Today Bill was a little out the box....the doctor has him on a new medicine for muscle tightness in the left leg. I hope that is what is causing him to be out there.

We will really make a great first impression at the new Rehab center.

He was in good spirits today...spoke to Bobby Bigler on the cell phone today. He enjoyed that very much. Thanks for calling Bobby.

He ate a Egg McMuffin and hash brown potatoes this morning and enjoyed it. So I came back with a burrito from Taco Bell later thinking his appetite is OK just not for hospital food. He ate a couple of bites and didn't want it.

I am going to be pushing the exercises in the bed at every opportunity. Weekends are slow even on the Rehab unit. I can't stand him being in the bed for two days without any exercise it sets him back for Monday. So, we worked pretty hard today in the bed on the legs. I will continue until Bill or the doctors say STOP.

Bulletin::::: Today Bill was excepted to Chateau de Notre Dame Skilled Nursing Rehab. Thank goodness I was really beginning to worry. It is located on Burdette St. behind the Seminary and down the block from Dominican on Walmsey St. I will give more info as I get it. I do not have a different date yet for the transfer either.

I am worried that the move may put a damper on his spirits. So please spread the word when he gets moved to encourage visitors.

Also, he doesn't have much of an appetite....so feel free to eat in front of him. Or talk about the food at Rocky's or College Inn. Or maybe you have better idea....maybe I need to get one of those cinnamon air fresheners. Flavored chap stick ?????????????

Today I had to serve jury duty...my request to be excused was denied. Hard to believe I didn't have a good excuse.....HUM. No problem they announced at 10:45AM that we were excused for the day.

I had some documents to be notarized and witnessed so I visited Gulf South Title...my former employer. I enjoyed seeing everybody...but I missed Jeanne...sorry I will catch you next time.
Thanks to David, Gail and Shane...again.

Chateau DE Notre Dame came by to do the assessment for Bill today. I have not heard anything yet but I am hopeful. If they can't work it out we will be back to square one. I have been to about 15 Skilled Nursing and LTAC facilities. They are all the same....not an option !!!

Time is getting close for Bill to be released from East Jefferson Hospital as he is too well to stay any longer. That is good news. Next is Skilled Nursing facility for Rehab for a few months after which hopefully Bill will be coming home.

I took a day off !

Victoria was in town visiting around the Murray family. Mike, Brian, Julie, ME and then grandma Barbara picked her up to visit family in Waveland, Mississippi. Many thanks to all who worked to make this wonderful visit possible. Bill got to see four of our six grandchildren this week. He has not stopped talking about it....that is very good medicine for PAW PAW.

Harry covered for me this afternoon. Thanks again Harry. Maurice came by to visit also today many thanks for helping Bill pass the time in the hospital. Thanks also guys for the reading materials.

I attended a stroke support group meeting at East Jefferson last night. I am glad I went it was very inspirational. Each person told their story of how hard they worked and how their journey took a long time. But even with a life changing event such as this....they enjoy a normal quality of life with much happiness. It will help me to share their stories with Bill and for him to know it is a journey we are on but one that has great rewards for our future.

I had dinner with Bill's sister Julie her daughters Jill and Jena and our granddaughter Victoria last night at Taco Bell. That was the most fun I've had in awhile.

Today was a really good day.

Bill got impressions at the dentist office for the replacement of the bridge that was lost by East Jefferson. A couple of more visits down the road and he will able to eat a better variety of food.

I saw Bill walk today on a walker with moderate assistance from Beth his lead therapist. That is not to say Bill can walk with a walker or with a walker and my assistance. She is very much a big part of the effort but Bill is in there. He is getting stronger every day.

Victoria our 4 year old granddaughter is visiting. Brian bought her to visit Paw Paw today at the hospital and Rehab unit. He was so proud. He gave her a ride in his wheelchair on his lap. He introduced her to all of the nurses and therapist and she just ate it up.

Today was a regular work day at East Jefferson. Bill did well in therapy.....kind of walked with a walker and 3 therapist helping....I couldn't watch I had to go back upstairs.

I am grateful for the progress he has made but seeing him today grounded me as to the long journey he has still ahead.

He never complains or gets depressed he just keeps working....slow but sure towards his goal.

