Germs are inevitable

I'm sad. Tonight is the first night that I've missed visiting t in the evening since May. (Well, second) I feel horrible leaving him all alone.

He's alone, because he's in quarantine. He has contracted MRSA in his pressure sore. MRSA is a bacteria passed by touch and can live on inanimate objects; so, I'm unable to bring things to the room until he is treated with antibiotics. I did get his harley bell hung a few days ago. They don't know about it; I don't think so anyhow. (I should wipe it down with alcohol, I suppose.) He's alone in a room with a just a tv. Visitors can visit provided they wash their hands upon entering and leaving the room. Please send encouragment.

Why didn't I visit Bob tonight? The contractor was at our house discussing the layout for the addition for two hours. We revamped this and that which will double the original cost. Oh dear! In the end, it will be what we need to accommodate both of our physical challenges.

I found out some good news about me today. 1. If you Google my name, the entire first page is about me. 2. When you Google some of the topics that I wrote about on e-How, my article is listed in the top three selections. Woo-hoo! I did something right. It takes a lot of correct placement of "verbage" to get listed on the first page of Google. One article is "filling out a bank deposit slip".

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 108A (new room)

I think he was jerking my chain!

Friends from church visited today. He not only recognized them, but knew their names right of the bat. Later when I was leaving, I asked him my name; he thought for a moment, then said with a grin, "Brittany". I told him to guess again, and he said, "Juliet". I told him my name, thinking he didn't remember. And, as I left he said, "Bye Sweetie." Which is what he calls me. The entire time of name remembering, Bob was grinning, like I know what your name is; now I'm playing.

Cognitive therapy consisted of naming opposites and synonyms. Score: 100% with no hesitations! Naming pictures is still about 0-10%. It was hard to concentrate with the roommates tv loud.

He fed himself well at lunchtime. His eyes are focusing better today. He didn't over-reach his food as many times as usual. However, many of the pictures blended together in the learning activities. (Maybe that's why he can't name pictures. They blend together to make something completely new.)

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 122A

A dad named Moose?

Who has a dad named Moose? A friend of ours came for a visit today, and Bob was confusing him with a childhood friend who lived on a farm and whose dad's name was Moose. Anyone want to decipher this story?

Bob is looking real good. He has lost 72 pounds! His roommate is another hospice patient. I keep telling t not to listen to conversations coming from the other side of the room. I reassure t that he's getting better each day, and he is going home. Bob has had three roommates; two who have passed away. Until now, I believe he has been oblivious to the previous two passing away.

Today's cognitive therapy included comprehension and short-term memory. Bob received 100%. He didn't pause with any of his responses. I also did some actvities where he had to pick a picture that matched a statement like, what provides shade...tree. Bob's response was slow, but he was 100% correct. I asked him to explain to me what shade was; this way I knew that he knew the definition. (I told you before...there is no such thing as "down-time" with this teacher (me).

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 122A

Golfers beware

Bob's new room at the VA overlooks the golf course. When I told him that he can look out his window at all the golfers, he said he'll need to play against them.

He rested most of the day. The commute across town was exhausting. He's all settled in his new room. He looks more comfortable. He even got to eat dinner this evening. At Rose Haven, he had breakfast and lunch, no dinner. Already the first day at the VA, he had all three meals.

One thing that frustrates me though, are the charge nurses sounding as though there isn't much hope for full recovery. They must be basing their opinion on what they have experienced in the past. I know my t is going to be different. When I see such significant progress everyday, there's no doubt in my mind he'll recover fully. I feel a year or two from now, no one will ever know he had a major stroke.

Tomorrow, I will get his room all homey again with pictures, cards, and plants.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

VA Healthcare System, Transitional Care Unit, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470 Room 122A

Chicago Mercantile Exchange...

Once again, Bob's mind is clearly dedicated to trading. The speech therapist asked him what CME stood for. Without any delay Bob said, "Chicago Mercantile Exchange". Our reaction was..."Well, alrighty then!"

I took all of the pictures off of the walls in preparation for the big move tomorrow. His room looks so bare now. He seems excited about his move. He knows he's getting closer to home. I'm not sure how long he'll be at the VA. It may be three or more months.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

More and more progress

Standing using the parallel bars was the focus of physical therapy today. Bob's comment was, "I don't remember standing being so hard to do." Well my t, the last time you learned to stand was 54 years ago. I'm not sure that too many people remember the first time they stood.

My son and I visited the VA facility today. It is very nice and has a nice atmosphere. The colors are bright. There are plants and flowers in the windows, The have nice gathering areas to sit and chat. It's even within view of the golf course, so we can sit outside and evaluate golfer's swings. Bob's current occupational therapist is a golfer. Everyday, a conversation stems around golf. Blah blah blah...

