Long time!

wow.  Long time no see, or write, or text, or anything- what a long time that has passed that well, it happens.  Life happens.  Death happens.. We grow, we wilt, we flourish, we change.

To catch you up on dad- he's doing great, not 100% back in his memory recall or right side strength since the stroke, but he's alive & well, working on small projects, chatting up with customers, sitting in the fresh air (when weather is decent) toodling around the property in the truck or golf cart -  I get to hang out with him all day, so I can't complain with the time I get to have .

Mom.  3 years after dad's stroke, she passed.  This took it's toll on me, severely.  I never knew how people could fall to suicide, but I got an understanding of it with this gut punch.  I'm still healing, I'm still grieving, I'm still here.  & really I can't talk much about this without melting into a puddle of emotion-ness, even after 8 years.

I don't know where this will lead, if it'll be a once in a while update writing, or if it'll blossom into more, if it's just for me, or whomever randomly sees this.

for now- hang in there ok.  

Acid Etching

Acid Etching, is a fun way you can put your designs permanently into windows, mirrors, vases, glasses.. oh the possibilities of what you can create!!!  Birthday, new baby, weddings...family gifts...

A few years back, ok ok, closer to 20 years ago, I found in a craft store some glass, their rendition of vinyl etching stencils and the etching paste.  Took it home, read the directions many times and thought, sure, sounds easy enough.. attempted to do 3 glass shapes, then packed it all up and put in on a shelf and basically forgot about it.  Well, in the last 7 years that I've been doing vinyl, I found that box with the acid etching paste, and the glass pieces and decided, why not try again.... but this time, why can't I utilize my vinyl?  So I tried it and to my excited shock, it worked.
So I've been creating my designs for the many weddings of my friends, for friends of those friends, and the list continues to grow.  I've lost track of how many wedding's I've done the etching for and enjoy that each one that I do, has it's individual touch, and no two are the same.
I also enjoy with these weddings, even though the general idea may be the same, the design, the glasses, the colors all this, makes it unique & shares the love.

I'll have to post pictures of some past glasses I've done but here are some that I've done in the last month.

Emily & Peter 

 The Center vase they found with the "B" already on it, I found a font similar to it for the 2 side pitchers to pour their colored sand.

I have the stecil on it and ready to apply the acid etching paste.

Tracie & Chris
Tracie tells me her soon-to-be hubby did the design for their Unity Sand Candle- I just re-created it to do the etching
T & C on each of their sand vases.

 Center Unity Sand Candle

Tracie & Chris

Together Forever

from

'Just a Kiss'

September 29, 2012



Acid etching paste on silver stem glasses.

Andrew & Kara

These glasses are going to be labeled as my arch enemy.  In all the glasses, mirrors, beer mugs, plates that I've etched with no issues....this lovely pair of glasses schooled me.
They are gorgeous glasses, Sterling Silver stems... found out that since they were silver stemed, the factory sprayed a varnish on them to prevent the silver from tarnishing....

****Please Note -  acid etching paste
                                will NOT etch thru varnish.****

After attempting to acid etch.... 3 different times, I opted to use Krylon Frosting Paint.  supposed to be permanent... ummm well, it scratches off or with a little acetone.. the paint will come off. 
But for glasses that will be used for 1 day and then become a
center piece in the hutch for many many years, it will work and looks nice.

STENCILS!

How do I even express how excited I am!!!  I have discovered with my vinyl cutter, that if I apply a little time, patience & perserverance, I can create re-usable stencils.

Now I won't tell you how much thinking goes into creating a stencil, but just remember this,  there has to be a bridge or connection between the furthest outside of the design to the inside of the stencil, or it won't work... you'll have a cookie cut-out for a lack of a better description.
Some designs are fairly easy and the most complications is actually the text itself, so it's a good thing someone already thought of creating a stencil font... granted most of them are very similar, so if you have some time & patience you can turn just about any font into a stencil font. 


Soooooooo for My first stencil, let's do one for Sawdust & Embroys!!!
They gave me a couple drawings and some ideas and I rolled with it, gave them some options using different font, different borders, they narrowed it down and then I gave them a few more ideas and they loved this one so much, this will be their 'Brand' on their furniture they re-do.  Wonder if we could get the previous furniture back to brand...hmmm road trip?

First run through on the cutting of ' S&E's stencil

Here's the design I was contacted about - to see if I was able to create a stencil.
Cool design!!  Then my mind kicked in with all those solid lines, at first glance, there's my cookie cutter, need to do some more thinking to get this to work for them.

I think I figured it out so now, it's cutting on my machine....

Here it is!!!!  It worked!!! 

 Granted in order to get the border lines, I did hash marks- this way the stencil is sturdy and should last. I used the normal stencil font for their lettering, and I changed a little on the field crop rows but I think I kept it pretty close to original AND retaining a sturdy stencil.

Now I'm on the hunt for larger material to do larger stencils.... ohhhh creativity is a wonderful thing!

Nick & Bethany Projects

I apologize for taking so long to post about a couple of amazing people -Nick & Bethany!  They do amazing work with old furniture- to up-cycle the furniture to be re-born with a new face lift. 
We have worked together on a couple phenomenal projects, and I can't tell you how proud I am to be a small part in their creations. 
http://www.sawdustandembryos.com/  I urge you to visit their site - their creativity on furniture transformations is spectacular!!!  I could go on and on, but please visit their site and see for yourselves.

I copied some of their project pictures of those that I've has a small part in - I'm their vinyl dealer and create the stencils that they want out of vinyl decal material.

Profile Plaques

 Here's their first project- they did all the work, I just made the vinyl stencil.

And once they are done with all the magic and hard work - These are the beautiful profile plaques.



Viney-Coffee Table

Here's their next project I helped as their vinyl dealer. An old wicker top coffee table... very dated.. but good solid wood for the framing.  Made a very large vinyl to cover the majority of the table top, then primed and painted the whole thing black, removing the vinyl to reveal the natural wood inlay... and voila!!  Fabulous - I think this is my favorite piece!!

Wine Table

   
Here's the Wine Table -  They took an old sewing machine cabinet from this...... stained,varnished, applied the vinyl I made for them, and wowzah!!!  This is where their creativity took them!!!

 and here is the before/after pictures -  they added the flair of lighting for the wine holders -the light goes off when there's no bottle in the holder..
did I mention Nick & Bethany are amazing?? 
This Wine Table turned out spectacular and I hope they do another one!




Orange End Table
                                                         Here's a table that a gal brought to Nick & Bethany to re-create

A close up of the vinyl stencil I made for them to use on the table.  The table was first painted white, apply the stencil and then top coat the table with the final color of orange to create a truly one of a kind piece to add to her current decor. 

Our Rock..... Our Dad... a special blog for my dad

Its been a few days of being physically and emotionally drained.  Our parents have raised us the best they can for all our lives and when something happens, something serious, the wind in our sails abrubtly halts.  My dad, as strong and stubborn as any man I've known, has had a stoke.  Wow.. just typing those words that I have talked to friends and co-workers about the past few days, just brings the emotions back up, and I'm crying yet again.  I'm not sure how to type this out, so bare with me please. 
Lets start with the facts:  last Wednesday, April 4, 2012.  Dad wakes and is moving around the house just like every day before-mom wakes just long enough to note the time.. 5:30.  Some time between this & 7:15 dad goes down to the family business runs the dogs and has his morning cup of coffee, cookies and takes his meds.  Dean (my brother for those who don't know) walks in the shop around 7:15 and finds dad on the floor, unable to speak, the dogs & cat around him watching over him.  Dean assesses the situation and in seeing that dad is unable to speak or get up off the floor- helps him roll over and lean against his legs and proceeds to call 911, mom, his wife, and various family to let them know what's going on.
I was already in Marshalltown when I received the call, to which in shock and dismay and the attempt of trying to contain myself to where I wasn't hysterical and uncomprehendable- I went inside and talked to my co-workers and really I don't remember most of the next 20 min, which I'm very grateful for my bestie to drive me to the hospital and we beat the ambulance to the hospital- which I had another breakdown for my dad and not knowing his current condition.  I remember freaking out as the ambulance pulls up - without sirens- and thinking the worst had happened and I no longer had my dad, my rock, to where I have learned my stubborness, my passion, my work ethic.
I watched as they wheeled him past me into the ER and waiting.... the waiting is what will age you the most in times like this.  I was ok'd to go back and see dad while they were assessing dad.
Dr.Milt Van Gundy told me to talk to him, to see if he would respond, so I go up to his left side, take his hand and say "Hi Dad" and he opens his eyes and looks towards me - that's a good sign I thought, and the strength in his left hand- that's good... the goose egg on his head looked like it hurt.
He didn't talk, and when I wasn't talking to him, he closed his eyes.
I don't remember much about the next 15 min -  I remember mom & Donna coming back to see him, and I went to let go of dads' hand but his grip was so tight, I didn't really notice the tips of my fingers turning white and them tingling.  Donna or Mom would tickle the bottoms of his feet and dad would open his eyes to glare at me (yes I would normally be the ornery one to do this- but it wasn't me I told him)  I do like the idea that he can still feel something on that right side-I don't know if it's a clear tickle feeling, or if it's similar to the pins & needles when we have a foot fall asleep, but just the fact that he can feel- to me is a good thing.

Dr.Milt came back and ushered us all down the hall to a separate room - I tell you- I did NOT want to walk down that hall- for fear of what he was going to tell us.  Tells us it's pretty obvious he has has a stroke, and is paralyzed on his right side. 
Those who don't know- when you have a stroke - you have a 3 hour window to get help to be able to receive TPA (i think) or clot-buster.  The problem was with dad- the last known time was @5:30 - Dean found him at 7:15 -  it's now almost 8:30 in the ER and we don't have the xrays/scans etc that they took to tell if it was a clot that caused the stroke, or if it was a brain bleed that caused the stroke.  I don't remember the names of the 2 types of strokes, but if it was a brain bleed and they give him the clot buster - he would be dead shortly after getting that medicine.  So now, our dilema is it's almost past the 3 hour window, we're waiting for results for which one he had, and his age, his history of high blood pressure, etc.
Dr.Milt Van Gundy is an amazing doctor and if I would ever have to be in the ER- I would absolutely want him to work on me- he explained things clearly to us and told us that he was going over the results with a neuro doc in ames and they both agreed that because of all the above known facts (at that time) it would NOT be a good idea to give dad the clot buster med.
Now that we are past our 3-hr window, they believe that he has atrial fibulation (A-Fib) - this was news to all of us, never heard this term before today.  Basically how it was explained to us... the top part of the heart is not beating completely...it's more of a fluttering... and the bottom part of the heart is beating and trying to beat with the top part.  Now when the top part is fluttering... the blood pools in the heart and starts to clot, so when it decides to beat in conjuction with the rest of the heart the clot is then passed up the left side of your neck to your brain and then the clot blocks the artery in the brain to which you have a stroke.  Remember here- the left side of the brain controls the right side of your body and vice versa.
So now in the meantime, they are prepping dad for transport to Ames to be in the care of the Neurologist team at Mary Greeley.

   Dean thinks to check our security cameras to see what it shows and to see what time it happens.
Here are the current facts of this day.  Dad opens the shop around 6:30, runs the dogs, comes in, goes towards the back to get his coffee and returns to the front of the shop to get on the computer and check mail and stuff. 6:54 dad moves from computer to a different chair, appears to be sweaty and takes hat off, and struggles to get sweatshirt off and sits down out of camera sight. Shortly after you can see the dogs running around, something happened, you can see dads' hand waving for the dogs, as if he was reaching out to comfort them. 7:15 you can see Dean drive up and come in the door.

Wed night April 4- ICCU Mary Greeley.

Dad is awake off & on determined to tell me something since it's just him & me in the room.  I can make out maybe 2 words- I tell him... remember dad when I would come and talk to you in spanish and you had no clue what i was saying... he nods... I go on to say, right now dad, with what has happened, you know what you want to say in your mind, but what we are hearing is a foreign language to us.  he nods and mouths OH.
Dean & Maggie come over and we try to see if he can communicate to us using his non-dominant hand to write to us (which is hard to do under normal circumstances) and we could make out his name and some letters - but found that instead of writing the whole word- he would write the first letter of each word and that would mean something - a hard task, but we continued to try.  B H equals backhoe... T equals the.... he was determined to tell us, but you could see and tell he was literally exhausted.  I would tell him, dad, just remember what you want to say and tell me tomorrow... I would get a clear and fairly loud NO.  so we tried a little longer and tried having him just point to a letter of the alphabet instead of trying to write the words- again he was abbreviating in his own language.  frustrating but satisfying that we did understand a few words with him.

Thursday April 5. 
long long day. did not pass the swallow on command test.  garbled language and very hard to understand and it seems like he is sleeping and snoring a lot- and when awake, the yawing (we find out that Yawning alot happens with stroke patients)  Pastor Maddick was here, Donna, Mom, Dawn, John & Emma, & Maggie and I camped out in the ICCU family room, taking turns... 2 at a time going in to be with dad.  I can't remember much of this day- I just know it was a very very long day and find that I have a little memory loss myself at everyone who called or stopped by to support the family even though they were unable to see dad.  Thursday night- ICCU is a bees nest of people being admitted to ICCU, and with dad being stable, moved him to Telemetry down the hall. 
We were told that a stroke is considered a brain injury - and like all brain trauma's, there will be 72 hours to maximum swelling, then there will be an additional 72 hours for the swelling to come down.  During this time with a stroke though-you can have another stoke between now and the next month.

Friday April 6.
Long long day at work, hard to be at work, but welcomed the normalcy of work - just something different to think about in between the crying and tearing up. Friday night- went to Ames to see dad with Dean & Maggie- but he was sleeping and didn't wake up much or just long enough to look around the room and go back to sleep.

Saturday April 7. 
I missed the reg doc & neuro doc.  When I got there I woke dad up by simply touching his right hand (yes his right hand - his right side is paralyzed but he feels my touch)  I asked him if my hand was cold and he said yes!!!  The PT (physical therapist) stopped in & I helped dad sit up almost on his own. He felt a little hot- to which they gave him a Tylenol suppository..which he didnt like - be we joke with him about that suppository being the only thing that will be sugar coated... He's been sleepy today so not very talkative, but when asked how he was doing, it was a fairly clear 'alright'.  The SP (speech therapist) stopped in and he passed the swallowing test today!!! Great news!!! He had 5 spoonfuls of thickened grape juice and wanted more!

Sunday April 8.  
I got there to see Mom, Donna, Dawn, John & Emma and  he had visitors -Troy & his family stopped to say hi.  he wasn't very awake at this time.  After everyone left and it was just dad & me- to which I think he woke up and wanted to talk.  I pulled up a chair and he asked slowly -  'what happened' I said to him.. you know I won't sugar coat it right?  and he nodded and said yes. I said, the only thing that will be sugar coated will be the tylenol suppository... to which he cracked a slight grin and chuckled.  so I told him how it was explained to us, to what happened to him and that he is doing good every day and tried to put in backhoe terms to which he said OH and nodded. I told him that since he's had a stroke that you can't tell in his face, that only his eyelid on the right side is a little droopy-but that I've seen him hold it open wide.  then he asked me.. 'what do they say'.   I told him what I know, as far as his progression is good and improving every day that we have a road ahead of us, but its going good right now and rehab is coming up in the next few days.  I told him as many people that I could remember on the list of those who have called and asked about him and their prayers and quizzed him gently on if I had the right first name of the person, or last name of the person, but if it seemed that he was unsure, I told him that I wasn't sure I had the right last name- just so he didn't get frustrated for not remembering.
some of the names- he knew immediately and that is very re-assuring.  I told him that each time a doctor and nurse that comes in, they are going to ask him the same questions, to do the same motions, I told him, don't get frustrated, just do it. and when they ask you to stick out your tongue, give them a big ole raspberry and if you happen to spit on them a little, then that will be ok, and we can laugh about that later -  of course he chuckled.
The night nurse came in and made him close his eyes and he passed the touch test - and yes they touched on his right side that he can't quite move- but obviously can feel.
As it looked like he was getting tired, I told him I was going to go for now and see him later and he nodded, I said , I love you dad.  and of course cried all the way the car and again when I got home, cried myself to sleep.

Monday April 9 
Donna is with dad this morning, a nurse comes in, sees the tv on.. and says... Daryl, you want the tv on?  he looks up at the tv, looks at her and says pretty clearly... 'Its already on'.
AWESOME DAD!!!!  see that spit-fire coming out already!!
the SP (speech therapist) stopped in again today- he ate 2 spoonfuls of the thickened grape juice then took the cup and drank the rest by himself -WOOHOO!!!
so by passing this- he was allowed soft foods for supper - now this is the first thing he has eaten since Wednesday am when this all started -  he devoured every bit of it under the watchful eye of a nurse with a suction hose. This meal consisted of mashed potatoes w/gravy, blended up beef, applesause, sherbert, and a pop with thickening crystals, since he's not allowed water or other liquids so he doesn't choke or aspirate it into his lungs.  After such a meal, he may as well had a turkey meal since the sleepies kicked in and he slept most of the night.  I hear he had a few visitors today, but the words were garbled and it was hard to understand.  all in all- a great night!!!  Dean & Maggie went to visit while I stayed at the shop.

