Sunday, March 11, 2012

Back in the saddle (or should I say Seattle?) again

After spending nearly three weeks in Madison, Wisconsin, with my parents, David (the hubs) and I are back in Seattle.

Just in case any of you are curious: My dad made a number of impressive steps forward in his recovery over the last week. He was upgraded from an all-pureed-food diet to one that allows for assorted soft foods like scrambled eggs and lasagna, for starters. Also, he began moving his left leg and arm with more frequency and ability--previously, both limbs were all but paralyzed--and, as a result, he was able to participate in his occupational and physical therapy sessions more fully than was the case previously.

That said, he's still bed-ridden for the most part--although he is put into a wheelchair for four to six hours a day--and he's still unable to care for himself in most instances. So, although he's made a lot of progress in the three weeks since his strokes, he's still pretty far from the proverbial finish line (assuming the finish line is the recovery of the ability to use, to some extent, his left leg and arm). Regardless, my mom, David and I are feeling very hopeful and positive about the situation--something that couldn't be said a week and a half ago.

Thanks again for all of the positive energy/thoughts/vibes and prayers you've sent our way. All of us, including my dad, appreciate them greatly.

See also: 'Going home to be with (and take care of) my mom and dad' and 'Update about my dad'

18 comments:

diaglyph said...

Great to hear the positive progress!
*thumbs up*

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, diaglyph! I'm happy I can share such positive progress. Fingers crossed I can share more soon...

StickHead said...

Great to have you back, Bryan! Huge love to all your family, so great to hear you being so positive - that will be a huge help to your Dad and the rest of the family. Keep it up!

Marc.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, Marc! I agree that being positive can only help -- or at least it can't hurt, right? Also, it's easy to be positive when my dad's progress has been so impressive over the last week or so. Anyway, thank you for your positivity -- I really appreciate it!

Retr0gamer said...

Really great to hear your dad is recovering so quickly. I hope he makes a full recovery soon.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, Retr0gamer! I'm hoping the same thing :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Good to hear! Hope the recovery just keeps progressing! And I assume you're doing okay, too, then?

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, I hope it keeps progressing, too, Justin. And as for how I'm doing: I'm doing well. Seeing my dad make the progress he was able to make over the last week/week and a half and being with my mom during that time, too, really helped my spirits. So glad we were able to go back and to go back for such a long time.

GameOverYeah said...

Good to hear that he's improving mate.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks, dste! Yes, it's very good news :) Really, he seems to be improving a bit every day. I fully expect him to be home with my mom again by the time David and I return to Madison in a few months. He may not be walking on his own (w/o a walker), etc., at that point, but I'm hopeful that he'll get there eventually, too. Anyway, thanks again to you and everyone else for your positivity and thoughts and energy :)

MimiPRGameFreak said...

Great to hear that your dad is recovering. I'm still praying that he does make it to the finish line where he is able to use his left leg and arm again. =)

- The Girl Gamer

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks as always, TGG! It's been amazing to see him very slowly but surely be able to move and use his left arm and leg again. He can't use either limb to support himself at this point or do anything all that spectacular, but he's moving them again, which in and of itself is pretty amazing. Also, he's doing physical therapy every day, so I'm expecting to be able to say soon that he *Is* able to stand again or use his left arm to support himself, etc. Fingers and toes and everything else crossed :)

Gerard said...

Huzzah! Awesome to see a bit of of upswing, however incremental. Hope you're all coping well. x

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, Jyr! And, yes, it's awesome to see a bit of an upswing. Oh, and I'm coping very well at the moment :)

Sean said...

Hi Bryan,

I`m glad to hear that your dad`s condition is improving! Needless to say I am rooting for him to continue doing so!

Best, Sean

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, Sean! I appreciate you rooting for him. I'm doing the same, obviously. Hopefully I can share some more positive news -- and maybe funny stories, too -- soon :)

Ash said...

I'm glad to see your father making excellent progress from that terrifying experience, Bryan. Consider a strong channel of well wishes to be carving its way diagonally across the USA towards y'all!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thank you, Ashley. I really appreciate both your kind words and your well wishes. All the best to you, too :)