Bob's pressure wound is getting smaller and the exposed tailbone is healing over. woo-hoo

T was singing for me today. Guess what...his voice is better than it was before; if that is possible.

The nurses told me this evening that Bob seems depressed this afternoon. They said he wouldn't talk to them like he usually did. They did a lot of things to cheer him up. He was happier when I got there. The nurses felt that he is becoming so cognitively aware, and that he's realizing he has a long road ahead of him. Keep the motivation coming. I share all the emails that are sent to me.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY FROM JOEL OSTEEN
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. I choose to stand in faith, believing that my season of breakthrough is coming. Give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

One more move

Bob will be moving to the VA transitional living on Friday. He's getting closer to home. Yeah....

He actually pulled himself up and stood using a pole. He was excited but nervous at the same time. His legs are very weak, and that scared him.

He ate all of his breakfast and lunch without any coaxing. That was a first. And, the speech therapist said he named most of the items she had pictures of like, toothbrush, key, flashlight, etc...

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Monday - Monday

Bob was raring to go this morning. He seemed well aware of what he needs to do to come home. The pressure sore is healing up nicely. We did some math tonight. He knew what the square of 25 was!

I wasn't with Bob today like I usually am. I had to take a trip to Portland with my daughter. Boy, I don't miss that trek at all. I was still on autopilot though while driving it.

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Simple things are hard...

Bob has been staying awake longer each day, which gives me more time to work on his cognitive abilities. Having a hard conversation about commodities is easy for him; however, simple tasks take a lot of concentration. For example, friends of ours brought a flower from their garden. Bob attempted to eat it. Another example of a simple task that is difficult for him is sorting black and red checker game pieces. Thinking about differentiating the colors and then thinking about moving his arm and hand to place the pieces in the appropriate pile takes many skills and lots of concentration. (think about it) Another example...my aunt sent him a Harley Davidson shirt that has flames on the front. It took me a lot of time to convince him that the flames were not hot and that he won't get burnt if he touches them. See simple things are hard, and hard things are simple.

We put a puzzle together tonight. I told him which piece to grab and where to place it, but he knew how to rotate the piece in order for it to fit correctly. I explained to him how to match up different colors.

I believe his eyes aren't working together all of the time. Sometimes he sees two of a single item, and sometimes he over reaches or under reaches for an item.

I see progress though every day.

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry, it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

No DQ!? Bah....

Bob was in a quiet mood today. He needs to come home. I have a contractor drawing up plans to put an addition on our house. The addition will put our bed and bathroom on the first floor, as well as Bob's office. I'm excited to have the new space all on one floor.

I took him a DQ cheesequake blizzard tonight. He gobbled it right up saying it was delicious. He spilled some on himself scarfing it down so quickly.

After eating his blizzard, he was shaking really bad. He said he was freezing. He also said the ice cream was colder than cold. I'm never supposed to give him blizzards again. (like that'll ever happen!)

Bentley, our dog, came for a visit today. Bentley lays right down at Bob's feet and doesn't move. He misses him too.

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it. If you'd like an online home business of your own, email me.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Help wanted

Day 100...Bob made me a little sad today. When asked if he was feeling ok, he said he wasn't feeling good. I asked him what part of his body hurt. He said his body is fine, it's just all of the rest of this (meaning recovery) that isn't fine. He said that the physical therapists aren't letting him prove that he doesn't belong there (there being in a nursing home with all of the older residents). He then told the physical therapist that he wants to hit "it" (leg therapy) hard so he could get out of there (the nursing home)...I felt like crying for him; however, I kept my chin up and being my positive self, turned the conversation around. I told him I was glad to see him stand up for himself.

Here's where I need your help. If possible, please send encouragement his way in anyway you feel appropriate.

This evening, his spirits were better. He was impressed with the almost 10,000 hits on the blog. He thought a party when he gets home with all of his friends from all over the country would be lots of fun. (Keep your calendars open)

We attempted to play the game "Connect Four", but ended up sorting the red and black game pieces. I tried to make mistakes by putting a red piece on the black pile, and he would say, "That looks wrong."

He's so cute. He wanted me to put on quiet music so he could cuddle with me. That's why I love him!

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it.

Bob walked again today. He gets excited about it Walking also gets him very winded.


A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Day 99....

Bob had a doctor appointment at the VA today. The doctor is in "training" with Bob to be his replacement as lay leader in the Methodist church where he attends. Hopefully, she has a string or two to pull with getting him placed in the transitional living at the VA.

