Thursday, January 15th...Another Day, Another Blessing

Today, Dave and I went up to KRH to see Dad "in action" while doing his occupational and physical therapy. While we were there Rachelle and Kelley both showed us some exercises and activities we can do with Dad to keep up the great progress he has made just within the last couple of weeks. Dad can now move his right hand/arm doing things such as feeding himself, shaking your hand and touching his nose. He has also started to walk with the assistance of a walker and someone to spot him. Dad definitely showed off his skills today and we took some video so you all can see for yourself that Georgey Porgey is well on his way to recovery...

Monday, January 12 … WE HAVE LIFT-OFF!!

Mom called this evening and was very excited. Kelley told Mom that Laurie got Dad to use his stroke-affected right hand today in therapy, so Kelley suggested that Mom try and get him to use it again at dinner this evening. It wasn’t an easy feat, but he managed to get at least 4 bites of food into his mouth using that hand, as well as shake hands with his visitors, Mark & Abby, and Butch Scherer. Butch gave mom a great idea this evening; the deal was that Dad had to try and do what Mom asked or he wouldn’t get a kiss good-night! Dad “thanked” Butch for that, but it worked. Mom asked Dad to touch his nose, and after he did that successfully, she had him touch hers, and he did that too!! So, of course, Dad got his kiss good-night, and a second one too, just for the extra effort! Kelley said it’s very important that Dad starts recognizing that right side because she thinks that is what is holding him back from walking. Therefore, any of you that go to visit Dad from here on out, don’t let him off the hook by using his left hand to greet you. Now that we know he can do it, it’s “tough love” from here on out!!

Sunday, January 11...WHATAWEEKEND!

Just like the infamous Texas burger chain, this weekend was made to order for George Luker. His therapy went well on Friday morning, and the insurance did extend Dad's discharge date from January 9 to January 16. The doctor and therapists are still hoping for an additional week (Friday, January 23), but the insurance will only approve one week at a time, so hopefully after this Tuesday's evaluation, we'll get their approval. Butch Scherer visited Dad on Friday afternoon, and then his visit was followed by Mom and her friend, Christine, who brought one of Dad's favorite meals ... Popeye's fried chicken w/red beans and rice and a biscuit! Apparently before they left for the evening, Dad had them in stitches about his thumb wrestling matches with one of his "girlfriends" from therapy (he wouldn't name names, but Mom knows who you are ). On Saturday, Mom and Grandma visited Dad for lunch, his hunting buddy, Charles Lee called, and then Mom, Dave & I went back later that evening after Hannah's birthday bowling party and took him a half of a big birthday cupcake ... Mom actually shared with Dad, and that was pretty impressive because no one usually gets any of her white cake/white icing desserts! Plus, we told Dad that we were breaking him out of there on Sunday afternoon to come home and watch the Steeler game. As many of you know, Mom grew up in Pittsburgh, and Mom and Dad first started dating during the era of the big Oiler / Steeler rivalry. Mom claims that she and Dad had their first argument during one of those games, but fortunately that didn't stop them from getting married. And, I can totally relate because I have a "mixed marriage" too. My husband's family is from Illinois, so the Texans / Bears games and the Astros / Cardinals games are always good for a few "fireworks" as well! Terri, Paul & Emily arrived at Rehab before 9 o'clock this morning to start Dad's day off on the right foot. My Uncle David visited before lunch too. Mom, Dave & I arrived around 2:30 to pick Dad up for his outing, and it didn't take him long to tell us that he was getting tired of waiting on us! We tried explaining to him that his pass was only good for 4 hours, and the game didn't start until 3:30, but he really didn't want to hear it. He gave us the "silent treatment" on the drive home, but once he got to the house, he was fine. The dogs, Brady and Cooper, kept him entertained while we started getting things prepared for dinner, and Dad, gave Macy, our other dog, some TLC since she hurt her leg yesterday and wasn't feeling very well. At half-time, we feasted on rib-eye steaks, baked sweet potatoes, sauteed spinach, and asparagus; everything was really good and Dave got a big thumbs-up on the steaks from Dad, the grill master! After dinner, Stephanie, Mom & Dad's neighbor who also happens to be a hairstylist, came over and gave Dad a much-needed haircut. After Stephanie worked her magic with her shears and trimmer, we hardly recognized him!! Thank you soo much, Stephanie, for making a house call!! And then we all had the perfect ending to the day -- STEELERS WIN! Oh yeah, and Dad is not the only one with a hair make-over this weekend; my hair is now it's natural color ... dark brown, just like Mom's (in case you couldn't find me in the photo ... ha!)