Watch out here he comes

The last two days of therapy, Mom and I got them to show us how to help Dad use a walker. They were a bit reluctant but still showed us. He did so good and was extremely proud of himself. The first day he did it he went 48 feet. Since then we have had him do it twice at home. The first time was from the living room into his bed. The next time he went from his bed to the bathroom and back. I believe he loves the new type of "freedom". Even though it takes two of us to help us. We are hoping to get him to the point where he can get back to his and Mom's bedroom and start sleeping back there again.

End of Therapy

Dad had his last day of OT and PT on Friday. I was able to go and watch about 4 times before he ended and Mom was able to come in the last 2 times. They showed me all the different stretches they do with him and helped me figure out the technique so I could do them at home. I was really glad I went as many times as I did because I didn't really feel like I knew what I was doing until the last 2 times. We took lots of pictures and notes to help us remember exactly how to do them. Dad has one more month of speech therapy. Mom and I have decided that I will do the stretching with Dad and she will work on the speech. Since Dad's arm and leg that I work with are limp, it is quite the work out to do his stretches. I am just glad he is letting me do them with him.

Please comment

I would love hear comments from everyone who stops by. I would been nice to know what you think of Dad's blog and who is all stopping by.

John H and John M

My brother John Michael stopped by this evening to tell my Mom and I happy mothers day. We were laughing about how whenever we get a letter that say John on it Dad opens it whether it is for him or John Michael. That's what happens when you have so many Johns in the family.

John M put sunglasses on Dad. Dad was trying to pretend he was very annoyed with this.

Apologies

I feel that I need to apologise for not posting anything in a long time. I haven't had a lot of time and I also haven't had a lot of positive things to post. Dad has been going through a rough spot. He has been pretty moody with everyone and very impatient with us trying to figure out what he is saying to us. He also in very stubborn about not wanting to do his homework and stretches. Which normally we can get him to do it at least once a day. But I believe Mom saw a turn around tonight. He has always been very reluctant to use a little picture book thing he has to show us what he wants. But this evening he decided to use it show Mom what he needed. We hope this is a good new start.
I realize that everyone wants to hear the good and the bad. I just don't feel motivated to write about it when it is one bad day after another. I am repentive though and will try to be better.

Story Teller

This evening Isabelle climbed on Dad's lap and told him a story. It was something about a scary forest. At one point she threw in something about "grandpa and his dog Tero (that is how Isabelle says Pero)" She sat there for at least a half an hour. Dad sat patiently and listened the whole time. Those two are very funny together. Isabelle is often the only one who can get Dad to laugh and smile.

Sad News

Mom was just informed this last week that Dad's therapy would end at the end of May. This was a hard blow. The only reason to stop the therapy is because Dad is no longer showing progress and the insurance will only cover it if he is showing progress. I am not sure how if effected Dad he seemed to already know when Mom told me. I was trying so hard not to cry. I just felt there was so much more I could have done. Lately though Dad has been refusing to work with me. The one upside of this is Mom will be out of school by the time Dad therapy ends and she will be able to work with him a lot more during the summer. And next school year I will have all the boys in school full time so I will have more time to work with him too. Please pray for us. If Dad starts showing progress again we can get him back into therapy.

Weight Loss

Before Dad's stroke Dad weighed 277. He now weighs 230. He is very careful about how much he eats and we often find him skipping dessert.

Visit from the Brothers

Betty Bill Phil Dad

Dad's brothers, Phil and Bill, and Bill's wife Betty came for a short visit on Saturday. Dad was very excited to see them. Bill is 10 years older then Dad, and Phil is older then Bill (not sure how much older). They talked a lot of what is going on in their lives and a little about when they were younger. I got to ask them some questions about my grandpa. Dad doesn't remember much of his father since he passed away when Dad was 2 1/2. They talked very highly of their stepfather. They said he was stern but kind. It was nice to hear such positive things of a man who I have never met and can't wait to see in the life hereafter. Dad enjoyed hearing about his father too. I can always tell when Dad is interested in a topic. He just perks right up. We were sad to have them leave so soon. They were a very enjoyable company.