Paul's Update - 05/21/06

Dear Friends:

OK ... so much for my alternative email source ... oh well! It was a pretty quiet weekend. Friday Paul went to the ophthalmologist. She had a hard time doing most of the testing that she wanted to do since Paul doesn't really respond in ways that help do a visual evaluation. She was however able to dialate his eyes and surprise ... she found something. In his right eye she saw a large blood clot and there was a smaller one in the left eye. They are both being reasorbed by his body. She felt that they would give him fuzzy vision and at one time he probably couldn't even see out of the right eye. It was apparent that nobody had ever looked in his eyes since nothing was noted in his medical records. She said that he may have cut vision or even double vision but that it may get better. She wants to see him in about 4 months to re-evaluate him. The transport was difficult since the transport agency called Tabby a half an hour before time for them to pick Paul up to say the person that was suppose to come backed out and they didn't have anyone to transport him. Dad ended taking him in his truck. It was difficult because Paul's foot was still pretty sore from he surgery two days previous. Dad & Tabby didn't want to cancel the appointment since it is important for us to know what vision Paul has and what could be possible symptoms of problems visually! Saturday and Sunday were very quiet. Paul seems to be still having some pain from time to time. He doesn't want to put any weight on his foot so Dad didn't move him much. Today (Sunday) he put a little more weight on it which makes it easier to move him. He is now wearing the big air cast that he had after his original foot surgery. He will wear that for about a month. This evening Tabby worked with Paul to do a ten-piece puzzle. It was one of those puzzles that has pieces that fit in a spot that is the same shape as the picture. It was a puzzle of Tools. He took out each of the pieces when Tabby asked him to. She would say "take out the hammer" or "take out the wrench" and he would do it. Then once all the pieces were out of the board she asked him to put them back piece by piece. It took quite a while and he seemed exhausted about half way through. Tabby said "you can do this" and he shook his head "no" ... then she said "yes you can ... I know you can" and he shook his head "no" again. He seemed pretty frustrated and convinced he couldn't do it. Tabby persisted and finally he did finish the puzzle! Later in the evening we were all sitting in the kitchen while Paul was resting in the bedroom. Tabby had his door closed and the light off. She went to check on him and he was awake and trying to get out of the bed!! It was as if he wanted to come out to be where we all were! Monday is the follow-up appointment with the Gastroenterologist. He will give Tabby the results of the tests he did on Paul's stomach and advise her on what he thinks should be done about the hiatal hernia that Paul has. Hopefully we will hear from the speech therapist to set up a time for her to come!

Have a blessed day! Lynne & Carl