Friday, October 16, 2009





Today was another exciting day with Ang.  She slept really well last night.  She is finally getting her sleep cycle back in tune.  She went to be early and didn’t start to rustle around until about 4 (which was awesome for me!).  Her ability to get good sleep makes a huge difference each day relative to her stamina, etc.  This will be critical when she transfers to Harborview so her ability to get good sleep now is a huge blessing.

Most of the morning was spent joking around and Teresa and I reminiscing with Ang about her time at Harborview and her first few weeks at Park West.  She doesn’t remember much of it, but she couldn’t believe some of the phases that she went through during her “confused / agitated” stage.  It was really great to be able to look back at it all and have her see some of the humor in it.  It wasn’t very funny while we were there, but Ang has a great sense of humor and couldn’t believe it!

ST went well today.  The therapist had her read a long article from the paper out loud and then recall the information several minutes later.  She read about the giant helium balloon that supposedly had a kid in it that was flying over Denver yesterday.  She probably retained more information than I did.  She never ceases to amaze me.  She is SO determined to make a full recovery and pushes herself constantly.

PT was grueling today.  They had her working her left leg overtime since it is still very weak.  It is getting stronger slowly but surely, however, each day is very taxing for her.  Today they focused on her hamstring with E-stimulation. Not a lot of movement, but she tried her heart out.  She was working with her left leg only on the seated elliptical.  At first she thought that she couldn’t do it but then she found her stride and exceeded PT’s expectations once again.

OT went well.  She has been receiving 2 sessions a day now.  One to work in the morning on her range of motion and another later in the day that focuses on E-stimulation.  She is able to tolerate much more now and pushes herself in this area as well.  Ang enjoys her therapy now and the time that it affords her to connect with people, share our story, and the Gospel.  It gives her an opportunity to socialize with everyone in general, something that my wife is quite good at! 

Each day that goes by we see exponential progress.  There have been little set-backs here and there mostly because of her being tired on occasion.  Nonetheless, each day we see at least one monumental step forward.  This morning she was having a hard time seeing her progress and I had to tell her that she was moving forward in her sleep, literally!


The transition is going to be tough, but I think Ang is really ready for Harborview.  A few more days on her current trajectory and she is going to be skipping down the halls.

Ang has asked that people pray for courage, and especially patience on her part.  She is motivated and wants to make a full recovery but it is hard for her to accept her current limitations.  

You inspire me to be better husband, Ang.  You strengthen my fait with yours. I know that you can do it and we are all behind you cheering you along every step of the way.

May the force be with you,

Josh
at