As the evening is coming to an end, I am feeling happy about Doug's progress. Sometimes it seems like the progress is up and down and so uneven. Honestly though, I am delighted and happy that Doug continues to progress. Right now he seems like he gets a little more frustrated even though he is doing more than he has done in the days previous. Last night he had a pasta dish for dinner and he was able to eat all of his dinner by himself. Tonight he had a chicken pot pie and needed me to help him with it. He was unhappy he could not do everything by himself. The wonderful thing is that he is trying to do everything. He opened the butter by himself and was trying to butter on his roll. He asked for a toothpick after dinner and was able to use it. He reached for a glass of water and was able to bring it to his mouth and drink from a straw, all on his own. It was so nice to see him doing things he has always done.
He is also moving his body more. When he started leaning to the right, he was able to push his hand down on the mattress and straighten himself. When laying down he was able to reach across his body and grab the side of the bed and pull himself to his side. He is able to watch full TV shows, enjoy them and laugh at the comedies. He has come a long ways.
Last weekend I bought Doug an electric toothbrush. I have helped him to turn it on and to brush his teeth. He has not been able to move it around his mouth and maintain the brush against his teeth. Tonight he turned on the toothbrush and brushed his teeth by himself. Whoohoo!
Before being able to walk he will need to be able to sit independently and maintain a standing position. He needs to increase his trunk strength and his leg strength. He will continue to work on these things. He seems to be handling the 3 hours of therapy very well.
I also want to thank our friends who have visited and been companions to Doug yesterday and today. Thank you LeAnn, Thelma, Henry, Jerry Sitton and Jerry Korn. Doug caught me up on the conversations you all had and was so glad for the company.
Tonight we have much to be thankful for. Doug says he wants to pray for patience, and so we will.
Holy God, we give you thanks for hearing our prayers and for each day of continued healing. We thank you for dear friends who walk this journey with us. We thank you for all who offer us encouragment and support along the way. We see you in so many faces. Be with us when we become frustrated and give us patience and hope as we walk this path. This path often feels long, winding and slow. Help us to trust and have faith in your slow work. In your name we ask it. Amen
Hey Eileen,
ReplyDeleteThis is Knox, Doug's OT from St Al's. I've been reading your blog every night since I last saw you guys. It's really incredible how far he's come. Remember when we were excited that he could bend his wrist. Now he's drinking beer and eating on his own!!! Please tell him I'm proud of him and that I think about him daily. Thanks for the daily updates!
Knox Campbell