Shepherd has Walter on quite a schedule, roughly like this:
7:30 AM - out of bed, bath and dressed
9:30 AM - therapy (speech, occupational or physical; order may vary from day to day)
10:30 AM - therapy
11:00 AM - therapy
11:30 AM - therapy
12:00 Noon - Back to Bed
12:30 PM - out of bed
1:00 PM - therapy
1:30 PM - therapy
2:00 PM - therapy
2:30 PM - therapy
3:00 PM - neuropsychologist session
3:30 PM - back to bed
The Saturday schedule is more relaxed. There's no therapy on Sunday, so Mom and Dad had time this afternoon to roll Walter in his wheelchair to the garden. Walter reached up and took Mom's hand on the way down the hall. So, Mom got her lift for the day.
Other encouraging signs today: Walter sat up in a chair for about 2 1/2 hours and took a good nap. His eyes continue to improve their "tracking." He moved his right arm a lot and had an easier time holding his head up. We don't take seemingly simple things like this for granted like we may once have. Increasingly, it's the "little" things, like putting your arm around your dad, or holding your mom's hand. We are also increasingly aware that this will be a long haul, and we don't know what the next several months--or tomorrow--hold. We would like to know what the end will look like--what Walter will regain, how his rehab will progess-- but we don't. A new understanding of "cautious optimism," and a disciplining in faith - hope in the unseen.
Walter has received emails from some of you. Here is the address for regular mail:
Walter Romine
Room 240, Marcus Building
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Hi Romine family!! I am Shane Johnson of Quitman. Renee gave me the blog info and I am following Walter's progress. Some of you may know that I lost my oldest son at age 18 this past August,'08 and it has truly amazed me at how God has glorified Himself through the circumstance and our journey as we go through it. But, as I follow your story, I am reminded of how God most often glorifies Himself in LIFE!! And He is certainly doing that in Walter! What a great story of God's faithfulness and amazing healing power! And yes, He teaches us to look for and SEE His miracles in every little thing. Mrs. Romine, please know that from one mother's heart to another, I am praying for you and your precious boy and your family. With love and prayers, Shane Johnson Sutherland
ReplyDeleteAlthough we've never met, I wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I also wanted to offer what I hope will be a bit of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad suffered a hemorrhagic stroke near his brain stem 20 years ago. It's been a very long road, but the life he's lived since that day has contradicted in every way the predictions made that day. It's helped tremendously that he's incredibly stubborn.
- Amy Coker