I know there are many books and papers on the brain, and lots of doctors who have "neuro" as a specialty, but many parts are uncharted and unknown territory. I did some reading on "bilateral thalamic infarctions" and I ran into the words "uncommon and unique" words which Chuck’s neuro surgeon used in the hospital. … Just what we needed to hear. And now I’m reading it. We will work our way through this by reading and asking questions. As if he knew I have 50 questions, Chuck’s neurosurgeon cancelled our first appointment today to do an emergency surgery (Do they "plan" emergency surgeries?) Shame on him; avoiding me like that… We had the CT scan on Monday and the doctor will have it when we visit him… I pray for the words, "back to normal, now work hard!"
Chuck worked on the computer for the first time this morning. I’m the one who woke up at 4am, not Chuck… But he started moving and then I felt like I could get up. Yikes it is dark out at 4:30am…. He logged his FHP time for November, sent it off via email, responded to emails, and read a lot of emails. After about an hour, he was flagging, and I moved him away from the computer. He is taking a little nap before Dave comes to walk at 9 (we are up to walking about 1 1/4 mile and doing it vigorously.) PT guy said that was OK. We have PT this afternoon. Therapists said he has to work to relearn cognitive skills, and not to push (use baby steps, go slowly – words Chuck never understood; me either…) … Chuck and I both have to be confident and willing to work hard to relearn skills that his "stunned brain" has temporarily forgotten, like touch typing: I needed to say, "use both hands" and he picked it right up. Reminders of how to do things is the way the therapists do it. Knowledge is not gone… the brain just has to find it. Healing is an awesome thing and we continue to pray for total healing. We look forward to a visit from Chuck’s cousin Carol tomorrow until the 10th. Carol, I, and any other beautiful women of the neighborhood will engage Chuck in lively conversations as he’s supposed to be working on ability to listen to three or more women talk at once and figure it all out. Remind you of a little joke? "Doctor will I be able to play the piano?"… "yes" … "oh good because I couldn’t before!" Imagine if Chuck learns to listen to three women talking at once and figure it out… that will be fun! God be with you this December as we prepare to celebrate God coming to earth, and as we remember "God is with us" Emanuel. Love Susie
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