Monday, August 31, 2009
great report from the Doctor
A good report from the regular Doctor! She was pleased and nothing was changed. He returns in three months and has to have blood work done at that time. Other than that he received a clean bill of health.
He has had his moments during the last two weeks. We finally had a melt down on getting him to move his body. Rob stepped in and informed his father that he would exercise and not complain about it. That has helped some. He had gotten to the point where he only sat in the chair, in front of the TV all day long. The only time he would get up is to go to the restroom.
Rob has changed that now and he is back on an exercise program. He rides the bike for 40-45 minutes per day and then he works out with a 5 pound ball for another 10-15 minutes. He is normally zapped after that. We are trying to slowly increase his time on the bike and add a minute or two longer on the ball. He is also bowling on the Wii some.
This last Saturday, Pat and Tina came over and we took him shopping at the mall. Sarah is getting ready for a trip to Yellow Stone with her grandparents. She needed good hiking shoes. So we all went to the mall and walked around. Bob wheeled himself, we only steered. He was really worn out after that outing. He did enjoy it though.
He received a letter from his high school friend Doris last week. He got the news on some friends. He had me put the letter in his drawer and told me he needed to send one back, but don’t count on it. He doesn’t write much at all anymore. We found out that is most likely due to the Parkinson’s. The joints in his hands get stiff and his hand writing has changed. He still enjoys getting cards and letters though.
Give the old stiff one a call this week! Talk about the old days, and the new days ahead.
He has had his moments during the last two weeks. We finally had a melt down on getting him to move his body. Rob stepped in and informed his father that he would exercise and not complain about it. That has helped some. He had gotten to the point where he only sat in the chair, in front of the TV all day long. The only time he would get up is to go to the restroom.
Rob has changed that now and he is back on an exercise program. He rides the bike for 40-45 minutes per day and then he works out with a 5 pound ball for another 10-15 minutes. He is normally zapped after that. We are trying to slowly increase his time on the bike and add a minute or two longer on the ball. He is also bowling on the Wii some.
This last Saturday, Pat and Tina came over and we took him shopping at the mall. Sarah is getting ready for a trip to Yellow Stone with her grandparents. She needed good hiking shoes. So we all went to the mall and walked around. Bob wheeled himself, we only steered. He was really worn out after that outing. He did enjoy it though.
He received a letter from his high school friend Doris last week. He got the news on some friends. He had me put the letter in his drawer and told me he needed to send one back, but don’t count on it. He doesn’t write much at all anymore. We found out that is most likely due to the Parkinson’s. The joints in his hands get stiff and his hand writing has changed. He still enjoys getting cards and letters though.
Give the old stiff one a call this week! Talk about the old days, and the new days ahead.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Good report from the Doctor
Bob had a great report from the neurologist. His medication was increased because he is still stooped when he walks, and doesn’t have much facial expressions. The doctor was pleased with the way Bob can stand from a chair and walk across the room. He is doing very well. Now if I can just get him to get out of the chair and move some that would be fabulous.
Sarah had a birthday this last weekend. We had fun celebrating it with her. Lesa, Bob’s niece, sent presents for Bob as well. So Sarah and Bob opened presents together. It was like Christmas. Bob got some new shorts. He needed them. Thanks Lesa for thinking of your Uncle.
Tina came over this week and cut her Father’s hair. We brought him outside and gave him chocolate donut holes while Tina cut his hair. At that moment life just couldn’t get much better. After his haircut, I told him to go shave and get cleaned up. After it was all done he looked polished once again.
Last night Pat and Tina brought Pat’s homemade lasagna over for dinner. After dinner we went outside and sat on the back porch. Bob was sharing stories about fishing on the lake, old neighbors who have long moved away, and the time he went down the river in a canoe with his buddies. They were all stories we have heard a hundred times before, but we sat, listened, smiled, and filled in the blanks when he needed help, which wasn’t that often.
Give him a shout this week. He misses you all and speaks of you all often.
Sarah had a birthday this last weekend. We had fun celebrating it with her. Lesa, Bob’s niece, sent presents for Bob as well. So Sarah and Bob opened presents together. It was like Christmas. Bob got some new shorts. He needed them. Thanks Lesa for thinking of your Uncle.
Tina came over this week and cut her Father’s hair. We brought him outside and gave him chocolate donut holes while Tina cut his hair. At that moment life just couldn’t get much better. After his haircut, I told him to go shave and get cleaned up. After it was all done he looked polished once again.
Last night Pat and Tina brought Pat’s homemade lasagna over for dinner. After dinner we went outside and sat on the back porch. Bob was sharing stories about fishing on the lake, old neighbors who have long moved away, and the time he went down the river in a canoe with his buddies. They were all stories we have heard a hundred times before, but we sat, listened, smiled, and filled in the blanks when he needed help, which wasn’t that often.
Give him a shout this week. He misses you all and speaks of you all often.
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Busy week
Another busy week has come and gone. Bob became a great-grandfather and Christina came to visit all in one week. It was a lot for Bob to deal with this week.
Saturday we had a cookout with the family and a few close friends. Fireworks ended the evening with a loud bang. It was a great time for everyone. The funniest moment of the evening was when Tina and I were sitting inside having some alone, quiet time together and we looked out the window and saw Bob getting up to come inside. He had four people all crowded around him like a cocoon helping him stand and walk to the house. Tina and I about busted a gut laughing at how he had everyone fooled. He was taking baby steps and slowly walking toward the house holding onto hands that were extended helping him walk.
Now granted, Tina and I both agree he needs assistance, but FOUR people to help him inside? He was eating up the attention. It was priceless. Tina looked at me, grinned, and said, “Oh Dee does he have them all fooled or what?” I totally agreed with her. Here is a guy who just this last week was hopping up into a very large truck with almost no assistance and now he had four people helping him walk across the yard. HA!
Give the great one a ring this week. We return to the neurologist on Thursday. I am looking forward to some good news from the doctor.
Saturday we had a cookout with the family and a few close friends. Fireworks ended the evening with a loud bang. It was a great time for everyone. The funniest moment of the evening was when Tina and I were sitting inside having some alone, quiet time together and we looked out the window and saw Bob getting up to come inside. He had four people all crowded around him like a cocoon helping him stand and walk to the house. Tina and I about busted a gut laughing at how he had everyone fooled. He was taking baby steps and slowly walking toward the house holding onto hands that were extended helping him walk.
Now granted, Tina and I both agree he needs assistance, but FOUR people to help him inside? He was eating up the attention. It was priceless. Tina looked at me, grinned, and said, “Oh Dee does he have them all fooled or what?” I totally agreed with her. Here is a guy who just this last week was hopping up into a very large truck with almost no assistance and now he had four people helping him walk across the yard. HA!
Give the great one a ring this week. We return to the neurologist on Thursday. I am looking forward to some good news from the doctor.
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