Saturday, the 26th of June

Today might be the first day I haven't seen a ton of improvement. He's been tired today and he's still not eating a lot. He has a hard time getting comfortable in bed so he has trouble sleeping. I think he's settling for a series of naps. Tonight he was still able to stand up briefly and get in his wheelchair. I think he could use some encouragement, so if you have his cell you might drop him a line. I'm heading home tomorrow, so this will be my last first person update.

Friday, the 25th of June

Today at physical therapy Dad took 12 steps. He says his ankle is what gave out so he had me bring his work boots. He thinks tomorrow he can go farther. Later, he went against orders and got into bed himself from a wheelchair. I saw him try yesterday and he wasn't even close so this was quite an improvement. Tonight he said he had a tummy ache this afternoon but he's better now. Sadly, I think he's going to miss the drag races this Saturday. He insists the Camaro is ready, after all he drove it to Trinity Center last week and "rattled Glenn's windows." In a car that gets 5mpg with $8.50 gas.

Thursday, the 24th of June

Today Dad can scoot around in a wheelchair. He can slowly feed himself, but needs help about halfway through. Last night at physical therapy he finally learned that he can't walk. He needed help to stand between the parallel bars and he could only take two steps. We caught him watching NASCAR this morning.

Wednesday, the 23rd of June

We showed up at breakfast time. He wanted to sit up on the side of the bed. Personally, I think he was trying to bolt! He couldn't do it so they just raised the back of the bed. He got both pieces of bacon to his mouth by himself and several bites of eggs with assistance. It was the most I've seen him move his arms so far. He will be transferred to rehab as soon as his doctor comes by to discharge him.

Dad was transferred to Northern California Rehabilitaion Hospital at 12:30. While waiting, he tried to talk me into helping him split. When we called back later he was out of the room. He had completed his first physical therapy session which consisted of sitting up and pivoting. I guess after that he was allowed to sit in his room in a wheelchair. He was pretty pleased. Later the nurse found him half out of his chair on the floor. He claims he was just looking out the window and doesn't know what happened. I call BS. He now has alarms on his bed and chair.

Monday, the 21st of June

We walked in on Dad's physical therapy. He stood up the first time almost on his own. The second time he wasn't even close. He can now raise his hands pretty high even if they are a little shakey. He's getting a little confused about time. This is the second day he claims to have been at home "yesterday." He keeps asking us to get the video camera so we can take it to the track tonight. He wants proof that the front end of the camaro will come off the ground. I try to gently remind him he won't be racing for a while. He thinks he's already balanced and mounted the tires and wheels. I'm pretty sure I saw the front wheels in front of the T.V. before I left the house this morning. He's talking up a storm, though.

He developed a small dvt in his left leg a day ago and they've decided to insert a filter into a large vein in the lower back just in case any piece of it breaks off. The procedure was very quick, but afterwards Dad became pretty agitated. Mom was pretty sure he was going to try and sneak out. On the advice of the nurse we just split early so he could calm down.

Sunday, the 20th of June (Father's Day)

Complete sentences and clear speech! I've sounded worse with a cold. He still doesn't exactly rattle on, but when he talks even Mom can understand him. Until today I had to act as translator. He even read his Father's Day card. His blood pressure is back down a bunch. He said he wasn't tired... right before he fell asleep...

Physical therapy went about the same as yesterday. He said he stood up. The nurse said someone was holding him up. He also thought he was at home yesterday. According to him he's walking out tomorrow. Maybe later. :-)

Saturday, the 19th of June

Dad can talk in whole sentences now. He has to speak them about five times before we can understand. He sounds like a sleepy drunk. Or so I'm told. He asked if I wanted to take out the 'skis. He's not moving as much, but that might be because more coughing is involved. Plus I think we caught him as he was napping. He has fewer tubes today. He's down to insulin, potasium, saline, and electrolytes/sugar. And monitors are down to heart rate and blood oxygen. His physical therapist said today would be more fun today without all the teathers. Then we had to leave and miss the fun.

The physical therapist says they had Dad sitting up on the side of his bed. He was wobbly but managed to stay up. They've been working on range of motion. Mom and I are supposed to help him move his arms and legs several times per day. I guess that means at the beginning and end of each visit.

Now that he's not on a lot of other meds one of his doctors decided to start his blood pressure meds again. I guess they no longer need a lot of brain profusion.