Tuesday April 10 
Donna was there most of the afternoon - I guess dad pulled out the IV in his right hand - I can't say I don't blame him, it was in a spot that would hurt if you stretched out his fingers and tried to move the wrist - besides that IV was in the same place since last wednesday.  He was awake more today and more words are understandable- watching more tv between cat naps.  Mom & I came to see him and he had a visitor- Denny & Susan!  Denny just saw dad last week before all the events and they were laughing & joking then, dad's face lit up- he know's who they are!  He tried to say some words - some were garbled, some were pretty clear, and some he struggled with either what the words was, or how to say it. They were chucking together and dad had a pretty good smile on his face as Denny's girlfriend Susan called him ornery and that she expects nothing less from him.
He uncovered his right hand and made a notion that I took as' see, I can't.'  Well, as everyone knows that I am as subborn as my father- that will NOT sit well with me-  I said Dad- right now, it's swollen and it's not working right, but give it time. he shook his head at me... OH HELL NO I'm thinking... I said dad, when you break a hose on a backhoe and the arm doesn't work on the back hoe, do you just give up on the backhoe -  I don't think so.  You will fix it in your mind and it WILL work again.  I'm not sure if he liked that or not- but there will be NO Sympathy from me - just as if the roles were reveresed- he would be pushing me to keep trying and not guive up.  The only thing that dad could do at this point was nod yes.
As the night progresses, dad trying to say complete sentences, mentions the 'canoe' which is the fishing boat- he's always called the boat 'canoe' but there was something that he wanted to tell us to do with it... from the middle farm- to which we said that the boat is not at the middle farm, but it's in front of the shop.  That Brad had finished the wiring for dad that he was working on and it's ready to go.  Mom & I couldn't figure out what he wanted to tell us and he gave up on trying to say the word, but we realized on our way home, that he was probably trying to tell us about the depth/fish locator that he took out of the boat to work on and that it needed to be back in the boat.  If I think of it the next time I see him, I'll ask if that's what he meant.
Then- out of the blue, we are all watching tv... and in the corner of my eye dad's right toes fluttered, but for whatever reason in my mind, it didn't quite register what was going on... mom said, his foot moved... then it hit me.. YES!! YES it did and I saw it too!!!  so I told dad, hey, you're moving your toes... he perks his head up to watch the feet... I lifted up the sheet so we all could see bare foot... it took a little while and when I noticed that dad was looking around the room... those toes moved again!!!!  I said, hey dad, look at your foot.... the toes were still moving- I don't know how much he could see since he didn't have his glasses on, but yes, in fact the toes were moving.  Of course then he couldn't do it when the nurse came in, but this is an EXCELLENT sight to see. The nurse did a eye test for him to follow the top of a pen with his eyes, which he passed, she had him stick his tongue out at her and this is the first time I saw his tongue that far out, past his lips and moving up down, left & right!!!!!  EXCELLENT!!!
 Mom & I also noticed that when he was coughing, that his right arm moved down - the only way to describe it is when I've watched men cough, their hand goes down to the crotch (turn your head and cough) comes to mind- but yes his arm moved down.  Granted, I remember last wednesday when he was coughing, that right arm would come up over his belly... the doctors said it was an 'involuntary' movement when he was doing that in the ER and ICCU last wednesday.  This movement is different, it was more like his shoulder was moving forward in the cough making his arm move down towards his feet.  This movement of his right arm is something I have not seen  in the past 6 days -  I will definitely take this as a step in the right direction.  Of course I said, hey dad, you just moved your right arm- he'd look at me and look at his hand. I said I wouldn't lie to you- I saw it, Mom saw it.  of course you could tell he didn't believe me as he glances at mom to see her nodding her head also.
Wednesday April 11
Well, where do I begin for today.... Donna went over at 10 this am. The SP came in today and had dad busy with pointing towards different things that she said... the clock, the window, his nose, etc.  Then she asked him to spell his own name and PERFECT!  He said Donna's name, and he listed us 3 kids' names. The only thing he didn't know was 'a flower'  shocker there,.... it's a weed to him- he wouldn't know the difference between a daisy or a rose... let alone ever give mom any of them over the years. (HAHAHAHA)
He fed himself lunch that consisted still of soft foods, mashed potatoes & gravy, applesauce, pop w/thickening crystals, chicken (I'm not sure if this was puree'd or not) and they even gave him a low dose medicine for blood pressure.  My guess is to ease into the meds so it doesn't shock on the system.
They did a chest x-ray due to him coughing a lot- lungs are clear-he's just not taking deep enough breaths which is causing him to cough.  They did  an Ultrasound of the carotid artery-((for those that don't know, the carotid arteries (sounds like car rot tid) are on either side of the neck, one brings blood to the brain and the other takes it from the brain to the rest of the body)) time will tell on that on what they will do for his left carotid artery due to starting of blockage-either surgery of some sort.
Dr.Nallari (the neurologist) was in- says he's doing really well and showing improvement every day.
For supper, he had mashed potatoes & gravy and some sort of hamburger patty that failed his flavor pallet, tapioca pudding, and a berry dessert that if I was there I would have asked for 2nd's for him.


The plan is to move him into rehab- to which Visitors are allowed between 5pm-8pm ONLY.  He will be too busy with the various Therapists, and then most likely exhausted from the therapy and needs his rest to prepare for the next round the therapy.
 

Thursday April 12
We all knew it was expected, we just were hoping and praying it wouldn't.  Today was not a productive day- moreso I will label as an idle day .  Donna was with him all day and tried to do some arm & leg movements for dad to keep the muscles and joints limber, preparing him for the many hours of therapy coming up.  But dad being the stubborn one, said no and precedes to sleep/nap basically all day.  I hear he was awake while Ronnie & John stopped to see him, and was talkative, but as soon as they left, back to sleep he went.  Mom & I went over last night, and he opened his eyes for a moment, then closed them, and then looked at me again, with the look that I can only describe as he was trying to see who I was, then layed his head back and fell back to sleep.  I know the doctors say with a stroke, they sleep alot more- but I guess I was thinking that would be more in the beginning and since we've had a few good days in a row that this was going in the right direction.  I can almost guarantee dad's neighbors in his wing didn't sleep much with his normal loud snoring.
To see dad sleep so much- is very rare- he is a get up and go and get it done, so when you have time at the end of the day, you have time to get more done- there is always something to do and something to get done.  I have to keep in mind that there will be good days and then there will be what I will call Idle days- we have to take them in stride and not let these Idle days bring us down as he will need our strength and support to continue in this long process.  Must remember the following:  Keep the Faith, Keep Hope Alive, Keep being Positive - Tomorrow WILL be a better day!!!

Friday April 13

Normally Friday the 13th is considered taboo- however, today is a GREAT DAY!!!!

Dr.Nallari (Neurologist) stopped in after reading dad's brain scan and - are you ready for this - the damage is not as severe as they originally thought!!!!  He should recover almost completely- with some residual weakness on his right side from the ordeal.  Now we have proof that he can and the perverbial ball is in his court and do the work, hard work.  And we all have the hurdles of support, emotionally, physically, and mentally to keep him on the right track!!!

He has been moved up to the rehab floor and started the long hours of rehab - so he may be more tired at night - so if you go to visit- you'll know why he's sleepy. :)
They have this special walker with an arm brace so at least he was able to stand versus laying down for a change of positioning.  The thought is that eventually he will use this to actually walk - in time though.
The SP came in and asked questions....(by the look on his face, we could only think that he was saying... Why is this broad asking me such silly questions)  but really it's to test his mind, his memory and congnition for what's around him.  I will have to have another serious talk with dad to let him know, that he needs to just humor them and just do it- we'll laugh later at how silly it seems for a grown man to be asked to point at the tv, your elbow, your nose, spell your name, etc.  Again today he was asked what flowers were- he didn't know... I should leave the SP a note stating that they are 'weeds' to him... even though he did comment they were pretty.  Mom did comment that yes dad has given her flowers before.... 3 times in her life... when each of us kids were born...HAHAHAHA.

Now that I've gotten the update from Donna & Mom- I think I'm logging off here and heading over to see if he's awake to chat, or if he's too sleepy from the days' therapy.
We sure needed this great day to put a sparkle back in our eyes and a spring in our step!!

Saturday April 14
Sorry I forgot to post the days' events.
Donna went to visit and they had him in a chair sitting today for about 5 hours- great !!  give his backside a rest from the laying down or just a rest from the bed itself.  We took some pictures from magazines of different crops, equipment, and pictures of different places he's been to test his memory and he did good.  He couldn't think of 'lure' when showed a fishing lure- but it could be he had a different name for it than just 'lure' so well re-test on that one another day.
For lunch they brought some sort of pudding, berry dessert (which he loves!!!) milk, potatoes & gravy puree'd goulash of sort- (he won't eat goulash) now with dad's gout- he doesn't eat high acidic foods -which that also includes mushrooms, asparagus, liver (or other animal organ parts ) and tomatoes... which is one of the main ingredients in lasagna.  Now keep in mind since the first day he was allowed to start eating again, Donna has informed the staff that he doesn't eat foods with tomatoes and the last thing we need now, is for his gout to flare up on top of all this. So Donna reminded them yet again now that he is up on the rehab floor and thankfully this new nurse relayed that information and within 10 minutes, a dietitian showed up to go over what he likes/dislikes and what he doesn't eat due to his gout.  Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to relay that information and getting it in the computer system so hopefully now, he won't have to have this happen again. 
Mom quizzed him on if he knew what town he was currently in, and what town we live by- he didn't say the names, but when we said the correct town, he said yes.

Sunday April 15
Today was a quiet day for the most part- gets kind of quiet when you're laying in bed all day- dad had a few visitors today and slept thru most of them - sorry to those who stopped to say hi and he was sleeping - but mom & I went over and requested to have dad up in a chair, so mom can cut his hair without getting the hair clippings in his bed- that would be extrememly itchy to have the hair clippings in bed-so the nurses came in, got dad situated in a chair and mom got that chore accomplished.  While he was getting this done, he had another visitor and they chatted about dirt work, and using the dozer for a job- dad said "ok, lets go! What was interesting, at one point,  mom handed dad his glasses for the first time since the ordeal and they were really bent out of shape-I told dad I bet they got bend when you fell- looks like you hit hard too.  Dad then told us a shortened version of when it happened and what he hit when he fell.  I didn't go into too much detail about that day- will wait for another time to bring that back up and see what more he remembers.
Dad had a good supper of mashed potatoes & gravy, puree'd & pressed turkey, pudding, berry cup - which is like a sorbet/sherbert, and even got upset at the nurse who was putting what they call 'Thick It' into anything he drinks -  the 'Thick It' is a substance that yes, you guessed it, thickens his drinks - it's for people who have a hard time swallowing - so they don't aspirate the liquid into the lungs and then get pneumonia.  Dad is doing very well on his swallowing and speech and hopefully soon move up the scale to where he won't need the 'Thick It' anymore.  It's supposed to be taste-less but I haven't found the courage to try it for myself.

Monday April 16
What a day!!! What a day!! I applaud the therapy staff on the amazing work they do!!!
Dad was not in his bed most of today!!!!!!
He was able to help get out of his bed, get dressed, get to a reclining chair and to the wheelchair to head to the therapy room and he was on the parallel bars today - to work on standing straight- holding his body straight for support- I hear he did great!
Another therapist was in and massaged dads neck and down his arm on the right side.  She said they have to start up at the neck where the thyroid is and work their way down to the fingertips and then work back up the arm.  She then hooked dad up to some electrodes to stimulate the muscles -  (I cant think of the name of this electro-therapy right now) by the time she was done massaging - the swelling had decreased in his fingers & hand. YEEEEEAAAAAH!!!!!
The SP was there today to see if dad is ready for the next level of the swallowing test - he got to eat fruit cocktail - even though he doesn't like grapes - I believe he passed that test- I'm not sure what that means as far as the 'Thick It' is concerned-but I hope that he doesn't need to have that additive to his drinks.  Another thing I learned today from the SP - is sometimes those who have had strokes, take bites of food and pack it in their cheeks instead of chewing & swallowing.  I do not know why this happens, but know that dad does NOT become a pack-rat with his food and stuff his cheeks.  He chews then swallows his food- WOOHOOO!!! Dad passed another part of the swallow test!!!
I hear they have a 'Therapy Dog' that will make its' presence known on Wednesday & Thursday - and knowing that dad loves dogs - I believe this will be a good thing!!
After typing all this- I think I need a nap - Very Good Job today Dad!!!

Tuesday April 17
Donna was with dad most of the day again today- he had PT at 7:30 so he was in sweatpants & a t-shirt instead of the standard hospital open on the backside gown.   He was in the recliner most of the day today- or was in the wheelchair -  awake and talk-a-tive most of the day -  Lunch came & someone messed up.... he had the normal mashed potatoes & extra gravy, berry sherbet, pudding & 3 completet slices of roast beef - yes, complete slices... Donna adised the staff that he was to have hamburger today (I'm thinking I would take the roast beef over hamburger) but she cut up the roast beef and dad ate everything on his tray - first time that he's completely eaten everything.  By the time he was finished, in walks a staffer with another tray of food... they brought him more potatoes & gravy & the hamburger!!!  Well, once they walk in the room - the items can not be taken out for someone else- it would be thrown away - Dad evidently was worked hard at PT this am since he seemed to still be a little hungry and ate the potatoes & gravy and hamburger.
The SP is pleased with his progress and did in fact move him up a level for the consistency of his food - now we just need to get him up to where he doesnt' need that 'Thick It' stuff.  The look on his face when he drinks anything with it in there makes me laugh.
Mom & I went to see him last night and he was definitely was in a perky mood!!  I think the laying in bed napping off & on all day just makes one more tired and less talk-a-tive.
I asked dad what color of collars each of the dogs wore- he could tell me 2 of them- an improvement from last week- so I was happy about that.
I got dad laughing at me, because I was laughing at him about telling him I was going to have the nurses give him one of those 'sugar-coated suppositories' - it was quite funny... I was giggling at him.. he started chuckling and that of course made me laugh more- laughter is always good!!!  I enjoy the nurses that come in and then they start picking on him a little bit to where dad jokingly sticks his tongue out at them..
His nurse Jolleen- she's awesome!!  She posts a joke for dad to read and think about the answer -  the first joke was "What do pigs put on their bandaids? - 'Oink-ment'  hahahah!!!
the latest joke is ' What do you call a cow that twitches - I suppose I could lift up and look on the backside of the paper-but I wanted to try and figure it out... -oh, fyi the answer is 'Beef Jerky'  HAHAHAHAHA
I don't know about dad- but I'm curious for what her next joke will be!!!
Please Keep the Happy Thoughts and Prayers coming -  we are continuing in the right direction.  This is definitely a process and takes determination & patience.
~dana~

Wednesday April 18
Determination & Patience:  I'm simply going to define as "what everyone needs".
Patience is a virtue and when you have stressful times whether its family, friends or life, Patience is tested to its very core.  I think I have more patience than some and for the most part I try to look at situations, think about them for a moment, and find the positives for what is going on and then the Determination kicks in. (ok ok ok... I do try to see the positives)
Granted I'm not one to really 'sugar coat'... I try to simply state what's going on, but focus on the brighter side - ok so maybe that is the definition of sugar coating.  Stressful times can definitely wear on a person and take its' toll to where they might not see the positives or make the positives less noticeable.  I would love to go see dad every night - but with trying to keep 2 family businesses going, my brother & I switch off nights to run the shop, again I would love to see him every night, but then I would most likely not see the improvements as I do.
I am looking forward to taking one of our dogs to see him tomorrow night!!!  Yes we have confirmation that we can indeed bring one of our dogs to see him - only restriction is they have to be under control & on a leash - OK, Let's go see dad -  I'm taking Sierra!!!!
Donna worked with his right side today - keeping the muscles & joints moving - I can only imagine how stiff & sore they would be, moreso if things don't keep moving.
A Therapy dog came in to his room today and he was happy to see her, & reached down to pet the Sheltie dog but didn't want her on his lap - will see if Sierra gets that luxury tomorrow.
As much as all the events have effected us, we can definitely tell the dogs miss dad and I'm hoping that it will also boost their morale when Sierra comes home smelling like dad :)
Dad had ground chicken (not puree'd) (yes that's an improvement- another step in getting back to normal foods), mashed potatoes & gravy, fruit sherbet, tapioca pudding (the same nurse as last night remembered that tapioca is his favorite!!!)
He had lots of visitors tonight and I think that wore him down quicker than if there's just a couple people.  Dean & Maggie came over, Dawn, John & Emma came up to see him and Emma (almost 5) got to draw pictures for dad on the windows with special markers - thanks to his neat nurse - I will have to get & remember her name!!!!
He wasn't as talkative tonight - so I'm thinking the therapy girls worked him hard-but I haven't heard on what they all did today as they did that first thing this morning @ 7:30

I'm reminding everyone that we need to find the strength to keep positive with the events, no matter how small,  that we can not expect dad to 'get over' this like the flu- this is going to be a process that will take time - how long of time?? -  we won't know, we have no idea how long it's going to take.  The hard work is up to dad, however, the strength, faith, hope & love comes from all of us, family & friends in our support.
~dana~

Thursday April 19
Meeting day!!!
Mom & Donna were able to go over early to meet with the therapists.  The meeting was with all the therapists (8 of them) & Dr. Kitchell- the head Neurologist (Dr.Nalluri passed dad's case off to Dr.Kitchell).  The purpose of this meeting is to update the the family on their opinion of dads' progress, and possibly also to send report to Medicare/Insurance.
Here's what they say:  dad is progressing, some things are going on 'schedule' some things are slow.  His balance is a slower progress - but it is a progress!!!  He used to have 3 people help him get out of or into bed- now since he's able to help - there's only a need for 2 gals.  That's progress!!!!  He is a good candidate to go to this therapy place for extensive therapy - that's progress!!! As of right now-if dad continues to show progress he can stay at MGMC rehab thru May 8 - wow... that's not very far away - but then we can hopefully slide him into the rehab facility in Ankeny, and hopefully they will have a spot open for him.
The PT gal had dad hooked up to electrodes today and she got a twitch in his shoulder - she said that she was happy to see that after only the 2nd time of doing this! SP gal wasn't sure when dad was saying yes to a no question or vice versa if he was playing a game with her or not, since he's a jokester.  His swallowing/speech is improving - he is upgraded from puree'd to ground - and that's progress and he likes the texture/taste of it - again, that's progress!!!
I got there with our dog Sierra and dad's face lit up!  He recognized her - but was unable to tell me her name (until I went to leave and asked if he wanted her or Copper to come see him next - to which he said either Sierra or Copper would be fine). He had a visitor last night - but couldn't tell me his name till after everyone had left. He could tell me about the planned trip with mom to go to pick up bbq smokers and a day of fishing - which I knew was going to happen, but I didn't know it was with mom and all they planned to do till I asked mom when I got home.  When one of his nurses came in, she asked him what the dogs's name was - dad couldn't tell her the name, but he told her the breed of dog - Hungarian Vizsla - ok, I'll definitely take that as a positive!!!
 After mom, Donna had left, I had what I will call a 'Come to Jesus' talk with dad.  I'm not sure what more I can do - I said do I need to hire a team of cheerleaders to come in and root for him, or whatever I needed to do to get him to believe in himself as much as the family does that he WILL beat this and get better.  He has a lot of hard work to do- and we can't do that for him- that he has to do it.  I may have been mean but I asked him what his plans are??  Does he want to sit in a chair all day like this?  he said no.  I asked him is your goal to be able to walk? to be able to drive?  he said yes... so then I told him that he has to want this - to be the stubborn man I know he is and beat this - I told him it's going to take some time- and as much as we all would love it to happen now- it's not going to be tomorrow, or the next day but it WILL.
We talked about the canoe -(that's what he's always called the fishing boat) that it's ready to go.  I just got confirmation for my vacation to run the shop so they can go fishing.  When he shook his head no, I said what?  I told him that he needs to get stronger to hold the fishing pole and be able to reel in the whopper of a fish.  When he shook his head no to me again and said mom can go without, I flat told him, mom's not going if you're not going.... and if you never go fishing again, mom's not going fishing ever again, because she's not going without you.  I then asked him, is that what he wants??? for mom to never go fishing again because he doesnt' go??  I told him that's not fair to mom and to the rest of us who know and believe that he will beat this, but he doesn't fight for it.
ok, so I'm definitely my fathers' daughter - I'm just as stubborn and I'm not about to let him give up and not get better!!!
I'll go cry in my corner of the world now for how rough & mean I was to him - but hope and pray that it's what was needed to be said to dad again to kick him in the butt to just do it.

