Paul's Update - 02/12/06

Dear Friends:

Dad headed to the nursing home a little late. We woke to about 8 inches of snow. Tabby had spent the night at the nursing home. Paul seemed to have a lot of congestion today and slept quite a bit. When he woke up Dad asked him if he wanted to sit in the wheelchair and he nodded his head and it sounded like he SAID yes!! He sat up in the wheelchair for almost 2 hours! Dad kept asking him if he wanted to get back in bed and he said shook his head "no" several times until he was tired and he nodded "yes". He is getting better at responding to questions and commands. When Dad worked with him to exercise his hand he was able to open and close his fingers on command. When he was asked if he knew who Dad was or where he was he didn't seem to answer but Dad asked him if he wanted to tell him he shook his head "no". We aren't sure if that means he doesn't know us or know where he is. The therapists want him to start looking at pictures to see if he can identify people or things he sees. Maybe now that he seems to be able to respond he will be able to tell us if he knows what or who he is looking at. Tabby asked the nurse to order another chest x-ray because Paul said "yes" when he was asked if he was having trouble breathing. This week he will also have another CT and an x-ray on his left foot. After Friday he will be able to bear weight on his left foot!! That should make getting around a bit easier and he can resume this walking exercises. It's possible that Mount Vernon will send someone out again this week. I think they should be able to see quite a bit of improvement!! I pray they do since WE DO!

Blessings, Lynne & Carl