What a gorgeous day!

Ollie, Austin and I went to Mom and Dad's this afternoon for a couple of hours. When we arrived, Dad was outside on the sidewalk in the wheelchair. Austin got out of the car and ran right to his Papaw! Dad laughed out loud (that good ol' Harvey-laugh) and said "I!" It was wonderful to hear!!! The way he laughed and spoke, I just thought he was going to go right on and say something more to Austin! "I" was as far as he could get, but that's progress! I just know that one of these days his brain will be healed and he will be able to talk to us! It's so exciting and makes us all continue to feel so optimistic!!!

Cousin Troy Smith came to visit while we were there. He'd been fishing at Johnson Park in Marble Falls and came by. Mom and Dad loved seeing him! We all sat out on the back porch to appease Austin who wanted to use Mamaw's shovel and bucket and dig! He didn't want to be out there without someone to play with!!! Mom and Dad really enjoyed his cute antics! Troy also kept us entertained! He's a character, to say the least!!!

Dad is going to have his hip x-rayed next week. Now that the therapists have been focusing on Dad getting in and out of his wheelchair and trying to get him to use his walker, he has been having pain in his right hip. It has kept him from making much physical progress. The therapist recommended having it x-rayed...the night of the stroke, Dad apparently fell out of the bed and landed on his right side. It's a good idea to be sure that there isn't an issue there causing the pain. It hadn't bothered him until he has been putting his weight on it when trying to walk. Once we know there is no fracture, the therapist can progressively work on building Dad's strength. We pray there is no fracture so that he doesn't have to endure any surgery or any more pain.

Dad also has pain in his right shoulder, but the therapist believes that is because of the lack of muscle tone to hold the rotator cuff in place. It is not an uncommon thing to happen when a stroke affects an arm like it has Dad's. Dad wears a sling to support the shoulder or a pillow under his arm when he doesn't have on the sling.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I will be out of town Dec 15 - 20. Once I have the results of the x-ray, I'll try to get it posted as soon as possible. Meanwhile, thank you for your continued prayers and outpouring of love! God's blessings to all of you, especially during this blessed season!