July 4, 2017

A quick update to let you know that Alan is making great progress, both physically and with swallowing/talking.  He is now able to walk without the hiking stick and is wanting to get outdoors and away from the house.  Yesterday, we went to Roan Mountain and drove to the gardens at the top.  Unfortunately, the flowers were all gone there, and it started raining, but we still had a nice walk through the gardens in a light foggy drizzle. We were prepared for rain, so enjoyed the walk in spite of the conditions.  The pictures below were taken at the visitor center, where it wasn't raining and the flowers were blooming.

Alan lost about 20 pounds, but is gradually gaining back.

 He decided to stop smiling for pictures a year or so ago, so this is what you get.

Alan is still getting pt and swallowing/speech therapy at home several times a week, and they are helping him a lot.  Talking isn't a problem for him, although he still sounds very hoarse.  In fact, talking is encouraged by the therapists.  He has progressed to some foods that have texture, as long as he can chew them up enough to swallow them.  Still no meats unless they are chopped up or in a sauce, raw vegs, or crispy things.  He stopped using the feeding tube about two weeks ago, as soon as he was able to eat/drink enough to keep himself going.  We see the gastroenterologist tomorrow and hope he will remove the feeding tube then, or sometime soon.

He probably won't be able to drive for six months from the date he had a possible seizure in the hospital, so I am chauffeur, which is fine with me (but not with Alan).  I am trying to think of places for us to go on weekends and evenings, just to get him out of the house.  He is getting cabin fever.  If local folks have suggestions, let me know. This evening, we are planning to go to downtown Kingsport for the 4th of July celebration. The symphony is having a pops concert at 8:00 before the fireworks.  If any of you Kingsport people are going, it would be fun to see you there.  We would love for people to come to visit us here at the house also.  We sit on the deck almost every evening.