Greg and wife Tina, daughters Macy and Marley visited Bill Saturday and Monday....I know Bill was happy to see all of them.

Much thanks to Greg & Tina also, for bringing one of Lori's girls, Maggie, she really wanted to see her Paw Paw. Bill really wanted to see her too and her BLING belt buckle she won for barrel racing on horseback this season in Texas. Way to go Maggie.

Tomorrow Victoria is coming to visit Paw Paw. I know he will be happy tomorrow too.

Also, tomorrow Bill gets impressions taken at a dentist office next to the Hudson parking garage. This is to replace the dentures the hospital threw away. Hope that goes well.

Bill is working on some in the bed therapy exercises. One of his therapist Brian worked him out on Thursday while I watched. Brian was impressed with Bill's leg muscle improvement and suggested we do the sheet of 8 exercises daily in addition to the one hour of physical therapy. So we are working on homework daily.

I had no idea he had come along so far in the thigh area especially.

Transfers from the bed to the wheelchair are also getting better as Bill is usually able to help now.

Dr. Murray came in today to check on us. He says Bill is doing great !

Well I think Bill set a record today for # of visitors except for ICU.

His mother, brother Rick, his wife Bonnie, his sons Kyle and Eric, our son Greg, his wife Tina, granddaughters Macy and Marley, a friend of the family...THE CHIEF.

Hospitals are quiet on the weekends so it was a great day for visitors.

Bill is too well for East Jefferson Hospital......so Humana has OK'd him staying thru June 2. Then he will be heading to a Skilled Nursing Unit with Rehab for another 3 months. I will keep you posted on the blog when the decision is OK'd on that location.

Happy Memorial Day to all....and to all a good night !

Bill had a tired day in therapy today. He did manage to stay in the chair and out of bed until about 5:00PM. At which time he had one of those really bad transfers. He was being transferred my one male CNA. I noticed he was going from Bill's left side to the bed....but I thought he had done it that way before. I guess not......I thought they were both going to be on the floor. But they made it to the bed. Bill said his back hurt immediately. Later he said he heard it pop. I hope it will be OK tomorrow. Next time I see something different I won't assume....I'll butt in.

Bonnie spent the day with me today....we had some hard homework to work on and we did get it done. Thanks Bonnie for helping me get through the tough stuff. Then we spent the afternoon with Bill at the hospital.

Eric, Bill's nephew came by this afternoon to spend some time with his FAVORITE UNCLE BILL. They are really cute together and make each other laugh. It was fun to hear them spar and to see Bill laugh...Thanks Eric.

Today I saw Bill stand in the walker with assistance. Not pretty, yet. Eddie Roth stopped by Rehab today to check on Bill. He said he saw a big improvement since the first visit about six weeks ago.

What was pretty ...I saw him work out on the matt in the gym....The left leg is really showing signs of much improvement. He can raise his leg with a pillow under the knee and hold it up in the air for a count of about 5 seconds. He repeats this about 15 times. He could barley move his toes when he started so that is huge. Trunk still wobley but much better it was a few weeks ago. Bill now holds his left arm close to his stomach...when only weeks ago it was hanging over the side of the wheelchair because he didn't have the muscle control to keep it in a safe place.

I was impressed today for the first time in awhile.

He is not working on the voice....he would rather whisper. He needs to be cued to speak louder frequently. But that's OK. I guess it must be very difficult to think about you hand, arm, trunk, head, foot, leg and voice all at the same time after such a severe event.

All things we take for granite.

We went downstairs to the cafe in the hospital this afternoon. Bill ordered a egg salad sandwich on toast with marinated mushrooms. He ate it all and said it's the best thing he has had to eat in 3 months. Sorry Harry !

Scott Hastings called Bill on the cell phone today. That was good exercise for his voice. Scott just reminisced about the good old days...when he sang in the Norman Tabernacle Choir with the band. He said the music in Dallas is just not the same as New Orleans. He talked about the bad poboys if he can even find one. Bad jambalaya and red beans....he sounds like he knows what it means to miss New Orleans.

Greg and his family will be in town for the weekend....that's great as Bill often dreams about seeing the granddaughters. I know he will be happy see how they have grown since carnival and to really get some hugs and kisses from those babies.

