Day 10: Afternoon

Well I spoke too soon ... Dad just had some lunch, and lo and behold it included steak and gravy! (Pureed, of course.). It also included mashed potatoes, pureed broccoli, tea and a strawberry "shake." We put his glasses on, but could not determine how his hearing aids fit! He actually tried himself, but we just decided to forego the hearing aids for now.

After he ate, in that it's possible that PT may not make it up today for letting him sit in a chair, the nurses got him up and let him sit on the side of the bed, which he did for a couple of minutes. Dessert? A bit of morphine before the afternoon siesta, which he is enjoying now. And for the record, it must be good sleep ... if the snoring is any indication!

Day 10: Lunchtime

Technology is a wonderful thing ... We are actually blogging "live" from Dad's room this morning by using my BlackBerry device to email my entry directly to the blog!

But enough about technology ... back to Dad! He continues to show excellent progress. The charge nurse brushed his teeth this morning, and he was able to swish and spit on command. She thought it was enough of a sign to let him have a little applesauce, which he did fine with on swallowing. The speech consultation has cleared him for the initial reentry into the world of food. No steak just yet, but in due time!

When we arrived, the nurse told Dad to shake my hand. He slowly raised his left hand and shook mine (even after having a little morphine for the pain). And when she came in to check his blood sugar, she said, "I'm going to stick your finger. Is that OK?" And he actually gave a muffled "uh-huh" in his throat. She said, "Did you say 'uh-huh'??" And he nodded his head. PROGRESS!!

They may try to have the physical therapy folks come up later today and let him sit up in a chair! Praise God!