Three Days To Go and Counting......

Hello Everyone,

I hope all is well. Things are extremely exciting here for us because we know we will be home in 3 more days. Last week was Butch's hardest week. It was mentally draining but he handled it like a champ....we would not expect anything but, right! Despite his busy days, we have been able to visit some new places and see a little more of the city.

But first, let me tell you about a session that I was able to attend. Butch was amazing. He had to identify and describe what he saw in some pictures in the news paper. This therapy was/is helping him narrow his conversations and stick to the key points so that he will be able to keep people engaged.

This therapy is so important because a lot of times, most people are not good listeners, too impatient, ready to "jump" in and figure out what Aphasian's are trying to say which frustrates them and doesn't allow them to practice the speaking skills they have worked so hard to develop. So, if he is able to answer key question about a story, give you the substance and not just what they refer to as "empty words/conversation, you will be more engaged and likely to communicate better with him until he is TOTALLY healed. Yes, he will be totally healed in Gods time. I am so proud of him.

This last week they are working with spouses, caregivers, parents and significant others on strategies to help their love ones to continue to progress while at home . They will also send back detailed recommendations about what they feel should continue in the participants therapy plan. Yes, Butch will continue therapy when we return. And, as for working, he will not until therapist and physicans examine him. Even after then, it will be a gradual process to ensure that its a positive and NOT a stressful experience.

He has made significant strides but still has a ways to go. His communication skills however have increased and strategies to help people understand has been remarkable. All thanks to God.

With this said, we both feel that the program was well worth the time away from home. He does not want to return to Chicago for therapy again but is very happy that he came. Butch even has a couple of people in his program in Cary that he wants to attend R.I.C's Intensive Aphasia Program.  He thinks it would benefit them also.

As for our dining experiences and weekend excursions, I have forgotten to take a lot of  pics. Now you know I have some to show you but I did forget to take pics of some great restaurants and amazing movie theatres.

Our last weekend here was really chilled. I was under the weather. I had a friend to visit during the week and I thank God I got sick after she left. Man, can you believe that our rolls had to change....really weird to me but Butch did a great job.

We love you all and can't wait until Thursday. Missing our kids terribly especially knowing one is leaving for NY for another internship on Saturday and our son is moving to Atlanta the following week. We can't wait to smother all three of them will love, conversation and just being in their presence.

Please continue to pray for us and we will do the same for you. Also, thank you to those who took the time to respond. Butch loved reading your comments and so did I. Have a great week and be blessed.

Sherron and Butch....pictures below.   

                                      Butch and my girlfriend Shelly at Butch's playground.                                          

                          Bob from NY, a participant in the program that has taken a likin' to Butch

                                   Dinner with Bob and Carol from NY at Le Colonial. We had a great time!

                          AMC River Movie Theatre where we saw Tyler Perry's latest movie

                                                         Blue Chicago Blues Club

When you pull up the site "Blue Chicago", this gentleman that's inviting you to come visit, found me a seat in an extremely crowded club. Even Butch was grateful but I got the privilege of taking a picture with him :)

Great French Restaurant that specialized in Champagne, bread and desserts.

sherronw1010@gmail.com

Yes, I am country. Window cleaners still amaze me :)

SOFITEL: Great atmosphere after dinner to relax 

                                                      Shelly and I doing just that....relaxing!                  

Is possible to get tired of eating out....

Hello Everyone,
It's the weekend which allows us time to explore the city. We happened upon a different area after going to this restaurant named Topolobampo (Mexican food) which is difficult to get in. It was amazing and the atmosphere was electric.

We heard if you come to Chicago for any length of time, you would gain weight no matter how much you workout. Ahhh, yes, I am working out but not to THAT extent  not to gain weight :(  Butch is definitely getting his walk on in the morning to the facility and back to the apartment (9-10 block one way). He loves it! He has been walking by himself for the last week and a half. Independence during this time brings about a great attitude, gives him time alone, jump starts his morning and calms him down after a hard day in therapy.

His directions, memory and knowledge constantly amazes me, the therapist and other participants. He is quick to tell you "that's not right".....the attorney in him is definitely coming back.  If you don't know anything about Aphasia, memory or knowledge isn't lost.....just saying what he wants to communicate is sometimes difficult because of the process of accessing the word(s).

