Roc's Village

Hello Everyone...

It's been a while since I last wrote with news about Roc...As I sit composing this, Roc is across the room working with his visiting physical therapist "Diana". I can't believe that just a couple of weeks ago he was unable to do anything let alone the exercises he is doing now... As of yesterday Roc has been home for 4 weeks. Being home seems to really be helping his recovery. Letters and numbers are still foreign but everyday he adds to his vocabulary. Talking with him can be a real exercise in interpreting but gradually his thoughts are becoming clearer. With some of the random things he says we hope, he can at some point teach a philosophy class. We are going to call it the "Tao of Roc". Given where we live I think it might actually catch on - LOL!

Just recently Roc has noticed he needs to have his "roof reattached" (thanks Phil). Given any opportunity he will happily show a visitor where the bone flap is missing. There is no date set for when this surgery will occur. Yesterday, Andee, Roc and I went to see the pulmonologist who saw Roc when he was in the acute hospital and sub-acute facility. The last time Dr. "Raj" saw Roc he wasn't speaking, walking or even sitting up. Dr. Raj thought Roc was doing very well with his recovery. As usual Roc bluffed his way through the visit. He was charming and funny even though he had no idea who the doctor was nor could he remember his name. Dr. Raj was all but oblivious to this and didn't press Roc on much. The good doctor doesn't have much personality. He can be a real challenge with respect to eliciting information. After now experiencing how our medical system works, you can count that no one will do anything or talk about without consulting a specialist...

Regarding practical matters...Thought I'd make you aware of Andee and Roc's schedule. Monday and Wednesday are Roc's workout with Tracy days. They usually get home around 10:00 am. Andee has to then do her medical stuff (TOTALLY not my thing - YUCK) so, they are ready for fun around 11:00...Tuesday and Thursday are Andee's workout days. Obviously Roc goes along. They get home around the same time and have all the medical stuff to do. Again they are usually ready for fun around 11:00. On most Tuesday's and Thursday's Roc has a visit from the physical therapist around 12:30. She's there about 45 minutes. She's a zippy gal who doesn't seem to mind company so no one has to rush out while she's there. Somewhere during the week a visiting nurse comes around...

Also Roc has quite a few doctor appointments. To all who visit, know that Roc really does enjoy having people stop by. He may not remember your name but he is slowly getting relationships. Yesterday when I saw him he asked "where my kid was?" (Patrick and I had been there Sunday for a visit). Thanks all of you for being so generous with your time.Roc eats all day long and he will go after anything left around. Today he stole my Starbucks. He didn't know what it was but really enjoyed it. (I think it may be a crime not to recognize an extra Caramel Macchiato.)

In the later afternoon Roc needs to nap. You can usually see how tired he is and his thoughts get a little more hazy as does his walking. He does seem to like going for walks and he is able to go further and further. Last Sunday and today we were out looking at birds. If you have met me, you know I am not a birder...At least not in the sense Andee and Roc are. The birds I like are usually sauteed on a bed of risotto...I do think, getting Roc back to things that are familiar has aided his recovery. He still has a hard time seeing things on his right side. Sometimes you just have to move his head and force him to look...

That's all for now. Thanks to everyone for your kind replies.