Honestly, I feel Bob has lots of physical therapy to do. Other than that, his mental capacity will recover (that's my unprofessional opinion, but a loved-ones opinion too). Jill Bolte Taylor says that most doctors say that whatever mental well-being a person has six months after a stroke is all the better they will be. She says that is "hog-wash"! It took her eight years to fully recover after her near-death stroke, and she's completly recovered.

Bob was pretending to talk into a microphone tonight. It was funny.

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it.

Bob walked again today. He gets excited about it Walking also gets him very winded.


A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Day 98

Bob is doing so well. He had quite the sense of humor this evening. He told my son, Daniel, that he should ask one of the nurses for a date because she was "hot".

The simple things are difficult to comprehend; however, he seems to understand/remember more difficult concepts. For example, he still can't put a name to things like a spoon, fork, or bed. He can read the words easily. I'm trying to get him to match words with pictures. He does it with lots of coaxing. He said tonight that shaving was a new thing for him to learn.

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it.

Bob walked again today. He gets excited about it Walking also gets him very winded.


A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Full recovery? I'm positive

Bob definitely has a love for the markets. I'm positive Bob will make a full recover. What he said today convinced me of this. What happened? I took him a copy of the markets' report put out by the "commodity-market gurus". I asked Bob what bearish and bullish meant. He told me right away. I asked him if he knew what all the numbers meant (the numbers where listed like a ticket screen you see on the stock-market), he explained it to me. I asked what CBOT was. He immediately said, Chicago Board of Trade. Alrighty then...I guess I'll be printing out more quotes for him tomorrow. I asked him if he wanted me to print weather reports out. He told me no because it will be history by the time I get it to him. He said he just get it off of the homepage - Lakes Trading Company. Once again, alrighty then...

Have you checked out travel-mobility.com yet? Check out our new website. Pass it on too. We'd appreciate it.

Bob walked again today. He gets excited about it Walking also gets him very winded.


A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

First day of relearning to walk.

Bob worked hard today in physical therapy. He walked down the hall of the nursing home, with the assistance of a sling contraption. But, that's ok. He said it was a weird feeling not knowing how to walk. He worked on strengthening his abdominal muscles as well.

His pressure sore is still there. I believe that is something that will be around for months to come. Pray for the sore to heal, so it doesn't get infected, which could cause further complications.

He has agreed to do whatever it takes to relearn things he's forgotten and to rewire his brain connections. I told him he is lucky to have me as a teacher. He said in his smartass attitude, "I'm the luckiest piece of shit!" What a smartsh*t!

We played W-A-R last night. WAR is a card game that helps with determining number value. Bob knew which card was higher than the other. He even knew the value of the face cards. There was no hesitation in his response when I asked who would win if we were playing poker.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

travel-mobility.com

Finally, our new business is up and running online. Go to www.travel-mobility.com to check it out. If you'd like a flyer sent to you to share with someone who doesn't have the internet, email me at travelmobility@gmail.com. The travel-mobility kit that we've put together is a wonderful help in the car, hotel, or just around the house. It's inexpensive and will make a caring gift for you or someone you know.

Once a trader always a trader

For those of you who are traders, Bob still has your "back". Our conversations today somehow ended up talking about commodities. He still knows more than I do about trading. We were talking about which countries buy from the US. Of course, I could only come up with one, Japan. Bob said, "Brazil". I would have never thought of Brazil. I asked, "What do we get from Brazil? soybeans?" He said, "and sugar". God, I would have lost "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" on the kindergarten question! :( He's funny. I told him he's always known so much about commodities; he said, "Because, I AM THE SOURCE!"

We are in for another long haul, when it comes to his pressure sore. Not to be gross, but he has a wound vac in the wound, which sucks all the bacteria out. Essentially, the wound vac heals the sore from the inside out.

Pray for the sore to heal, so it doesn't get infected which could cause further complications.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Pressure sore...ugh!

I guess no matter how much rolling from side to side the nursing staff does to a patient, pressure sores are inevitable. Especially, if one is lying down for four months. Bob has a very bad one; the tailbone has become exposed. An x-ray was done, and everything seems to be OK. He says he's not having any pain; which is good. He doesn't even flinch when moved. He's so strong!

Physical therapy is working him hard. He is so tired afterwards. He's glad to be put down for a nap.

If you attempted to add me to your facebook, it would have helped if I gave you my full name. I'm listed as Janette Rook Iachini.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Do you facebook?

Physical Therapy worked Bob hard today. He slept the day away. That's ok. Sleep gave his brain time to relax. When Bob is awake, his brain is going "full-speed ahead", so he needed a mental break.

