5/5 #2

Here's a video from 4/19:



And here's one from 5/5:



Speech has been working on "prosody" (from Wikipedia: the study of rhythm, intonation, and related attributes in speech) and the change is marked. Coming out of the hospital, Mike sounded robotic. He is now consciously working on adding sing-song qualities to his voice.

Also note that he holds his right hand oddly in the older video (and Amelia is flipping the book's pages because that task would have been too arduous coupled with the reading). We are starting to see him favor his left hand now for everyday tasks. His (previously dominant) right hand is taking a backseat which is probably a good indicator of damage location.

We are getting out a good amount. Wendy has taken an intense liking to Pho Van and we've been haunting their every location. Speaking of Wendy, she's off tomorrow after a two week Physical Therapist stint with us and will be missed (although she will need a break from the kid din that is a constant over here). She worked Mike out, whipped up dinners and did a truly unbelievable amount of laundry while here.

Another shout out to Wendy and John's Golf Ladies and Gentlemen who provided us with a gift certificate to Higgins Restaurant. We wheeled over there Saturday night for a fantastic meal. Mussels! Oysters with a carrot and jalepeno granita! Salmon! Steak! Halibut cheeks! Wine! It was a beautiful, quintessential Northwest meal from a classic Portland restaurant and it was delightful (and I'm not just saying that because the kids were not invited). Thank you!

5/5

Mike is home!

Mike is receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy visits at home for two weeks. After that, it will be out-patient rehab. He has gained enough confidence with his walker that he will putter around the main floor without "spotters." This week, he's also been introduced to the cane. That has got him a bit anxious (he feels unsteady and vulnerable on it) but he's getting in and trying very hard.

I'll post an old and new video of him reading to show his voice progress next.

4/22

Mike had a successful 24 hour pass on Saturday night. Our biggest obstacles: the world's heaviest wheelchair and a three level house and his alleged sleeping pills which made him speak in tongues during the night. We'll be renting a lighter chair and he's back to his favorite, benadryl, the poor man's sleeping pill.

A shout out to the parties who were offended by the Adidas gear and provided some Nike to add balance to Mike's wardrobe. Mike was surprised to have so many people notice his cool new sneaks. These pictures are for you Jan!

And, finally, a shot of the craniotomy surgical scar.

4/17 #2

Mike was actually on deck to host a monthly poker party the day he had the stroke. The fun finally made its way to the gym in his rehab tonight.

4/17

Just like "Trading Spaces" only without all that pesky reciprocity.



















Neighbors Susan, Brandon, Mindy and Gavin showed up last weekend to clear out, clean up and beautify the garage. They rented a dumpster for the impressive amount of detritus that had built up over the last few years and hauled away all of Mike's power tools for safe keeping (note: coumadin and power tools do not mix). Now, the walls are a soothing Tiffany-esque blue and mushroom, the floor a high shine black, there are racks for organizing (imagine that!) and a mini-fridge for refreshing beverages. Never could it be imagined that such silk could come from a sow's ear.

Mike is definitely coming home on 4/24. He'll have a test run this Saturday so we can figure out what things to work on in the last few days of in-patient rehab.

4/15

We hear the medical school reunion went well. Mike was pleased to hear from so many people who attended and heard he was sick. He had been looking forward to attending!

There has been talk of keeping Mike longer than his original rehab graduation date. There is a sense that they should take advantage of his trajectory forward and keep him working hard in-patient. We'll know more about that later today.

My mother and I sprang Mike yesterday to an undisclosed breakfast restaurant location. You can see from the picture that he's doing well.

My mom went back to San Diego yesterday and we expect Mike's mom back on 4/22. There is a lull in the energy level of our house right now as the three of us try to get back into a more normal routine.

I'll post some pictures on my next entry of the neighbors transforming a once pit-of-despair garage into a stunning exercise room in anticipation of Mike's return.

4/11

Mike's gastric tube came out today. Dr. Hoeflich reports, and Mike confirms, that the tube was hard to get out and took two good tugs. Gastric tubes are held with a balloon inside the stomach; the removal involves yanking it out through the abdomen walls. There was talk of Mike's rock hard six pack inhibiting the removal but I suspect that was only talk. That's the last of the tubes going in or coming out -- a good milestone.

Yesterday, the PT had Mike up on all fours doing some amazing yoga positions. I could not have hoped that Mike retained as much strength as he exhibited. He was doing downward dog and plank and child's pose and he was doing them with more tenacity than I have ever shown in yoga. He worked so hard that he ended up getting sick toward the end but I was heartened by how great his body is pulling through.

We've begun outfitting the house for Mike's return. He will probably be home on a walker and have a wheelchair for longer hauls so there are pathways to clear and, of course, there is a master suite to trick out into a lair.