Day 26 & 27

Sorry, I didn't have what it took last night to blog. Wouldn't you know it, the first "civilian" I saw at school today remarked that she'd noticed I'd not updated the blog. I loved it--glad people are still interested in Joanie.

She had a good and busy day Tuesday. The Speech Therapist had wanted to come, but we'd already scheduled PT & OT so I put her off till Thursday. Now we have all three of them scheduled for tomorrow. This is great to have so much help.

Scott had Joanie walk outside to the mailbox Tuesday and again today, using only her new cane. She did well. Today Scott had her get up from the floor three times which is good practice in case she falls. He is working her hard and she is very cooperative. Scott wants to come as often as he can during these early weeks because he is seeing good progress. Joanie is forcing herself to try to use the left hand, but the vacation it's been taking is not yet over. Tonight Joanie is exhausted.

Sandy, the OT, also saw her Tuesday and reviewed her bathing facilities. She had some good suggestions that Joanie is working on. We helped her shower this morning, much to her delight. It looked like so much fun that I might take up showering myself.

Brenda, Joanie's sister, has been invaluable. I can't imagine life without her this week. I've been conflicted with needing to finish up my paper work for school and helping Joanie. Brenda has stepped right in and helped out immensely. In addition to that kind of help, she's been cooking like there is no tomorrow. Her goal seems to be to fill up our freezer in the basement. Each morning, she has a good supply of frozen entrees for me to take down to the freezer. We'll be eating "high on the hog" (does that expression really fit in our case?) for the next several weeks!

Speaking of school, Teri and Kathy, have been working in Joanie's room, getting it in order to leave it for the summer. They've spent the last couple of days helping out. Joanie is completely comfortable with them in her room. Kathy was Joanie's aide for many years, is a great substitute, and knows how Joanie does things. Teri taught 1-2 in that room for many years while Joanie was teaching K-Pre 1st. In addition, when Joanie took of a year to be my care giver, Teri took over her room. They have very similar philosophies about teaching and have worked together for years. Joanie's delight in their help is beyond words! Thank you so much.


"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16

Day 25

Silly me. I was aiming to be in bed at 10:00. Instead, I spent the past couple of hours removing the glass doors from the shower/tub, hanging a plastic curtain, replacing the shower head with a cheap feeling shower hose, and assembling a shower bench. After the OT comes to visit tomorrow, we should be ready for Joanie to take a shower. The OT will instruct us in placement of a handle in the tub and explain the best way to function.

This morning a visiting nurse, Gus, came to draw blood and interview us. She gave us some good tips to keep Joanie safe. Later, Scot, our PT, came to visit. He also evaluated Joanie's condition and left us with a list of activities to have Joanie work on. He is encouraging her to begin painting again--right away. He feels that it will encourage her to use her left hand/arm and add interest to her life. His philosophy is to devise activities that will force her to begin to use her left "vacationing" hand/arm. He's going to be great to work with. He decided that she has such good balance that sheshould walk in the house without any kind of an aide, as long as her sister of I are right with her. Since we are anyway, that works for us.

Joanie had a good appetite and again enjoyed her sister, Brenda's cooking. I tell her to live it up because soon I'll be the one "cooking".

"It's no longer a question of staying healthy. It's a question of finding a sickness you like."
Jackie Mason

This stroke may not have been our first choice, but I guess we really didn't have a choice!

Day 24

Joanie came home today! She, and we, are so happy. Joanie enjoyed lunch and a special supper that Brenda prepared. It was great to see her say she was hungry and eat better than the past three weeks. She had no trouble getting home, enjoyed sitting around talking, took a little nap, and watched a little Home and Garden TV (her favorite TV).
Tomorrow a visiting nurse comes to evaluate her and later a visiting PT also stops by to give instruction and see if the house is safe.


"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you."
Deuteronomy 8:10