I missed it...but Beth and Bill told me he walked 100 steps on a walker today with Beth assistance of course. I wish I had seen that...I can't even imagine !

Bill's appetite seems to be back and that's a good thing. He also seemed to be back in the real world today. As Bill's friend Scott Hastings said he thinks the Morphine gave Bill a small vacation from reality. I like that thought.....

Harry came in to visit today and as always he and Bill had a good time taking music stuff. Thanks for being a good friend Harry.

If any of you have ever had Morphine for pain after surgery......
For those of us who have not....it is my understanding that lots of people have confusion.
Well...Bill is one of those people. He thinks he has been to Greg's house....and his children have played with him and given him kisses. He thinks he has been with Lori and her girls. He thinks some new friends we met at the hospital have been to our house and we all went to dinner. Today he wanted me to wait for him because he is leaving with me tonight and we are going to the Coast to the Casino. The good news is for the most part they seem to be healthy and happy. Also, the time spent on them is now very little. He had light therapy today...since the 4 days in ICU in bed left him weak and tired.

Tonight he did eat most of his dinner, shaved and brushed his teeth. He seemed to be very much improved tonight over the last few days. Jimmy Gentry and his wife Anna stopped by to visit today after Jimmy's treatment. They mostly talked music of course. Harry came by for a visit today also, he is trying to teach the therapist how to give Bill drum related instruction for what she wants him to do. ie. base drum foot, hit the high hat pedal, etc. Good luck with that Harry. We will see tomorrow....hope he will be stronger since he is eating and getting up out of the bed.

Today Bill got out of ICU and back into EJ Rehab unit...his old room was waiting Room# 905.

He's been in the bed since Thursday afternoon and nothing to eat on Friday...liquids Saturday and Sunday. Regular diet tonight. I hope he will be strong enough for rehab classes tomorrow.

Bill is doing very well with his recovery from the surgery.

EJ does not have a room for Bill except ICU.

Harry Ravain .....came to visit today in ICU.

I am already working on getting him back into his old room in the Rehab unit on Monday if at all possible. He is only getting liquids and no rehab in ICU and he is feeling very well but agitated. My concern is that since Thursday he has only liquids and no exercise and will be too weak for Rehab on Monday.

I have a full plate of issues I am working on for this week. Teeth, shoes, wheelchair and some other very important issues. I will keep you posted as they develope. Please come visit anytime Monday-Friday after 3:00PM and anytime on Saturday & Sunday no Rehab on the weekend as they are closed.

Quiet day in ICU today.......Bill is doing very well !!! No complications ...his color PINK....eyes Bright BLUE....whites of eyes are very WHITE. Only complaint is a stiff neck....nurses say that is to be expected. No complaint from the surgery area which is remarkable as he has quiet a gash in the neck....approx 4 to 5 inches. The nurses say since it is glued together that it will heal nicely and won't be very noticeable.

We are all very relieved that Bill went past this bump on the Roller Coaster ride without a glitch. Keep up the good work Bill .....you've got to be on the down side of the Coaster ride .....and hopefully you can continue without any more bumps.

Bill is still in ICU but I think it is because they don't have a bed for him anywhere else.
They say he will return to the REHAB unit on Monday. YEA!!!

He's out of surgery!

The surgeon just came by and let us know that the surgery to remove the blockage in his artery was successful. He commented that the blockage was as serious as they had suspected and was likely responsible for the stroke. They saw activity in the plaque that showed that the plaque had recently broken apart and released fragments, which is the likely culprit for what happened. We haven't seen him, yet. But, the doctor said that they roused him and they didn't think that there was any furthering of the stroke or additional neurological damage, as a result of the operation today.

So, he's headed back to the ICU. Bed 12, this time. We expect to be able to see him in an hour or so. But, it'll be back to the ICU visiting schedule; so, it'll be just four visits a day, for just a few minutes, until Sunday or Monday, when he'll be back in his rehab room.

We'll update later, after we've seen him ...

Today at approx. 10:00AM Bill get the surgery to remove the blockage in the Carotid Artery.
Lori and Greg will be with us for this surgery today.

