Paul's Update - 05/03/06

Dear Friends:

We had another good day. PT & OT came today. They worked together. PT put 7lb weight on each leg and Paul did 50 reps with each leg. The therapist said she is surprised Paul can do this since even she couldn't probably do it! She tried tossing a ball to him to get him to catch it with his good hand. Then she wanted him to toss it to her with both hands. He couldn't throw with both hands but could throw it across the kitchen with one hand. Then she had him catch it and hand it to the OT. After they had exercised the legs and upper body they had him stand at the sink and do some balancing. Dad is having him walk more and he is trying to get up from the wheelchair by himself more. They are having him bend forward to get up and when he gets forward to stand they have him set back down. This exercises the stomach muscles. The therapists want us to continue to give Paul things that don't go in the mouth like his hairbrush so he starts using familiar things correctly. He is now deciding what he will eat most of the time. Dad makes him choose what he wants. He usually has 2-3 choices. He seems to like what he chooses. Tonight Dad gave him a choice between a chicken dinner and Pizza. He chose pizza and ate it with his fingers (pizza is "finger food" you know!!) He did really well and even licked his fingers to get the cheese and the tomato paste off. He is trying more and more to respond with sound. We cannot understand the sounds yet but every time you talk to him he responds with sound. He even changes the tone of the sound like he is trying to get different words out. Today Tabby told him he also needs to give head movements along with the sound so we understand him. At one point he shook his head and it sounded like he said "no" so it appears that he understands what he needs to do. Tabby made several doctor appointments for next week. May 8th he sees the gastroenterologist who can decide when the feeding tube can come out. The 9th he sees the orthopedist to decide when he can have surgery to remove the plate in his foot. The 18th he will go to the ophthalmologist to determine what he sees. Thursday this week is the dentist. Over the next two weeks the meds that are being discontinued will be decreased. Paul has now been home for a month and has made such great progress. A friend came by today that hasn't seen Paul since he was in the nursing home. He was quite impressed at the improvements he saw. Paul & Tabby's baby is due on June 8th (five more weeks!) and it looks more and more like Paul will be able to be there for the birth and will be able to enjoy his son when he arrives! Praise God!

Have a great day!! Lynne & Carl