Paul's Update - 02/25/06

Dear Friends:

We started out a little later today. Therapy was scheduled for 11am & 12:30pm. Bobby & Carolyn got there just in time for the speech therapist who came in about 10 minutes late. She got him in the wheelchair and took him to a quiet room down the hall to work. She started by messaging Paul's face, cheeks and lips. Since his muscles are weak she needs to work them so he will be able to swallow and form his mouth for speech. She worked for a bit to get him to swallow more naturally. He is getting better at that. She gave him a little swab with some cranberry juice on it. He seemed to really like the taste but he had a little difficulty swallowing before he wanted more. His trach was capped so she worked to try to get him to make some noise with his own voice. She had him inhale and make sound as he exhaled. He was able to do that although it was a little weak. We got him back to the room and let him stay up in the wheelchair for a while until the occupational therapist came in around 12:30 and took Paul to the therapy room. She got him on a bench and layed him on his back. She worked a little to see if he was able to track with his eyes. He did pretty good with that. Dad was by his right side and tried to get him to turn his head to see him but he didn't do very well at that. She also worked to stretch out his arms. The right arm isn't as stiff as the left. She plans to work more on limbering them up and building muscle tone back. She had him roll to his side several times. He has pretty good balance and does that really well. She also sat him on the edge of the table and had him balance himself. He has great balance doing this. His nurse said she was going to try to make sure he got a shower today. It is so nice to be in a facility where that is a priority!! After Dad & I left today Bobby & Carolyn got Paul into his wheelchair and took him for a "tour" of the hospital. He likes being up and away from his room. We haven't been able to take him outside yet ... that is another thing he really enjoys ... maybe soon!! Have a great Sunday!

Love, Lynne & Carl

P.S. I made a mistake about Paul's phone number in his room.....it is 703-664-8571. Visiting hours are from 11am to 9pm.