If you are on facebook, add me as a friend. If you don't have a facebook page, it's time to get one.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

End of week thirteen

Bob's nurses love attending to him, because he improves everyday, and they can see his improvements each day.

I didn't have my camera this evening to take a picture of Bob lying in bed reading the newspaper with my glasses on his nose. It was a perfect picture that would have fooled anyone who didn't know he is a recovering stroke survivor.

He is talking some on the phone now; however, he's not too speedy on recall, and he goes off on tangents, but, he's holding the phone like he hasn't missed a beat.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

DQ saves the day

Bob had another good day today, of course. He said a cute thing today. Today was hot fudge sunday afternoon. When he was done, I threw his trash away. It never fails, I missed the trash can. As I walked behind his wheelchair to pick up the trash, I gave him a hug. He said, "You may have missed the trash can, but you hit the target right in the center." Awwwww, how cute was that?

I also took a DQ milk shake and onion rings for a snack tonight. I think I made a friend forever! Bob knows that I could live on ice cream three meals a day if he'd let me. He told me tonight that he knows I sneak to DQ when he's at choir practice. (Crap, I thought I was getting that by him.)
In physical therapy, he's moving his legs more. I'm hoping he'll be standing soon. Bob really wants to stand too.

In speech therapy, he's able to read words, however, he's unable to come up with the word for a picture. For example, he can read star, but show him a picture of a star and he cannot think of the word for it. It'll come. He told me once today to wait a minute, he was digging for the answer in his brain. As a teacher, I've learned to wait a long moment for a student to give an answer; so, it's no problem for me to wait for two or three minutes for an answer from Bob.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

Jill Bolte Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Good conversation

Bob is becoming more himself everyday; even though, many skills need to be relearned. His brain is rewiring and reconnecting misplaced circuits. I talked with Bob tonight about being determined to reconnect the circuits and that it is only time that is needed. I told him that I have all the confidence in the world that he'll rewire all his circuits. He said he had no doubt that he'll do it. :-) That's my t!

If you haven't watched Jill Bolte Taylor yet, click on : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU It'll make you cry it's so amazing. Alanon slogan: One day at a time. (I also put the video in the right hand margin. Click on it.)

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Close to 10000 hits!

I keep telling Bob that he is quite the popular person, and that I'm glad to know him. There have been close to ten-thousand hits on this blogpage since I've started it. Thank you for your continued support.

Bob did well today. It was a Sunday; which, of course, is a day of rest. He is staying awake much longer during the day. He is always in such deep thought taking everything in.

I talked with him about showing his cattle at the county fairs; he doesn't remember doing that. I told him he could "moo" like a baby cow when they were crying for their moms. I told him we were going to enter him into the mooing contest at the fair, because he is good at it. I asked him to "moo" like a cow. He thought about it for a moment, then said quickly, "moo". It wasn't a drawn out moo like, mmmmooooo. He said a quick, moo. hahaha...he's so funny. I thought it was funny.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.


email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

"Treat me like I'm wounded, not stupid"

I'm not going to say anything today except...Jill Bolte Taylor, author of "My Stroke of Insight" Copy and paste the following website into your address bar for a four-part interview with Oprah. Amazing! It gave me a new understanding of what is happening with Bob.

http://www.oprah.com/article/spirit/inspiration/pkgoprahssoulserieswebcast/20080512_oaf_oss_jboltetaylor

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.


email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Get well video from Josh Turner

My daughter, Aunika, has worked at the Douglas County fair since her reign as Miss Douglas County in 2007. She "rubs" elbows with the famous singers/bands that play each year. Last night, Josh Turner was playing. Bob and I talked, before May, about going to hear him. Bob loves singing his songs. Anyway, she took a video of Josh Turner saying, "Get well Bob". There was a little more too it, but that was the best part. Josh Turner seemed to be a very personable guy (anf cute too, I might add). Anyone jealous? First Asleep At The Wheel, now, Josh Turner...

Bob did better feeding himself today. He also remembered my name. YEAH!

Thanks to everyone's help, Bob is officially enrolled in the VA. He has a doctor's appointment on the 20th to become a full-fledge Roseburg VA enrollee.


Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.


email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

"I can't see the TV!"

