Feel the Burn

Big first day at Bernsen rehab! Here was the aggressive schedule of events:

7:00 Occupational Therapy (get dressed!)
8:30 Speech Therapy
9:00 Physical Therapy
9:30 Occupational Therapy
10:00 Physical Therapy
10:30 Speech Therapy
11:00 Social Services (meeting with case worker)
1:30 Physical Therapy
3:00 Speech Therapy

I came in for the 9 AM session and Daddy didn't kick me out so I stuck around through his 11:00 meeting. Given his communication challenges it was helpful to have a family member around so the therapists could get to know him a bit. I took the opportunity to brag on my dad's past accomplishments including three marathons and insurmountable collegiate baseball career...

A few small successes I witnessed this morning--

• Scooting from side to side relatively unassisted
• Moving from the wheel chair to a seat and back with assistance
• "Firing" of the right hand shoulder muscle (I didn't actually see this but the therapist said it was there and that it was very exciting)
• Sitting tall and strong while being pushed around from all sides
• Identifying written numbers (there was some prompting and he got stumped by the dreaded number 7)

We continue to face challenges with the aphasia. Daddy can't get many words out or respond with hand gestures or through writing. For example, when asking for a thumbs up we'll often get an index finger or pinkie. Yes and no responses, either through words or hand gestures, often get mixed up (though we can usually figure out if he means yes or no by the facial expression or insistence in his tone). This is probably the most frustrating challenge for all of us; it's hard not to be able to communicate what you want or understand the need.

My favorite part of our morning was witnessing some independence! Daddy got a wheel chair today, as soon as he was left to his own devises (a five minute break in between sessions) he shot out of the room using his good leg to pull him along. He rolled directly to the bathroom, nature was calling. He also rolled himself promptly to bed as soon as his last morning session was over.

There was no lack of trying on Daddy's part today. I saw lots of grimacing and sweating as he tried to get his body to do what he was telling it to do. He was snoring before his head hit the pillow for an afternoon nap, but he never let the fatigue show. When the therapist asked if he needed a break the answer was always a resounding "no" (or "yep" with a brow frown which means no!). I of course expected nothing less.

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