A note on the lighter side: Bill told us a very funny story yesterday that I would like to share with you. He has had powered scrambled eggs every morning for 2 months. He requested poached....not an option....then he requested boiled.

One day the ladies that bath him and change the sheets on the bed asked....did you lay this egg....NO said Bill I dropped it at breakfast and couldn't find it.

To quote Bill.....he had a Spectacular Day !!!

My sister Bonnie came early after her doctor appointment. She went to therapy with him and think enjoyed having an audience. I got there about 10:30AM joined them in time for speech therapy. Bonnie stayed until about 1:00PM but she left him a weeks worth of Sports pages. That will keep us busy on the next quiet day. I read him the captions and he chooses which stories he would like me to read.

Harry came at 2:30PM with 2 big surprises for Bill. He made him a custom made Muffaleta. You blogger will remember EJ threw Bill's dentures away. So Harry started with a large hamburger bun....he chopped lean no fat ham into small pieces....he made homemade olive salad chopped fine without any olive oil to keep it healthy....Swiss cheese melted on each bun. It was still warm and wrapped in foil. Bill loved it ! He enjoyed 2 quarters and saved 2 for tomorrow. He has a guy in Rehab with him and they are always joking about the food. The other guy always opens his tray and tells Bill ...I got a steak and baked potato ! What did you get Bill ! Bill's standard answer is I got SHIT ! So when he was eating his MUFF....he smiled and said wait till I tell Aubrey. I said do you want me to go tell him? No, Bill said without hesitation....he will want a piece. Later Aubrey and his wife stopped by to visit....Bill told him what he had....Aubrey was jealous.....Bill said sorry but I had to get you back for all of that Steak & potato shit !

Harry's second surprise....was a prearranged phone call from Pennsylvania from an old drum friend they had been trying to track down for months. Terry Basett.....I think he is with TAMA. It was a drummer's delight. I just looked on as Bill was very delighted.

Later Bill said I want to call Lori & Greg and tell them what a Spectacular day I had today.

Lori's flies in tonight at 10:15PM. She will be there early in the morning to surprise Bill. She will go to therapy with him Thursday. Greg flies in Thursday night so both of them will be here on Friday for Bill's surgery on the Carotid artery. We need to have a SPECTACULAR day on Friday, too.

All I know is early Friday AM time still vague. Between 8:30 and 11 AM. Then either ICU or CCU to be determined for overnight. If all goes well he will then go to Acute care on sixth floor. At some point he will go back into the Rehab on ninth floor.

If you are thinking of visiting ...please either call me or check with the main information desk for his location.

Today was a tough one.....The surgeon came in to meet us. Dr. Roach will be doing surgery on Bill's carotid artery on Friday morning but the time is vague. Bill will have only one surgery...since the risk is higher with his history....the doctor will be cleaning out the right side blockage. Which is 70-80% blocked and the doctors now are thinking that the stroke was caused by a piece of plaque breaking off in this artery. The left artery is only 50% blocked and they don't do surgery until at least 60%. So that one will be done at a later time in the future.

It is very scary to sign the paperwork giving permission to perform the surgery ....when they give you this awful disclosure stating all of the possible things that could happen. But how can I not ! Bill is aware of the surgery and wants to have it...however he is not aware of all of the possible complications. Why make him worry more than he absolutely has to.

The meeting went well....Bill is doing well in all areas of therapy but with difficulties. It is just going to be a very long recovery.

Quiet day today. Bill did go for a ride outside again with me today for about an hour. First time ever he asked to go to the Grill for a snack. I was so surprised we had to go back to the room to get money and come back. He got a Dream Cycle type of malt. He enjoyed the treat.

Dr. Eiserwirth is setting up the carotid artery surgery....I will give you the date when I get it. They cannot do both at the same time. So he will be having 2 separate surgical procedures. the surgeon will be Dr. Roach. I have heard from a couple of people it's not that big of a deal and he should feel better after they are cleared.

