9/15 9/16

I didnt post yesterday because I didn't see Richard yesterday.  Shari came in from Berkley and brought him a couple of California rolls and they had a nice visit.  Since I had the morning off i made an appointment at an Aveda salon down the road for a cut and color.  My hair is completely out of control in this weather.  Its humid, its windy, and even if I DO get my hair under control I end up sweating when the weather changes and up in goes in curls again.  Its making me crazy.


Even though I got their master stylist, Im not super happy with the results....I am however glad to have some Aveda product so I can sniff myself all day.

VA calls me on the way to let me know an appointment has been scheduled and to call her / the travel department towards the end of next week to arrange free travel.

Tunnell calls me towards the end with a bizzarre report that his weight was 141 when we weighed in at VA at 149 yesterday

And Shari called me in the middle and gave a generally positive report.  She sees improvement as well.  On her way out he tells her to call me to tell me not to come.  Normally Id ignore that, but as I walked home I figured he probably had an extended visit. I counted the calories he just had which were near 600 before the soda, knew he wouldn't eat for me in a couple hours so I came back for buck took a walk then started a food search for the citys best short ribs.  Eventually gave up and went down to Safeway and spent the rest of the afternoon/eve making my own.

So this afternoon thats what I went over with...short ribs in a red sauce over gnocchi.  He loved it.

I ran up to the therapy room to see what his day was like and talked with his physical therapist.  They did stairs today already.  Inquired about speech and he came down to 5 with me to find her.   She had about 20minutes before she could get to me, so I cursed myself and sat in his wheelchair and watched him sleep while I waited for her.

We walked through all his vocal stuff.  Talked a lot about his clearing his throat often which is what you'll see below. Hes eating some toffee and chocolate cookies. He READ his exercises off the paper.  So I would presume his vision is coming around.  Last week no way...but then again wait until tomorrow he probably wont be able to.

Shes giving me the guilt about bringing in food and drink while in the same breathe talking about stepping up his diet to normal.  He has an upcoming VA appointment for a swallowing scope as well as his botox injections and a Parkinson's med review / adjustments.  I pursed my lips and shook my head.  He was the exact same way prior to the stroke, Ive confirmed that- his long time speech therapist told this speech therapist that as well....really I don't feel guilty but more frustration and side stepping thought reinforcement regarding his food.   I just want him to get calories and nutrients in his body for fuel.

I'm pretty sure this is an instructional institution as his occupational therapist has moved on.  He gets a new one tomorrow.  He wants to work on his keyboarding.  So tomorrow for the weekend we'll do a little bit of that on a the floor PC and his vocal exercises.