Friday April 20
He wasn't very talk-a-tive today - Donna showed him pictures and he could tell her what they were  - some pictures quicker than others, but could say them.
PT came and showed Donna what motions for PT she could do with dad when they're not there or on the weekends.  Working with both the left & right sides.  They decided due to the swelling in his right hand - they have a swelling glove - I don't know the real name for it - but it's to apply pressure to remove the swelling to make it easier for his hand & fingers to move.  The therapists have stated - they predict that he will be moving his right side within the next 2 weeks - and boy I can't tell you how the sound of that feels!!!  Music to our ears - now we just need to see it and watch it continue to progress (and soon!!!!)  I believe seeing this motion will be the fuel to the perverbial fire of motivation.
For lunch, he was given a real piece of cherry pie - and he enjoyed every bite of it.
 The rehab floor gained 2 new temporary residents so dad's shower was delayed from 10am to 4 pm - but he sure enjoyed having a normal shower -  I guess it's a pvc made chair - so he can sit and have the water run on him like a shower - I didn't hear how long of one he took - but he was grinning. 
I'm planning to go tomorrow afternoon to visit - with our dog Copper - who has been acting funny since the day it happened - so this visit will benefit both!!  Copper & dad will truly enjoy seeing each other.

Saturday April 21
Lots of visitors today!!!!  Thank you to everyone who visited - that is amazing!!!
I took Copper over to see him - of course he smiled - he knows who just walked in the door - just like all his visitors - he knows you - but right now, just can't think of the name to go with the face, but that will come easier with time - just like his words coming out - they are getting better too.  I saw his supper tonight - it looked really good & of course Copper wanted to smell & just get a little closer to dads' tray.
He seemed tired today - and with all the visitors' I'll let him sleep while I'm there.  We talked a little about what one of the PT did - hooking him up and shocking some of his muscles and that she had to turn it down on the knob because it was a little too much for him to handle.  I asked him if he remembered shocking himself with the stun-gun - and he said yes, but that felt a little different than the PT gal shocking him.  I asked him if how many volts it was - he said maybe under 50,000 volts  (side note -  stun guns range from 20,000 - 150,000 volts)  I'm not sure about how many volts the shocker is that PT uses - but I find this information from him interesting!

Sunday April 22 needing to vent
ok, I need a moment to type out the frustrations that we the family are feeling - and if we feel these frustrations, I can only imagine what dad is feeling - besides if we can vent them, and figure out a way to fix them - well then we can focus more on the positives and give dad the added support to help him.
As much as I don't want to complain about the place that has dad at his most vulnerable for risk of them catching wind of this and reading what I really feel about them and taking it out on dad.  I do understand I can only ask so much of anyone that takes care of a person, and I understand they have 12 other patients to take care of, but compassion, that added umph to their job - to show they really want to help.  If you have time to lean and talk and check your computer - you have time to walk down the hall to see if any of the patients need anything. If they don't, then fine- go ahead and enjoy your down time. But don't you dare complain about dads' urine output needing to increase, but not bring him anything more to drink -  if you don't increase the input, you're not going to increase the output.... isn't that like a Murphy's law????
The response time from when dad pushed his button while mom was there - he was slumping down in his chair & wanted help to sit up - it took over an hour to get this done & after asking 2 times to get it done. 
ZERO COMMUNICATION!!!!  We are being told repeatedly that a doctor will call us to update us - have we ever gotten a phone call ??? NO!  I guess if you're not going to call- don't tell us repeatedly that you're going to call.  We've called and left a couple messages - have we received a call back - NO.
I don't know what's going on over the weekends, they don't get him dressed in the am - so he's tired all day.  They keep his blood sugar low over the weekends -  why???  he's almost a zombie and tired and his words are more garbled - why???  are the weekenders not wanting to work- WTF!!!!!!!
Yes he has a couple really really nice gals - and I can tell they enjoy what they do and that they do in fact care - but obviously they need to be cloned. If those few gals can do it - everyone can do it.
The only time we've seen the doctors???? was last thursday when there was a meeting about dad's care- otherwise we have never seen any of them since he was moved to Telemetry & to the rehab floor.
I've written this all down for mom to help her remember to bring the major points up on the next doctor/therapist meeting on thursday.

Now for my Sunday visit/report:  more improvements from dad!!  He had a couple visitors - and he knew them... and even called them both by name!!  No hesitation whatsoever !!!! Everette & dad talked about fishing in the gulf and a few of the guys down there - it was great to see/hear this!!!  Then Denny came with his girlfriend tonight & dad knew his name too.  Denny had been to see dad 7 days ago, and he noticed the great improvements with dad in just a week.
I know I take notice in the small things, the small steps he's taking and going in the right direction, but to hear from those who saw him a week ago... and the great improvements that they notice - is very exciting and re-assuring that he is in fact improving and getting better.

Dad drank my whole bottle of water with no problems & one of the nurses even brought him some crushed ice in a cup and he devoured it...but with a few brain-freezes involved from eating cold stuff too fast.
AHHHHHH  I swear it's the little things that are absolutely positively with a doubt the best we can see right now to refuel our faith, hope & love that he WILL regain his right side.  There were a couple times that when he yawned or coughed that his right arm moved across the pillow and down to his lap - I haven't seen this for what seems a lifetime - and that movement I will take because to me that is a step in the right direction!!!
For lunch - well..... it looked a little dry to me.. and not very much gravy either.  He had only a bite of the mashed potatoes w/chicken gravy, ate all his stuffing & cranberry-jello dessert, part of his angel food w/whipped topping, and even drank the whole carton of milk - no 'Thick-It' in his milk!! - PROGRESS!!!
again- its the little things - but we will all take it!!!!
Dawn, John & Emma came up to see him too - and we got some chuckles and chats in before he needed a nap from lunch.  Emma brought up her barbie learning computer to show grandpa some things on it, not sure what he was thinking, but he was watching the screen. 
When Dean & Maggie got there, they played a few games of tic-tac-toe.  Dad lost the first game, but then the next 7 games were a tie.
PROGRESS PROGRESS PROGRESS!!!!

Monday April 23

Sun rays Monday!!!  Dad was sitting outside taking in some sunrays this am when Donna went to see him - dad recognized & waved at her when she pulled up.  When back in the room, Donna helped him have lunch & also helped with therapy.  I dont' know the number of people to assist in this, but they had dad standing up, put his weight onto his right side, and step forward with his left foot, then put his weight on the left side, and then the gals slowly moved his right foot forward.  They did this for 6 complete steps!!!  Since the feeling is all there on the right side, they are hoping that by stimulating the feeling sensation of walking and the motions of it, that this will then tell the brain that this is what's to occur.
I'm not sure what all other therapists did today - this is all I was told.  I know that dad must have been exhausted from all this, he barely kept awake thru supper and when mom & I stopped to visit - he woke long enough to crack open his eye and go back to sleep.  I was mean and picking on dad trying to get him to wake and talk to us... so I used a cup of a fruit slushie and laid that cold against different parts...nothing.
hmmm... ok.. I took his right hand and turned it sideways and placed the cold cup in his hand as he would to take a drink.  His hands felt warm & I thought for sure this cold would wake him.... no.  So I held his hand and ran the cold cup up the underside of his arm since this area is more sensitive to touch than the top part of your arm...I got to the inside of his wrist... and his arm pulled away from me... hey!! I like this... ok so I continued to run the cup up the underside of his arm... got to the crook of the elbow and his arm pulled away again... HEY!!!!  he didn't wake up.. until I of course lifted up his shirt and put the cold on his belly... then he went back to sleep.  Not even tickling his feet would wake him up.... crap!!! 
ok, so on the reflexing to the cold... I wonder if it's a similar action to when they do the pain reflex.. it's just a reflex... but either way.... it tells me that there is a connection between his brain and the sensors in his arm to make this motion.  I'll mention this to my co-workers to make sure - but in my brain and in mom's - THIS IS GOOD!!! 

Tuesday April 24
Oh my goodness Oh my goodness!!!!  A spectacular day!!!  You know we're all taking this in stride and it's definitely the little things that fuel us all and we get fired up and get things done.  Today was a great day for dad, and a great day for all our spirits.  Dad was outside a couple times today to bask in the sun and enjoy the nice day.  PT had him up on his feet again and taking some more steps - need to re-train the brain and get it re-wired so dad will be able to walk and get that right side moving again.  Later, the SP came in and asked dad various questions that he answered, and I think Donna had said the doctor came in - not sure which one - and asked dad to say the days of the week, months in a year, count to 20, to which dad completed just fine - again progress is wonderful!!!
Donna had commented and I can see the look on his face as she told me... it was a look of... really... you're asking me these silly questions... what are you gaining for information to ask me such questions..  I can sure see the look on his face and can't help but chuckle.  He's always a curious one, and he's usually the one asking the questions.   Dean brought over his electronic thingy - I don't know the name of it... it looks like a kindle or ipad but it's not either of those...anyway, they played tic tac toe a few times.  Donna had handed him one of her cookbooks that were just printed and he looked at it and he could read the headings. 

Progress is amazing -no matter how small it may seem in all normalcy, this progress is definitely a continued step in the right direction.  As much as I'd like to say it's happening in leaps and bounds, I want to savor every postitive moment to realize myself and hopefully everyone who reads this sees how precious life is.
Life is definitely too short to lose the ones we love, and we may fight and argue, but in the big picture of life, we Love...  Yes we do love, we may not be able to say it, or say it often, but in our own ways we show it.
Praise to God, Praise to family, Praise to friends. 

Wednesday April 25

Another day full of positives!!
Drinks are upgraded to NO 'THICK IT'!!!! WOOHOO!!!! Normal drinks now!!!  (no straws)
Dad was outside again today - I hear 2 different times!! Did all his therapy, and as part of his therapy, they had him standing up in this support machine...stand assist is what I think they call it... well anyway, while dad was standing with this for just about 20 minutes - they played a domino game and he did very well!!!  The did some walking with a knee support for his right leg (still not able to move his right side) I can only imagine how weird this feels - to feel the weight on your right side and know you're standing...but you're walking with assistance, but not being able to move it yourself - it will be a feeling I will never know how to describe other than just 'weird'.  The SP stopped in today and she made things different today.  She layed a few items on dad's table and held up a card that dad had to read and then pick out the item on his table.  I didn't see the pictures but there were 2 things that he couldn't quite get right - but we'll see on the next attempt.
He had some visitors too - and he asked about how the planning was going to build the new house.  I've seen some memory hiccups - I'm not going to call it memory loss - because I think it's too early to call it that - so memory hiccup it is - but I don't think we will know the extent of the hiccups - because we all know that dad could tell you things that the normal person wouldn't know or remember.
The floor had an over abundance of nursing students tonight... and when I say abundance...well... there were 30 students in excess that were looking for things to do - so shower time it was for dad!!  I teased him about the cute nurses that he was going to have... he chuckled... Troy teased him too..  He got showered and his teeth brushed and the one nurse - a little clutzy I will say- did some range of motion exercises with dad -at one point I thought she was going to break off his wrist...geeesh!  but seeing that the swelling is down in his right hand, it didn't seem to hurt him too much, but if she would have done that 2 days before- I would almost guarantee that dad would have reached over and pushed her away.  Progress on his swelling in the right hand is great- almost all the way down!!!  ok so swelling is going away, time to move that right side!!!!!
COME ON DAD!!! KEEP UP THE HARD WORK!!!
Tomorrow is the 2nd meeting of the minds -  Dr.Kitchell, all his therapists, nursing staff, Dr.Lowry and mom.  So hopefully they all see the progress that we are seeing and we keep going in the right direction!!
Happy Thoughts & Prayers to all who need them- & and thank you for all your thoughts & prayers!

Thursday April 26
2nd meeting of the minds!!!!
Still progressing - we got a percentage today from Dr.Kitchell -  90% he will walk -  I'll take those odds & raise you 10% -  No prediction on the usage of his right hand though -  I'll see your silly unknown percentage & I'll raise you 100% !!!  They don't know dad like we do - he's just not going to settle for that.  In time - he will prove you wrong!!!
Dr.Kitchell & all the nurse staff & therapist all agree he is progressing well, and that he's a good candidate for the On With Life rehab facility.

Great day to be outside & he sure got to do that.  Had some visitors and had some good therapy with the SP -  beat her at 2 games of dominos and did a matching session to test his memory.  Up and taking steps with assistance again today.
Since he no longer has to use the  'Thick It' stuff in his drinks - he had a regular pepsi and enjoyed every drink of it!  He likes also having a cup with ice water in it next to his side.  Ahhh the little things that keep our spirits high and our faith higher.

Friday April 27

Oh what a happy day!!!!  Today, dad walked 60 feet!!!!  yes it was still with assistance from the therapists, but it was quite the distance!!!!!  'Go the distance' from the movie Field of Dreams comes to mind.
Tonight whenever dad yawned, his right arm & hand moved - the arm flexed up and the fingers flexed into a fist then relaxed straight- WOOHOO!!!!  I can't tell you how much I fake yawned to get dad to yawn so we could see this movement.
We had a couple visitors tonight and our prayers go out to them as they have family also at MGMC. 
I've been working on my vinyl to have samples with the color name & number to order it, so I pulled those out to show dad my new vinyl colors and it turned into a game of dad telling me what color was what. Now I have to give him credit because blue is blue & green is green no matter if it's dark or light or any shade in between.  Burgundy did appear to look brownish to him, till I held brown and black next to it, then it looked red to him.  It's ok, close absolutely counts here.
I heard that he played a couple rounds of dominoes and won- I don't think anyone stands a chance there-I don't remember playing too many games with dad growing up, but I should really say, I don't remember actually winning any games when played against dad. Will have to find a checkers game and see how that goes.
I told dad a couple jokes... maybe you've heard it... it goes like this...
     a man wakes up from surgery and asks the nurse with his oxygen mask on... are my testicles black?  The nurse tells him that she's not sure.  He asks the nurse again.... are my testicles black?
Feeling that the man is upset from surgery, she said, I'll check for you and precedes to pull the blankets back, lifts up his gown and examines his testicles with one hand, while the other hand holds his penis.  Seeing that everything appears to be normal, she covers him back up and tells him it looks ok.  The man removes the oxygen mask and says, thank you, but let me ask you one more time... are my Test Results Back?
oh yes.... as you may be chuckling now from reading this joke... yes... dad chuckled..and grinned.  Later, he looked over at me again... and started chuckling....remembering that joke again.
At one point, he looks at me, points to me, then points to the door.... ummm dad?  You want me to leave?  he said yes.  I said, ok?? You want me to leave so you can talk to mom alone?  he chuckled and said no then pointed at mom and then to the door... can you believe it, he wanted us both to leave... come to find out, he didn't want us to see him page for the nurses to have help to the bathroom and get dressed for bed.... ok, so he wasn't that shy when we were growing up - so that was a chuckle of the night - here I was thinking I made him mad for something and he just wanted me to leave.
Glad to see & hear his sense of humor is bubbling up and over.  Really enjoy the nurses joking with him and him picking on them.  LAUGHTER IS GOOD!!!!  oh how healthy it is to laugh.

Saturday & Sunday April 28 & 29
I didnt' get a chance to visit dad  - but the reports are stating he's very good at dominoes - so good luck to you if you play a game or 2 with him.  He's wheeling himself down the hallways using his left leg and left hand to steer so he doesnt' run into the wall.  This is good - he's getting stronger to compensate for the right side - for now.  It will come back!!! I know it will!!  I've said it before - he WILL !! 

Monday April 30
Donna was with dad today - and was doing some stretching with dad - working the arms and legs -  today however, when she was working that right arm bringing it straight out and then bending it back to him, she felt a tightness to his grip... what????  YES YES YES!!!  This is the first time she's felt any muscle movement when she's been helping with PT with dad.  This is awesome news and it just refuels the faith and hope!!
Today with the PT gals - last week there have been 4 girls helping with dad's walking down the halls - today however - only 2 girls!!!  Progress!!!  anyway, today dad walked 40 feet - 2 different times!!!  He just keeps increasing and progressing so well!!!  This also is awesome news!!!  I'm sure he's just exhausted when he's done, but this is great!!! Keep the thoughts & prayers coming!!!

Tuesday May 1  (DAY 27)
I haven't been over to see dad yet today - but I just got an email....
WE HAVE RIGHT LEG MOVEMENT!!!!!!!
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!  TEARS OF JOY AND HAPPINESS!!!!!
At this time I do not know how much, how far or all the fine details - but we have MOVEMENT!!!!!
also, another step forward on this day 27 --- the catheter is finally OUT!!!!
I'm soo excited to see dad tonight and I can't tell you how slow the last couple hours of work are going to go.

Wednesday May 2
Last nights visit went ok -  dad wasn't very talkative - seemed to have frustration with finding specific words.  I told him it was ok, to skip that word that he's trying to think of and go on with what he wants to say.  I told him I hadn't seen him for a few days and I lost my mind reading ability, but if he was patient with me, I'd try to get it back.. that made him chuckle and he said alright.  HAHA. 
As happy as we all were (including dad) to have that catheter out after 27 days (to which we were told the maximum time would be 7 days...hmmm thanks) -yes that was a little bit sarcastic
They had to put it back in -  his bladder got lazy is how the nurse stated it.  So before they came back to do that -  I suggested to dad to stick his hand in warm water... yeah, that didn't work... darn.  you could tell that this deflated his bubble a little.  I heard him tell one of the nurses that he got his right leg to move,- as he lifted his left leg and tapped the top of the right leg - good leg muscles in the left leg -that's good!  A gal stopped by last night without her dog this time, but to just bring a little dixie cup with a viola in it.  I seem to remember Grandma Schoppe had these around her house in the same color, so that was nice of her to bring a little May Day gift.
Now as for today...... we are happy to hear 'On With Life' has an opening and will take dad!!!  Huge sigh of relief there- we have heard amazing things about this rehab facility and the work they do with the patients.  As much as I don't want to belittle nursing homes, I just truly believe this would NOT be a good thing for dad and it would be detrimental to all that has been accomplished in the past 28 days. 
Mom called a while ago to let me know she witnessed dad moving his right leg a little bit - again, we will definitely take it, it's a step forward and we are elated to keep moving forward.

