weekends are always quite leisurely here at the Rehab Unit . . . my dad has 1-2 hours of therapy tomorrow, but besides that, nothing! this morning all of us went out for coffee across the street from the hospital, and this afternoon we're going to kick back and relax and watch some TV.
Etty came back from her travels in Europe a couple of days ago, so the Rehab Unit will get to see yet one more Hathaway girl roaming through the hallways now!
speech continues to improve . . . one thing that really seems to help my dad is when we cue him with certain words, such as "two peas in a ____", where we leave the last word for him to say. obviously, he's not always able to pronounce the word, but he's getting a LOT better. the other day we were practicing, and i said, "three strikes and your ____", and my dad finished the phrase with a slam-bang "OUT!" . . . so we're learning techniques like that to help trigger his speaking/communication abilities.
we've been encouraged by some muscle movement in his right arm . . . during therapy, he's been able to minimally use his upper-shoulder muscles to complete a few exercises, and today after a nap, he gave a big stretch . . . and his right arm flexed a little as well! his walking exercises are getting better and better as he is able to walk for longer amounts of time (up and down the hallways) and with better balance, still aided by the therapist supporting him on the right side.
"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
--2 Corinthians 1:5
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