Someone found their voice!!

Two posts in one day, I know!! But I couldn't go to bed w/out sharing the good news w/ everyone. Yesterday my Dad got a new trach---one that would allow for a speaking valve to be put on it---today they put it on. Tonight when I walked into his room I read a sign above his head to him.....I said "Dad, the sign says "speaking valve on trach, leave on as tolerated". Is it bothering you or is it okay?"......he said something so I leaned down near the valve and asked him to repeat what he said and he said "it's being tolerated"! Just like that. Faint and raspy but there was no question what he said. I put my hands on my hips and said to him "it's being tolerated!!!!!!" and smiled and shook my head---he could have just said "it's ok" but no---so Kraig. Later he said "I love you too" and "yes" (in response to my saying God is good) and even "goodnight" to my Aunt Stacy. Rick handed my Dad a baseball (a soft squueze ball) and my Dad threw it to Rick---several times. When my sister came to visit my Dad pulled her in for a hug!! The nurse cried. Heather cried. There were lots of moments between he and my mom today as well.......I will let her tell you about them in her comments :) What a difference a day makes.

Oh yeah---they brought in a therapy dog today to visit my Dad. They put the dog right on his bed--- apparently he loved that. Started scratching him behind the ears :)

Off to thank God and get some sleep. What a wonderfully, happy, emotional day for everyone.....especially my Dad. He is coming back to us and we can't stop smiling!

xo

August 15th

Just a quick update, as I run out the door, to let you know my dad continues to make progress. He follows more and more commands every day. I put a mouth swab in his hand the other day and he brought it to his mouth and tried to brush his teeth w/ it. So I got him a toothbrush and he brushed his teeth w/ it :) When I showed him a sign that my Aunt suggested we make for above his bed, stating which channels he likes to watch (ESPN and NESN) he gave me a BIG thumbs up! He's been receiving lots of physical and occupational therapy and they say he's doing well. Yesterday they used the board to stand him up and he's been getting chair time as well. He still is not moving that left side though. All in due time.

My Aunt sent a book for us to read. It's a story about a lady named Kate Adamson who suffered a stroke at the age of 33. She was completely paralyzed and spent 71 days in ICU. She doesn't have use of her left arm and walks w/ a limp but made a miraculous recovery. She had what they call "locked in syndrome". She was aware of everything being said and could feel everything being done to her but could not communicate at all. I haven't been able to put the book down. Guess what day she had her stroke? June 29th, same day as my dad (although not the same year). There are SO many similarities between what she suffered and what my Dad is suffering through. I can't help but feel that God led my Aunt to her website one night to find this book and share it w/ us. Thanks Stacy. This book has helped me understand what my father probably is feeling and going through and has given me SO.MUCH.HOPE! I can't wait to pass it on to my mother. xo

He's ready to go to rehab next week I believe. We can't wait for that to happen.

xo