Pffft. What Do Doctors Know?

Daddy still needs to go back regularly for check-ups... physiotherapy, occupational therapy etc...

Recently, during one of these therapy sessions, the therapist gave Daddy some blocks to play with. Toddler sized blocks. He had to arrange them by size, colour, shape etc... He was obviously bored and felt like it was a complete waste of time.

I can't recall who, but it was mentioned to the therapist that Daddy had just disassembled and reassembled a watch that morning. Almost immediately the therapist said that he need not attend any more occupational therapy sessions.

True. After all, if he can handle those tiny parts... I'm sure all's well in that area.

Back to Normal

So Daddy's been home for 3 days now (inclusive of today). As we guessed, he started work again. We cleaned up his work station and threw away a lot of junk in the process. Good thing is, he understands that although he can continue to work, he cannot work till late in the night anymore. He takes appropriate breaks in between (when we remind him to and he doesn't get annoyed with us this time). He can't sit for more than 2-3 hours at a time though.

He is gaining weight and getting his strength back as well, but of course, with delicious home-cooked food, I am too putting on a little *blush*. On occasion, I pop into his room and chat with him a little, reminding him to eat and to rest. We are all very cautious when he goes to the toilet and we never let him leave our sight.

I wonder how long this will take. The school term will begin shortly, and Mummy will have to be with him the whole day. At least now, we take turns.

Daddy's Home!!

Daddy returned home today, after being away for a total of 40 days. He walked up the 3 flight of stairs to our place and that itself exhausted him. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight but from the look on his face, it's obvious that he is glad to be back home. We are too. At least now we can keep a closer eye on him and we do not have to travel far daily to visit him.

40 days. I read stories where it took stroke patients months or even years to recover. Some never do fully recover. I'm so thankful that Daddy's alright now. It must have been all the prayers from the family and our friends and not forgetting Daddy's own will-power to recover. My dad is a fighter; he would never give up that easily. He is such an inspiration. I love him so much.

This incident got me thinking how we take the people in our lives for granted. We assumed that he went to work or to the polyclinic.

I've never bonded with my dad as much as I did during the 40 days that he was in the hospital. I'd spent more time conversing with my dad in the hospital than I ever have living with him. That's shameful. I do take people for granted, especially family. I'm just glad that he's back with us now.

Day 39 - Good News!

The doctors and consultants had a conference to validate Daddy's condition and they have decided to bring forward his discharge date from the 24th to the 11th! Daddy's coming home this Friday! We are all so pleased and so thankful! Daddy's very pleased as well, obviously. He already started packing up his possessions in the ward.

Day 37 - Dad's Homework

My dad was given an orientation file. In it, he had to fill in his personal particulars (D.O.B, address, name of family members etc) and why he thought he was in the rehab centre. His response - I fell without my knowledge. The problem / difficulty he faces - I walk without balance.

Flipping through the file, I saw that he had 4 professionals to validate his condition; a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a psychologist.

He was given work to do as well. Part of it he had to complete in front of them and the remainder he could do it during his free time. He was given a bunch of dots and he had to first find a specific set of shapes and then join the dots to form those shapes. He enjoyed doing that a whole lot. The other piece of work was language based; testing his ability to listen and register instructions. He first had to read aloud the instructions on the piece of paper then he had to follow what it said. This one he didn't enjoy so much.

Day 36 - Back to Normal

I visited Daddy today and he showed off by walking around the room, unsupervised. I don't know why, but it made me laugh. He looked so adorable, grinning as he was walking about the room, pleased with himself at his improvement.

I don't know why the doctors think that he can only be discharged on the 24th. Oh well, have to see what Dr Joe Francis has to say.

I'm very thankful at how quick my dad's recovery is. I am thankful for all the support given by my friends, colleagues and even my students. Even though it has been only 36 days thus far, it has been 36 very emotionally challenging days.

Imagine, the doctors were telling us that at best, my dad may only recover 70% of all his functions. He may never speak or move the right side again because the clot damaged the speech function and the mobility of the right side of his body. I look at him now, and he is back to normal.

• Admitted into TTSH ICU on 31st October in the evening.
• Transferred to A-class Ward on 3rd Nov.
• Transferred to B1 Ward on 9th Nov.
• Transferred to AMK Rehab Hospital on 23rd.

Short span, but travelling back and forth, daily, it saps your energy. I want Daddy home, soon.

Day 35 - Latest Update

I was down and out with the flu this week so I didn't visit Daddy. The latest update is that Daddy's due to be discharged on the 24th of December. They want to keep him longer because he is still not steady when he walks. The right leg is stronger but not strong enough. As of now, that's the only issue the doctors are concerned with.

I had some entries that I didn't publish as I had them saved as drafts; they are up for you to read.

• Day 18
• Day 24
• Day 30

I've been cleaning up the mess that is my parent's bedroom. Dad has a lot of junk! I've to separate watches, spare parts, tools etc into different boxes. That is not an easy task, mind you. It's mind-numbing and exhausting. Another lot to go through today.