Al has gone up another notch on the food chain. His next step will be a regular diet. This morning he got toast (sans crust) and Cheerios. A welcome change from oat meal and cream of wheat and puddings and fruit sauces. His new diet allows him choices which is nice. He is becoming more independent during meal time.

I am a bit of an enabler and I was busted yesterday helping Rodney shave. I had not clued into the fact that OT(Occupational Therapy) had been trying to get him more independent for his impending discharge. Ooops. It was discovered he was not advancing to independence quickly because I was dancing to his tune. His OT explained to him that he needed to shave himself, because I wouldn't be going home with him. (What a relief that was to hear.) If he asked me for help, I gave it. Its just my nature. So now that I have been instructed not to help him but to encourage him that he can do things himself, guess I will get more knitting done now. This forced me to think about how much help I am giving Al. So I am trying to step back and let him do more things for himself.

Unfortunately Al does have a degree of aphasia. His cognition is impaired. I think with time and strategies this will improve. He can communicate. A lot of words have escaped him but he still manages to get his point across with a lot of non-verbal communication. His therapist has already given me some strategies.

I am seeing a bit more movement in his right leg every day. This is super encouraging. No improvement yet in his right arm but based on my own experience I am not surprised and I will not let go of the idea that it will return in time and with intense therapy.