Paul's Update - 10/21/06

Dear friends:

Carl and I are back home. We went to one of the most beautiful weddings we've seen in a long time on Friday. What a beautiful bride and she has a wonderful new husband! We enjoyed celebrating with them and their families! Then we went to the Renaissance Fair in Maryland today. It was a great day and the weather cooperated (last year it rained on us all day!!). There was quite a crowd but we enjoyed the day! Tabby had Dora at the house all day yesterday. She and Max went out for some errands but didn't stay out long ... Max has gotten pretty heavy to carry around. It is not often that Dora gets left at the house by herself with Paul. She has really been more attentive to Paul since the recent seizures! She had not been there during the previous seizures and I think it took her by surprise. Dad said she doesn't leave Paul alone much since then. Dad got over to Tabby's house this morning (with the Starbucks of course) and found that the nurse didn't show up!! This is the second weekend in a row that we had no nurse. There is speculation that she may have quit but we aren't sure. If that is true ... we don't know why the agency didn't assign another weekend nurse. This meant that Tabby & Bobby had to be there without any help. They can handle it but it is exhausting. Dad got Paul up out of bed and took him into the bathroom to clean him up and get him dressed for the day before we left. Paul was feeling pretty good. He is trying to use his right hand more. He used that hand to run the massager on his bed this evening!! His fingers still don't move well but he attempts to use that hand as much as he is able. I believe that the magnets are helping some but it could be just continuation of the healing that was starting before the seizures. Whatever it is ... we are thankful!! Tabby said Paul seemed more alert this evening. Dad went over to help her get Paul ready for bed. As of a couple days ago Tabby is decreasing and will eventually eliminate the Trazadone that Paul has been taking. We thought it was suppose to be for depression but the neurologist said that it is really just to make Paul sleep better and hopefully that will make him less depressed. Tabby decided that we don't see any real benefit to this medicine because Paul is still waking up during the night. This should help to keep Paul less drowsy since he is now taking an increase in anti-seizure medicines. Sunday should be a quiet football kind of day! Have a great day!!

Love, Lynne & Carl