Once again, it is Clara narrating.
We have had a busy couple of weeks here with lots of friends and family visiting us. We were able to head downtown Chicago with some dear friends of ours from Montevideo and see the musical 'The Lion King.' It was such a fantastic night, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. This past weekend, MEA, two of my dad's siblings and their families came for a visit. It was great spending time with them, and enjoying the perfect autumn weather.
Rehab has been going well. My dad no longer brings his wheelchair to therapy, which means great progress! He hardly ever uses his wheelchair anymore. He uses a cane, and his walking skills improve everyday! Today in therapy, the therapist had him walking with no brace on for an hour! That was very exciting.
My dad got into the research study at the main R.I.C. branch in downtown Chicago, and we decided to go ahead and be a part of the study. We feel it was a good decision. He goes downtown twice a week, and for a couple hours therapists stimulate his arm/wrist, and his ankle with electrodes and vibrations. The muscles react to these, and send messages to the brain that they're still there! It's a cool study. My dad says that it also feels very relaxing.
Speech and communication remain the hardest and most discouraging things for my dad, though the past couple weeks have been an encouragement. He is saying so many more things! Often if he works really hard, he can say a word or two that he really wants to say. He can also watch our lips, then repeat what we just said. At this point, I think we get more excited about little things like this, because we notice it right away! But I think it's encouraging for him, too. My dad's writing skills are improving a lot, as well.
Leaves are finally starting to fall here. We've found a perfect nature park reserve right on a lake where we like to take walks. We typically walk about 1/2 a mile, sometimes more. My day walks the whole time, and enjoys the fresh air.
(FYI- All the pictures that we post on the blog are not new pictures. They are pictures from previous times. Sorry for any confusion.)
"So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him." -2 Corinthians 5
Hello all! I didn't post a comment on the last blog entry and it kept bothering me so I must say something today!! There isn't a day or a night that passes without my thoughts and my heart turning to you there in Chicago. Again, I thank God for your constant progress in this program, Geoff, and I pray that you feel His help and presence every day.
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are looking up! Will continue to think of and pray for your recovery Geoff!
ReplyDeleteClara-thank you so much for this posting. I meant to respond much sooner. I am greatly heartened for ALL of you, that Geoff has been able to get into this Study. I think this sounds great -- undoubtedly you will all learn so much from this, and he will see and feel the benefits. This can only be a good thing. I can sympathize greatly with how frustrating the speech issue is. Hopefully it will continue to get better and stronger. The process has its own timing, I imagine. I think I sound like a broken record but, truly -- there isn't a day that goes by, when you all are not uppermost in my thoughts. Take good care - all of you. I am continuing to hold you close in thought and heart, and, as always - am sending all of you all my love. Julie K.
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