Paul's Update - 05/21/07

Dear Friends:

Friday morning Paul was up, dressed and had already finished breakfast. Paul was sitting in the living room. We have a white board with the day & date on it that Dad changes every day. While I was on the way to work Dad called to tell me that he asked Paul what day it was and without prompting Paul said "May 18". This is pretty amazing ... he usually doesn't even get the day right much less the date!! Paul seemed to be more of himself. He had a good day and walked really well. I left to go out of town around noon. Dad called me again to say that Paul tried to run away from home ... he actually went to the door, opened it while moving the walker out of the way to get it open. He then unlocked the screen door and went outside. Dad held the door for him and he walked out the front door, down the walkway and into the driveway. Dad asked Paul where he was going. He said "home"! Dad tried to get him to go to the swing in the yard but he wouldn't budge. He stayed out in the driveway for a bit until it started to rain. He finally went back in the house. I think he actually thought he could walk home! This really saddened Dad ... imagine not being able to do anything about your surroundings and not wanting to be someplace when you'd rather be at home!! The neurologist called and told Dad that Paul's MRI showed signs that the shunt that he has is working. This shows that he is dependent on it and will probably have it his entire life. That's OK with us ... we'd rather not have any more surgeries anyway!! As long as the shunt functions the way it is suppose to ... we are OK with having it!!

Saturday morning Dad asked Paul what day it was and he said "May 15th" so Dad said "no, it's the 19th". Oh well ... he was close. Paul was walking with the walker that has wheels all day. He does pretty good with it. It is actually more like normal walking. Dad had to go out so Paul stayed with the nurse. Later in the afternoon Dad, Paul & Gradis (the nurse) joined Bill, Vicky, Christie & Traci at the Mexican Restaurant. Ronda was with me at the retreat!! Saturday evening the church was having a community picnic followed by a free movie. Paul was able to go and enjoyed the fellowship and the movie too!! It is nice to be able to do these kinds of things ... it gets Paul out. He really gets to do that a lot with us. Sunday morning was the usual breakfast at Yorkshire Restaurant ... but Bill couldn't come (Lew got sick). Max came and was able to come to church with Pap-Paw & Daddy. He stayed the afternoon until about 3pm. Unfortunately I didn't get home until after he had gone home. Bobby & Jen came by and visited for a while after church. They couldn't stay long. So I missed them too (sigh)! After I got home Dad & I were able to sit outside on the swing while Paul watched a movie with the nurse. Apparently the nurse who we thought was "GLadis" ... is actually "GRadis". Since she is from Ghana her accent was misunderstood and we've been calling her by the wrong name all these months!! She answers to Gladis ... so we didn't realize we were saying it wrong!! After dinner Paul & I worked on the alphabet. Carolyn had bought some plastic tiles that have alphabet letters on them. Paul was able to identify some of the letters without help. He did pretty good on A through K. After that I helped him with most of the rest of the alphabet. It appears that he is getting a little better with it. He still seems a bit stubborn and uncooperative at times. Later in the evening he didn't want to talk at all and wouldn't help Dad when it was time to get up to go to the bathroom or bed. Monday morning started out as usual ... but Paul still didn't want to talk to Dad. We had some errands to run so Paul stayed with Dora & she fed him lunch. Paul used the walker with wheels again but had a little more trouble with balance and had to use the other walker by evening. We had Max for most of the afternoon and evening. Dad went to the daycare and picked him up. He is such a joy to have around!! Paul likes watching him play. I think he's as fascinated by all of Max's energy as we are!! After dinner we were able sit outside on the deck. Bill & Ronda came for a bit and we were able to have coffee out there. It was a quiet, clear night and the sky was clear enough to enjoy the stars!! We really enjoy our new deck!! Paul was exhausted by 9:30pm. Evidently he was up around 5:30am since he had gone to bed the night before at 9:30pm. Tuesday he will go to therapy. Cathy should be there and hopefully he will have a good session with her.

Have a great day! Lynne & Carl