Update on My Father

I realized that it’s been some time since I’ve given an update on my father. The stroke was five weeks ago today. Remember that when it happened, he was nearly completely paralyzed on the right side and really couldn’t speak very well at all.

Five weeks later, he’s gotten most of the movement back on the right side. He walked about fifty yards with a walker the other day and is making good and steady progress. He’s getting some of the dexterity back in his hand, and he got put back on a normal diet today. His speech is still garbled, but it’s better. About half of what he says is clear as a bell, and the other half is pretty much completely unintelligible. But, he’s now able to string several words together coherently. He’s desperate to go home, but we still don’t know whether he will ever be able to do so. On Saturday, he will be transferred from the rehab unit at the hospital, where he’s been for nearly a month, and will go to a rehab facility.

Friday is his 87th birthday. Susan and I are headed there tomorrow to celebrate it with him. We will be back on Sunday evening. If I have time, I will try to post something while we’re in Pennsylvania, but please don’t be surprised if I’m not able to do so until we get back.

The prayers and good wishes of all of you undoubtedly helped. We’re all touched by it. Thank you.