Thursday May 3

I heard today was a busy busy busy day!!!!  The therapists worked him big time today!!!
They had him standing up next to this table that raises up so it's higher than a normal table & had a brace on the right knee to prevent it from buckling under him.  While he was standing up the therapist had him reach with his left hand in front of him, to the right, to the left and above his head - I can only assume it's to test his hand-eye coordination, but what's also interesting while they are doing this... he's standing... next to the table... and not hanging on to the table, other than his right hand resting on the table (I'll have to ask on this part-I'm only guessing that his right hand was resting on the table beside him) - so he has to balance himself- now I don't know if he realized that he was standing on his own or not, but he was standing!!!  I heard that they did this for about an hour total- in 3 different time increments. 
It was also 'Meeting of the Minds' again today- Dr.Lowry, Dr.Kitchell, the therapists and all the nurses were here saying how much he's improving and how he has a good/fun attitude.  We are still on schedule that he'll leave MGMC on Tuesday and head to On With Life via a Story Co. van for transport.  I know the family is excited that he is going to this facility that we hear amazing stories and amazing results from people who have gone there, or are currently there, and when they are there, it seems they are only there for an average of 3 months with such amazing results!!  Dr.Kitchell commented today that he is EXPECTING dad to come back in the 3 months and walk down the halls and see everyone.  Donna & dad visited with a guy who has been in the shop in the last year, who had a stroke in February, and he came back to visit the floor and as inspiration to everyone, had just gotten his driving license back and how well he is doing.  I hear he had a stroke very similar to dads' however I do not know his age.  I applaud him for all that he has accomplished and look forward to seeing the same results in dad. 
I know dad is exhausted today..... he's napping thru this visit.... as I'm typing here - I can't help but want to reach out and tickle his toes... both left & right... and the best part is seeing him move that right foot up and down and wiggle those toes.  Of course whenever I do start to lightly touch his feet, his eyes open wide and I get 'the look'  and then he chuckles at me for picking on him... as we all know, if it were reversed.... he'd be the one picking on me twice as much if not more.
I also heard that he moved his hand up when the therapist had his right hand turned on its' side, then she hooked up the hand to some electricity to make the fingers just dance and twitch... then she moved the electrodes up further on his arm..and then further up... clear up to his shoulder.  I know it must feel weird, but the feeling is there- and that's exactly what we want.
I had to turn the tv speaker down so I could hear him and be the mind reader... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't... but I do hope that he realizes that I'm trying to help keep the mind moving forward and skip over that word that can cause frustration when he gets stuck on it.  I know there are holes in his memory, or fuzzy parts, or grey areas in the memory.. however you want to refer to it and that would be the most frustrating part -  I know I have that now when I know what word I want to say, but I can't think of it... and even I can't focus on what I want to say when I'm stuck on that word.. so I can relate... bet we all can.
Thank you everyone following dad's progress on here, calling, cards, messages on facebook - They are all wonderful- Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

Friday May 4

Ok, first I have to say to the star wars fans.... May the 4th be with you...

Today is the 1 month mark:
Now that I have that out of my system... mom went to see dad tonight and he tried to be very very talkative - but mom hasn't acquired the 'mind reading' capabilities yet to know what dad is trying to say.  Some of the words are very clear, and some are blended together & garbled.  I can only think of when I was little I had to see a speech therapist in school... for me, my mind went a mile a minute, my words that came out of my mouth, were just as fast, if not faster and I had to learn to slow my speech to communicate to my teachers so they could understand what I was trying to say.  Now I do have a few times a day that I have to stop what I'm saying, and get my words in order to finish speaking.  So having to go thru this as a kid, I am assuming that dad is going thru a similar phase in his speech.  Again, I am just assuming.  I'm learning more and more everyday about stokes and how each person that has a stroke, have similar clues that show they've had a stroke, but that's the only part that they are the same.  Each person is different on the after effects & recovery.  I don't know how much of this ordeal dad will remember to be able to answer the questions from day 1.  It would be nice if he does, moreso to just understand better what he went thru physically, mentally & emotionally... but also on the flip side, maybe it's best to not remember what happened, and move forward.
So for tonight's visit between mom & dad, again, he wanted to talk and talked alot, but she was unable to decipher his language tonight.  But we also have to take into consideration that he had a HUGE day today.  The SP stepped it up and asked harder questions (to avoid the look of distain & eye rolls) that she was getting from dad with the easier questions.  This is something that also varies between stroke patients, the amount of information that is retained, simple math, 2+2, days of the week, months in a year, counting to 20, etc.  Some stroke patients lose that memory and will eventually re-learn it if they are able to, so the SP has to start somewhere on the questions for testing.  PT came today and I'm shocked, elated, surprised and any other emotion you can think of, but dad walked 150 feet today with assistance!!!  wow!!!!!  I even was told that there were around  6-10 steps that dad moved his right foot forward all by himself.   This is just amazing to hear, and as I'm crying in just hearing that this happened, I can only imagine what my reaction would have been, if I saw it with my own eyes.
Dad is continuing to do great on a daily basis, no matter how big or small, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Keep up the hard everyone- Keep going dad- you can do it!!!  We all know you can!

Saturday May 5th / Sunday May 6
Dad had his first 'real' food this weekend... an actual cheeseburger on a bun for lunch and steak for supper!!!!  Dad teared up when he saw it - I can only imagine how spectacular that cheeseburger looked and tasted and the steak... ohhh I'm salivating just thinking of steak!!  Much better than the ground up meat.  See- this is progress too - upgrading of the food - that's great news!
Dawn & John & Emma came up Sunday and we all ate lunch together in the family room - sitting at an actual table - we all had room to move and talk & laugh.  Dad then decided it looks nice outside - not raining, so Emma pushed dad in the chair and we all went outside to get fresh air and enjoy the nice day.  I played a game with Emma to where she ran around the seating area and I was 'timing her' well, I really wasn't, but she didn't know that... dad chuckled each time she started off on the next run that I was 'timing her'.


Monday May 7
Well, today is dad's last day at MGMC rehab floor -  he had such a busy day again today, working on balance without assistance, walking with assistance and taking some little steps on his own.  As much as we are all excited to that he'll be going to the next rehab place and hear nothing but amazing stories about people who go there, stay an average of 90 days and the progress they make in that time is phenomenal!!!  Our hope is that when he's done with the next 90 days - he'll be walking and will be able to be back home, keeping our focus on the positives!!!
I was joking with dad tonight about different jokes, or different stories, since he seems to be exhausted and a little frustrated with his right side -  so I said to him... hey dad, would you like to discuss the law of physics?  The look I got was priceless - I told him I was joking, I had absolutely no idea on the law of physics.... that I knew what goes up, must come down - I remember that much from the physics class I took.  I said ok, dad... how about this.... if a bear shits in the woods... does it smell?
he chuckled at me and said, yes... mom commented, if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it... does it make a sound... he nodded.. then I said... ok, how about this.... How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?  and you know what.... he said part of that at the same time as I did!!!  and then I asked him... what the answer was.... with him thinking.... I said... is it.... he would chuck he would, as much as he could, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
ok, yes that's definitely a mouth full... let alone trying to type it .... but he was thinking I missed part of it.. so I'm going to have to figure that one out.  Dad has this story about Mr.Rab-eet & Mr. Tur-tel but he couldn't think of it and I can never remember how it goes, but enjoy the memory of him telling that story.
So then, it was on to jokes from there.... I said,  2 blondes walk into a bar...the 3rd one ducks...  he didn't quite get that joke.... so then I repeated that joke with a visual....of me walking in a bar.. then he chuckled.
We made a Thank you gift for the nursing staff - as it is also nurses day today... I did a gift box with 7 bags of candy... a mixture of laffy taffy for my favorite nurse Janelle, chocolates, sugar free candy in case any of the staff is diabetic or prefers sugar free, and then some caramels.
There are definitely some of the staff girls I will miss and I know dad will miss them as well - he's had some really nice ones and you can tell when they walk in the room, that his eyes light up and he starts chattering like a magpie.
I find it hard to believe that it has been 34 days since that emotional day, but look at what he's doing, and where he's at, he is progressing every day and that's the best news we can have, although, I know if I had a magic wand or a genie in a bottle... if only...

So tonight is his last night- and tomorrow he'll be moved into the new place - when I find out more information I'll be sure to write about it here.

Tuesday May 8
BIG MOVE DAY!!!!  well, more big move of location that is.  Dad's nurses at MGMC hugged dad bye - creating tears from him... which created tears from mom...and Donna.... no one cries alone...  and they load him up "in a van to take him down by the river...."  no not really.. that last part is just from a funny skit on Saturday Night Live.  Anyway, mom  & dad ride in the van to Ankeny, with Donna following behind, the driver gets lost... ummm yeah.  I would think if you're going to taxi someone... you should at least know where you're going.
Once they got there, they put him in bed, and did all his vitals upon entering the facility.  They pulled the catheter!!!!  So hopefully 2nd times a charm to keep that thing out.  The nutritionist was there evaluating him and while he was eating and they've upgraded him to FULL FOOD!!!! he can have whatever he wants - nothing special for his diet, no more ground food, no more pureed food !!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!
Mom & Donna took a tour of the facilities and it's HUGE!!!  The people that greeted them were all wonderful and nice! There are only 26 beds in this facility and there are 4-5 staff per patient ratio, not including the nursing students, aides, etc. Mom & Donna talked to Eileen Schossow - a gal from St.Ctr - so that was nice to see someone that we know dad would know.  I have to say Miss Eileen is looking good!!!  I hear wonderful things about her progress- way to go Eileen!!!
Dad was taken to the PT area -  only 1 gal helped dad out of his chair and onto a mat to do his PT - 1 person!!!  This is progress!!!  just a few days ago it took 2 gals to help him.  Dad is getting strong and it shows with him being able to help with this.  He was layed out on this mat for therapy, and she got him to wiggle his right toes a little bit and she had him lift his left leg and did some other range of motion exercises.  When they were done, dad went back to the room and then the swarm of people coming and going, sign this, sign that... yes, mom is tired of signing papers...

Wednesday May 9
First full day at OWL (On With Life) and quess what.... he walked 50 feet today, with only 1 therapist & using a quad cane- this is a normal cane... but it has 4 legs for stability... not a walker.. a cane... WOOHOO!!!  Impressive!!!
Dawn & Emma, Mom & I went down to see him tonight and when we got there - half of the residents were outside, getting ready for a bonfire & smores.  The residents that were at this bonfire varied in ages from what looked to be 30's to some older than dad.
I met Amy - she's the musical director- very nice gal- just like all the staff we have met so far - all of them are nice.  There were 3 of the staff that played a guitar and we sang various songs round the fire pit.  Not everyone sang, I didn't sing when I didn't know the words, but there were a few that knew every single word and sang it loud and proud.  They brought out this painted metal goat and asked all the residents what they should name him & they'll post the suggestions and vote on it later.  I of course, piped up - in about 6 months, it'll be RUSTY... everyone laughed.  They tend to keep it light-hearted and laughter is such a great medicine.  As the sun goes down, so does the temperature, so inside we all went.  Dad was very talkative tonight - but finding that he's talking more in whisper or softer voice -  not sure if that's part of having a stroke, or if he finds that if he talks softer that he can say the words clearer.  His room is a bit smaller than over at MGMC and he shares the bathroom with the next room... but they locked dad's door of the bathroom and we couldn't get in there to get his electric shaver.
Earlier today, mom got a phone call from a friend of the family that they were over at MGMC lab and thought they'd swing by to see dad...but when he walked dad's room... there was a lady in dad's bed.... that sure caught him off guard - but it was a good funny story to share.

One of OWL's signs:
MISSION:
Joining hands, hearts, and minds to help persons living with brain injury get ON WITH LIFE.

VISION:  We will passionately serve and relentlessly advocate to create life enriching opportunities for person impacted by brain injury.


Another sign I saw, with a beautiful painting of a tree.

 "Living Life"

Life is not a race - but indeed a journey.  Be honest.  Work hard. Be choosy.

Say 'thank you' , 'I love you', and 'great job' to someone each day.  Go to church, take time

for prayer.  The lord giveth and the lord taketh.  Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.  Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it

as best you can.  Dreaming does matter.  It allows you to become that which you aspire to be.

Laugh often.  Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.  Some of the best things really are free.  Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.  Forgive, it frees the soul.  Take time for yourself ~ plan for longevity.  Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment.

Bonnie L. Mohr

What a positive place!!! 

Thursday May 10
I don't have much of an update for today -  forgot to look at his therapy sheet that tells us what all he did today.  Mom said he was extremely talkative, but he's talking so soft that she can't hear him very well... wonder if mom needs some hearing aids now...haha.  The mere fact that he's talking and alot sounds like music to my ears!!!
We did get an ok to bring our dogs down to this facility - just need to get a letter from the vet stating they are in good health and up-to-date on their shots.  So I'm super excited to take one of the dogs down to see dad again!!

Friday May 11

Just heard - we have movement with his whole arm!~!!!!!  again I don't know all the details.  If I'm able to go tonight-I'll update more later.  Keep up the good job dad!!!
As I walked in tonight with Sierra dog - dad's face lit up... he looked at her, at me, then at the nurse, then again... and asked how she could be there???  he was worried that she shouldn't be there and we were going to get in trouble - I told dad - we have permission to bring her and it's ok - oh the smile on his face!!! He wheeled himself down the hall to his room and we shut his door - Sierra tried getting on his lap a couple times but we didn't let her. She did really good -  and for being my dog... she laid at dad's feet.. I see how I rate..HAHA!  Dad was VERY talkative tonight - talking about the therapy that they do, their walks around the property, some of the residents there, the age difference of the residents, there were 2 things that I didn't understand though- something about going to the tree many times -  so I'm not sure if that's with therapy or the tree painted wall in the building & his glasses/eyesight.  I dont' wear glasses so I'm not sure what he was trying to tell me, but in time I'll figure it out.

Saturday May 12
This day is full of confusion I tell you... we were told yesterday that dad would have to pass an eating test with them before he could eat with us on Sunday for Mother's Day/Emma's Bday/Dawn & John's anniversary-  this is different information than we were told before- but ok, the test would be with the SP at 3 - but found that they told us wrong - he doesn't get full therapy on Saturdays' - and SP came in at 10 and he didn't pass the eating test... WHAT!!!!!  ok, so breathe in breathe out..
When mom went to see him, she had a voicemail on her phone that stated that YES he passed and can eat with us on Sunday - *sigh of relief*
I'm going to have to ask more about this therapy on Saturday's - we were told he gets therapy 6 days a week, then today we're told otherwise... frustrating I tell you - but we're hopeful that this will bring him home soon.
One of the therapists asked him today how many kids he had-3.  How many boys/girls he had-1boy,2 girls. Who is this(as she points to his sister Donna)-sis.  what's his wife's name, check.  how many grandchildren does he have, 1 grand-daughter., etc.
It's only day 38 I think, and the amount of progress is amazing -  he is doing great and we're all looking forward for dad's graduation and coming home.

Sunday May 13

Today is the day - our family dinner!!!  We picked up KFC and I made Emma's birthday cake - cupcakes to look like Rapunzel's hair from the movie Tangled - dad laughed at the cupcake - but he was happy to see everyone.  I find that when there's a larger group, he's quiet and doesnt' talk much - but when there are just a few- he chats up a storm- could be since he's talking softer that he wouldn't be heard, could be the volume on his hearing aids is turned up too loud so he feels like he's yelling, could be something completely different.
We heard a rodeo was on - dad's favorite - so instead of cramming into his room - we sat at the main hallway and watched the rodeo on the big screen tv.  The floor in this main intersection has a lighter colored wood in the shape of a stopsign and there are 3 residents hallways and then the 4th hallway leads to the therapy rooms, sound, physical, occupational, recreational room, the main nurses' station is located at this stop sign area - but it's also where the residents tend to congregate.  Dad likes being here- for his people watching - and he certainly is himself - picking on the nursing staff as they walk by - and they sure pick right back at him - wouldn't want it any other way!!!
Found out that we know another resident at On With Life - sure makes it a small world when there's someone else you know that is going thru a similar situation.

Monday May 14
I'm soooo excited that I can NOT wait to till tomorrow to type this!!!!!

Mom went to visit dad tonight- he was his normal chatty self- talking about dozing trees and some other things... at one point dad was quiet - mom just glanced over at him and he had this HUGE grin on his face... she said what.....  next thing she knows... he is lifting his right leg up off the ground !!!!!!His foot was coming off the ground by 18 inches!!!!  WOOHOOO!!!!  He still had this grin on his face - he was so proud and you know what- we all are!  This can not be an easy task for anyone who is going thru similar ordeals - but this is a huge milestone and we will take it!!!!  He then preceded to take his right foot and pulled it up to rest upon his left knee  - he held it there for awhile.  I believe this is the first time that he's done that movement too - so the leg muscles are working, and they are stretched out and I tend to believe, that the muscles in his leg are directly attached to the muscles in all of our faces as we will be smiling huge tonight!!!
I'm still in shock of happiness that he did this tonight- I really think mom also needed this movement to re-assure her of his progress.
I think I forgot to mention that the catheter is back out - it was out, then they put in back in for I believe a day or 2, but then it's back out and things are working there too.  I have some vacation days coming up, I'm looking forward to seeing him in motion in his therapy and what all they do.

I will definitely be putting in extra thoughts & prayers tonight, not only for dad, but for the other residents that are currently at OWL and working on their rehab. 

Tears of joy tonight - Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, and support for dad & all of us. 

Tuesday May 15

Guess what I found out.... OWL does a daily schedule print out for the family to have a record of what he does.. well, to some extent, OT @ 8, SP @ 9-10 PT 10-10:30, OT @ 10:30  for the morning, then the afternoon 1:30 SP, 2 PT & 4 Therapeutic Recreation.  I have no idea what therapeutic recreation is, whether it's sitting outside with the group- or where the group meets at the HUB with the big screen tv.
I didn't hear a report from Donna for what all he did today, so today is pretty vague on what he did.


Wednesday May 16
Dawn & Emma & I saw dad tonight - he was quite the jokester - telling stories and asking questions to Dawn & I.  Heard dad is going to the farmers' market in dsm on saturday - & hopefully I'm going to go too - just gotta be at OWL by 7:15...boy is that early.
He showed us his movement of his right leg & foot and was in pretty good spirits about it.  He has a north facing window and there's this Canada Goose that wanders around the property - back in forth in front of dad's window, standing completely still when people walk by, but when the cars come, the goose almost walks to it and expects them to stop so he can stand in the road and maybe cross it to go to the little pond.. we've never seen a 'mama' goose with this one, but then again, how do you know the sex of a Canada Goose... I may have to google that to see.  At one point I asked to dad... do you suppose that's a boy goose or a girl??  I can't see any dingleberries.... ohhh the look and chuckle I got from dad - still makes me laugh.


Thursday May 17
7 - OT learning to dress himself, 8:30-9:30 PT,9:30-10:30 SP, 10:30-12:30 OT . then the afternoon he got 30 min each of SP,PT& music therapy.  I did hear about the music therapy & dad isn't enthused about it.  He listens to music when he's in the truck - that's about it.  He did see Aaron Tippin once, but as far as I know, that's the only concert he's been to.  He likes the old country, Johnny Cash for one.  I have never heard dad sing, but he likes to listen... so when the Music therapist sings a verse and wants him to sing or say the last word,... his response... ' keep going...'  he doesn't want her to stop, just keep going.  I have to chuckle at the mere thought of hearing him say that.  Bless her heart though for trying. 

Friday May 18 

Wow... I missed a few days here - sorry, I'll go back tomorrow and fill in the blanks for T-TH.  Found out that OWL gives us a daily report - I just found this out - so I'll refer to those reports to fill in the past couple days.

