Day 35

Today was a big day. At 11:30 in the morning Burt was taken for his second video swallow test and he partially passed. First reaction is, of course, what the hell does that mean? It means that while Burt has not been cleared for a cheeseburger, fries and a beer or even a glass of water on his own, he has been cleared to a have a drink under supervision. Tomorrow, as his speech therapist looks on and coaches him, he will have his first sips of water in five weeks. Drinking supervision will initially be in the hands of the speech therapist and then transfer to the nursing staff, as Burt gets more practiced and stronger. While a supervised drink sounds pretty odd, it’s better than no drink at all. Burt almost can’t comprehend it. Hopefully, apple juice will follow soon after with applesauce on its heels. For the moment, the feeding tube will remain in place. It will take some time for Burt to be able to take in enough nutrition by mouth to sustain himself. Everyone lift a glass to our friend the swallow function, you’re a little late to the party but we’re glad you’re here, so hang up your coat and stay awhile.

Later in the day, during his second set of therapy sessions, Burt broke his walking record twice, back to back. He and his team walked across the therapy gym and most of the length. The video of Burt standing shows how much stronger he is getting. After the walking, Randy took Burt to the bathroom to begin to show him how to navigate it safely and independently. Randy had him standing at the sink and was happily surprised by how well it went. As he said, “I didn’t think we’d do half that well.”

Afterward, Burt went back to his room to discuss plans for some changes to his bathroom with Randy and David. Burt wrote a list of the materials he will need from home to begin his preliminary designs. His distinctive block architectural handwriting in is unchanged, a welcome sight.

Then, it was back to Pati for some more standing and walking excercises before Burt was finally done for the afternoon. Burt reflected, “Here I am, at sixty-seven, learning to walk again, who would have thunk it.” As Pati tucked him back into bed, she said to him, “you’re the kind of patient we all get into this to work with.”

Burt was asked and agreed to let his physical therapists Annie and Kelly present him as a case in a symposium on physical therapy with stroke survivors because he has made such strides. The only downside for him is that they don’t need him in attendance, he was hoping for the field trip.

By the time Burt was back in bed and getting ready for his well-earned nap (lousy weather kept him from a roll outside) it was time for Leslie hit the open road. As she gave Burt a hug and kiss goodbye, Burt made sure she knew where she was going and how fast she needed to go to get there unhindered. After she left, Burt made a few phone calls to his brother Harry and his son Gregory, then took a nap for a couple of hours.

The day finished off with a little more Big Lebowski and some range of motion exercises before Burt slipped off to sleep and David headed home.