Workin' Hard!

Forgot to tell y'all that Danny and Lisa brought Dad Elgin hot guts for lunch on Sunday! That's Dad's favorite food!!! I'll bet he had a great big grin on his face when he saw what they'd brought! Good thinking you guys!!!

Dad is making good progress every day! He is gaining strength in his right leg...about a week ago Danny would sit in front of him and have him push as hard as he could against his hand and Dad could barely push. Now, just a week later, he can almost push Danny over!!! The physical therapist used a blow-up brace on his right leg and had Dad "walking" this week! We are so blessed with the advancements in therapeutic tools!

Dad is also making positive progress with his speech therapist. She challenges him daily in connecting pictures with words, phrases, etc. as well as working with him exercise his mouth and lips to form words. She also encourages us to use humor to make him laugh and say "Ha Ha!" That is a very good tool in "waking up" his voice! The voice and words are not there yet, but they're coming! It's just going to take time, continued therapy and prayers!

Dad enjoys playing a few hands of gin, especially if he wins!!! He never was a very good loser, although age has mellowed him in that department!!! He played gin with Jean Monday and beat her 2 out of 3 games! Jennifer, David and their kids visited Dad Monday night and Kelly played tic-tac-toe with her Great-Grandpa! Good job, Kelly!

In the very near future we will transfer Dad from Reliant to his home! He has been wanting to go home for a long time, but it was vital for him to get as much intense therapy as possible! He is at the point now that being home will be good therapy! Through Home Health Care he will have continued speech, physical and occupational therapies about 3 times a week each. We are also lining up a Personal Care Assistant through a private company so Dad and Mom will both have full-time support. The company we chose operates on a "Balanced Care System," focusing not only on personal care, but also on nutrition, physical activity, social ties, etc. They'll provide care to Dad as well as light housekeeping, menu planning and meal preparation. I think I need one of those too!!! Currently, we are getting all our ducks in a row...getting the house ready, setting up personal care and following Medicare's protocol in setting up Home Health Care in getting Dad discharged for home. I will let everyone know when Dad leaves Reliant. Once he's home and we see how his schedule is set up for therapy, we will let you know the best times for visits!

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31