4/04/09 -- Roast Beef and the Final Four

Today I saw Dad for the first time in ten days.  There is a lot to report, so this post will probably be longer and maybe a bit more clinical that usual.

The good news is that most of the news is good.  The progress that has occurred in most aspects of Dad's rehab during the last week and a half is remarkable.  This is nowhere more evident than in his voice.  In my post dated March 25th, I wrote that "the cadence of his speech and the timbre of his voice still betray the effects of the stroke . . ."  That is no longer the case.  About 95% of the time, there is no real suggestion of the stroke in his voice.  It is clear and strong, and sounds strikingly normal.

Dad's mind, likewise, is sharp.  His memory seems almost entirely intact, and he is very aware of current events.  His attention span and focus, while not perfect, have definitely improved. During my visit, Dad and I watched the first game of the NCAA Final Four, in which Michigan State defeated UConn.  We kept up a running conversation on all sorts of subjects (for example, I learned the origin of the nickname "Chuck") while at the same time Dad remained aware of what was going on with the game.   All in all, pretty impressive.

Perhaps the most profound change is that Dad is now receiving almost all of his nourishment and medication orally.  Tonight for dinner he had roast beef, vegetables, a roll and pie.  For someone who only a week ago could barely manage to swallow a little bit of liquid, this is amazing.  (Dad says, by the way, that the food at Sheltering Arms is "pretty good.")

Dad's attitude is also pretty good.  He seemed upbeat and energetic, which frankly I find amazing given what he has endured this past two months.  (Is it really possible that it's only been two months?)  His sense of humor is intact and, happily, the easy smile we all remember has returned.

On the physical side, things are more of a mixed bag.  On the plus side, the dexterity in Dad's left arm and hand, which were very affected by the stroke, is much improved.  This was particularly apparent when he took his medication.  He used his left hand to pick up each pill and put it in his mouth, while at the same time holding a cup of water in his right hand.  This is solid progress.

On the other hand, significant challenges remain.  Dad's strength is starting to return, but progress in that regard has been excruciatingly slow.  While he is working hard in rehab, he remains weak and is dependent on the staff for most everyday tasks.  His left arm and hand, while much improved, are still a long way from what they were before the stroke.  We all remain optimistic that there will be continued physical improvement, but it is impossible to know how fast and how far.  Where Dad goes from here very much depends on the answers to those questions.