Paul's Update - 03/24/07

Dear Friends:

Dad went to Tabby's house first thing this morning to meet up with Gladys (the weekend nurse) and show her husband how to get to our house. Once they were at our house Gladys helped Dad get Paul bathed and dressed. They took him to the dining room table for breakfast. It is nice for him to be able to sit at the table!! The morning consisted of mostly getting Paul's things put away in places that will make his care easier. Around 3pm Tabby & Carolyn came over. They had more of Paul's things, including some of the foods that she has for him. He eats lots of low calorie things like Lean Cuisine & Healthy Choice meals. It was Billy's birthday so Carolyn was going to make a cake for him. She brought the stuff for the cake and Alysa & I cooked the cake while Carolyn & Tabby went out to get more of Paul's things and do some errands. When they got back Tabby visited for a bit. She was able to see Paul's room and how things are set up. It was nice to have her visit. We miss seeing her. Dad decided today to see if Paul could use the walker to go to the bathroom. Paul started out using the walker that the hospital gave him. It has wheels on it and Paul had trouble with it. It kept getting too far away from him. We have another walker that doesn't have wheels and Paul was able to use it to get up from the recliner ... walk to the hallway ... and walk all the way down the hallway to the bathroom ... with MINIMAL assistance. Gladys was in front of him and Dad was behind him but he did most of the work by himself!! WOW ... what a wonderful thing to watch. Billy came over after work. He has a new T-shirt that Carolyn bought for him last week at Myrtle Beach. I read it for him ... "ROCK is dead ... long live Paper & Scissors". When I read it ... Paul looked up at Billy and gave him a big smile! He enjoyed the humor of it!! Smiles are really good ... he doesn't have much spontaneous reaction to humor. This evening Uncle Wally and Aunt Shirley came by to get a woodstove that we offered to them. Paul seemed very interested in Aunt Shirley. It was like he recognized her but wasn't really sure who she was. I actually wondered if he thought she may be his Grandmother ... Aunt Shirley looks a LOT like Grandma did when Paul was growing up. We had a nice visit with them and they stayed for dinner. Paul sat at the table with us again tonight. He waited for us to sit down and do the blessing before he ate!! After dinner we sat in the living room and visited for a bit. After Uncle Wally & Aunt Shirley left Paul sat up until almost 9pm. He had gotten his medicines and was ready to go to bed. Tabby brought over the baby monitor this afternoon so we will be able to monitor Paul during the night. His room is at the opposite end of the house from our bedroom. He was awake several times last night and Dad knows that because HE was awake several times worrying about Paul! Today Paul had such a great day ... so did we. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of many good things to come. Paul may actually progress well with Dad being able to work with him so much. It is amazing how God blesses the most difficult situations! Thanks for your prayers!

Have a great day, Lynne & Carl