Paul's Update - 04/07/06

Dear Friends:

Paul's first whole day at home! His first night went fairly well. It seems he is comfortable being back in his own home. The CNA arrived at 6am. Dad got there around 7:30am and they got Paul up and dressed. The put him in the wheelchair and he sat up for a bit. After the 11am feeding Dad got him out of the bed and walked him to the kitchen where the wheelchair was. He walked with Dad's assistance about 15 feet. Paul did most of the work ... Dad just held him up and helped him keep his balance. Once in the wheelchair he sat up for a while before going back to bed. Around 2pm Dad got him up again and took him outside. They sat outside watching the traffic for about 2 hours. He stayed in the wheelchair until about 6pm watching the TV in his room. He was doing lots of movement with arms and legs and sat with his head up all day. Around 6pm Dad got him back in the bed. He was moving his legs a lot and even tried to reach his sock on the right foot. He moved the right foot up so that he could reach it with his left hand. He even tried to sit up a little bit to help reach it. When I came into the room he looked over at me to see who was there. The RN came this morning to tell Dad what to expect. She also told him what kinds of things Medicaid will cover and she will order some things. Some of these things we were previously told Medicaid would NOT cover. She also has a bathtub chair that she will bring over for Paul to use. The therapists didn't come today. We aren't sure why but the RN will call the Case Manager at Mt. Vernon to see who she called to order therapists. The good thing is Dad already knows what the therapists at Mt. Vernon were working on and he can do some of those things while we wait for things to get straightened out. Saturday will be a crazy day since all of us have things to do throughout the day. It appears we will be sharing times to go and feed Paul since the CNA doesn't do feedings. The CNA is very nice and I hope she will continue to work out. So far we've been blessed with many good things. We know God is doing good works in Paul!! When we left tonight (Dad & I actually got to leave a bit early) lots of people had arrived to visit and finish some of the last few things that need to be done to the house. What a blessing!

Have a great weekend! Lynne & Carl