Dad is walking more and more everyday - basically on his own!  When he gets tired and the PT gal knows it.  He's doing really well at taking steps on his own, and walking around 150-200 feet with the quad cane.  Some time today, dad got to do YOGA!!  ok, as I quietly giggle to myself...at the mere thought of dad in downward dog pose .. nooo, it's not that type of yoga, it's more of finding his center, and working on balance, and laying on his back, and pulling his butt up off the mat, using his butt muscles and legs, strengthening his core muscles- or the stomache/back muscles, getting him ready to take larger stride in his step.  It's neat to watch him move his right arm (with his left hand) down to his stomache, then move his right shoulder a little to get the arm muscles to move and get that hand back up on the support rest.  The sense of accomplishment dad shows in his face as he's showing us what he's been working on... the leg movement, the foot movement, crossing his legs like he used to, working on his right arm/hand/fingers.  This is no means an easy task, and recovery never goes as fast as we want it to, but he's doing it and doing it well.
The movement is coming back to his right arm and it's just a matter of time before it's back into his right hand and fingers. 
He's only been at OWL for 9 days and the progress he's made is amazing.  One day at a time, moving forward to get back as much as we can so we can get him home and continue with what was a normal life.
Dad has his own room, but he shares a bathroom with the next room, and Todd graduated today.  They had a party for him and we all wish him the best as he continues his path of recovery.
So probably in the next day or two after they sterilize that room, dad will get a new suite-mate.
Well, better sign off for the night - going to the dsm farmers' market with OWL & dad tomorrow- I have to get up earlier than I'm used to..  Should be a great day!

Saturday May 19
Today was the day that dad & 6 other OWL residents were taken out on a 'field trip' to the DesMoines Farmer's Market.  I was told that the bus will leave @ 7:30, so when I realized that I'm most likely going to be late... I started to panic - and memories of all the trips to Canada or whenever dad was driving and when he says the ride leaves @ 7:30.... the ride leaves at 7:30... whether you're there or not... so better not be late...  Well, yes, I made it with 8 minutes to spare... well, actually more, by the time all the helpers got there and everyone loaded up, I didn't need to worry.  Dad of course, was sitting by the door waiting for me... and when I walked in, HUGE smile on his face- I think he was a little bit excited for the trip. 
The DSM farmer's market is down on Court Ave - and it's a very large market - it spans 4 blocks in length, and then at each intersection, it spans a block each way....wow is all I can say for it's size.
Now the part that I think dsm needs to focus on, is the public safety.  The sidewalks/street and parking are HORRIBLE for anyone that requires a wheelchair or walking assistace - As I'm pushing dad in his chair, I had a learning curve to focus on the path in which we take the chair, the angle of approach on a ramp to the sidewalk, from the sidewalk, the slightest change in the sidewalk, if it's not level, the bottom of the foot rest on dad's chair would snag and we'd be stopped, then we had to back up, re-assess the area, then attempt it again.  Not only did I have to do this, but the other 5 wheelchairs that were with us.
I have never looked at the design and condition of sidewalks till today.  I realized the best sidewalk, is a solid piece of concrete - no paver bricks to make a pretty design, no trees planted in the sidewalks with a cut out of the sidewalk for the tree to expand and the area around the tree full of mulch.  Those places that have sidewalk seating...and fencing to protect their seating, are horrible for street traffic.  And don't even get me started on the lack of handicapped parking!!!!!!
I won't go into the number of people that litterally drag their purse sized dogs behind them for the other people walking to potentially step on them... please people... they have a fur coat on... leave them home.
Dad & I went off on our own a little bit, while the others stopped for a breakfast burrito, we walked 2 blocks down & back, found him a couple donuts & a pepsi.  Saw Matt & his family there- interesting how you run into people you know where-ever you go.  I found a pussy willow tree - that instead of the normal silver/white pods - they're black... so when I made a comment to dad about it being an 'Obama Tree'  since it's a black pussy willow, he literally laughed out loud!!!

I got to witness today, thru my watering eyes, dad walking with the quad cane!!!  I've heard Donna talk about him walking, and it's great, but when you see it for yourself for the first time, it's quite emotional.  Each of the residents had to complete a task today, and I witnessed, took photos, and a video on my phone of dad walking the equivalent to a block!!!  You can tell when he gets tired and I think the combination of the wind, heat, the amount of people, noise and walking, he was exhausted. 

Will definitely have to re-visit the dsm farmers' market & submit an email to the city about the sidewalk conditions.
We were only there for about 2 hours but I know I was tired, and dad & the other OWL residents were tired as well.  It was a great day to be out and about.


Sunday May 20
No therapy on Sundays - but dad & mom discussed what's going on locally.

Monday May 21
9 therapy sessions today. Walked over 400 feet up and down the halls.  He's starting to move his right arm moreso from his shoulder, but it's movement and we'll take it.  I hear they placed a mirror in front of him, he had to look at his left hand's reflection and try to make his right hand move the way his left hand was moving.  He got his hand to turn over, but was still unable to move his fingers.  The fingers will come - there are a lot of little nerves that run to the fingers, so it will take some time to get all those nerve endings to communicate with the brain. 
I find their therapy antics if you want to call them that... but very interesting.  I'm sure years of learning and trial & error, they have fine-tuned the therapy to work for each person, granted I'm sure it's still different person to person, but over-all the same goal is in mind.

Tuesday May 22
Today was filled!!!  Therapy sessions, but also a few hours of fun - a few of the residents were able to go to the Iowa Cubs baseball game!!!  Dad got to ride in the front seat, instead of in his wheelchair.  They gave him the parking lot money to hang on to - so that was good he was in charge of it till they needed it.
Tonight, Dawn & John & Emma & I all went to visit with dad - very talkative and he had a visitor that we've known for a very long time - Milt - we were talking about different things and at one point, dad got on a laughing fit & couldn't stop, which made us all laugh more.
He was watching his fingers intently tonight, could almost hear the cogs turning in his mind, wanting those fingers to move and boy I would have enjoyed seeing that. We have to be patient - it will happen, never soon enough, but it will happen.

Wednesday May 23

What a day!!!!  Some of the residents of OWL went to Dennis Albaugh's place- for those who do not know the name of Dennis Albaugh, let me drop your jaws, and make your eyes grow bigger.  Dennis has a chevy car collection, also known as the pesticide prince per the Forbes magazine- anyway, he has quite the collection of Chevy cars - over 100 last I heard.
Anyway, this is where dad went today on a field trip - I've never been there, but I heard that dad did not take his wheelchair - he went with his quad cane.  Walking from where they parked, all thru the tour of the cars, and back to the parking lot.  I'm sure it was alot of walking and looking and drooling at the amazing collection.  I am sad that I missed this, and envious of those who witnessed dad's progress today.
Dad also has the quad cane in his room, for him to utilize when he gets up in the morning, to use with assistance to use the restroom, instead of getting up out of bed, sitting in the chair, wheeling to the bathroom and then getting back up just to sit back down on the stool... then repeating the process to get back to bed.... sounds like progress to me!!!! 

Found out that part of dad's therapy, was including what they did yesterday, the baseball game, how many home runs, who played, who won, etc etc.  Since it was dad's first baseball game- I'm sure there were questions he didn't know, and was most likely busy 'people watching'.  So it will be interesting of the therapy questions they ask tomorrow about where they went today.

We are looking forward to Rose Festival in June and being able to bring him home for the day to visit everyone and see the sights.  It may be too soon for him to be home permanently, but we think this day trip will bring the realization that we're all getting closer to his graduation day of leaving OWL.

I hear he had a couple visitors today-Al & Chipper - boy do I love hearing when friends go to visit 2-3 times a month, and they see the tremendous strides on dad's improvement.  Yes we can see the little steps of progress daily, but to hear from others who've visited and are impressed with his progress - that is music to our hearts & souls.

Thursday May 24
8 therapy sessions today and dads' favorite....laughing yoga...HAHAHA!!!!  not really his favorite but I think it is starting to make him just let loose and laugh about the 'stupidity' of it.

Friday May 25
Mom & Donna went down today for the meeting of the minds aka-meeting with the doctors/therapists/nurses, etc.  They all believe that he is doing wonderful- his progress is going better than they were thinking.  ST told dad that the words are in his mind, but he's having trouble picking out that word to say it, to which dad agreed.
The doctor's are wanting to address the carotid artery on the left side neck- but they will wait for 3 weeks when we have the next meeting of the minds.
Each therapist reminds dad of what he need to improve - lifting his toe when he walks, etc.
So in order for dad to be able to come home around Rose Festival time, Donna & mom had to learn to walk with him for balance, load/unload into the car, take to the restroom, etc.  So they each took a turn and loaded and unloaded him in the car - then since they passed, they were able to take him for a drive and took him to Emma's Pre-school graduation!!! 
Another day closer to bringing him home for good!!!

In the rehab room, they have a 3 step riser - they had dad go up and down them 3 times!!

Saturday May 26

Well.... As subborn as he is and can be... and knowing that he's walking pretty good - he decides to go the bathroom on his own, and he fell.  Nothing broken that the staff could tell, but we'll see how many bruises show up in the next day or two.  Donna went to visit today - and I'm not sure what he had for therapy.   So now, he has to have a beeper if he tries to get out of bed without assistance.
Dad mentioned to Donna today - can I come home?  He even called mom to see if he could -  since it was 2:30 in the afternoon, we thought it would be better to come home Sunday and make it all day vs a couple hours.

Sunday May 27
Dad is home today!!!! WOOHOO!!!!  I'll update later

Donna went and picked up dad - who knowing that he was able to come home for the day.... was waiting by the door and was as antsy as a 5 year old going to the circus!!!  He wasn't interested in Donna driving around to the different farms, driving thru town, nope, he wanted to head to the shop and see all the dogs and even asked about the cats... He was a little confused and asked about Penni - she died 6 months or so ago.  I sent out a mass text message, posted on facebook, and mom called people that she knew that would want to know he was around for the day.  Some of those we contacted had other things going on - which with the short notice- we do understand.  We are very thankful for all those that call to check on dad - but all the visitors today - was just amazing.  He laughed, teared up, chatted up a storm.  I think by the time we finished supper and started getting ready for the drive back to OWL, he started showing how tired he was.  Today is definitely a step towards him coming home, and we all hope that today kicks him into gear and keeps working hard.  Next day trip that is planned is Rose Festival - but who knows maybe there will be another day between then and now that he can come home on a day pass.

Everyone that stopped in today to see dad - says he's looking good, and they're pleasantly surprised.  I think you hear the word 'Stroke' and you automatically think the worst and that it's nearly impossible to recover.  I truly believe that his work ethic, working hard and working long has served it's purpose - he would most likely not be with us, or as far progressed as he is, had he a different work ethic.
We see his progress daily, but to hear the progress that others see - when they've visited 3 times since the beginning... well that just brings tears to my eyes and hope to my heart.

Monday May 28
They grilled out today!!  Dad was walking up and down the back sidewalk, and then he was in charge of grilling the food of hotdogs, hamburgers & brats - and the gals brought pasta salads & desserts.
I'm sure he was thinking he had his smoker & seasonings...
Since really no therapy sessions -  dad enjoyed the outside and Donna sat outside with him.  He was watching the neighbors across the way set up their pool.
Dad pointed to his right hand/fingers - but Donna didnt' look quick enough to see it.

Tuesday May 29
Dad walked outside today...in the grass!!!! walking slowing and he was taking his time because of not knowing if the ground was flat or uneven... and with a normal cane - not the quad cane!!! WOOHOO!
When he walks now, the right foot is not turned out as much as it used to.  When he's tired, you can tell, the right foot starts to drag more.
He was also on a stationary bicycle for therapy - ok, I wish I would have seen that...dad on a bike...hehe  One of his therapy sessions.... she says salt, he says....... she says black, he says.....
yes to say the least, he doesn't like that type of session at all.  So Donna talked with the gal about what he does... to use words more towards dad... Smith &..... buldozer & ...... dog &...... powder... etc.
you get the point.

Dad got a new thing on his chair- it's a different kind of arm rest- it's like a trough to where his arm rests in the whole thing.
I hear there was 9 therapy sessions today- I'm assuming to catch up from missing yesterday due to the holiday.
They hooked up dads' right arm to the electrodes and they had dad watch his right hand and make the left hand do whatever the right hand & fingers were doing. He had the biggest smile on his face when he saw them moving.
We've been told that with a stroke, where there is sided paralysis - that the leg is the first muscle group to move, followed by the arm, then the last thing to move is the fingers.  The muscles are so much smaller in the hand/fingers to why it takes longer

Wednesday May 30

Took Copper dog to see dad last night - dad was happy to see him, Copper on the other hand would not settle down- he was still wound up, whiney, and the drool... oh my goodness!

Dad was talkative about sundays' events and the number of people that came to see him.  I told him about Dawn & John fishing- and that it's probably a good thing that he & mom didn't go since it's cold and they're not catching many, and the issues John is having with the boat.  The boat was working before they left, but decided to have issues when they got up there.  That's enough to just spoil a vacation, but hopefully they can catch more fish from the dock.

Donna went down to see dad for the day- so I'll post more later when I hear the details from today.

Thursday May 31
Well well well...dad is quite the rule breaker!!! HAHAHA!  well, it's for his own safety - he already fell trying to walk on his own to the bathroom, this time, instead of 'bugging' one of the gals- he wheels over to the tv at the nurses station, pulls himself up while hanging onto the counter to grab the tv remote and got busted!!!!  So now, not only does he have an alarm for when he tries to get out of bed, he has a 2nd strap on his chair to prevent him from getting up.... the dreaded brown belt.  He's not happy about it at all - but it's for his own safety - he does NOT need to break anything and re-start from scratch from all he's accomplished.

Friday June 1
Worked on walking and stepping to left to the left to the left, to the right to the right to the right -  ok sorry, started thinking about that line dance song..haha
He rode the sitting bike today 35 min-.4 miles. worked with his right hand with cans/cones and beanbags, beanbag toss was a little hard since he wasn't able to grasp it, but was able to bend the fingers with his left hand to make a scoop with his hand to hold the beanbag and then swing his arm back and forth to launch the beanbag.
In speech therapy- discussion about fishing, guns, smoking food and his smokers- it was a good conversation.

Saturday June 2
I didn't get an update for today... sorry.

Sunday June 3
Dad came home for the day again today!!  I was able to watch him walk into the shop and his gait is getting better- he's picking up the pace some and not stopping as often to rest.
We were orginally going to take him fishing today for the free fishing weekend - but he decided to stay at the shop.  I went fishing with sister & her family, but heard dad had a good day visiting with those who stopped in to say hi.
I got back from fishing just in time to help dad to the car and you can tell when he gets tired - his gait was still good, but he needed to stop a couple times to rest in the 30 feet from inside the shop to Donna's car.

Monday June 4
today is the 2 month mark from the beginning of this ordeal.  I can only remember that day.

Tuesday June 5
I took Sierra down to see dad tonight - another resident Tegan and his wife were sitting outside and Teagan's face lit up when he saw Sierra - so I took Sierra over to see him - Sierra is the best dog - she let him pet her ever so gently and when she felt Tegan quit, she sat and looked at him if only to say, Thank you.
Sierra & I went inside and I think Sierra knows exactly where to go, she went to the chapel, since there were people inside there, looked around, then she led me to the hub area, stopped, looked around at the other residents and then went down dad's hall.  Dad had a visitor already, Milt- aka Uncle Milt as we knew him growing up- not related- just always came to the shop to shoot.
Dad's face lit up as he saw Sierra (not when he saw me of course- but yes to the dog!!!  HAHA)
I had stopped at McDonalds and brought dad a berry smoothie, some chicken nuggets and we shared the fries.  Dad wasn't very talkative tonight - and when he did, it was almost in code - starting the conversation at the middle or end of the story, and then finally I caught on to what he was trying to say.  Going to have to sharpen my mind-reader skills and figure out what he's talking about to avoid some confusion on both our parts and then the frustration because we're not understanding what he's trying to tell us.

Wednesday June 6
Mom went down to OWL this am -dad has a consult for a sleep study - obviously they don't like dad's snoring at night...LOL  will hear more later about this appt.

I went to see dad tonight, Dawn,John & Emma were there tonight as well.  Emma & I played a game of regular checkers, then a game of give-away - dad liked that idea and helped Emma after watching us play, then got to laughing when he thought he had 2 kings to my 1 king checkers- and he tried to move backwards - to which then when I corrected him, he calls me a cheater (only because he knew then I had him beat HAHAHA) Then Emma & I played a quick game of dominoes.  Dad was tired tonight & you can tell - he gets quiet and has a hard time finding words.

Thursday June 7
Dad walked around the whole building today!!  I'm not sure how far that is, but I think its around 4-5 blocks, and its not a flat surface - I heard he was very tired after that accomplishment.  They did a PT project where there are blue dots on the wall and he was supposed to raise his right hand up & touch the blue dots - well, he would get so high and it would start to hurt-(not sure if it was his elbow or shoulder that was painful) so they're going to do an X-Ray to see if he broke something when he fell in the bathroom.  His range of motion is not as well as it used to be since he fell - and hopefully he just pulled a muscle instead of breaking a bone.


Friday June 8
Dad was in an odd mood today - he told Donna to wait in his room and he took off down the hall in his chair - after being gone for a little while, Donna went looking for him and found him at the nurses station/HUB - she asked what he was doing, and his reply was ' I'm breaking outta this joint- I'm going home.  Well, ok, it's good that he has this in mind - so then he can continue his progress and get the right hand/fingers moving and improve his walking to where he needs no assisitance and then guess what dad- you can come home.  We are getting there- just not there yet.

Saturday June 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM!!!!


Sunday June 10
DAD IS COMING HOME TODAY!!!!
Dad's visit today was well... a yo- yo of emotions. We all look forward to the day dad comes home not just for a day-pass, but permanently.  We are getting so close and as much as we'd like to chip in and do the work, it's all up to dad.  He has to be the one to do the work, go to therapy, as much as it's 'stupid' or 'rediculous' he has to participate to get himself moving forward towards the same goal as we all do -  to be back home.
He walked a lot today- more than I have ever seen him - even compared to last sunday- his stride and pace that he walks- is better in just 7 days.  I recorded him last week, wish I would have thought to record him today. When there weren't any customers, he decided he wanted to go to the house.  So up out of that wheelchair and the 3 of us start up to the house.  of course just as we get to the front door - 2 cars drive in.  Mom helped him navigate thru the house, as I walked down to the shop to help the customers.  I was done with them, and went up to the house to see dad sitting in his chair in the living room.  I told mom- let me know when you're ready to come back down to the shop and I'll come help with the steps, in case it's needed.  20 min later, mom calls so I'm up to the house to help & I meet them in the office of the house.  Dad's crying, mom's crying.. so of course - I start crying.  I don't know what really to say, so I focus on what we need to do around the property to prepare to bring him home -  so I asked dad, now that you've walked thru the house- how are the steps- are they too big of a step, do we need to remove some throw carpets to make it easier to walk.  I then told dad someone from OWL is supposed to come to the house to assess the property.  Hand rails, checking out the steps into the house, the bathroom/shower etc.
Dad does really well with walking -  I hang onto the gait belt ( a belt that goes around the torso in case one would fall - we can help keep their balance) but when I hang onto the gait belt- I'm not holding him up, he's doing it all himself!!!  the only time really that needs a little extra hanging on for balance is the steps- but that is improving daily and I can tell in just 7 days that steps are getting easier. So he walks to the shop -  another 50 feet!  When we come into the shop, he decides he doesn't want the wheelchair - he want's mom's wheeled office chair. 

