Paul's Update - 03/17/06

Dear Friends:

Paul was awake and smiling when Dad got there this morning. The nurse came in to give Paul his medicines at 8:50. OT was scheduled for 9am. They came to get him and took him to the therapy room but by 9:15 he was sound asleep. They couldn't wake him so they took him back to his room and put him back in the bed. The nurse checked his BP ... it was low but not dangerously low. The speech therapist came at 10am. He was awake by then and she was able to work with him. When she came she had two lollipops. She let him pick which one he wanted. She worked for about 30 minutes trying to get him to stick his tongue out. He was getting it out almost as far as his teeth but that wasn't what she was going for. She also worked to exercise his facial muscles. All this was done from his bed but he stayed awake during all of her session. PT was at 1pm today. They worked to stretch his muscles a bit. They rolled him on his stomach he didn't like that at all. They used the walker again today and he walked about 30 feet. The physical therapist today was a substitute from the regular girl. This girl is also the person that orders custom wheelchairs for patients!! She told Dad that she will be ordering a wheelchair that will be specially designed for Paul. That should make things nicer for him when he gets home! After therapy Dad rolled him on his side in the bed. He slept for a couple of hours on his side ... he likes being on his side. Dad talked to the doctor later in the day. He is going to adjust the medications again. He may adjust the time that he is to get meds to make it so Paul isn't medicated just before the therapy times. Maybe he can function for therapy!! Paul had a few times during the day that he appeared to be "blue". Tabby wasn't there today and it appears that he really misses her when she isn't there. Dad left early tonight so we could go out to dinner with some very dear friends. It was a nice opportunity but Dad had a hard time leaving Paul with nobody there. Saturday will be "work day" at Paul & Tabby's house. Since Paul will probably come home on March 29th it is important that the house be ready either this weekend or next. Thankfully, lots of people have volunteered to come and help! Enjoy your weekend.

Lynne & Carl