Patty reports that Walt has been moved to room 23 on the 5th floor. If you ignore the reflection of me in the yellow gown, you can see that he has a distant view of downtown Rochester. Also, Patty mentioned that Walt may be visiting home on July 4th if the doctor approves a day pass. She plans to post after that visit.
Monday morning I spent some time with Walt during his rehab sessions. One session was particularly fun--they have an air hockey table available. Dan the therapist helped Walt stand while Walt and I played a spirited game. Neither one of us played very well but I had the advantage because the puck did not quite fit into the slot (goal) on my side of the table. Thus I won by a score of 1 to 0. Some of you may recall that Walt used to be adept at the pinball tables at the California Brew House.
After air hockey Walt went through a considerable amount of training at the parallel bars to improve his walk. Here he is working with Aaron on making sure that he doesn't drag his right foot when stepping forward.
After air hockey Walt went through a considerable amount of training at the parallel bars to improve his walk. Here he is working with Aaron on making sure that he doesn't drag his right foot when stepping forward.
When finished with therapy we went to one of the computers that are available to patients to view "The Walt Watch". I enlarged the print so he could read the comments of support that you all send. He was keenly interested. Maybe we can talk him into writing his own post one of these days.
Walt still has his ups and downs physically and cognitively. On Monday he had a tough time getting his right hand to work at all with his knife and fork when eating lunch. Tuesday morning he thought that I was his cousin Rick. But when I look back in the blog to just a few weeks ago, it is plain that things have improved greatly. I asked the neuropsychologist about what friends and family could do for Walt to help his recovery. He said that one of the best things that we can do is to visit and interact with him. That helps both his capabilities and his well being.
gino
5 comments:
Patty says: Visitors wanted. Hunting Buddies, Kodak people, drinking buddies, high school buddies. Although this has been a long, long, long, recovery for Walter, we need to see visitors like the first 2 nights of his accident. This will help Walter recover faster than anything. He needs to recall all of the loved ones in his life besides his family. He is soo very fond of all of his hunting buddies, high school friends, drinking buddies and would love to see you all.
Thank you to all of our dedicated friends and neighbors who have traveled this horrendous journey with us from day one. Without you, this would have been so so difficult. We love you all so much and are very lucky to have you all in our lives. Geno, thank you for being like a brother to Walter. I love you so much!! Joanne, thank you for being like a sister to me. I love you so much! Luv ya-Patty
Showed walt the bike movie this morning over apple fritters and coffee. It was good.
I intend on showing it to him a few more times if he wants to see it.
Patty is right folks, Walt needs encouragement from his friends. I hope any of Walts old friends can stop by even if only for a few minutes to talk with Wally. He needs your support
Tom,
Walt told me about your visit Thursday morning and the apple fritter you brought him and the video of the bike criterion you showed him--he said that both were great. That was a smart idea to use the video equipment in the patient dining room to play the video.
Thursday evening Walt and I sat in his room that was lit by the flickering light from the television and had a long converstation. We talked about traveling, skiing, family, friends and his thoughts about his current situation. Walt said that his July 4th visit home started out with him on the couch ("I can't do anything") but that his family made it fun with a chicken barbeque, then later a drive downtown to see the fireworks from atop one of the parking ramps. Thinking about the future, Walt said that he looks forward to surgery to have his skull repaired--he hopes the surgery will speed his recovery like it did for the reporter in Iraq who also suffered a severe head injury but made a dramatic recovery over the course of a year. Walt is still frustrated by the weakness in his right side--he said he tries to do what the physical therapist instructs him to do but it just doesn't work the way he wants it to. He also can't read well because his vision still isn't "sharp" enough. We made plans to have another movie night, and he tentatively agreed to write something for the blog. We'll see.
Walt did enjoy the video of the race very much. He told me about it as well.
Gino I am glad that you had a good chat with Walt last night. Earlier in the day he had not been doing well in physical and speech therapy. After all the troubles he has had Lindsay and I got worried that he might be brewing another infection. We talked to the Doctor and Patty came down. She thought that it was probably just exhaustion from a very busy 4th of July so we put him to bed after lunch and had a quiet chat with him till he fell asleep. It seemed to do the trick as he was much more alert after his nap.
When I left he was having speech therapy fully reclined in bed and very relaxed thank you.
Just can't help being a worry wart!
Love to all the Bloggers
Coco, Choo Choo, Corinne
Patty sats: Walter has come home 3 times on a day pass. I have given him an A+ for every visit. It is hard getting him in and out of the house. At times he is good with the walker and at times he is too weak. Tippy, Brian and Bennett usually carry the wheel chair into the house. We are trying to get a ramp to make it easier. He seems to love coming home even though is kitty still won't sit on his lap. I think that Sterling smells the medication on Walter. Walter also informed me yesterday that he cannot hear out of his left ear. He came outside to sit by the fire while Tippy cooked some great burgers on the grill. He is eating very well now which is one less worry. He had a good visit with my nephews, Joe and Josh and my friend Joanne. Although he is quiet, you could tell he was very happy and comfortable. Danny and Lori sat by the fire with Walter and he really enjoyed their visit too. I do notice that when other people visit besides family, that is the most beneficial to him. As Geno said, you all bring different experiences and memories to Walter and he really uses his brain to communicate.
Please try to stop by to see Walter-work friends, hunting buddies, high school buddies. He really enjoys being with the guys. Tippy bought him some Genny N/A and he seems to be pretty pleased with that beer.
A special thanks to Tippy- He has rose to the occasion to get Walter to and from the hospital on his pass days. I really could not bring him home without his help. Also, to Lindsay and Bennett for all they have done for me. You guys and very special. If you want to visit Walter at home, give me a call. He would love to see you all!! Please keep praying for his eyes, ear and that he will walk soon. Luv you all-Patty
Post a Comment