It's Still Me

On Friday the therapists invited the family to watch a video on aphasia, the condition my dad has that affects his ability to speak (a portion of the 17-minute film is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9_dpe9Rbvw; I'm not sure my dad would agree with the "victimization" it portrays but it does have some good information about what aphasia is, and what it is not).

One of the things the video pointed out, that has been reiterated many times by the therapist, is that my dad is still the same person. He has the same personality, intellect and sense of humor, he just can't communicate it the same way.

Daddy has really driven that point home over the course of the last few days. His propensity to question authority and do what he feels like when he feels like is still very apparent. He's been dubbed "90 to nothing" by the physical therapists, which is a true reflection of how he has approached fitness and physical challenges all his life. He continues to inhale food after being told again and again to take it slow (the look he gives his family and nursing staff when we put our hand on his fork is very familiar). While the rehab staff have asked daddy to stay up in between therapy sessions and at least 30 minutes after a meal to ensure everything is getting down properly, he continually attempts to move from chair to bed unassisted. His wheelchair and bed have been "alarmed" to ensure he doesn't try to exit the wheelchair or bed unassisted, but it hasn't stopped him. After a particularly dangerous attempt this morning (he apparently ended up on the floor but managed to stay in one piece), he has earned himself a set of restraints when friends, family and hospital staff aren't around. His immediate family finds this all very consistent with his personality and while unhappy that he continues to buck instructions, happy to see that he's certainly still there.

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