Monday, October 5, 2009

Almost two weeks home and doing great

I don't know if anyone is still following the blog but thought I should update you a bit. Tim is doing so well and working so hard. We are busy! Last week we saw two doctors, had a Cat Scan and had 7 therapy sessions. This week we have two doctors' appointments and 6 therapy sessions. We also do some exercises at home and walk up and down the sidewalk over at the ward parking lot, when we can get it in and the weather permits. Fortunately, he gets in and out of the car easily as we have lots of appointments. He is still at risk for falling so it is a fine line between how much independence to allow and safety issues. Every so often he goes somewhere in the house or does something he's not supposed to. I try not to scold. He is so agreeable and appreciative of my help. I'm sure it's hard to have someone controlling your every move. I can't allow him to do all the things they do in therapy because I'm not trained in "spotting" him and am not as strong as these young therapists are.
Today in therapy he walked down about 5 flights into the dungeons (his word) of the LDS Hospital, up and down ramps, frontwards and backwards, then side stepping. He also pushed a FULL shopping cart outside on the sidewalks. (There was even a skeleton's arm in the cart.) He also picked pennies up off the floor (to check his balance which seems to be quite good), balanced a checkbook (can we all do that?) and worked on mind puzzles with the speech therapist (after they have worn him out physically.) Some days he works on various machines.
Tim's vision is still kind of blurry for reading. It is a neurological thing, not an eyesight deficiency. The ophthalmologist thinks there is a good chance it will improve. He is
encouraging Tim to read even though it is hard. It will strengthen his eye muscles. So we are praying that will improve with time.
We spent this morning at Liz' enjoying Macy (and the other kids who were still out of school for UEA). He loves to hold Macy. She is truly beautiful and so fun to just sit and watch her. Liz is doing well, but of course, she doesn't get much sleep. Wish I could help her more, but we can't time these things.
Thanks to all of you for your interest. We feel your love and support. Tim and Peggy