Mark completed his 20th visit Evaluations for all 3 Therapies this week; PT (Physical Therapy), OT (Occupational Therapy) & ST (Speech Therapy).  He did well with all evaluations and showed improvements, even if it they were sometimes minimal.   According to Neuro Rehab, he has about 10 sessions of each 3 therapies before Graduation (Medicare stops paying).  

     Marks Speech and Swallowing continues to ever so slowly make progress, which is Great news!!  Most people can understand 30%-50% of what Mark says now.  I can understand much more.  He is still drinking only thickened liquids (so regular thin liquids don't go down his wind pipe, into his lungs & cause Pneumonia).  Some of the normal foods he's had so far include; Pancakes with butter & syrup, raspberry coffee cake warmed with butter, yogurts, brownies,  meatloaf, mashed potatoes, & thin crust pizza.  Everything he's eating now, has to be cut into tiny pieces and / or warmed, and mushed, so its soft, easy to chew, and swallow.  He's been eating with minimal coughing, so that's good.  But, he continues to tell me that concentrating on chewing and swallowing is still very difficult.  He says it's harder than concentrating on walking and taking each step, one by one.  These are all things we take for granted, every day.  But are so very difficult for Stroke Survivors.   He still has a long way to go before he can discontinue the feeding tube into his stomach for primary nutrition. 

Marks decided he wants to try Botox injections in his weak left arm again. (They were put on hold after the first injection, due to his 2nd & 3rd Strokes in late January.)  We have an appointment with the Physiatrist for an Eval for Botox next week, and she'll decide if Mark can continue with the injections?  If they are successful, they will help to loosen up the tightness in Marks weak left hand that remains clinched shut, and help ease the tension in his weak left arm. 

It's been suggested by a few of Marks Docs & therapists that we consider Palliative Care for Mark.  Palliative Care is much different than Hospice, so as not to confuse the two as the same.   A Palliative Care Nurse will be coming to our house early June to Evaluate Mark and our home situation, and determine what next steps with their care may be to help Mark in his Stroke recovery?

**Palliative care focuses on easing pain and discomfort, reducing stress, and helping people have the highest quality of life possible.  Palliative care is a resource for anyone living with a serious illness. 

** Hospice care focuses on quality of life when a cure is no longer possible, death may be imminent, or the burdens of treatment outweigh the benefits.

Now that the weather is more consistently warm outside, we've been going for walks with Mark in the neighborhood.  He can still only walk short distances, with Ruth & I always with him, as he is not anywhere near strong enough to be able to walk by himself.  Regardless, its always nice to get out of the house, for something other than Neuro Rehab and Doctors appointments.