A little later- he decides he wants to go for a ride -  I grab mom's truck and pull up sideways to the front step so he doesn't have to step up into mom's truck.  We drove around looked at 'the hill' where we store equipment, drove past the lower shop - more storage for equipment and he looked at the huge dirt hill and the rock piles, drove past the corner of rock, stoped to chat at a few people we saw in town, went & put fuel in mom's truck, then drove more around town.  I noticed dad wasn't talking a whole lot -  just pointing in the direction... I said to him (as he's said to me many times in my life)  I can't hear your head rattle or hear your finger point - you're going to have to tell me which way you want to go -  I'm driving... HAHA!  well, that seemed to work, he started to tell me your way, my way, forward.  we drove past the rose garden in full bloom, Brian's new building, the old RR depot building that the town got from the City of Zearing. and when he really wanted to look... it was slow down a minute.  There you go dad- good job- communication is key  - I can't always be a mind reader-although, sometimes seems like I'm good at it..... sometimes...
When we got back from the drive around town I pulled up again, and I helped dad out of the truck, 20 feet to the building, up a step into the building and to a chair for him to sit down all by myself!  Not that I've had the training from OWL like mom & Donna has, but I just hung onto the gait belt.  He walks very good & I can really see the improvement in the last 2 months-6 days since this all started.
He walked to the bathroom and back to the front, then back for supper - at supper- he was onery as he could be!!!  picking on me- poking me with his elbow to get my attention- then laughed harder when I started poking him in the side where he's most tickleish- and then poked him in the belly and laughed like the pilllsbury doughboy - which only made him laugh more!!
I passed dad a bun and a burger and gave him some cheese, but he assembled it all himself, unwrapping the cheese one handed. If he wanted beans,chips,jello,etc. I held the container and he could dish out what he wanted, or I put the container in front of him  - this is something we'd do normally.  The only thing I dished up for him was the dessert - homemade shortbread & oreo cheesecake.
all in all- it was a good day - some sad moments- but I hope that today fuels the perverbial fire under his butt and get some things accomplished and get him home!

He will be home again next saturday June 16 for Rose Festival - is it saturday yet?

Monday June 11
Interesting tactics therapy uses to get the mind/body to work together...  they had dad on his hands/knees on this elevated mat - now with his right arm having maybe 20% strength I'm sure it was interesting, but maybe it was to get some flexibility to the arm, to get the mind to work a little harder to make the muscles feel the resistance and working the muscles in the arm, could be working the muscles in the back and stomach to help with walking and standing/sitting up. Either way -  they seem to know what they're doing and dad has the progress to show it.
I hear also, that in the therapy room (and therapy room only) - they walk with dad hanging onto the gait belt- but he walks WITHOUT  the quad cane!!!  That's not something we want to try here at home - only due to the uneven grounds and well, frankly, I would feel horrible if we did and he fell.

Tuesday June 12
I'm not sure what happened in therapy today - Donna had a vehicle appt.  Dad tried telling mom they had a fire alarm today and a lot of vehicles showed up for it. (wondering who pulled the alarm.....)
also heard they changed the code to get out of the building again - one of the residents found out the code and went for a walk and they didn't know they left the building... don't know if it was dad or not, but I would think OWL would have called to let us know.
So if you visit dad - the code is a secret and it changes almost weekly - don't tell him either, and be careful for who is around you that may overhear.
He was in pretty good spirits tonight with mom - and I think she definitely needed that!  When dad isn't very talk-a-tive, or is hard to understand, mom gets a little down.  Thinking maybe mom might need some hearing aids to hear dad - he is talking softer than he used to too.
Milt visited again today - I think he stops by to see dad 2 times a week - Thanks Milt!!!

Wednesday June 13
Dad had a special therapy session today.... with another resident -Teagan, who is at OWL due to a fall from scaffolding, and with his injury - doesn't communicate much.  One of the therapist found out in talking with Teagan's wife, that Teagan has a collection of guns -  something in common with dad. The therapists asked Teagan's wife and mom if it would be ok if they brought the two of them together to discuss for a therapy session to help both of them.  So today they had that session, and I think it helped -  as soon as they mentioned to Teagan about dad's collection of guns and his background, Teagan raised his head and had a huge smile on his face.  I didn't get the complete run-down of what was discussed, but I believe they will continue this therapy session with them.  Proud and Happy moment for both dad & Teagan.
Therapy of throwing bean bags with both arms & working on dad's balance on 2 circular air pillows on the floor.

Thursday June 14
Mom & her brother Jim & Sharon will visit today!!  They started out in dad's room, then they all went to the cafeteria for supper, then dad gave them all a tour of the building & where they do his therapy sessions.  The PT room was unlocked so the 4 of them went inside and dad talked about what he does at each station for therapy.  Even though it was a huge room, they could close the door and hear each other, instead of staying at dad's room and hearing all the hallway noise. 
I hear they had a great visit for over 5 hours talking about Jim & Sharon's kids and grandkids, graduation, their travels, dad's day-passes home and Rose Festival this weekend.  Mom said dad talked the best she's ever heard, there were just a few words that she couldn't make out what he said, but it was due to him talking so soft. -mom.... do you need hearing aids?? HAHA just teasing.

Friday June 15
I didn't make it down tonight to see had - I hear dad is antsy to come home tomorrow.


Saturday June 16
DAD'S DAY-PASS TODAY!!!!  ROSE FESTIVAL HERE WE COME!!
LOOK FOR HIM ON THE GOLFCART
What a day!!!  This was the first parade dad has physically seen in over 40 years!  he's either working, running the parade, or running the shop so mom could see the parade.  We sat up on the library grounds near the beginning of the parade and dad saw so many people that stopped to say hello and  commented how well he looks!  That should be a great ego booster for him I would hope - he does look good from going thru this ordeal.  I lost count after around 50 that stopped to talk to him before and then some after the parade.  We drove the cart up to the grocery store and then there were around 20 more people that stopped to say hello.  With it starting to get warm, dad had enough of the festivities and was ready for lunch.  Back out to the shop we go - when we get there - a guy had drove clear from Indiana to buy a smoker- so Dawn & I loaded it up for him and then we had lunch of bologna sandwiches. 
Dad then hung out at the shop trying to keep cool all afternoon - wanting to go out on the golfcart for a quick drive around and then back to visit with people that stopped in to see him.
Supper we decided to have pizza and boy was dad ornery to 10th degree!!!  he was picking on me and bumping my elbow, so I would poke him in the ribs and in the belly and do the pillsbury doughboy giggle - which of course that makes him chuckle.  After supper I asked him to tell the Ooey bird story (which I've been asking for the last 3 weeks for him to tell that story) because it's a visual story I held out my hand to represent the ground and asked a few questions that pertained to the joke - and dad told the story.  AHHHHHH  the mind remembers !!!!  Then since I had him on a roll - I asked him to tell the story of mr.lizzard and mr turtell, since it's a long story, and I can never remember the whole thing, he told the story. I'm wondering if there are 2 stories of mr.lizzard and mr.turtell since I didn't remember hearing this one before, but either way, dad told the very long story and it's another way to keep the memory in the mind as he is quite the story teller.
He got some walking in today, to the front of the shop, to the back, to the front, outside and around  -  probably not as much as they would make him do at rehab - but it shows he's getting more comfortable with walking around the shop.
all in all - a very good day!!!  Dawn learned from the rehab facility how to walk with dad, load/unload in the car, bathroom trips ,etc, So Dawn was able to take dad back on her way home to DSM.

He decided he would like to come back tomorrow - so Donna said she'd come get him.

Sunday June 17
Another all in all a good day today.  Dad wasn't as much of a jokester today -   a little more serious.  but he watched one of his favorite shows - Pawn Stars.  There was a few guns we showed dad that came in to ask him what kind of gun it was (we didnt' see one before either- so we didn't know) Brad held it, dad looked at it, flipped it partly and looked at it more, studied every part of the gun (as he would normally do) and he pointed at a few things that shouldn't have been on the gun - they weren't original, then he said what caliber it was, couldnt' figure out what brand it was till he said to look up some numbers then we found out what make it was.
We had Mason's porkloin sandwiches for lunch and then again for supper.  He had a good 3 hr visit from a past neighbor and they laughed alot! 
When it came time to load up and head back to the rehab facility, I gave dad one last doughboy giggle and poke in the belly to make him laugh and he said, see you later.
Monday June 18
Dad rode a stationary bike today and worked on his right leg, lifting it up off the cot while laying down.  Working with his right arm, lifting it up and try to straighten it while it's up over the head.

Tuesday June 19
Heard today that he was on a stationary bike, and was getting stronger that they have to upgrade what he's lifting with his arms!  It's similar to a bench press, only it's made of PVC piping and he doesn't lay on his back.  He walked down the halls today without his cane!!!  This is only allowed with the therapists- they recommend that the family does NOT do this quite yet.
Working with his right leg today- moving it forward, to the side and to the back. Working on being able to bend over and pick up something off the floor to keep his balance.
Stroke victim support group tonight 6:30-8:30 so we didn't go down to see him.

Wednesday June 20
Meeting of the minds today - all the doctors, nurses,staff, mom,dad & donna meet today to discuss his progress & focus on what needs to be done by him and what we need to do at home to prepare.
Well the meeting went great- they are all pleased with his progress and how quickly he meets the goals that they set for him.
Was told today that they will have another meeting of the minds in a month....IF DAD IS STILL THERE!


I went to visit dad tonight with Sierra dog.  It was a peaceful visit at first as one of the residents was gone for the day... but returned in full formation.  Yelling just outside dads' closed door that she was thirsty and wanting one of the nurses to bring her food and drink... which that set off another resident being annoyed and yelling out he wanted a million dollars..whaaa whaaa whaaa...  oops... was I not supposed to laugh and giggle from inside dad's closed room??  yes I laughed, dad laughed... another point I brought up to dad to focus on him, and on his hand/fingers to get them moving so he can come home sooner than the projected aug 5.  Dad showed me that he could hang onto a ball with his right hand and lift up his right arm- this is awesome!!  getting closer and closer and I think the day that it starts to move will the slingshot into the final part of his therapy/recovery at OWL.
Dad & I had a slight meeting of the minds ourselves.... I commented to him that he's gaining and doing good- his comment back - I don't care about gaining, I don't care.  ok dad, that wasn't the right thing to say to me... so I went on to tell him that it's good that he is gaining, and that for the last 2 months 16 days... this is how much you've gained!!!  You went from not eating or drinking for the first 5 days,... barely talking barely understanding what you said, let alone moving your right side, not walking,... to today... walking, talking, eating, drinking, and starting to move your arm... this is definitely gaining...in only 2 months 16 days.

I'm sure in his mind..it seems like years that he's been like this and it's slow gaining... but it's not.  I tried to think of things that he has done and enjoyed in the last year and tried to get him to focus on working hard and doing his therapy so he can do these things again.. fishing..hunting... prairie dog shooting, moving snow.
I think he has something to focus on now to get him better and get him home.
Of course, I had to end the night.... coming back into his room and say hey dad.... and poked him in the belly to do the doughboy giggle...making him literally laugh out loud and shake his head at me.
It's good to laugh.... right?  LOL


Thursday June 21
Today was an off-day.  I think my chat with dad last night got him thinking but made the mind work on 'crossed wires' so to speak.  He wasn't able to tell the therapist what kind of gun he shoots when he shoots prairie dogs, and wasn't able to tap his left foot on a board when his weight was on the right foot.  If I look at this in a different perspective.. it's a good thing really.  His mind is working harder and trying to re-wire itself for the next recovery..  So if we have a small lapse, ok, the mind is powerful and will over-come this hurdle.
Mom went to see dad tonight so I'm waiting to hear.  Since dad's coming home for the weekend, mom had to learn to run the CPAP machine - oh yeah, they don't like dad's snoring and think he has sleep apnea...mom commented, it better be a quiet machine or it'll get thrown out the window..LOL

The plan for this weekend!!!!  Dad will have his therapy Saturday am, then Donna will bring him home to go to Mike Bodie's Birthday party Saturday afternoon, and guess what -  he's been given an overnight pass!!!  He'll stay home overnight Saturday thru Sunday then go back to OWL Sunday night!!!  This is progress!!!!

Friday June 22
I have to start out by saying OWL is a great facility and we're so grateful that dad is doing his rehab there- and the other residents that are gaining by being there are grateful... but when you have one person who in the whole time dad has been there - in my opinion, not gaining but getting more vocal and demanding and not appearing to be getting better is hindering the recovery process of others, then maybe it's time for that person to find another location - yes I do understand every brain injury is different, and they have as much right to recovery as the next - but I was a phone call away from calling the facility for a grievance.  I'm sorry 'Stacy' is not getting better- but it's not helping my dad for her screaming and yelling out while wheeling down the hallways at all times of the day and at bedtime when other residents are trying to recouperate from their daily therapy.
Of course the flipside to that... I told dad that because of her and her actions.... that should be a motivator for you to do the work and work on getting better faster so you can come home sooner.

Well, come to find out, I must have not been alone on this thought about 'Stacy'  she is no longer at OWL - they were sterilizing her room today when Donna went to see dad. 
I'm happy that dad and the other residents won't have to hear her going on and on, however, I am wondering where she went, and can only hope and pray for her and her recovery.

Saturday June 23
Well..... todays the day!!!  Dad got an overnight pass-holy cow!!  The facility would NOT allow a day pass, let alone an overnight pass if dad wasn't getting better!!!
He had 3 rounds of therapy this am, and the plan was that Donna was going to be there at noon and bring him home.  Well, that was the plan.  Dad finished his therapy sooner than we thought and he called on the phone very ready for Donna to come get him.HAHAHA!!!!  So He's hanging out at the shop today for a little while till a local friend Mike has his 70th birthday party.  Many people stopped in today for other things and was surprised to see dad doing so great for the short time after his stroke.
Donna took dad to the party and was happy to see so many people for Mike's birthday, and the number of people that talked with dad too - good therapy to work on his speech and memory of seeing people.

I think dad was a little tired when he got back, he kept doing the head bob- granted while he's been at OWL, they get them ready for bed around 8... which is why dad likes visitors at night, so he can stay up closer to 9.  So when the shop closes at 10, I could see how tired dad was, walking 200 feet from the shop to the house &  it was hard for him to step up on the steps into the house, finally to the kitchen, he had to sit for a moment to get ready for bed.
As I drove home, all I could think about is dads first night home, how will he sleep, how will mom sleep, will they have issues at night, issues in the morning, etc.  The thoughts that run through your mind wondering 'what if' can be scary, mainly because it is unknown.  I think that this was an overnight trial run for both dad & mom. 

Sunday June 24
Well, the overnight went fine- dad & mom both slept in their beds...aka... recliners - HAHA!
Mom commented that she didn't sleep well, one of those sleeps that your eyes are closed, but you hear what's going on around you.  She didn't hear dad snore at all.  Seems things went well overnight and both were down at the shop when I got here after 9.  Dogs running around but I think they sense that they need to be more careful around dad.  Normally they would be running around his legs, jumping on his lap, etc.. but since dad's ordeal, they've been cautious around him.
Dawn & John & Emma are coming up today and we're going to have a family supper tonight.

Found a Waiver that we had to sign -  Therapeutic overnight pass -  woohoo!!
Planned activity: home safety trial
1. work on safe transfers & walking using a single point cane
2. will verbalize functional target words(family member names, pet names,gun shop words) with verbal cues or modeling.
3. will practice self corrections & repetition on stating words/phrases
4. complete toilet t/f & toileting with CGA safely
5. Gather clothing & items for morning routine from w/c with modified independence
6. complete dressing with no more than CGA/min A with standing part
7. Safe completion with ADL tasks at night with min vc's.

ok, so I understand most of that.... sometimes I wish they wouldn't use terminology that the normal person doesn't understand.

We put on a toilet seat riser on the shop bathroom & also put a shower seat in the house to be prepared.

Monday June 25
whoops!!!  boy did we hear about it today!!!  Someone at OWL messed up on allowing dad to have an overnight pass - hopefully that won't cause the insurance to have a fit - if he's well enough for an overnight stay, he's well enough to leave the facility was the comment about insurance.
so needless to say, there won't be another overnight. But we can still get him on sat,take him back sat night and then get him on sunday all day as long as he sleeps in the OWL bed at night.

Today therapy session was titled - yesterday, today, tomorrow and dad had to draw with his right hand.  'Yesterday' is a picture that is hard to see due to the color used - but it's a picture of a house, a bulldozer, and then a picture of the house after using the bulldozer.
'Today' is stick figures of dad and some of the people in the therapy room doing a therapy session of 'volleyball' with a balloon. 
'Tomorrow' is a picture of their house, the gunshop and mom & dad with smiles on their faces.

makes me think of when we got dad to play pictionary a few years back... yes, same type of figures, but the fact that he's getting more motion in the right hand & fingers to hang onto a crayon  - wow.  Good Job!
I think I"m going to have to take a picture of his drawings - might post them, not sure how I feel about that yet.

Tuesday June 26
Dad walked more today- they had him going up and down the long corridor without a cane!!  Of course-therapy session is the only time they want him to do this - ease his way into it to gain strength.


Wednesday June 27
I went down to see dad tonight -  Dawn,John & Emma were already there.  I stopped for a cheeseburger & chicken nuggets, a fry, & a berry smoothie.  I gave the option to dad for what he wanted and he chose the nuggets again.  He gets the berry smoothie - that Emma ended up drinking most of since grandpa shares with her. He didn't want any of the fries tonight - He wasn't that talkative tonight but when he's ready for us to leave - he tells us, but the closer to 9 as possible, otherwise he'd be in bed by 8 when the staff helps him into bed.

Thursday June 28
Today's therapy is hard to swallow- he couldn't tell the therapist how many kids he has, our names, the dogs' names... I think the therapist asked today if he was joking with her or what the deal was since he was in a 'I don't know' state of mind.  He replied that he really didn't know.  If his brain is busy 'rewiring' itself for other things, I'm ok with him not knowing this information today.

Friday June 29
Dad walked the North & South halls - a good 400 yards down and back.  Rode on the seated bike & worked on washing windows with the right arm/hand, and work on using the right hand to be able to push himself up off a chair.

Saturday June 30
Dawn brought dad up today after she got off work - Donna wanted a huge tree cut down and I thought for sure dad would want to watch.... no. he didn't want any part of it.  I'm wondering if he feels its a reminder of what he'll never get to do again - but I would like to think it's more of something to work towards... get better and work on the right hand and it IS possible!!!
I'm hoping he's not giving up on that - but maybe I need to accept that he 'doesn't want to do the construction part anymore'.  That is a hard idea to grasp!!  Has dad accepted it but the rest of us refuse to accept it??
Dad's not very talkative today - almost has a look of just taking it all in...

Sunday July 1
Donna brought dad home today - he's a little more talkative today, had a couple visitors already and the spark of dad's ornery-ness is there -  it's great to see!!

