the end of the day and he was just worn out. We had prayer with him and came home.

Yesterday someone asked Mom what their plans were when they left Regency. They were not even in the new room yet and they were talking about what's next. Today on the slick board someone had written "Checkout Goal February 20".  I am glad it said goal because he got no PT or OT today with the exception of walking and sitting up today. I am going to write some goals on it tomorrow. They will be short term goals and very specific and will not have anything to do with time.  I am going to try to get some answers tomorrow, but being Saturday, I doubt I will get any answers. I am not impressed with this institution when it comes to "therapy" of any kind.

Mom didn't get to spend much time with Dad today because an insurance adjuster came to the house to assess the damage. It took most of the afternoon. She is doing okay now that she can get out of the house again.

I can't tell you how much your cards and emails mean to Dad. He went on and on tonight about some cards he received today! Thank you for your steadfastness in keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. It is the best therapy he has had!

God is good!