okay, I know it has been awhile because I have had a hard time trying to get my e-mails ect through Dorrine's computer. Sometimes it works, others not. And I just couldn't get onto this blog at all. Now Dorrine has me on it, so I will update for those who have not given up on this. Gil has therapy each week for physical, speech and occupational. Physically he is getting stronger. He walks with a quad cane and can but shouldn't do it alone for safety reasons. He tires when he walks too far however. One day when it was nice, I walked him to the driveway and back. We walk him daily, and exercise him daily with leg. Speech, he can vocalize but not much you can understand. He does say a few words, mom, yes, no(not always in the right context), money, damn, oh man, and a few times has said homo, and damn idiot. It is hard to know what he wants as I can't understand him and hard for him to explain what he wants. Makes it frustrating for everyone. He has no use of his right arm at all. Although we have seen a movement here and there, it is mostly involuntary and sporactic. The occupational therapist works with his arm,. so not sure if it is worht continuing, but will. Actually, I'm not 100% sure any of the therapy helps anymore, than what we are doing at home. but will continue it for now. My insurance stopped paying after 20 visits. I have applied for help through the hospital where they basically write it off, but havent' gotten a reply. We did get approved for a grant through the aging and disability dept. so I will use that $ to pay for his therapy for another month or so. Will go from there, at that point. We are still at Dorrine's house but have someone coming out to give us an estimate for putting up a handrail and new toilet this week. Those are the most immediate needs. I will be in contact with Lutheran Social Services to see about help as they put a elevator in for Mary Jean for her MS(my sister) and one contractor told me it would be easier to sell my house than to put a ramp on the hill. I hope we can go back home by 1st of June. 'We had Gil to the ER on Wednesday as he was feeling crappy, not looking good either. I thought he also might have a sinus infection. They did EKG, cat scan, blood work, ect. Found nothing wrong with him. He didn't eat or drink well either and was just plain weak. He seems a bit better today. I hope he sleeps better as he has been waking me all night for most of week, and it is catching up with me I think. The kids had a benefit for us that went really well. Gil goes to see his stroke dr. tomorrow. So if she finds anything wrong, family will be told. But like I said, he seems better today. This weekend we are going on our first out of towner since his stroke. Actually we went to Rice Lake a few weeks ago for the day and that went well visiting his family. But we are heading to Superior on Friday and returning on Monday. I took vacation days as I haven't seen Mary Jean for ages and Fran and Georgia too. So will meet them for lunch on Saturday and hopefully Eddy can join us if he finds someone to work for him. And we can visit some of Gils's family and I am hoping to hook up with Kathy and Bob for a few hours also. Will try to stay more on top of this. Love Susie