Evening

Here's Mark's address again:

Mark Seymour
Room 213
Bryn Mawr Rehab
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
(610) 251-5400

Evening

More good news! The trach is out, the foley cath is out. His hearing and sight is improving. All around a good day.

Kelley, he actually read your letter today. If you could increase the font by one size (two ponts I think) and space the lines to 1.5, it would be a lot easier for him to read.

He practiced stair climbing today. When he got to the landing (three steps up) he said he wanted to make a speech. His therapist Jennifer told him to go ahead. He said he loved women. We all cracked up.

Evening

This will be the third night in a row that Mark will be monitored for his oxygen levels. If all goes well, it will be curtains for the trach. When his bladder infection clears, his foley catheter will go next. At that point, he will be able to have swim therapy. He's walking great, getting in and out of bed, dressing his upper body, and he's having no problems going from his chair, to a standing position and to the walker. He has a lot of work to do with on cognitive skills, although his memory tests go great. We played Rummy Cube at therapy today. Of course, the therapist won (I think she plays the game often - unfair advantage), but I came in last. Mark confessed that he never did well at games before, and he said things haven't changed for the better.

Tonight we heard the familiar noise of the nurses (right outside Mark's door) crushing tablets in a metal mortar and pestle - extremely loud! He asked again (this is several times a day) what the noise was. I told him that the nurses were crushing pills for people who can't swallow, and he told me they should do that around people who can't hear.

Mark told me today that he’s glad he didn’t die. I told him we all agree.

Evening

Mark continues to make amazing progress, both physically and cognitively. This was the first day that he stayed up without napping, and was still awake but sleepy at 9:30 when I left.

Morning

Now that Mark is awake all day, I've been staying with him until 9:30 or 10pm. I'm sorry that's it's not given me much time to update everyone.

Here's a picture of Mark feeding himself dinner last night.

Some important tips when visiting:

DO NOT GIVE HIM ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK unless you get an okay from his nurse. He's restricted to a certain size and texture of food, and all his drinks must be thickened to avoid aspiration. Due to his cognitive issues, you can’t depend on asking him.

DO NOT GET HIM UP FROM THE BED OR CHAIR OR INTO THE BATHROOM. Please ask the nurse for help if Mark needs something. He sometimes doesn’t realize his limitations.

His gaze is getting better, but unless your head is on his level or lower, he might not recognize you by your voice alone because he can’t look up. It’s still important to speak slowly and only one person at a time. Give him plenty of time to answer your questions or initiate a conversation of his own.

Please remember, this is information for a good visit for you and Mark, don’t let these instructions keep you from visiting. He loves to get visitors. Please stop by soon.