October 28, 2006 - Day 275

It was nine months ago this morning that Rand had the stroke. For the better part of those nine months, he has been in the hospital, rehab centers and nursing homes. He has been in his own room for a little over three months now, and what a difference those three months have made! He is healthy, looks great, is getting stronger and stronger, his receptive and expressive language are still shaky but so, so much better than before. There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and every day. Many, many of those 276 days, had I been able to think ahead, I would not have bet that Rand would be coming home for Thanksgiving, but he is!! This will be the best Thanksgiving ever.

Last spring, when Rand was in Vallejo Rehab Hospital, his sister Karen and her husband, Kaj, suggested getting a display board of some kind for his new room. We pondered, we looked, we searched the web, we tried to find alternatives to a bulletin board. Nothing was the right size, the right shape, etc., until recently when we found the perfect thing - a folding display screen. Karen and Kaj bought the screen for Rand's Room and I have been busy putting together the pictures and display for him. Today it was finished and I delivered it to Rand. He was delighted with it, pointing to pictures that he recognized immediately, chuckling over others, and puzzled by still others. It will be a good talking point for visitors and a good memory jogger for him. It also hides some paraphernalia that has no other storage space in his room. As I find pictures of us, of our travels, friends and family, I'll bring them in and Rand can choose which ones he wants displayed next. Thanks, K and K! This is such a nice, multi-purpose addition to Rand's Room. The photos and display will change frequently.
Rand had a long nap today and then we went for a long walk. Otherwise, the day was uneventful, as all days have been for several months. His primary care physician and his neurologist both gave him clean bills of health last week. The neurologist increased the meds for muscle spasms. Several months ago, Rand was taking 300 mg a day of this med, now he is taking 2700 mg a day! At that, he still has bouts of terrible pain every day, but they are shorter in duration and fewer than before.

All is well. Keep Rand close in your thoughts and prayers.

Love, Connie