Paul's Update - 09/18/06

Dear Friends:

Sunday was a quiet family day. Paul was upstairs in the living room most of the day again. He really likes being up there. Dad brought over the TV from our sitting room to put in Paul's living room because it is bigger than what they had. This would make it easier for folks to sit in the living room and watch the football game. Paul was up several times throughout the day. Dad still has to do a lot of work to walk him but he is getting stronger. Paul was upstairs until after the football game was over. It made for a pretty long day. When he went downstairs for bed he didn't want to get off the chair ... he rode it back up and then back down again. He really likes using the remote and riding in his new chair.

Dad & Tabby took Paul to the neurologist on Monday. This is a follow-up to check on how Paul is doing now that we've finished reducing the Depacote. The doctor was pleased with Paul's progress. When Dad told the doctor that Paul is using his right hand more the doctor wasn't convince that is was anything more than random reflex action because Paul wouldn't squeeze his hand when asked. Dad asked Paul to give him his hand and he reached out with his right hand and opened his fingers. That convinced the doctor that maybe he really IS getting better with it! The doctor was told about Paul's dental appointment last week. The dentist had said that Paul's gums were growing over his teeth...this is evidently a side effect of Dilantin. When the neurologist heard this his immediate reaction was that Paul needs to get off of the Dilantin. Now we will do another change of meds. The doctor prescribed a new medicine that Paul will take for about 10 days, then have his blood drawn to see if it is at a therapeutic level before decreasing the Dilantin. The doctor also told Tabby he would start Paul on a low dose of antidepressants that he can take at night. Tabby had told the doctor that Paul is waking up at night so he felt this would also help him sleep. After coming home Paul sat upstairs until about 9pm.

Please keep Billy's (Carolyn's husband) family in your prayers. His mother Fran passed away on Sunday night. She was fighting a battle with cancer.

Have a great day, Lynne & Carl