Jenny has made great strides in the past week or so. She keeps trying to do more that what she has been capable of doing. I have always been proud of her, but she really is taking control of her life and future outcomes. A recently accomplished task has been the ability to drive up to a table and take things off from it, such as the remote. Before, she needed someone to place things in her hands. A new movement today was to be able ot move her pinky on her right hand. I always see her trying to move and stretch the pinky against her leg or other objects. It appearantly worked. This is helpful because she had to change the ASL alphabet for “i”, “j”, and “y” and use her ring finger instead of her pinky to sign letters. It worked fine, but looked like she was flipping you off when she spelled “i”.

Jenny has also been able to use our “Ab Lounger” (sit up machine) for the first time. She can get several back and forth movements before feeling fatigued. I notice that her stomach is not as much of a pooch since her stomach muscles have kicked in. Some new vocal things have kicked in as well. Jenny will start to speak without thinking and she is able to produce word sounds. This has only happened a couple times, but it has only been a couple days since it started. hopefully, it is a positive sign.

We are slowly packing for our move to Texas. It is difficult for Jenny because we are trying to reduce our posessions and she feels that getting rid of items is giving up on her recovery potenial. I feel torn as well, but I debate the fact that we do not need a whole lot of snow recreation gear in Texas, for example. We did not use it in Indiana, and we always rented when we did things like go skiing in Utah. Jenny has always wanted more children, so the idea of getting rid of baby supplies is difficult. We make compromises, but she still refuses to get rid of any toys. Jenny has not lost her pack rat or stubborness traits with the stroke. We still disagree and argue our sides, but I hate arguing with her now. It is something you have to experience to understand. Since she spells out each word, and her signs are not always very clear, I need to say what I see her spell to make sure I understand correctly what she is telling me. Therefore, I use my voice to say her thoughts. Basically, I am yelling/arguing at myself- or at least it feels that way.