Oct 12, 2004

For the past several years, our family has enjoyed the tradition of having weekly family nights. Once a month, we have a night where all we do is take turns sharing our feelings for each other, the gospel, and what ever else that person would like to share. For those familiar, it is like a testimony meeting at church, but much more intimate. The past several months have come with a void in which Jenny has not been able to be involved by sharing her thoughts during this favorite family activity- until now. Last night, Jenny was able to use her ever improving ability to finger spell her thoughts and feelings. We really miss hearing her voice, so it was wonderful to experince the miracle of her communicating her thoughts to us this way.

Jenny has told me on several occassions lately that she tries and tries, but her left side does not respond anymore. It has been 2-3 months since her voluntary movement on her left slowly went away. It was her stronger side and had more voluntary gross motor movements initially. She refuses to give up. We went through our closet this week, as a yearly tradition dictates. I was impressed that she finally got rid of some of her 80’s clothes from high school. When it came to her high heels, I asked if I could get rid of them. Jenny refuses to believe that she will not walk in them again some day. So, we kept them. Because it is Jenny, she probably will.

Oct 9, 2004

Jenny seems to be telling me that she has had many more more good days lately. We are trying to get out more and she still is getting stronger. She played Yatzee Jr with Zach again and I was amazed at how much better she was able to pick things up. We still work on getting her to lift her arm up to her head. If she has an itch, it seems to get there with some effort. Otherwise, she still needs help when doing exercises. I still give her snacks like soft candies and popcorn, which seem to motivate her to want to lift her arm. I only need to give a little help for these exercises. It seems to be helping her with her chewing as well.

We started an addition on our house shortly after Jenny came home and it seem likeit might be done soon. It took forever, but Jenny will now have a real room and a roll-in shower. I will not have to carry her upstairs for a shower any more. We think that by the end of next week it will be done (much later than it was suppose to be).

Oct 6, 2004

Just recently, Jenny has been able to communicate with her sister, in San Diego, by signing while on a web cam. It seems like it works pretty well. We still try to build the strength in Jenny’s active arm so she can do more. The other day, Jenny told me she had a dream about eating breakfast. All she wanted was to eat a bowl of Froot Loops and chew the cereal. Based on those desires, I placed various cereals on her wheel chair tray and helped her feed herself one at a time. Jenny liked it and was the first to point out that this is how she helped our kids work on picking things up and feeding themselves. Today, we upgraded to Junior Mints.

Life seems to be getting back to more of a routine. Jenny and I get out on occassion and are able to spend quality time with the kids, but only in short periods. My mother and dad are still a huge part in helping to raise the kids and caring for their daily needs. We have been lucky to have an active support system where we had Jenny’s sister, Melissa, and her husband for a few months. We also have other family who visit often- as well as friends who are a pleasure to see since they seem to boost Jenny’s mood.

Jenny’s brother, Don, should be placing some photos of the past few months on this web site in a few days. They begin as early as a couple weeks after Jenny’s stroke to just recently.

Oct 3, 2004

We were able to watch our church’s General Conference broadcast from our home this weekend, which was easier since we did not have to leave the house for church. I think it is because of our situation, but it seemes like many of the talks by the church leaders delt with overcoming trials and tribulations. It gave us an opportunity to discuss how Jenny was feeling these days about her struggles. Overall, Jenny felt that the conference talks brought comfort and peace, but she still suffers each day and it is difficult to be patient while healing occurs.

Jenny has become quite strong in using her right hand. I think it is because she signs with it so much and has functional uses for those movements that makes her exercise it throughout the day.

I was able to get out of the house, despite a reluctant wife, for the first time in a great while. I took a short hike with my father which was a needed break. Jenny still struggles to not have me with her at all times. I can easily lift her while providing her the care that she needs. Everyone else needs to use the overhead lift which Jenny finds to be uncomfortable and “humiliating”. I agree that the lift is not the funnest thing, but it is the best we have- and the safest option. While we were gone, I was even more afraid of getting into trouble for being late than I was prior to her stroke. She can not even talk, but I am still afraid of her wrath and getting lectured for wrong doing. Since the hike, Jenny has tightened the leash on letting me go anywhere.

Oct 1, 2004

Jenny seems to have hit a point of slowed progress, but this has happened many times along the way. She is still doing more each day, but not as rapid as the previous month. For instance, Jenny has been able to play games on the computer using a mouse. A few days ago it was highly emotional and unproductive, but she has now become functional, yet slow, at using the mouse. She will win a game of Mahjongg, but it takes an hour rather than a few minutes. Tonight, she was able to point and click her way to read e-mails. Jenny has become more emotional lately but her emotions will still tend to be inconsistant with how she really feels or the situation.

A nice progression has been the increased desire of the the children to want to interact with Jenny. They fight over who sits in her lap or lays down next to her. Sophia thinks Jenny is her own personal play thing. She can be really sweet as she brings over cups of water because she claims Jenny told her she was thirsty. I typically save Jenny before she drowns or gets too wet. I can not save Jenny from getting dressed up in jewelry. All the kids will help do range of motion exercises with thier mom when they see her resting. They usually encourage her and praise her efforts, and are typically gentle. Through the infinate wisdom of children, Jenny gets plastered with band aids because we all were taught as children that band aids fix everything.