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New speech skills


azrabbit

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Denny has been out of therapy (speech, ot & pt) since the day before his PFO closure on July 12. Prior to the closure, his standard speech consisted of a few words and not more that two together with regularity. We noticed during our camping trip that he was finding more words. His speech has consistently improved over the past few weeks. Even he has noticed. Tonight while we were at dinner I asked him if he realized how many new words he had and how often his "sentences" were three or more words. He said he did and then just grinned the best grin! The other night he actually asked me, "Honey, can you scratch my back please?" I almost fell out of the bed.

 

We talked to the neurologist's nurse and let her know. We wonder if the closure of the PFO has allowed for more oxygenated blood to reach the brain or if the heart is functioning better allowing for better blood flow from the unaffected side of his brain. Since his closure was part of a research study, we thought it was important to note.

 

Denny has claimed that the improvement is due to the beer he has been drinking on occasion in the evening. He pointed to his tongue and said, "Beer, loose." :cocktail: Who knows, but whatever it is, I am LOVING having him talk more.

 

The absurd part is when he is chattering at night in bed. After he gets in bed and we both get settled, meds taken, hand splint on, pillows all adjusted and the house is quiet, I take up my book to read. Lately he has lots to say. So it is now read a paragraph, translate and respond, wait until I think he is sleeping to start reading a paragraph only to have him think of something to talk about. After all these months of longing for him to talk to me, I find myself wishing he would be quiet! It doesn't last long when I remind myself of all those silent nights.

 

We have made our plans to go to New Mexico next month. Denny has decided he is going to go fishing. He is not nor has he ever been a fisherman. I can imagine how much fun I am going to have since I believe baiting the hook requires two hands. Stay tuned for the fish report! :fishing1:

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Take plenty of baby wipes on your trip, baiting fishing hooks is a really messy business. Hope you are good at scaling fish too.

 

I'm glad to hear Denny is now speaking in full sentences. Ray is not much of a conversationalist now. He doesn't have aphasia but maybe what is said doesn't trigger an answer in him. Sometimes I push real hard to get an answer but he gets more silent if I do that. I guess you have both to want to talk and have something to say.

 

Keep working on those plans to travel, life on the move can be the best time of your life. Enjoy.

 

Sue.

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This is an exciting blog entry to read! I think your theory of Denny getting more blood to his brain since the PFO closure makes a lot of sense. If I thought Denny's 'beer theory' worked I'd be taking Don to the tavern tonight. :D Hummmm....maybe we should try it anyway.

 

Jean

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Don't worry Sue - I ALWAYS carry a ton of wipes where ever we go.

 

Jean - if we were in your part of the country we would meet you at the tavern, pub or whatever you call them there. Beers all around - our treat. I would love to meet you and Don. I know Denny would find a way to communicate with him.

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Wow what great news, with the closure, more oxygen and a little beer maybe you are onto something. Also he was so excited over the motor home and going on trips. I love fishing, if you go for bass you can use some bass plugs if you cant handle worms. lol. plastic worms ...

so happy to hear you are having fun and enjoying the motorhome.

 

Bonnie

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I am not a fisherperson myself, so this should be good for some laughs. I was always attracted to fly fishing after reading "A River Runs Through It," but I think tying flies is more up my alley. Plastic worms sound good to me - after all they come is such great colors.

 

We are going out today to order the back up camera for the motor home. Then it gets installed on Tuesday along with an outdoor shower. I think that will make it much easier for Denny to shower without having to climb into the shower/bath combo inside the camper. Don't worry - we have an enclosure for it that I can put a chair inside. But watch out, if he has too many beers he may just be happy to bath like the bears...

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