Quickie Update

I just wanted give you all a quick update of what has happened this weekend:

1) The day before yesterday, my mom and I visited my dad. I thought I heard him try to say, "Hi" when we walked in, but the sound escaped out through the trachea. The nurse wanted me to try and make him do it again, but of course, he wouldn't. :-| So we were sort of disappointed. We even tried to get him to mouthed something to us and he wouldn't.

Later my mom mentioned something about him one day saying our names. At that he nodded. Well, Amen! To that, my mom was all excited and teared up. It was sort of funny to me because knowing my dad's personality, I figured he is not going to allow himself to be in position where we are telling him what to do and when to do it. Lol! I can appreciate that. Hahaha! Because we are use to him "runnin' the show" if you know what I mean. It was quite hilarious because the James Armstead personality pops out each and every time and I am glad.

2) Yesterday, we visited and he slept most of the time. After about an hour of just sitting and talking and laughing among ourselves with his nurse, he woke up. It took him a while to respond. He was really sleepy. Sometimes I notice if they have him somewhat propped up he tries to look at his feet. He tries to see if he can move them, and he does.

When he was really awoke, we were talking about the nurses having 12-hour shifts and mentioned to him about his niece, Niki graduating from nursing school last week. He turned his head towards me and was really paying attention to what I was saying to him. As if to say, "Really, she did?" From his response, I realized he knew what we were taking about and who we were referring to. I then told him while he is just laying there, since he has nothing better to do during the day, try and lift his forearm repeatedly to exercise it. About 10 minutes minutes later he reached up with his right hand and scratched his mustache! BINGO!!! He did it so fast, we were stunned! Later he lifted his left hand and reached across his chest and flopped it back down. I think it takes him a lot of energy to do those simple movements we able-bodied people take for granted. Also, there may be some delayed reaction trying to process the movements in his head. But we have time and we are patient. I think he lifted another hand and tried to show my mom he could make a fist. It was a weak fist, but none the less, it was some sort of fist. It was something he had not done before. God is strengthening his body and I am glad. Still waiting for him to speak, but God has a set timing for everything.

I think the nurse said physical therapy is the next phase. We trust The Lord to transfer Daddy out of the CCU (Cardiac Care Unit) to wherever He sees fit for his next phase of care. God is so good. I know have a new understanding of God's "Mercy".

-June