Dave has started to talk!

Wow, what a wonderful week this has been! My daughter Shanna married a very nice guy named Daniel O'Coin last Saturday. She was a beautiful bride and Dan was a handsome groom and the wedding was beautiful. I did not cry during the ceremony, but when I got to the receiving line... that was a different story. The reception went well and Dave ate his meal of roast beef, red potatoes and vegetable, including a salad. Dave and I welcome Dan into our family.
The best part of all is that Dave had the implant put in on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. It is a tiny straw looking thing that connects the trachea and esophagus that enables Dave to speak. Plus he sounds a lot like his own voice. He does have some work to do learning how to use it, he will have to cover the stoma (hole in trachea) so as not to allow air to escape through it so that he can speak. One of the first things he said to me was I love you, I am on cloud nine! Those words have only been by sign language since the beginning of July. Then on Saturday while I was at the store he called and asked if I could here him, I said yes and told him I would be home shortly. When I hung up, I almost cried again, the firsts are amazing! He will be able to speak hands free eventually. There will be another piece put on the outside of the stoma so that he will not have to cover the stoma with his thumb.
Dave is feeling good and slowly gaining his weight back and his strength, and he is walking most evenings. Things are starting to look up for Dave as his health improves. I will say this, he is bored to the point of exasperation at times. I found a wood dollhouse kit at a yard sale, everything there. He has already started putting it together, it will take up some of his time for quite awhile. The girls and I will have to start looking for miniatures to put in it.
There are some unfortunate problems that we are facing at this time, his short term disability ran out before the long term disability starts. We have been told that we should hear something by the end of September. Dave could get the approval or not and it could even take another 45 days after that. So please keep this in prayer that he receives these benefits. I have applied at Job and family services for certain benefits and was told that we are $100.00 over the cut off line of eligible income for the month of August, now that stinks, September is another story! Please keep Dave and our family in prayer that we may get through this really rough time. Thank you for listening, God Bless, we love you all.

A pretty good week

Well, this week was a pretty good one. Dave and I went to the Dr. for his checkup. The Dr. is pleased with Daves progress so far, he was able to put the stoma vent (it's flat & flush to skin) in, which is much more comfortable for Dave. The Dr. has told Dave that he can now start eating very soft food, such as jellos, puddings, mash. potatoes and the like. He will have to drink water or Gatorade after each bite till his throat learns to push it down on it's own for awhile yet. He will still have the tube feedings until he is able to eat everything and maintaining his weight. Dave gained 6 pounds in two weeks which everyone likes to hear. The Dr. will be watching the lungs closely as well, to see if the spots grow. We don't have to go back till September.
Later in August the TEP will be placed in the trachea and Dave will be learning how to speak with that and the help of a speech therapist located locally. We are still waiting on the electro layrnx (handheld mic.) from the provider, insurance red tape is ridiculous! We know the ins. approved it, now it's just a matter of getting it. This item will also be used in case of emergency and Dave can't speak. Dave will also be starting physical therapy soon to help with his strength and work out some kinks in his shoulders.
Dave is very bored, and fast running out of things to do as he is unable to do a lot yet. So your welcome to visit, just call before coming by (to be sure its a good day). Thanks to Daves sister Karen and her other half Kevin, they took Tommy and several other nephews out to the lake on Sat. for a picnic and boat ride. He had a really good time with everyone :-) Please keep Dave in prayer for strength and courage as he travels forward. Thank you for listening, God Bless, we love you all.