Chocolate Pudding!!

So I start writing this to everyone in a very emotional state. I just Got news from Sharon that Dave just passed his Barium Swallow test! This is a test that tells us if his swallowing muscles are working properly, so he can swallow food again, and protect his airway! This is the Best news EVER! Sharon and I have said to each other today, "Hes REALLY getting better!" saying and writing it brings such emotional happiness to my heart!

With giving everyone his Good news let me explain why I Titled this "Chocolate Pudding!!" I go in to see Dave every Monday-Tuesday-and Thursday, as well as on the weekends. This past week--beginning with the taste of Mountain Dew--he has been becoming obsessed with several things. When he gets a thought in his mind he sticks to it! A few of the things he has been going on about is his bladder, water, and now Chocolate pudding. We believe his bladder is having some sort of spasms, causing him to feel like he needs to urinate. He has a catheder so even though we explain this to him, he insists to us he needs to go pee. I think possibly its his bladder 'waking up' a true sign of him getting better. He lost his bladder control Back in December when he was in Good Shepard. And it wasnt so much the control it was really Daves body to release his urine.

WATER. On last Thursday I was visiting Dave, during speech Therapy. He was asking me for water. So Theresa his Speech Therapist gave him a pink swap soaked in ice water. Well! You would have thought Dave was given his favorite candy!! So Theresa allowed him 5 swabs an hour. lol! As soon as Dave sees us he says "WATER"!

CHOCOLATE PUDDING. On Friday Theresa began the swallowing tests for Dave. This consisted of chocoloate pudding and apple juice with thick it in it. The apple Juice also had a dye in it to tell if any was left in his throat. I am Happy to report that on Friday it all went down-no dye was remaining. Yesterday, Monday, Theresa did the same, and the same thing happened--all went down. So to wrap this story up Dave has made the connection between Theresa and Chocolate pudding! Today while I was there after I gave 2 of his water swabs, called Sharon (WHICH I am VERY HAPPY to say was one of his constant requests when Dave first was in the hospital back in Nov. He would ask me to call Sharon the second he saw me! THATS BACK too! lol!), we then went over his need to pee, and then he said to me "Go-get-Theresa". at that I asked him why? and the response I got was "Chocolate-pudding". Lol! So me being me-the do whatever he wants to make him feel better person , go look for Theresa. She was busy with another patient so I told Dave and then we sat and chatted. Which also for the first time in a long time was a great conversation! Dave kept up with me responding appropriately. As with all good things, my time for the day with Dave ended, and it was time to go to work. As I was leaving, Dave asked me again "Go-get-Theresa". So I told his nurse to let Theresa know, and this made Dave very Happy!

I Left Dave this morning very sad, yet very happy. He is truely coming back to us. One step at a time, slowly but surely! I am sad because with Dave getting better I was sad because that means another move for Dave, and once again it looks to be an unknown place. Daves Insurance has denied him going to an Acute Rehab facility, he has just about used up those allowed days. However he does have days available in a sub Acute Rehab/Skilled Nursing home. So that had me lost and sad, as with every move for Dave has left me. I think its a cross between the fear of the unknown and the fact that its hard for me to let someone else care for my loved ones (Sharon NOT included in that. I truely she has been the god send for us all-especially Dave, as well! I have known all along that Sharon looked after Dave the same way that I did. We make a team-Sharon! I love you too! XOXO!)

But Now as I type this, THIS is the best news of all! Dave is Really REALLY-REALLY on his way to getting better! With getting better, its only makes sense for him to get back to his LIFE! That includes moving to a place back up closer to his home. This will make Things SOOO much easier for Sharon. Less commute--easier for work and for their wonderful Dogs to ALL see Dave, as well as their close friends, this will still be a place easy for our Family to get to as well. See? its the first step for Dave to get his Life Back! Its like Water and Chocolate pudding!

AS far as I go Dave, Not to worry, I told you today, it doesnt matter where you go, I will FIND you! I am the knat you just cant get rid of! LOL! and will always be there 100% of the way! You Keep giving your 100% too!! I LOVE YOU!!!