From the strip pit area

We have been through this area several times, and have not seen a single Great Blue Heron.  However, we always see two or three egrets.

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Roger continues to improve a little bit at a time...specially in the physical department.  He has now been up and down our basement stairs two or three times.  He can get in the tub and take a regular shower with no help from me.  He makes coffee.  He can go shopping with me to Walmart of grocery as long as I don't stay a long time.   These are baby steps, but steps I didn't think I would ever see again when this first happened.

He still has trouble with remembering and naming things.   And seems to have no short term memory. 

We go and drive through the strip pits two or three times a week.  It is a short drive and we have fun looking for wildlife.   He really, really enjoys it.  Not sure when he will ever feel like going for a longer drive.  We had an appt in Indianapolis yesterday and he was totally worn out last night.

I wanted to thank you again for your continued prayers.  Even though I don't respond personally, I do appreciate them.

It is time for an update!

Roger got to come home last Friday, the 9th!  He is walking in the house where he can reach and hold on to something if he needs, too....and we sit on the porches a lot.  We want to enjoy that before the winter comes.

If he is out on concrete or pavement, I still want the gate belt on him just in case.  He objects to it, but does let me use it.

His blood pressure is up and down...it dropped to 97/63 today.  When it gets low, he gets dizzy, and weak, and feels real 'out of it.'  And usually gets cold.

We start outpatient therapy next week.  He gets all three---physical, occupational, and speech.

We did venture to the family dr. yesterday...and went for a burger at Hardee's afterwards.  That is the first he has been out anywhere.

He goes on the 28th to a neuro-opthamologist to see if anything can be done with/for his vision.

I appreciate the prayers that have been said for us and hope you will continue to pray for us...it means a lot to both of us.

Update

I have tried to think how to give an update and give a true picture of how things stand and it is hard to do. 

First, Roger was moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a regular room on Monday, August 15...he stayed in that room until Friday, the 19th of that same week.  He was then transferred to a hospital in Terre Haute to their rehab facility..

He has improved a lot in some areas, but in others not as much.  He has sat up on the side of the bed by himself.  He has stood up at the sink under his own steam.  Day before yesterday was a great day...the therapist had him up and walking.  Not a lot, but sure a lot more than he has been doing.  So much more than I even dared hope for.

But say you ask him what a plate is, or what a ball is, he could not just name it for the life of him.  But say you said "pass me the salt and _______" he just might say pepper.  He gets really down on himself.  He has trouble concentrating and following instructions.

Also, yesterday the occupational therapist did some testing of his vision.  He seems unable to see with his right eye, plus the right side of his left eye is impaired also.

Today they had him walk 100 ft.  A therapist held to each arm while he walked.  They were to help him with balance plus just to help.  But he did make...they are pleased with how he is coming along in physical therapy. 

This is not much of an update but it at least gives you an idea of what is going on.  All the prayers and well wishes are greatly appreciated.

About Roger....how quickly life can change...

The above photo was taken July 25th.

Today Roger is spending his 11th day in Neuro-critical care unit at a hospital in Indianapolis.  He had a mini-stroke on the night of July 28th.  He was in the hospital over-night and till the next evening.  They did a cat scan, EKG, did scans of his carotid artery and seen nothing.  They gave him an additional blood pressure medicine and Plavix.

August 2nd he had mowed the yard and did a few things around here, had a bite of supper, laid back in his recliner to snooze, I thought.  Then got up and went in the other room.  When he did not come back, I went to check on him and he was laying in bed and said his eyes hurt.  I am skipping parts, but ended up taking him to the emergency room within a few minutes.  I had them help me get him in and they told me to go to the ER waiting room till they called me back.

I no more than got the car parked and got inside and set down and they called me back to sign stuff, said it was serious and they were life-lining him to Indianapolis.  They would explain to me in the ER room...she just needed my signature to get things started.  He had a brain bleed/hemorrhage.  They intubated him in case he needed it on the way there.  They said it was easier to do there than in the helicopter.

It is soo long to go into details  but will give a few details...it took two or three days to get the bleeding stopped.  He has had the breathing tube out for a few days now, and the feeding tube has been out a couple days.  He could move his left arm and leg all along, though for a day or so, not on command.  His right arm/hand and leg/foot did nothing for days.  But he is moving his right arm more and more.  And he moved his right foot/leg on command yesterday during therapy.

If they can get his blood pressure under control with oral meds, he will be moved to his own room.  And from there should only be days till he goes somewhere for rehab.  But they have been working on the blood pressure for days.  He does not sleep in the ICU room...has went for at least 3 days with only a short nap here and there. 

I may not respond to comments, but please keep him in your prayers.  I am so thankful for family, faithful friends, and blog buddies.  People he worked with and 'played' with have stood by him/us in this time of need, also.  I have no words to express my gratitude.