We have found that if he isn't tired, stressed and takes his time/slows down when talking, it's amazing how well he speaks. Our conversations are better, less charades, increased vocabulary and his increased ability to access words (rerouting) is becoming easier..... God is still blessing him abundantly.

We both agree that this program has been worth us being away from home, your prayers and encouraging words are keeping him strong, confident and uplifted. Believe it or not, he loves for me to read the responses from the blogs so please share site with friends because I wasn't able to contact everyone about the blog.

We love you all, REALLY miss our kids and we know God has got us in His hands.

Enjoy the pics..... MORE restaurants! :)
                                                                      Great appetizers and cocktails

                                                                        Cupcake Place

                                                              Topolobampo/Frontera (Mexican Restaurant)

                                   (Chef Rick Bayless collection of cookbooks in Topolobampo )

                                    Great lunch place - Fried chicken sandwich with butter sauce was amazing

We have completed another week! :)

Hey Everybody,

This, I think has been one of Butch's hardest weeks ever. The therapist have "upped their game" because of how hard he is working and his great attitude. I can't say enough of how proud I am of him. I had the opportunity to watch him in a session yesterday. He really didn't care for me being there until Kathryn his main therapist explained the importance of me seeing certain exercises that we can do here in the apartment and at home (Durham, NC).

Butch reassured me that it wasn't personal, he just wanted me to see him at his best and not struggling. I did not remind him that I was there 24/7 from the time he had the stroke at home, continued recovery process and the amazing progress he has made. He can be so hard on himself sometimes.  He is a proud man and I love the fact he wants to show me his best.

I see improvements daily. He is saying peoples names, writing out words when he cant say them, using other modes of communication via expression, hands, body language, humming tunes and giving great descriptions of things to help me figure out subject matters. He's steadily improving but not fast enough for him. I keep telling him, "not your time but Gods"! He will say, "I know" which calms him when he gets a little upset when he cant get a thought across. Trust me, God is working miracles here and everybody in the program loves him.

You all know we are still exploring new restaurants and occasionally walking by the "Amusement Park" aka "CAR LOT" so Butch can fantasize about getting one of those "houses on wheels"! If you don't know, they cost more than most of our homes.....what the heck! SERIOUSLY! I can't even wrap my head  round it.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers and began the count down for our return :) I hope you love the pics below.

Sherron                                             Amusement Park

Great Weekend

Hello Everyone,

This was our first REAL weekend to explore the city because weekdays are too long and hard on Butch. Therapy is from 9-4 or 9-5 depending on music therapy days. Wouldn't it be great if he joined the choir after this journey? He can give God the glory and work on his therapy at the same time. I guess I better continue to pray on this wishful/prayful thought.

We had friends (Patrick and Kemi) to come to town for a conference this past weekend so we where able to go to dinner Thursday and Friday evening. Friday night in addition to dinner, we even went to a Jazz club called "The Back Room". It was so much fun. A group called "Double Shot" performed and they were really good. Our dinner choices for those two nights were delicious (pics below).

We would like to thank Nolan and Sadie for the perfect package. Gods timing is so perfect and on time. We were feeling a little down because we were missing everyone so badly and then this package arrived. It had a little of everything to left our spirits. No. please don't send anything. This is/was about Gods love, perfect timing, letting us know we are not alone and He's here ALL around us if we just open our hearts, mind and soul to receive Him.

Butch's endurance, strength and constant improvement in therapy has  continued to progress nicely. We are planning on continuing therapy when we return because we know this journey is a process and God will  continue to improve his speech even after this program ends.

Please continue to pray our strength and faith in the Lord in addition to patience, understanding and increased love for each other during this journey.

We love you all and we are counting the days before we return home. Enjoy the pictures :)

Butch and Sherron                           French Vietnamese Fusion

                                                                   Italian ( absolutely wonderful) If choice between cafe and restaurant, go to the bar in the restaurant but eat in the cafe.

21 More Days to Go!

Yes, we are counting down the days before we return. We miss everybody so much. Therapy is going well and Butch is adjusting to the rigorous schedule. He's even walking in the evenings now and wants to socialize more. One evening, we happened upon the car retail that had his favorite car....it was like a kid at the candy store with unlimited funds (pic below). Just check out that grin on his face.

