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Boston with a Hot Teacher
It’s been three weeks since my last post. I was actually thinking about stopping this blog. But recently I heard from a few friends who told me that these updates have been helpful and make them feel connected to John and me. So I thought I should try to keep it up. Let’s start with…
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Two Months and a Parade
It’s been just about two weeks since I last wrote, and in many ways, we’ve fallen into a new normal rhythm. Speech continues to be John’s biggest challenge. The more I learn, the more I realize how much of that challenge is his apraxia of speech — he knows what he wants to say, but…
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The Small Things Are the Big Things
Last Tuesday, after therapy, we went to Market Basket. We were in the produce department when all of a sudden I heard him yell, “monkey.” It was clear. It was spontaneous. “Monkey!” I came around the corner, and he started saying it over and over. It sort of devolved into “muhn-ay, mu-ay,” but he was…
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Six Weeks: Pickle Sauce, Pottery & Progress
It’s been just over six weeks since John’s stroke, and this past week felt like a week of trying new things, paying attention to what works, and figuring out our next steps. We’ve started taking the individual sounds John was originally given — ooh, e, o, ah, L, M and N — and putting them…
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A Little Normalcy — and the Reality of Where We Are
John and I both needed a little normalcy this week. Going forward, I think we’re going to try to make Friday nights our time to get out of the house, go somewhere, and remember that our lives are still bigger than doctors, appointments, medications, and speech therapy. This Friday, we headed to the North Shore.…
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Looking back: Month One
One month ago today, John made me scallops wrapped in bacon for lunch. I got up to go into the kitchen to get something to drink, and I heard him yell, “Oh-Ooh!!!.” When I came back into the living room, he was grasping at his right arm. Suddenly, he couldn’t speak. He was staring off…
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Today’s Lesson: Visits Look Different Now
This morning started with another encouraging speech therapy session. Today we had two speech therapists with us, including one who specializes in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices. An AAC device is similar to an iPad, but it’s designed specifically to help people communicate. It has customizable folders and buttons that speak words and phrases…
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A Little More Hope
When I woke up on Sunday, I was completely convinced it was Monday. I was getting ready to bring us to an appointment… only to realize it wasn’t until the following day. It felt like someone had handed us an unexpected extra day, and I’m glad they did. The reason I’m sharing this is because…
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One Day at a Time
Yesterday brought some encouraging news. We learned that John no longer needs occupational therapy. His grip strength and arm strength are right where they should be, and because his mobility has been fully restored, his care team feels occupational therapy is no longer necessary. The biggest challenge now is speech. John is living with both…
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Sleep: The Recovery Nobody Warns You About
People often ask what our days look like now, so I thought I'd share a glimpse into our new normal. At first glance, our days have settled into a pretty predictable routine. 8:00 a.m.: Wake up, coffee, showers, and breakfast. 9:30 a.m.: Occupational therapy at Whittier. While John is in therapy, I work through medical…
Recent Posts
- Boston with a Hot Teacher
- Two Months and a Parade
- The Small Things Are the Big Things
- Six Weeks: Pickle Sauce, Pottery & Progress
- A Little Normalcy — and the Reality of Where We Are
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