Good news, I think, but at least interesting.

I have been trying to get Bruce to stay up later at night. Once dinner is served, it is dishes, washup and teeth, pills and bed. First pills are anti-spasmotics to help him relax. After sitting in a WC for most of the day, he needs to get off his butt and relax. But as everyone here already knows, they will cause drowsiness. I wake him around 10 pm for the second round of anti-spasmotics and his sleeping pill. My only control here is dinner time. With the new regime of Bruce helping out more and having to do dinner and dinner dishes, I am holding this off until 5 pm instead of me just doing it at 4 pm for dinner on the table at 5 pm.

We have been doing this for two weeks now, and while it is clear-lol-that he is not happy, he will do anything I ask. Three nights a week, dinner is on the caregivers. Leo follows my lead two nights and Cathy is getting there.

With the weather report for the week, I have had to make some adjustments, so my work is not done; but Bruce got to the pool and to work, per routine we have tried to manage all this long, hard winter.

Tonight he lasted until 6:30pm. When I questioned him, he said he was "tired of doing his stuff" and just wanted to go to bed. I took his lead and we talked. I told him I knew he was not tired. He had had a good nap, no pool, and I knew he would watch TV a good two hours before he finally fell asleep. I said I knew he was bored and perhaps we could consider an early evening event for him. He said like what. I said Carl has offered to take you to Carl's AA meeting: good group of guys, supportive and a night out without me; Leo suggested getting out for a walk on the driveway to start the walking again or maybe just a ride on the scooter; maybe taking a course again. Bruce said he would think it over.

Some Cabin Fever, perhaps. Bruce's cognitive improvement has been remarkable this winter and he is thinking more in depth. He is adjusting to the new responsibilities well, as I expected. I also explained to him that the caregivers were here to help me as well as him. And if he did not work with them, it just made more work for me.

He has some movement now in that right arm and is working on it so diligently. I wonder why this isn't the same for the walking? It has to hurt just as badly as the leg, just coming back after two years. But everyone is back on board with those early exercises we were taught and Bruce actually asks for us to work the arm and for his Estims, so you just go with what you are given (its that damn Cat, I know it-he really wants to pet her with the right hand, while holding her with the left. And that Kira, she just feeds into it).

Made appointment with Physiatrist, even though the Botox is off the chart due to Insurance coverage, to ask if or when more OT should be considered. I would just like his OT to evaluate the progress and advise us.

So with the "purple mist" (our fire bushes blossuming finally-first sign of spring) showing, new life and thoughts to one's future. Please keep us in your prayers. Debbie