Back to work for the rest of us...

As the Christmas season draws to an end, it's back to work for the rest of us. I can't see Dad as often but I'll still manage some time during the week and on the weekend. Dad has made tremendous progress this week. He's working with the physiotherapist and is able to stand with some assistance. I helped get him in the bed and the nurse asked Dad to stand up. We didn't have much weight, mostly holding on him for balance. He's also speaking more. The flip side to more speaking is it's very frustrating for him (and us). He wants to and is trying to speak, but the words at most times comes out mumbled and garbled. He's using his right arm and hand more. He's gesturing with both hands. He's also responding to questions better and more often. I think he's starting to make some brain/body connections that he wasn't ready for before.

One thing that started happening was that he started crying. I was speaking with him and telling him about Daughter. I told him of the hockey game we went to. He was smiling and laughing. At one point his face changed and he started to cry. He put his hand over his eyes so that I couldn't see him cry and that he couldn't me seeing him. I've only ever seen Dad cry once before - when he told me he had cancer 20 years ago. I didn't tell Mom if that event. But it happened the next day with Mom in the room. Dad asked how Daughter was and then started crying. Mom thought is was awful. I think the opposite. He's letting out his emotions. He's displaying his emotions. I'd rather see him smile, laugh and cry than to see nothing at all.

Given that we've now past the 11 weeks point, Dad's made huge gains in the last 2 weeks. I keep reminding Mom of his progress. Mom can only ask if I think Dad will recover. Mom can only see the negatives. Look beyond that Mom and see all the positives. This is what Dad gave me.