I had lunch with one of Janis Ernst childhood friends  Isaura yesterday at the Tavern. It was nice being with some "new" blood. I/we enjoy the people at the facility but change is GREAT sometimes.

Butch had a great day in therapy yesterday also. He said everything was "clicking" and he had some great conversations with his therapists. The evening continued to go extremely well. We walked, met our niece, Eva Perry at another great restaurant (POPS), went to Garrett's Popcorn, saw her apartment which has an amazing view of Lake Michigan and finished our evening at The W...people watching and taking in the view of Lake Michigan. The walk back to our place was nice because the weather  has be unbelievable (65-80 degrees). Today, its chilly!

Thank you for your responses to our blog. Butch and I really enjoy reading them. Please continue to pray for us and our family and we will do the same for you. Enjoy the pics below :)

Much love,

Sherron and Butch

   

Wonderful Weekend in Chicago

Hello Everybody,

This weekend was awesome because of the weather, great food, Butch being able to relax and the draft is finally over! The past week was challenging for him but we all know he works best when there is a little pressure. I can already hear a difference in his speech. He is sounding out letters and saying some names. This is HUGE because he would never try to say anyone's name when talking to you.

While he watched the NFL draft all day Saturday, my niece picked me up for lunch and a little girl time (mani/pedi) which I needed. We have never walked so much and its great!

On Sunday, Butch walked across the street to the Catholic church while I listened to last weeks sermon from our church (White Rock Baptist). If you didn't know, he grew up Catholic in DC and was an alter boy....memories and flashback must have been a monster!

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we are trying new restaurants.....yes, this is the high-lite of my evening which is fine with me. You will see pics below. We also walked the waterfront/beach, whatever they call it.....well, one of us did. The temperature has been in the 60's and low 70's. God just keeps on blessing us!  :)

Today, R.I.C Aphasia program is incorporating music as part of the participants therapy. If you didn't know, most people who have aphasia or some type of speech impairment from a stroke can sing....yes sing. They would not let family members watch any of the therapy this week but next week, IT'S ON!

Enjoy the pics and keep those prayers going up. We miss EVERYBODY and we are counting the days until we return.

Butch and Sherron

One Week Down & Three More To Go!

Hello Everyone,

This week has been something special. First let me say, I am so proud of Butch and the other participants. This is the most intense program that I have ever seen. They start at 9am - 4pm with a one hour lunch break.

They are exhausted after a day of therapy. They suggested that we let them rest and not plan a lot on the weekends until they get use to the vigorous schedule. I see "the marine " emerging and his work ethic kicking in. The therapist said he's working REALLY hard and we are all looking for HUGE results through prayer, hard work and faith.

Their days consist of one-on-one therapy, group therapy, labs (using ipad/computers), working with all of the therapist in the program on different strategies and the list goes on. Goals were set on the 2nd day of the program. His therapist was so on point that it was scary....nobody but Jesus! She is a lot like his therapist in Cary. She demands a lot from him, tough but encouraging when doing task that may be very difficult for him while motivating him to complete the task successfully so that he will want to do more.

I have to give BIG props to his therapist at home that prepared him for this journey. Everything they showed us during orientation, she had already introduced to him in his private sessions. How good is God! She actually looks like her but taller, 7 years of experience and knows about sports...this is definitely a plus.

Butch is already practicing some of the technique that were taught this week. Like sounding out words and trying to say peoples names when telling me about his day or in general conversations. God is really blessing him and the others in the program. We are developing life long friendships and support systems. Again, everyone is so accommodating, understanding, eager to share strategies and their experience with their family member that suffered a stroke.

They (participants) are off for the weekend and if you know anything about Butch, you know he will be glued to the tv watching the NFL draft. Luckily, my niece Eva is taking me out for a little pampering in the morning and lunch.

We want to thank all of you for your support, prayers and blogs. He loves listening to them in the evenings. Continue to keep him and the other participants in your prayers and thoughts because we know who has in it ALL in His hands.

One of our goals is to go to a different restaurants every time we go out for dinner.

Much love,
Butch and Sherron