Dad sat back at the table with me for a little while and I couldn't think of things to say... so I showed him some jokes about Obama - and got some chuckles & smiles.
I'm noticing today - he's able to get up out of a chair easier and with less assistance on the gait belt.  His stride is getting longer and he's walking quicker -  that part is getting closer to the way it was before.  I don't know if dad thinks so, but maybe I need to record his walking today and then show him what he looked like walking a month ago compared to now... and then he'll see the progress that he's making.

Monday July 2
Today was a great day!!  therapy today was a touch screen exercise.  They timed him with his left hand reaching up and touching a red dot on the screen and when he touched it, that red dot disappeared and another one showed up  - to where it's high,low, left, right,front - then when each session was done the therapist printed out the results. Then came the right hand... they helped a little bit with lifting his right arm without him leaning back with his shoulder- so he didn't lose his balance, then he was able to touch in the general area of the red dot since the fingers are waiting to move.  but most of the time his arm was up off the therapists' hand so that's definitely gaining in strength in the arm.

Tuesday July 3
Heard that today they hooked up his arm to the electrical stimulator - and when they do this, he is able to grasp and hold (with his right hand!!!) a cone and move it in a task the therapist gives him.  Of course when all is said and done - he saids it (his fingers) feel like they're burning.  I tell dad - that's a good sign dad- if you can feel it 'burning' then the nerves are still working and it's just a matter of time that you will be able to move them.

Wednesday July 4
Today is 3 months since it started- day 91 to be exact...
Dad had therapy this am -
The residents did tie-dye shirts this am- dad did one for himself and one for Emma.  Can't wait to see how they turned out.
Donna went down this am and brought him back after he was done with Holiday Day Therapy - since only therapy in the am - why not go get him and then he can chat with people that stop in the shop.
He had a few visitors today at the shop- there were a few switched words-  but it was a good day.
Dean ran the generator and dad was making sure he did it  the way he wanted it done - good sign that things are coming back to normal.
We had pizza for supper and dad picked on Maggie tonight (since she sat next to him)
just a few days have passed since the last time I saw him get up out of a chair and walking and I can tell it's getting better -  improving on length of stride, quickness of stride, going up and down a step is going quicker and looking easier on his balance.

Thursday July 5
Happy Birthday Donna!
I didnt' get the run down of his therapy today - but mom went to see dad tonight -  and talk about having the best news, greatest night since he started moving his right leg/foot -  HE MOVED HIS RIGHT FINGERS/HAND!!!!
wow!!!!  this is just what we all needed- especially dad to boost morale!!!
He was really concentrating - almost the look of pain in his face, but he made those fingers slowly close up into a loose fist-  talk about tears of joy!!  This is great great great news!!!
It's been 3 months &1 day since that dreaded morning and I can NOT think of better news than this at this point - Keep up the great work dad!!!
What a great birthday gift for his sister, Donna!!!!

Friday July 6
Today OWL decided that if dad can complete 25 times of getting up/sitting down from a chair, from bed, from the toilet with no assistance and no balance issues - they will let him go about the facility without the use of the wheelchair!!  very good!!  They've taken the brown belt from his chair (to keep him from trying to get up without assistance for fear of falling again) but put an alarm on his chair that if he gets up from it, an alarm will sound.  so now he has an alarm on his chair, lazy-boy and bed.  Great job dad!!!!!!!!!!!
Dad peddled on a bike where the seat is a chair and the peddals are out in front of you- not sure of the name of the type of bike though.  He also had to walk an obstacle course and I hear that he would flick some of the cones out of his way with the cane..HAHA
They also had him assembling some pvc pipes with his hands on this obstacle course.  He had to go thru the course, pick up and carry 2 pieces at a time and go back thru the course then assemble when he got to the end.  You know his minds a working when the pieces are hard to carry one handed that he puts one inside the other to carry it easier.  GOOD JOB DAD!

Saturday July 7
Dad came up late morning after his am therapy sessions were done.  Dawn, John & Emma came up for a couple hours today since they are leaving on the 2nd fishing trip that mom & dad were to go on as well.  We didn't tell Dawn that dad moved his fingers- we wanted dad to try and do it to show me & Dawn... so when we were talking about it, dad tried to do it and when it started to move I hollered at Dawn so she could see as well.  Talk about smiles on all our faces!!  We are all so thankful, grateful,elated,estatic,happy and any other positive verbs you can think of on this movement.
It does seem though when dad is able to move it, he squeezes his right wrist with his left hand, palm up, and then ends up holding his breath and then the fingers bend.  ahhhh thank you dad for showing us your improvements.  keep up the great work!

Sunday July 8
Dad was home again today- mom wanted to go to the house to do some laundry and sweept the floor to prepare for wednesday when OWL comes with dad to do a walk thru of the property to where dad will be moving around and tell us what changes we need to make - hand rails, ramps, bathroom stuff etc.. so since mom was going to the house to do this... dad wanted to go too -  so he walked up with mom & I - we didn't help him but we were there just in case - he did great- 1 step up caught his toe but he kept his balance pretty good.
He had a visitor come to the shop, so I called up to the house and dad wanted to come down to chat - so they came down... then a little later- back up to the house- I walked with him by myself - again he did great!  !
Then to top off a great weekend... a friend came in and was talking to dad about a site on his gun and the troubles he was having... dad asked where it was.. and told him to go get it, since it was in his truck. With me holding the gun at the right angle for him, using a side cutters on a spring to make it shorter - wouldn't you know it... he fixed it for him.  That was the first gun that he wanted to work on.  The last gun was a rifle that we took that he just wanted to look at it to see what it was, so this is great progress!!!  I truly believe that the simple action that we all take for granted of moving our fingers/hand/arm has boosted dad into the final weeks at OWL and get him home within the next 4 weeks. Wow...4 more weeks if not sooner to get him home... and then rehab 3 times a week-

Monday July 9
Dad walked today without a cane, stepping sideways,backwards,in a square pattern & did some stairs.  They put the electrodes on his arm and he was able to pick up bean bags and drop them into a basket with his right arm/hand.  I don't know if it's sheer coincidence or not- but he had walleye for lunch today... This is the week that mom & dad were supposed to go fishing.

Tuesday July 10
Dad put in some walking today!!!  He walked around the south yellow building and the OWL building, up & down the halls.  They had him do right leg extensions, and of course walking down the hallway for lunch & to and from therapy sessions.

Wednesday July 11
Today is the day that dad comes home with some of his therapists to do a home evaluation to prepare for his homecoming! He walked them around in the shop, down stairs to the indoor shooting range - did pretty good on the stairs going down, but came up them pretty fast - which they want him to slow down and think safety first.  Even though the hand rail is only on the one side -might have to put in a 2nd rail.. told them what a few of his antiques were on the shelves.  Then we walked up to the house and they asked him to sit where he would normally sit, then his bed and watched him get in/out of bed, bathroom toilet upstairs, then they got to ride the elevator downstairs to where the shower is and then as they were trying to go back up the elevator- the fuse burnt out so we had to take the stairs up.  We had to remove some carpets/rugs, bathroom,bedroom due to them not being a skid resistant backing- they pose a tripping hazard.  So as we came back down to the shop from the house, they wanted to see where he would go to work, so we got in the car and drove up to the hill and looked at equipment, got out to the backhoe & drove down to the lower shop for the big rubber tire enloader.  I never really thought about it till today, but all equipment that we have... have a huge step up from the ground, and really if you are weak in the leg, or in an arm, you will have a hard time getting into the equipment.  So the therapists decided that they would work with him the last 3 weeks on a step stool/ladder type to work the muscles to be able to get up in the machinery.  At one point I saw dad's face and I instantly had tears and fears that he has given up on the thought of returning to the construction side of the business.  Yes I understand that given his young age of 70 that he should possibly start thinking of retirement, but I don't want him to retire because he "has to" due to the stroke.  I do want him to want to slow down and enjoy the empire he has built with blood, sweat & tears.  I want him to be around at least another 30 + years. I do NOT want him to think that he can't do what he did before and be forced into retirement and just plain sit around.  That is not going to work!!!  Not going to work for mom, for the family and sure as Hell isn't going to work for him.
Dad stayed the rest of the day home after the therapists' left.  Had brats & sweetcorn for supper.

Thursday July 12
Well, as you could have guessed it- now that dad has seen some good movement in his fingers- that's his focus now.  When asked by a therapist what he would like to work on today... his response,... let's do this right arm.  So they put on the electrodes and they worked more with bean bags on taking them out of the gals hand where-ever she has it positioned, and then grasping the bag and moving the arm to the side and dropping the bag into a basket. 
In one of his sessions today - he was asked a series of questions - repetition repetition repetition is good for the mind, body & soul.  He did pretty well from what I hear.  He was on the sit-down bike today and then was focusing on the right arm/hand using bean bags to get inside a circle on a board.
When Donna left this afternoon- dad had only 1 left on his sheet checkoff list and then he won't need the wheelchair anymore and can move about on his own without assistance - unless of course he wants it. I think that final 1...will be gone before mom gets there in the next hour. GOOD JOB DAD!

Friday July 13
Today is day 100 since this all started...
The longest 100 days of all of our lives, the sudden change of wind in our sails and not knowing where we would be today, those 100 days ago. It is amazing what the body, mind, soul can do and will do when met with such an obstacle.  I pray no one will ever has to go thru this, whether it be thru our eyes or dads'.
Dad had 7 therapy sessions today, 2 speech,3 physical,2 occupational.  He walked today without a cane down the long hallway, rode the seated bike and up & down stairs (somehow step aerobics classes comes to mind)
Dad was going thru the 25 check-off list too quickly-  so they are delaying him for his partial freedom to roam -  Granted this is for his safety so maybe they should have done 2 lists of 25, or said for every transfer to and from the bathroom counts as 1 and then that would take longer to get the 25.

Saturday July 14
Dawn, John & Emma brought dad up today -  we sat around and talked about their fishing trip and there were a few visitors today too.  Dawn, John & I trimmed the front hedges so they look nice.  Dad helped Brad put a gun back together.  Dads walking is getting better each time I see him walk.  His stride is getting quicker (not that it's a race) and the steps are getting more of a normal step distance. I was going to video it on my phone, but by the time I got the phone ready, he was 4 steps from the vehicle so that didn't work., I'm going to have to think ahead and be prepared next time.

Sunday July 15
Dad finished his list of 25 this am - granted they want to make sure he's good in the shower without losing his balance, so he'll have shower first thing Monday morning and then he's good to go.  They did grant him free roaming in his room only - so he can get up out of bed, go to chair, go to the bathroom all by himself and won't be required to buzz for assistance.  Now when he wants to walk down the hall to the common area - then yes he will have to buzz for assistance to make sure on safety.  Good Job dad!!!  Progress is continuing!!
Dad came home for the day today, had a few visitors thru-out the day.  He walked 10 feet without his cane today, made me a little nervous, but he did great with his balance and he took it slow.  With his cane, you can just about walk a normal walk right beside him.  He wanted to go to the house a couple times today too -  so good thing I was there to watch the shop- then mom could go up with him.

Monday July 16
They worked on his balance & steps today -  I think he really likes not having to be in the wheelchair and he REALLY likes not being strapped in too.  Just hope that he doesn't push his limitations and they put him back in the chair.... time will tell *wink wink*

Tuesday July 17
I'll have to check with Donna on what transpired today with dad -  I went straight down to see him after work, picked up some chicken nuggets for supper for dad & I and a malt for him.  When I walked in the door -  he says to me....'Hi there Dummy!'  Dummy???  Does a dummy bring you food & a treat??  he laughed at me and said yes.  ok, I will be Dummy for the night... as I secretly plot my getting even with him...a couple extra rib pokes maybe??  time will tell.  He wasn't very talkative today so I'm guessing they worked him hard today and he's just plain exhausted.  We watched WIPEOUT!  the funniest show ever on tv- and we laughed alot at tv.  One of the nurses came in and told me that dad told her my name after I left the last time she was there - which my memory tells me last month when I last saw this gal.  I said oh, ok, to which she turned to dad, pointing at me, says who is this?  It took him a little while, but he said my full name.  wow.  I'm impressed!  I stopped asking that question- it's hard to hear an answer that you're not prepared for - so for him to know my name and that I'm his daughter is great to hear.  He even piped up and started to tell her my age -  which she quickly told him that women don't want to hear their real age... I said it's ok, I didin't care.  It took a little while -  you could almost see the cogs in his brain turning -  but he got it right!!!  yes dad I'm 39... WOOHOO! for getting that right!!
Now I don't know if in his therapy sessions if they work on the family names/ages/etc or if he remembers from before the stroke, or just remembers from a conversation of discussing all this in the last 3 months... but does it matter?? Nope- he remembers!  That's what counts!!
Dad did tell me that he's free to roam in his room/bathroom without assistance, and if he wants to not use the cane - he can.  This is great for building up his independence.  Now if he's wanting to leave his room - then he still needs to use the cane and call for assistance.
GOOD JOB DAD!
In reading Donna's notes- dad walked to nurses' station without using his cane & march in place.  He worked with the right arm & hand stacking cones on the right and on the left side.
Wednesday July 18
First thing this am - dad had to have his final assisted shower to make sure he has his balance.  So now not only can he meander around his room/bathroom without assistance -he can shower in peace - unless of course he liked having an audience HAHA!  Well, I guess it's more that they are standing nearby in case theres an issue- water & tile make for a safety hazzard.
With the electrodes on his right hand, they worked on him opening & closing his hand into a fist, and they did note, there was some thumb movement!

Thursday July 19
Meeting of the minds today - all the therapists,doctors & nurses agree that dad is still progressing.  They moved his dismissal aka 'graduation' day up (to a saturday)  August 4, which is also the same day as a reunion day that OWL invites past residents to come back and see how everyone is doing. So that will be quite the day for dad & the residents.

Mom then took dad to Newton to have his glasses adjusted, visited a friend that is in a nursing home there, went to KFC for supper and then back to OWL for the evening.  Dad was definitely tired after loading & unloading in mom's truck 5 times today, but glad to see some different countryside.
They told us today that dad's grip strength in his dominant right hand is 17 lbs - whereas average grip strength in the dominant hand is around 137 lbs - but 14 days after starting to move the fingers-  17 lbs of strength is AMAZING!!!
(fyi... average grip strength in the non-dominant hand for males is around 121 lbs )

Today was also resident Steves' party...as he is leaving tomorrow.  Steve is quite the character and will be missed.  His ordeal started back in September - a long 10 months for him and the progress he has made is remarkable since his accident.  I hear tears were shed when he thanked each and every nurse and therapist that helped him on his journey and even Officer Phoukham Tran - the officer that was struck last year at the Iowa State Fair & went thru rehab at OWL - stood up and told Steve - that as an DSM officer -  he was under arrest - laughter arrupted!!!  It was very nice of Officer Tran to come back and say bye to Steve as they went thru alot of their rehab at OWL together.

Friday July 20
Ahhh card came today!!  Go Fish in Speech therapy today.  I don't know what they did to him today, but he was absolutely ORNERY!!!!  all day long he was jokey and pokey,kidding around, it carried thru my visit with dad tonight- but only if someone else was around, when it was just him & me - he was quiet and I could only get a head shake for yes or no...hmmmmm.  Now I really see where I get my spitfire from...Thanks dad HAHA

Another one of the residents -Troy -  graduated today -  I didnt' get an opportunity to meet him and see how he has progressed as he was here a short time.  Good Luck to Troy.

Saturday July 21
Donna picked up dad this am- he must have slept funny or something, he says he has a catch in his get-a-long, and he's walking crooked today- Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow.
I tried to get dad to ride with me down the road to watch Brad unload the grape containers for picking his grapes to be sold & made into wine.  He didn't want to go and I was pretty persistant that he go with me to learn something new - so I went by myself and it's interesting to know these plastic crates weigh around 80 lbs each, but when full of grapes (which I forgot to ask how many gallons they hold) but they weigh around 1100 lbs.  and the equipment that they use too - just interesting, I wonder if he'll let me know when he's ready to pick if I can watch or even help for a little while??  Anyway, when I got back, dad had gotten up from the chair and was just coming out the front shop door wanting to go for a ride... ok,  I let mom know and off for a drive we went, checking out the farms, buildings, my back yard progress, the new street the town is putting, out to the north farm.
The funny part of the day -  after we finished pizza for supper-  we got onto the subject of corn and beans, and how the weather will effect the crops,yadda yadda yadda.  anyway, Donna knew what a bushel of shucked corn weighed but didn't know the weight of a bushel of corn on cob weighed which not to bore you with the details, but you can't equally compare corn on cob bushel to corn off cob bushel due to bushel referring to volume and we wanted to know the weight of the cob... did I lose you?   it's ok, basically you can't compare volume to weight HAHA!
So 70.7 lbs of ear corn shelled will equal 56 lbs of shelled corn, and 14.7 lbs of cob on the average.
As I understand it, the 70.7 lbs of ear corn will make up approx 2.5 cubic feet, and the shelled corn will amount to approx 1.25 cubic feet. The remaining 1.25 cubic feet will be shelled cobs and air space.  There's your math lesson for the day -*pheew*
all dad could do is shake his head and laugh at us on this.
Mom took dad back to OWL tonight and Donna will get him in the am to be here all day

Sleep well all - *especially after that math dilema*
Sunday July 22

Monday July 23
Stimulator on the right arm and he had to walk more to work on the catch he has in his back.

Tuesday July 24
11 more days till he's home!!!
I will have to type about the days' events later.
I went to see dad tonight- when I get to his room - he's sitting in a normal chair...no wheelchair!!!
he tells me he can go just about anywhere with his cane & on his own!!! WOOHOO!!  There is no stopping this man now.  I look around his room and they took away the alarm on the recliner and on his bed -  which means he can get up from chair and bed anytime he wants.  Although he knows he's not allowed to go down the therapy hall at night with the looming threat of having an alarm on his side if he passes certain doors. 
We shared some chicken nuggets and a med fries.  I also brought him a fruit smoothie.  He wasn't very talk-a-tive tonight but laughed at my comment of "geesh dad, do you ever just be quiet and not talk...I just can't seem to get a word in with you tonight"  He commented it's nice to just sit and not have to talk - evidently they talk alot during the day in all the therapy sessions and he's just plain tired and wants some peace & quiet....and then another resident starts to yell.
We watched America's Got Talent and we were both impressed with most of the quarter-finalists & I think we both cringed when the dancers showed how flexible they were and doing all the hand stands.

Wednesday July 25


Thursday July 26
Stimulator on the right arm today!!  Come on muscles!! Dad was able to pick up bean bag and swing arm over and drop into a basket.  Due to the swelling, they want to keep dad's right hand over his heart more.  He walked while holding a cardboard box to the garage -  so that would be without a cane!! 

Friday July 27
Dad worked on the stairs today, side ways, balance beam - they say Olympics are next week.. that should be fun to see them do the OWL olympics!  Treadmill for  min @ .7 mph.
They worked with dad's right arm & hand as they are swollen.

