Day 10 Update: Ring Around the Rosie

Ten days in, and Dad keeps finding ways to surprise us. The little moments are always there — but only if you’re paying attention.

When I arrived around noon, dad and I were talking, and he dropped the word “trepidation” into the conversation, just like that. Dad smiled in disbelief — whoa — and then I told him that might have been the biggest word I’d heard him say since the stroke happened. For anyone keeping score at home, that is not a small word. That is a man whose brain is working hard and finding its way back.

His physical therapist came in, and it was a solid session. She noted that dad is having a little bit of difficulty on his right side, and she gave us something practical we can do — stand on his right side and talk to him from there. It helps the brain start remapping and building those connections back. She also said something that stuck — “I like Leon, I’m going to try to make him a priority.” She’s there through Thursday and plans to keep working with him. That kind of investment from the people caring for him means everything.

And then Dad got up and walked around the nurses’ station. A real walk — with a walker, and his physical therapist right there alongside him. Not a few steps — around the whole station. Ten days ago he was on a ventilator. Today he took a lap.

On the medical side, the infectious disease doctor came in to weigh in on the results from the TEE procedure. The results were negative, which is great news. Out of caution, though, because of a previous positive culture, they’re going to monitor him for 14 days — seven of which are still remaining. The important part — she said this doesn’t necessarily mean he has to stay in the hospital. That decision now rests with his doctor. The door to the next chapter is starting to open