After much physical therapy, dad had a shower. Seems so menial, something we all take for granted, but it's a simple act that can help make someone feel so much better. He had a good shave and mom gave him a little "foo foo." Mom said he's talking more and reading a lot. I talked to him again and he seemed a little refreshed and positive. Better than yesterday.
Tomorrow morning he will have the procedure to place the feeding tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy - PEG) directly through his abdomen. His swallowing reflex is still not adequate.
The cardio doc paid him a visit and said things cardio-wise continue to look positive.
The rehab hospital closer to mom and dad's is sending someone out to evaluate dad to see if he's a candidate for their facility. Otherwise, he'll stay where he is and mom will have to keep puttin' miles on the ol' Saturn.
We've found a gem amidst the tight-lipped, poor-communicating docs that we've dealt with so far. These are the terms mom and Jen use to describe dad's latest speech therapist:
- "Very nice"
- "Very reassuring"
- "Everything you would want in a doctor"
- "I want to go into therapy with her myself"
Although dad still has to go through a battery of assessments, Dr. Wonderful Speech Therapist said she thinks he will rehabilitate quickly. (Is it appropriate to hug your doctor?) And this is the best part: She moved to Phoenix last year from.....(drumroll)....Heath, TX. That's right, my new hometown. Since mom and dad still want to try to move out here, she was able to give her good information about doctors, hospitals and facilities for dad. She even gave mom her personal email, and recommended a hair salon for me, which happens to be about 1 mile from my house. Ah, serendipity. Or perhaps divine intervention.
On a closing note, one visiting doctor, aiming to assess dad's memory, asked him, "Who is the President of the United States?"
To which dad replied.....
"Unfortunately, George W. Bush."
Get a good belly laugh, ya'll!
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