Paul's Update - 03/25/06

Dear Friends:

Friday was a really bad day for my shoulder but I'm feeling lots better. Thanks for your prayer for me as well as Paul!

Friday was a pretty good day for Paul. At least it started off pretty good. ADL started before Dad got there. She dressed and cleaned him up. He was awake the whole time and was looking up in the mirror while they worked to wash his face and brush his teeth. She managed to get him to spit the water out of his mouth. PT was good as well. He walked with assistance the length of the gym. They also worked to stretch him a little on the table mat. The regular speech therapist had to go out of town because of an illness in the family. A substitute came in that had never seen him. She didn't come in until after Paul had gotten his afternoon medicines. Of course ... he was tired after that. He didn't respond well to the therapist. Since she doesn't know him she was under the impression that he could only do "instinctive" movement. But she asked him to blink his eyes ... he did it which surprised her. He really wasn't interested in therapy at this point so the session was cut short. The doctor came in to see how things are going and was pleased that he had a pretty good day. I came to the hospital a little late in the day. Ronda brought me after we had lunch together. He responded to her when she came into the room. We managed to get a little smile out of him. Some things he really responds to!!

Saturday was a day for Bobby & I to spend with Paul. Dad was at the house helping Tabby and some friends work on the house. More work in the bathroom and kitchen to complete the drywall. Hopefully it will be done in a couple of days and be ready for paint. The ramp outside will be started on either Sunday or Monday. When Bobby & I got to the hospital Paul was dressed and awake. Speech therapy was at 9am. A substitute was in today. She had never worked with Paul but she managed to get him to pick up a ball and put it in a coffee cup (with a little coaching from big brother). He was slow getting started but he finally did it once really good and a second time with much coaching. She got him to blow his whistle about 10 times and he also blew a Kleenex from his face several times. She gave him a little grape popsicle and tried to get him to lick some pudding from his teeth. Mostly this encourages him to move his tongue but I think he really likes to get something that tastes good!! OT was a substitute therapist also. She worked on a table mat to stretch Paul's back, neck, arms and legs. He tolerated most of that well but the left arm causes immediate resistance since it hurts him. She was glad to see that he isn't very stiff and can help and respond to some of the things she was trying to do. There is only two therapy regimens on Saturday so the rest of the day was quiet but Paul was awake most of the day. He seems to tolerate the new medicines much better. Thank goodness!! It is good to see Paul respond a little better.

God Bless, Lynne & Carl