Aw...Bob could have made me cry today. He was doing so well feeding himself lunch, that the speech therapist said, "Bob, you are doing great. You don't need me telling you what to do." Bob said to her, "Oh yes I do. You don't understand how much. I am so worthless." The speech therapist handled it so well by telling him that sometimes when she's learning things, she feels worthless too, but once it becomes automatic, then she feels good, and he will feel good too. He doesn't need to feel sorry for himself. He just had a health setback, and he has to learn things again; but that's ok, because he has a chance to learn again. She's so cool. And, for those Norwegians...she moved to Oregon four months ago from North Dakota.

hahaha...you'd all think this is funny. Tonight, I gave my t a hug as he was lying in his bed watching the History channel. As he hugged me back, he squeezed harder and harder. I thought to myself, "Awww...he so sweet", until I turned my head to looked up at him. He was trying to squish me down so he could look over my head to see the tv! We both had a good laugh.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.


email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

alanon slogan: One day at a time.

painting the real picture

All along, I have given you the "bright" side of Bob's progress; that's just my personality. When given a lemon, I make lemonade. :-)


I guess I better give you some "real" insight to t's progress. His short-term memory is about ten seconds. But, he's so funny. He knows he was just told what something was, and he'll make a funny face then say, "I don't know. Do you know?" Positive note: he can read words, so I'll label everything.


He's feeding himself; however, he needs direction from the speech therapist or me every step of the way. Why? When his hand gets below his line of vision, he forgets what he is doing. "Out of sight, out of mind." We don't think of every step involved in eating. There is a lot of thinking involved. Bob's vision is off-center too; so, when he reaches for something, he is about six inches from the item. He tries over and over to grab the item he's reaching for but never is close enough. When eating, he over reaches the plate. When reaching to his cup, he reaches below the table. The positive thing is...he's eating.



Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God,
Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.


email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

End of week twelve

I'm early posting today. I'm trying to pass away some time before going to visit with my t again. Can you believe it's end of week twelve already! One quarter of a year. I couldn't think of anything better to do.



Even though Bob is making progress, the progression seems to be at a slow pace. For the past few months, the progression was fast, now it's to where everyone said, "Recovery is going to take a long time." Well, we are at the loooonnnngggg time phase.



Bob was awake longer today. He probably wishes he was asleep when I'm around. If I can see the whites of his eyes, then I'm working that brain of his to get the neurons firing in the right direction. There's no such thing as "down-time". I'm from the east coast. The work ethic of the east coast is completely the opposite of the west coast. East coast work ethic is, "I want it done yesterday." West coast work ethic is, "I might get to it next week." Combine east coast work ethic with a teacher and what do you get? ME! I can be like that old elementary teacher you had with the tight bun in her hair, wrinkles, raspy voice, and glasses that sit on the end of her nose. (get the picture?) But, really, I'm nice.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:
Dear God,

Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.

email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm
Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Monday monday...

Friends of Bob and mine bought the above sun catcher/windmill thingy for Bob to gaze at. He has a lot of time on his hands to "kill" and heal.


I think Bob is getting his nights and days mixed up. He is sleeping most of the day and is awake most of the night. During speech therapy and physical therapy, Bob does one thing and then is off in "la la" land. I'm such a nag. I tap on his arm and snap, "Pay attention." He instantly focuses for a few moments, then drifts off again. I need to talk with the night-shift about switching that around.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:

Dear God, Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen. email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/

aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm

Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

Sunday - a day of rest.

Bob was very solemn today. He was soft spoken. Once again, it was a Sunday, so it is a day of rest. Tomorrow, starts the whole regimene all over again.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.
A prayer of healing and strength:
Dear God, Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm
Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128

twiddle my thumbs day

Today, I sat by Bob's bedside twiddling my thumbs. Why? Because, today was a day that he slept the entire day. Well, yes he did do physical therapy first, but then he slept. And, loudly, I might add. That's the t I know and love. What is really funny is when he's on the stand up table in physical therapy and they are slowly cranking the table to an upright position and Bob is sound asleep. I asked him tonight if he's in competition with Aunika, my daughter, for the longest hours slept award.


Church tomorrow...please remember Bob on your prayer lists for a full recovery. Thx.

I'm starting a new employee incentive activity tomorrow for all of the staff who take care of Bob. It's a program that I strongly believe in, and I have a published article about it in the OHS magazine in March 2003. Everytime a caregiver deserves a thank you or recognition for a job well done, I will give them a ticket to put thier name on, which will be collected in a box. When Bob leaves RoseHaven, a name will be drawn. The winner will recieve $25 from me. Like it? Go to www.billsims.com if you want to introduce it at your workplace. Bill Sims' program is a lot more involved, but has the same idea.

Alanon slogan: One day at a time.

A prayer of healing and strength:
Dear God, Use every event in my life, even my present circumstance, to work within me to bring healing of body, mind, soul, spirit, and relationship. In every way manifest your blessing in and through my life. Amen.
email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: http://www.strokeassociation.com/
aneurysm info: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm
Rose Haven Nursing Center740 NW Hill Pl., Roseburg, OR 97471 Room 128