Moving Forward

October 2. This week has been interesting to say the least. I found that trying to get dad to speak on demand is almost impossible. But, one day he saw my brother's spare tire on the car, and drew a picture of a circle and put 4 dots indicating lug nuts. Then drew another circle and put 4 dots. Pointing to one circle then the other, counting out loud, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4 5. Couldn't figure out what he was trying to convey. Dad was frustrated that he couldn't get his point across.

  Today, he had me goose chasing around the house. He has a dentist appt tomorrow. He takes antibiotics before his appointment to prevent infection. So for a half an hour, I played 20 questions to figured out what he wanted. He had me get the phone book. He flipped through it. I don't know why, he can't read.

  I'll have to work on a new picture board this week

  On the good side, dad is able to rewrite a word without looking at it. A month ago, he could not do that.

  Dentist appointment tomorrow. Should go ok. .

Reap The Rewards

September 29. This afternoon dad called me into the room and had his picture board in his lap. He was looking for the pic of his water. I didn't think he understood using the board for communication. Wow. :)).

Door Opens, Then Slams Shut

September 23. The last week has been interesting. On one day dad can speak some numbers, 1-6. Identifies a few pictures, cup, toilet, pen. The next day, nothing.
  Speech appointment today. Therapist says there is a little progress. Dad seemed to be receptive to gesturing, like sign language. He actually was mimicking the therapist. But she said that I could work on just simple things at first.

No School Today

September 17. No daily dose of home school today. Dad's friend's memorial is today.

A Change In The Plan

September 16. Second speech therapy appointment. Went as well as the first. Therapist told me to gather pictures from magazines of different things to use to work on identifying object that he might be familiar with, such as cars, a dog, a house, etc. I asked her if taking photos of things around the house and posting them on card board would be ok. She said it would be fine.   There has to be a way to get through. This Wernickes stroke has caused a lot of grief. But I'm not going to let it beat him down.

Do You Smoke?

September 14. Took dad to a cardiology appointment. The nurse asked a series of questions about medications, allergies, etc. Then the nurse asked dad, "Do you smoke?" Dad responded "Yes." Dad has never smoked.

A Daily Dose

September 7. Dad's first speech therapy session. Didn't go very well. The therapist held up three cards with drawings. A hammer, dice, and a ball. She held an actual hammer and asked dad to point to the card with hammer drawn on it. Dad was unable to identify any of the cards with the actual object. Unable to speak the words.
  The therapist told me to gather items around the house and use them along with showing him how to write the name of the item. I wrote the name of the item on masking tape and taped it on several things that he was familiar with. I am starting what I call "a daily dose of home school" for 30 minutes every day that dad is able to attend.
  This morning before we left for the appointment, I found out dad's long time friend of 65 years passed away. His wife's friend said the memorial will be August 17. I didn't want to tell dad but if he was fully recovered and found out, he would be upset that I didn't tell him. So I did. To my surprise, dad seemed to understand.