The laughter I heard last night turned into a full day of uncontrollable cracking up. Between the vent and the stroke, Mike's laugh has turned into this insane, crazily modulated, very drawn out cackle and he spent much of the day amusing himself with reflections of a certain social gaffe I made earlier in the week and then progressed into just amusing himself with the sound of his own laugh. I'm sure we had people wandering by who suspected some serious frontal lobe damage. I did take some solace from the fact that he could control his laugh when absolutely necessary.
Mike had a great OT session early in the day. His OT claimed she had never seen a more flexible spine which led me to believe her other clients must be in pretty bad shape. In PT, he was harnessed into a waist support and stood for 2 ten minute sessions being coaxed the entire time to stand straighter, flex his muscles and do repetitions of toe standing. It's insanely hard work for him. Speech has graduated him to water drinking. Previously, he had been cleared only for "nectar" consistency drinks -- even water can be made thick in the hospital. All this is good news and means his swallowing reflex is coming back.
The kids are having a great time in San Diego. I was (cruelly) bombarded with pictures of Amelia and Winston running along the beach while the day started with snow for us in Portland.
2 comments:
Just so you know you're not the only one, .......there were snow flurries here yesterday too.
So glad to hear of this progress. The next thing you could try would be Rowan Atkinson movies?
Much love to you all, in Portland, and California!
Auntie B and Cecil
Thank you Caitlin for continuing the daily updates-- Christian and I read them each day and feel that in some small way, we're there with you.
Caitlin, you and I met just once-- only a few weeks before all of this happened-- that morning that you had Chris and I up for that yummy brunch when we were job hunting. I thought you were amazing then, and am more and more awed each day by your "grace and grit." Mike is one tough cookie, but I think you just might be tougher still!
We are looking forward to hanging out with you guys soon. That day is coming, Caitlin, it really is... the day when you both will be able to sit back, put your feet up, and exhale... I hope we're there for that day! (I'll make the burritos!)
Love,
Suzanne and Chris
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