Good News on the denture issue......a East Jefferson employee took the out of Bill's hand put them into the EJ denture cup. Placed the cup on his lunch tray and the tray on the cart to be returned to the kitchen. East Jefferson will pay up to $500 for the replacement of the dentures which I have no idea how much it will cost. Dr. Eiserwirth suggested we hold off since Bill is still going to be loosing more weight. We'll see I think he needs to eat meat now and that is not an option without his back teeth. Time will tell.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there....I mean that in the nicest way.
Today was a good day. Bill stayed up in the wheelchair for about 4 hours. He helped me organize some old and some new pictures I had printed today of Greg's wedding.....3 1/2 yrs ago. I noticed a couple of days ago....his left pupil is now equal in size to the right....the bloggers from the beginning will remember how the left one used to dilate and when it was enlarged Bill seemed to have a harder time with strength, attention spans etc. across the board stuff. I see a marked improvement in him in the last couple of days. I hope that means that the blood in the brain is cleared. I think he will have a new cat scan Monday.

Also, Scott Hastings called Bill today. He mentioned that when his father had the clogged artery in his neck cleaned out he saw a great improvement in his Dad as the blood and oxygen flow to the brain were greatly improved. So that gives us new hope for still more improvement when he gets that surgery. I will find out more on that surgery and Bill's progress on Tuesday.

Much thanks to Lori, Shirley and Johnny on the assist to Bill in sending me Beautiful Red Roses for Mother's Day. He is very proud that he was able to pull that surprise off.

Thanks also to Babes, Beth, Ross, Olivia and Maw Maw for coming to visit Bill today.

Weekends are quiet as there is no therapy in the Rehab unit. The CNA's were kind enough to put Bill in a wheelchair so we could go outside to the park area in front of the hospital. Bill's second day of fresh air since March 12. It was really too hot to stay outside. He wanted to go shopping in the gift shop.

He said he saw New Orleans Sewerage & Water Meter covers for sale in there and wants to have one put in the driveway when we build in Houston. We asked....they said they don't think they ever had any. I showed him a piece of art work in the window of the shop....a painting of a water meter cover. He said no they were smaller. We'll keep looking....I like the idea.

He settled on a car magazine.

He's got a few ideas on how we can get the word out that we are yats....so we can find all of the other YATS in Houston. I hope he doesn't decide to paint Ladies Welcome on the kitchen windows.

Got to the hospital early today. I could not believe my eyes. Bill walked the bars three times and turned around to walk back. I don't want to mislead you...it's not pretty.
The physical therapist BETH is really working hard too. She holds him by the seat of his pants...(Bill calls her the WEDGIE QUEEN) ....he places his right hand on one railing. He moves his right leg and foot.....Beth moves his left foot and leg. I know it must be very difficult for both but it looks much better than the first time I saw him on the bars with the aid of 4 therapist.

Also, before the stroke Bill could not bake chocolate chip cookies...but he can now I saw him do it today in Occupational therapy. That also, is tongue in cheek but he did his part in a group activity and he interacts with his piers very well.
Now everyone in the group knows how much he does not like onion. So needless to say that's why he made the cookie dough instead of the meatballs.

He is working hard but he is enjoying it more. Good Day today.

I almost forgot.....MawMaw, Mike and Shirley came to visit Bill tonight.

Bill got good remarks from his physical therapist today. She said yesterday and today she has noticed improvement especially in the left shoulder, elbow and hand.

I noticed his left leg is badly swollen. Nobody seems concerned since that is the leg with the blood clot. I did not realize that the clot is still there. The nurse said the clot will be there for awhile. But she did put in a call to Dr. Adams. As of 9:00PM no doctor, yet.

No news on the bridge either.

Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot there was some good news today. Bill's voice as of today is greatly improved.....we have been told to encourage him to speak up and not whisper. Today he talked on the telephone to Abby and Lori. Talked in his room to Mike R, Harry and Babes. Even the nurses commented about it. I hope it lasts...he sounds very much like his old self again.

Today we filed a Security report for the misplaced dentures. The Security guy doesn't know what the next step is....huh that can't be a good sign....he also doesn't know who I can follow up with....hum. I reported the incident to the case worker...she was not aware and will follow up ASAP. She was actually looking for me to talk about Bill's progress and the possible next steps were discussed. She did preface this discussion with it depends on what the next 3 weeks hold.