Saturday July 28

Sunday July 29

Monday July 30
For his last week, he has testing on different motions with his right arm/leg/hand.  It's going to wear him out I'm sure.
Ooohhhhh dad..... he fell coming out of the bathroom today - all is ok... only the ego is bruised.  He walked with weights on his ankles and they worked with his swollen right hand to get the swelling down.

Tuesday July 31
Therapy today consisted to turning in a circle 1 time, toe tap on staris 10 times, balance beam-rt foot in front of left foot, stand on left leg/rt leg knee bends.  They stimulated the rt arm and did a test to measure the arm strength, all of this was part of the doctors discharge test.  Volleyball and soccer while seated and using the right arm.
Standing on 1 foot without the cane too, different motions with the right arm & hand for strength and flexibility.


Wednesday August 1

Thursday August 2

Friday August 3
Dad's Graduation party today!!!!!  I hear there were speeches from the staff, nurses, doctors, other residents all about dad and the theme seemed to be how the word 'ornery' and his name went hand in hand.
Mom, Donna & Dawn all thanked everyone for their support and help with dad the last few months. Donna had a speech prepared and of course there were tears from everyone.

Dawn & Emma & I went to see dad tonight, for the last night we'll see him here at OWL,  it's been a journey and will be glad to see him at home in our normal setting and things getting back to as normal as possible.


VISITING HOURS:  MONDAY-FRIDAY 4 PM-8 PM only!!!! 
                                He has therapy 6 days a week -  I can not stress this enough - 
SATURDAY visiting hours 1-8
Sunday visiting hours 10-8


Saturday August 4
Exactly 4 months ago today... changed all of our lives... and today - He's back home!  Amazing how the mind & body work to heal itself.

OWL has a reunion today -  We'll be able to meet and talk with past OWL residents and see what all they've accomplished.  I'm sure tears will roll today.
                          Welcome Home Dad              
What a day!!  Emma & I, mom & Donna all went down to see dad at OWL for the last time as today- he comes home.. finally... *sigh of relief* 
We got to OWL just in time, as a storm passed thru, down pour city and windy city -  I should have went out to see if their tent moved much..  they had a huge tent set up with tables/chairs and then there were games set up for whomever wanted to play them... bean bag toss, fish in a kiddie pool, face-painting, temporary tattoos, 2 huge blow up jumping stations... well you can just guess what was the most popular - the jumping stations... even though they were water logged and water standing inside them... OWL staff was using towels upon towels to get the water puddles out from inside so the kids could jump -  not that a little water stopped them.. or my niece for that matter.
The kids had fun, we all had something to eat, there was a gal doing karoke, then a band.  quite the day and for as tired as I was, dad was also tired and very ready to go home.
As we were leaving- dad stopped to talk to a guy and as soon as I heard the voice - I knew him too!!! Jerry Kluver!!!!  His wife used to work as a nurse at OWL and they come every year to the reunion.
Very Kool to see Jerry Kluver.. :)

Tuesday Aug 7 - dad had an ortho appt today -  to see why it hurts in his shoulder -  is there a fracture from the initial fall, from the 2 falls since ??  No. no fracture- thank goodness.  The ortho doc says due to lack of motion in the shoulder- it freezes...so then when you go to move it, it hurts like a son of a gun... so he gave dad a shot - I thought they said cortizone shot- so now he can move it without too much pain, but he has to keep moving it, otherwise the joint will freeze again and he'll be back in the same boat -  so of course I was teasing dad about putting a pulley over his head and then dance like I was a puppet.. he chuckled at me.

Wed Aug 8
Mom's not feeling up to par- so I cooked supper tonight- dad's eyes got big when I asked if eggs and diced potatoes on the grill sounded good - with some ham slices- I hadn't actually cooked in 4 months... this is a strange but good feeling.

Monday Sept 3
I have been struggling with keeping up on the blog about dad and his progress or what he does on a daily basis now that he is home and things are getting back to a somewhat kind of normal.
He's been home now a month (tomorrow) and I think he's doing pretty good at adjusting.  At first he was more like a potato in a garden, just sitting there, just taking everything in and mentally growing.  Now he's not that potato, he's still taking things in and mentally growing, but he's taking his own initiative to help repair guns as they come in the door, talking with people more when they come in, going for walks outside around the shop and taking time to 'smell the perverbial roses'.  Sitting outside on the front steps watching the cars, listening to the wind, the birds.  As long as it's not too warm outside, he'll be out there looking around, or checking under the hood of his truck - we did catch him once trying to get in and starting it, but not sure if he was really going to go for a drive - so we had to remind him he doesn't have clearance yet to drive trucks.
With mom here at the shop all day - I'm sure she's enjoying having dad here for company.  Before April 4, mom would be at the shop from 8 am till 10 pm, and if it was nice, dad wouldn't be home till 7 ish while there was still light outside.  Mom had to make a few adjustments, but I think it's great they can go to 'work' together and keep each other company daily now.
Dad still has his outpatient therapy at OWL that Donna takes him for a few hours on Tues,Wed,& Thur and from what I hear, they're working with him on taking steps up a ladder - to be able to climb up into a backhoe or other equipment in the future is my guess- and still working on his right arm/hand/fingers.  There is a lot of little muscles that need to start working together and then there will be nothing dad can't do.
I do worry about the fall time, only because it's Deer season, dad's favorite time of year.  I don't know what this will bring emotionally or if we can re-direct the focus towards something else.
There are a few guys that we have known literally forever that stop in and will ask dad to go for a drive, and they take him out of the shop and drive around.  I don't know what they talk about, or what they look at while they are out and about, but I know we are all thankful that these guys take the time and get dad out of the shop for alittle while. 
Dean brought up his golfcart and wired it for break lights, dad had already taken that out a couple times on his own, around the property to just look at things.  I know he's really thinking on it too, he's already planning on how to expand the outdoor shooting range to make it safe to have more than one group at a time down there. (I would prefer we don't do this- only because there are some that still don't know the definition of 'paper targets only' and I seem to be the one stuck picking up after these idiots)  side note- did you know being told 'paper targets only' means you can shoot at steel, plastic, wood, books, wood wire spools, concrete, ceramic tiles, other bullets????  I really hope I can catch who it is and ban them.  anyway, getting off the subject with that....   but today I took dad for a ride, it was a quiet ride as he was looking around, and seemed to have a hard time with his words, but we drove down to the range, picked it up of course, then drove around town looking at the town street projects, drove around Melbourne, then back home.  I think we were gone for over an hour- but that gets his mind thinking on other things and keep up to date on the local changes as well.
Dad did have an appointment last week for a carotid ultrasound - for those non-doctor types, the carotid (pronounced car-rodded) this is the artery that runs on either side of your neck... this artery comes from your heart, up your left side of your neck to your brain, then down the right side of your neck and back around to the body.  The doctors still believe that dad threw a clot from his heart and then it passed up the left side of the carotid artery to the brain and that's what caused the stroke (remember that if you have a stroke on the left side of your brain, it effects your right side of the body, and if you have a stroke on the right side of your brain, it effects your left side)  I didn't make the rules, I didn't wire the body- that's a whole different conversation and debate with our maker... not me.
Anyway, well they are now saying his left carotid artery is 99% blocked.... really??  when he was in ICU they said it was 55% blocked... so either someone told us wrong, or it's gotten worse in short amount of time... well, with stroke patients if they work hard and get back to 'living' even though they may have some sort of disability as a result of the stroke, they will proceed and do this operation.  If the stroke patient chooses to not work hard and basically give up because of what the stroke did to them, the doctors will not waste their time to do this procedure.  I was told it's the 'will to live' and the strength to work hard, and if they're not going to be defeated by what has happened to them, the doctors see that 'will to live' and will do what they can.  So dad had his ultrasound and then a visit with a specialty doctor to do the procedure and now we are waiting to hear when they want to do it.  Hopefull this week will shed some light on his next big endeavor.

Yes, I'm worried about the what if's, who wouldn't be... there is so much that could go wrong... and my normal mantra of 'prepare for the worst, hope for the best' isn't helping..I'm getting stuck on the wrong end of things, but I think the doctors will tell you there's always a risk to any procedure... not that you really want to hear that, let alone think it.
So in order to get myself out of that funk - I'm telling myself, I am my fathers daughter, I am as stubborn as he,  He is strong, He has the will, He will prevail, He WILL get past this obstacle.

Friday October 19
Dad's been home now over 2 months and as much as I thought about posting on the 2 month mark - things in our lives come up and the famous 'I'll do it later' kicks in and next thing you know it's 2 weeks past when you originally intended to do it.  The shop is buzzing with dad's return, there are many people who stop in to check in on dad to see how his progress is going.  Yes there are days where he struggles with the words to carry a conversation and there are days where he's a chatterbox. 
In this last month, dad had a follow up appointment with the vascular surgeon to check on his carotid arteries in his neck going to and from the brain. First they did a doppler ultrasound to his neck to try to see how much blockage there is.  As the Dr. is looking at the scans, it just doesn't look right, so they schedule another scan- a MRI to check this out, as it looks odd, and he wanted a clearer picture of what he was looking at before he operated on this 'blockage'.  They said it was different because usually when there's a blockage, it's about 4 inches long inside this artery, to where in dad's it was -for lack of a better term - like a wad in a shotgun shell, but this artery was about 99% blocked so they would have to do surgery.
Once they opened him up, put a bypass in this artery, from below the blockage area and connected it above the blockage area so the brain would still receive blood while on the table, they cut out this wad -  it was half an inch wide and it was hard  - again they said it wasn't a normal blockage.  So they remove it, remove their bypass and stitch him up and within 24 hrs, he's back home... REALLY???  the hospital stay is only overnight before they kick you out.
Dad being the stubborn one... didnt' take any pain meds, none that I picked up from the pharmacy, or even a simple advil- nothing..  This procedure really took alot out of him, sheer exhaustion and slept a lot -  Sleeping all the time and not really moving a whole lot- you don't use some muscles and it makes you weaker. But now that he's recovered from this procedure - he's back to walking around the outside of the shop, taking the golf cart for a drive down to the outside range or around on the property to see what's going on.  He's becoming more interested in seeing what's going on at other peoples' farms and get out and get the perverbial stink off himself by being outside more, and watching the progress of the main street project uptown.

Dad has also started being able to lift his right arm up to meet your hand to shake it - it's a proud task and he's very glad to see that this is happening. We're still 'waiting' on the finger muscles to kick in easier to do the opening/closing task and start working easier- so many nerves in the fingers- they just need to all work together.  Dad also will show his strength of pulling against your force -  think of taking someones hand, grasping it and trying to pull them towards you using only your arm muscles.. yes- dad can do that to mom and does very well with it.
Just this week in therapy - when he grasps a sand bag, his thumb moved down into the grasp movement.

The first 6 months was huge steps and they came fast, now the next 6 months will be the focus on the small steps and fine-tuning them and at times seems like it's slow, but as stubborn as dad his, i'm sure those nerves in his hand is being stubborn.. they just need to 'play well with others' -haha  remember those notes from the teacher - doesn't play well with others... yeah I had one of those once.. and yes, I'm my fathers' daughter - :) *wink wink*

Thursday November 8
3 months of being home... Here we are again, another month has passed and there is still progress- at times it's as slow as paint drying, but you know - progress is progess and we'll take it!
Dad is doing great since his carotid artery surgery- all healed and no more glue for him to pick at because it's pulling on the skin when he moves his head. Donna is still taking dad to Ankeny 3 days a week for his rehab at On With Life.  They are adding ankle weights for when he's walking to strengthen the legs, and all the groups of muscles you don't think about untill you yourself have overworked and you feel it the next day.
I brought home 2 sets of hand weights for him to use at night and on the days he doesnt' have therapy- because you know what always happens...you work 3 days of therapy...then take the next 4 off...and come the first day back to therapy, well, you didn't work to keep it...so you start all over again.  The one kind of hand/wrist weights -  weigh 1.5 lbs each, and it straps on like a boxing glove - well the first time dad put it on, it felt more like 20 lbs - for now, but in time it will feel like 1.5 lbs maybe even feel like he's lifting a piece of paper- in time..  The other set of hand weights I got have a strap but I wasn't sure how well this would work for dad... but it is now the item of choice when he does his arm stretches and doing the windshield motion when sitting at the table.. at just a pound... this will give some resistance in these movements to help strenghten the shoulder and arm musles, and then he can move up to using both the hand weights to get 2 lbs...and then strap on the boxing glove weight and have just more to work on all those muslces in the arm, pecs,shoulder.
I call home when I get off work to see if anyone needs anything while I'm still in Marshalltown - whether it be meds,groceries or parts, well, tuesday night- dad knew it was me that was calling and he wanted me to hurry up and get to the shop-because he had a new  'trick' to show me.  I know he's proud and happy when these new 'tricks' happen and it sure boosts the morale when we get to witness these.  His trick...  he has his right hand either on his leg or on a table, fingers flat and one second the hand is flat, and literally the next second the middle,ring and pinky finger and quickly in a closed grasp.  the pointer finger bends but not as quick and tight grasp as the outer 3 fingers -WOW!!!  he flattens out the hand and does it again.  It has to be good new that those fingers are working better, quicker and stronger, it just has to!!!  I heard last week at rehab the measured his 'grip strength' in his right hand again.  He is now up to 30# of grip strength in that right hand -  wow!!!!!  Remember back July 19 - they did a grip strength on dad and he was 17# in that right hand- so under  4 months later, he's almost doubled it!!!  (average grip strength in the dominant hand is around 137 lbs & average grip strength in the non-dominant hand for males is around 121 lbs)

So see, there is something to be said about being stubborn & having some patience.


Sunday Jan.13 2013
9 months & a few days since that day- the day that replays in my mind often but then I take a deep breath and take a look around at what has happened since that dreaded day and instead of tears for the fear of the unknown, I am overcome with tears of what has risen and what good things we've been blessed with.
I'm not a regious person, but I truly believe.  I believe in the power of God, in the power of prayer, the power of being stubborn, and the power of family (poking and prodding).

In the beginning of this rocky journey, the progress of this process was rewarding in keeping the faith &hope of recovery going.  Now as we continue to progress, it seems that it is smaller & taking much longer - but we never lose sight of progress is progress, no matter how big or small.
Dad is continuing to progress and we have just a few more therapy days that with winter/snow/and ice, we have agreed to let him take a couple months off from his therapy days and not risk the drive in this weather.
He will start back up his outpatient therpy the end of March/April, so even though he's not going to therapy, he IS 'supposed to' do his therapy stuff at home.. supposed to is the key words.
Mom cracks the perverbial whip to get dad to walk laps inside the shop- if its nice (before the snow fell) he would walk around the outside of the shop.  He has found his 'Perch' just inside the door so he greets everyone who walks into the shop but can still watch the tv too.  The people dad knows and even a few that look familiar to him,but he just can't place the name- he wants to shake hands, but it's confusing because people knowing that his right hand is effected, they want to reach out and shake his left hand but dad-being stubborn and enjoying that he's able to move his right hand a little, will grab their left hand by the wrist and move their hand to a position that he's able to flex all the right muscles that he's gaining control of, to put his right hand into their right hand for the proper handshake.

It's taking a lot of time and a lot of work for him to work this right shoulder/arm/hand/fingers, but there's also a lot of muscles and nerves that need to be fine tuned in order for the brain to tell them to fire and work together.
We were told from the beginning- he was total right side paralyasis, that he may not recover from this.. that if he retrains his brain, he should start moving the toes first - check,  then start walking - check, start moving his arm, check then the final parts to move will be the fingers -check. 
So now that we have all of that back, it's a matter of fine tuning all the muscles,nerves to get them to work harder and harder to get back to what it was 9 months ago.
The only downside to all of this that I can see ... is the time factor.   There are days where his right hand & fingers will work really good, but the thumb won't move.  There are days where the right hand & arm won't work, but the thumb moves.  And every once in a while, all the fingers work and his grip strength is quite impressive. 
So for all those who may have gone thru a family member who's had a stroke, just remember every stroke is different, people are different, no 2 strokes are the same because no 2 people are the same.  Keep positive - believe me when I say, that in itself is can be a daunting task, but keep positive.  Keep pushing and striving for the best outcome and understand that some days will be easier than other, some days you may feel defeated, but it's ok, but move past that feeling and be the cheerleader for those who need a little nudge of motivation.
 **on that  that note I think I will go up and see if I can motivate dad to do some arm lifts:)

Sunday March 10, 2013

Wow has the time flown by since my last post- 2 whole months... and we are less than a month away for the 1 year anniversary from that change of fate day.
I guess there's only so much you can type the same thing over and over with a few little changes, it does seem to become a broken record.  That's pretty much why I went from a daily update to a monthly, and really, I was sidetracked and procrastinated for this posting.

Dad is doing pretty good- we stopped going to therapy mainly for the winter and not knowing what the day will bring- but also because we are on a limited number of therapy sessions left.  So we are poking and prodding dad more than daily to do his walking inside the shop back and forth, bringing more hand weights and exercise balls that he can hang onto while walking to strengthen the right arm & hand muscles.  I"m telling you it's a long process and some days it's a slow one so I can only imagine how it is to dad.
He's camped out in the shop, and he's becoming more active with the customers that come in, talking more with them, somedays the sentences pour out as clear as day, and then there are days that he's more quiet and not as talkative, can only imaging the sentences are going a mile a minute in his head but he's unable to get them out as clearly. 
I've learned & cried alot in the last year and I tell ya, this is not an easy road to proceed down, but not that we have a choice, because when it's your time, it's your time... you can't explain it, you don't have to like it, but you have to accept it. (kicking and screaming)
I'm still in shock with the number of people I know that has had a family member also have a stroke that I keep thinking, 'why haven't i heard of this??'  and now that I've experienced it to the degree I have, I'm in shock of the number of people that are going thru it now too.
I only can hope and pray for them, for strength to get thru it.

So for dad's update... well, still working on the right arm/hand daily- I can tell he's getting stronger and using more muscles to work that arm, and working on the grip strength.  I'm excited for when he does go back to rehab-for them to test his range of motion and strength to see how much it has improved.
He's talking about a fishing trip and even prairie dog shoot this year -  so that'll be something to look forward to and have a goal for himself to continue the process.

Well, hopefully I'll be back in 30 days for the 1 year anniversary to update on the progress.



Thank you all who keeps up with dad's progress either here or by phone.  Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.



NEW VISITING HOURS AT DARYLS' GUN SHOP
8 AM -9 PM 7 DAYS A WEEK shop hours



Good night all - Thank you again for all your thoughts & prayers.  Please keep them coming - the power of prayer is working!
~dana~



Happy Thoughts & Prayers to all who need them tonight

The power of Faith, Hope & Love is amazing

~dana~

Thank you for all the calls, thoughts and prayers for dad!!!!

I know there will be days of taking steps backwards, but so far we are continuing in the right direction.

Thank you for you continued positive thoughts and prayers - we all appreciate them!!!

We will see what tomorrow brings and another step forward.

Happy Thoughts & Prayers to all who need them tonight.

~dana~