Sunday, August 17, 2008

Today was an amazing day. The human body's ability to heal itself is nothing short of a true miracle.

I took the morning shift again and got to the hospital about 7:30 to help feed Dad his yellow and beige breakfast. Afterward, he and I glanced at the morning paper together. He turned the pages himself and he slowed over stories that would typically interest him. He was very quiet and didn't say much to me.

Seeing Mom makes Dad light up. When she arrives, he smiles and seems happier. He told her he loved her when she arrived and gave her a kiss. She and I stepped out of his room for a few minutes to get coffee. When we returned, Dr. Wulff entered his room very excitedly. "Did you see his right leg?" He went back to Dad's bedside, lifted his covers, and told him to move his leg. Dad was able to lift it off the bed several inches and wiggle his toes.

After Dr. Wulff left, I asked Dad if he knew what this latest gift meant. I said, "It means you're going to walk again." We all cried. There was hope - great hope - and we could all see it now.

We called my sister Wendy (who lives in South Georgia) and put Dad on the phone. He said, "Hello Wendy," and said several other complete sentences to her. He was even able to tell her good bye.

At lunch, Mom put dad's tray in front of him, and he fed himself.

Dad started another taking medication called Altace, and ACE inhibitor, which lowers blood pressure.

After lunch, Dad moved to his fourth room in four days. This time, he moved to the physical therapy floor where he'll remain for two to three weeks. He'll receive speech therapy once a day, physical therapy (PT) twice a day for 45 minutes each session and occupational therapy (OT)twice a day for 45 minutes each session. Occupational therapy is activity analysis and adaptation which enables those with disabilities to maximize their skills and abilities by providing necessary skills for the job of living.

Thanks to Scott Arrington - your visit brightened Dad's day. Thanks to Liz Howard - your call to Mom was enlightening and encouraging.

Sometimes the smallest steps lead to the greatest achievements. Our journey continues...