Babes, Bill's youngest brother and Harry Ravain a friend also sat in on this meeting as they happened to be visiting at the time. Basically she said their are certain criteria that Bill must achieve before I would be able to bring him home. He is not there at this time. She did mention the 3 week mark...however she was not aware that Bill said the doctor spoke to him this morning about Bill would be having surgery on the 60% blockage in the carotid arteries in two weeks.

She will follow up on that since Bill is the only one aware of that info. She also put a message in for the doctor to phone me to discuss this matter. She did discuss with me the severity of the surgery and that the possible complication would be plaque breaking off and Bill suffering another stroke.

As I guess my now you have gathered ....it was not a good day for me. Bill on the other hand does not seem at all stressed at the idea of having the procedure.

I am taking a day off tomorrow. I need a break and I think even Bill understands and is OK with that plan. My friend Debbie is working tomorrow and will look out for him. Harry also is coming by after 3:00Pm.

Today was quiet....except that they lost Bill's dentures. He ate lunch in the Rehab lunch room. One of the nurses put them in the hospital denture case which has his name and room number on it. Someone put the case on the top of the cart that keeps the trays hot. After that the story gets a little vague....

Weekends are slow.......Bill and I had lunch alone in the Rehab breakfast room. He was in the Ortho chair again....but the ladies worked so hard to get him into it....that he stayed in it for about 3 hours.

Bill did set a record today with the number of visitors....since ICU that is !

Bonnie & Mike my sister & brother in law
Sandra & Steve Bill's brother and sister in law
Bobby Ohler former Nobles band member
Bonnie & Rick Bill's brother and sister in law

Thanks to all of you for your support....

It's fun for him to get visitors now that he is feeling better and has much less equipment on him. He really is enjoying the visits from his family and friends.

If can think of anyone that may not know please feel free to help spread the word...he is ready and willing to have visitors.

Bill still has some work to do in the voice department but it is coming. Still a lot of work to be done on the right arm and leg. But he is working every day at getting the job done.

I must often remind myself of what all of the doctors have told me.....

Long term recovery is to be expected with such a major event.

Also, that the progress that has already been made is truly remarkable !!!

Tomorrow after therapy of course....we have a date to watch a DVD on the now famous DVD player. The War of the Worlds....the Original Invasion !....Orson Wells and all.

Weekends are slow...even in Rehab. Bill was up for a short ride and break from the bed but in the Ortho Chair. He's not crazy about the Ortho chair it hurts his butt. His appetite is back since the food has been good ....no more pureed foodish stuff.

He did beat me fair & square in a game of battle today....

now he wants to teach me how to play Boo ray !

Bill got a hair cut early this morning. He looks great and he must feel great too. Every time he has been taken out of the bed or the wheel chair he has been said to be....max assist. Max assist means basically that people are 100% lifting him without his help. Today twice he had moderate assist....meaning Bill's legs are bearing at least some of his body weight and that he is active in the move. That is BIG news. If he can get the legs working I can bring him home.

Today a friend of mine that is a nurse on his unit...introduced me to a man named John. John had a stroke in September. He was a patient in the REHAB unit through October then moved to Colonial Oaks to continue his rehab. Today he was visiting with the use of only a walker with wheels. I later introduced the man to Bill....by the way John even had the same therapist that Bill had now.

Bill seems to be very well today. Not tired. Stronger somehow.

Donald Boue came by to visit with Bill they grew up in the Channel together. So I'm sure Bill enjoyed the company.

Today was quiet. Dr. Adams decided to give the day off. He was ordered to have a day of bed rest. Tomorrow his barber SAL from Ginn's on Williams Blvd. is coming to EJ to give Bill a hair cut. I was trimming his hair from time to time with a comb and a trimmer. When Greg was in town he told Bill....do not let MOM cut your hair anymore...she doesn't know what she is doing.

So since then all I hear is call SAL. So I did...he is so nice he was happy to hear that he is doing well. He had been wondering what happened to Bill. He said sometimes customers just disappear off the radar....and he just wonders what happened. Bill has been a regular customer for 15 years and since Sal has experience in going to hospitals to give hair cuts. Also, thanks to his therapist for moving her schedule around to accommodate this appointment.

I can't wait to see him tomorrow.