StrokeSurvivorBlog

He is getting some good grasping with his left hand now, so that is very encouraging to him. But even though he’s getting movement, it may take some time for strength to come into the whole arm. He still must use the sling to keep his arm from dropping and separating from the shoulder socket. Please pray that resurrection power will revive his arm and hand.

He is now able to get into a sitting position from a lying position, and to go from a sitting position to a lying position. This took a lot of practice to be able to swing his legs up onto the bed. You try it sometime without using the left side of your body and you’ll see how difficult this is.

The pectoral muscles on the left side of his chest are flexing well, indicating that they are helping to move the arm, instead of his trunk moving it.

When lying on a mat, he can slightly lift his knee up to move his leg outward. A week ago he couldn’t do that. It’s easier for him to pull his leg inward (like closing a scissors).

All in all, we’re seeing good progress in his stroke recovery and his morale is positive. He knows that as soon as he is able, he can come home. This prospect leaves me sometimes uneasy not knowing what my life will be like taking care of him full time. Will I be able to go out for lunch with a friend, or run errands without having to get someone in to care for him? Will I ever have time to myself? Whenever those thoughts come to me, I have to quench them and not go there. I have to remember that God’s grace and strength are sufficient for me today, and tomorrow He will give me what I need then. I have to take one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow.