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

How to Post to Our Blog!

Hi everyone!
Some of our friends are having problems posting to our blog, so I am including some very simple instructions.

1.  Go to the bottom of my posts and click on the Comments link!
2.  Write your post.
3.  Go to the  Comment as  area just below the comments box:  . 
4.  The drop down arrows  in the Comments Box will give you options to comment from an email account (Google, Live Journal, etc.)  or Anonymous

4. You may choose to log-in from one of these accounts or take the Simplest route and select Anonymous.  See example below.

 

5.  Make sure that you have signed your comments, press Publish and you are finished!

Today was a great day. We were able to walk to the facility, yes walk.  The temperature was in the upper 50's-mid 60's. Everyone at R.I.C was very nice and accomodating realizing that most if not all of the participants were nervous. As it turns out, Butch was "da man"! He's excited and realizes that it's going to be a lot of work. The families are really nice, participants range from the age of 21-80ish and everyone is friendly. I am sure when this is all over, most of us will stay in touch. I can't say enough about  "Magnificant Mile"! We have decided to go to a different resturant every time we go out for dinner. If you have any suggestions that are in this area, please let us know.

Much Love,
Sherron

Hello Everyone,

Butch and I thought we would keep everyone informed about his therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Intensive Aphasia Program (April 22- May 23) and how God continues to bless him daily in his recovery process.

First, let us  thank everyone for all of your prayers, thoughts, cards, flowers and calls. He has never felt so loved, appreciated and blessed. We are starting another chapter in his book of life and wanted to make sure those who care about him were informed periodically during this chapter.

I will send information about his progress and experiences as the days go by. I encourage you all to keep up with us during this time via the blog because our phones will be off during therapy sessions from  9am-4pm daily.  He/we might not feel like returning calls, emails or text messages after a long day but be  assured, we will respond eventually.

However, I know on days when things are kind off tough, he will love to read your comments.
With this said, our first weekend has started off kind of rough. We spent most of the day at Northwestern Hospital because on the flight here, my husband informed me that he has been having some tingling, numbness and a funny feeling in his right side extremities.......ahhhh STROKE was all I could think about on the plane, if there where  any physicians on the plane, how much time we would have to get the TPA infusions (tissue plasminogen activator-dissolves blood clots) in relation to arrival time in Nashville. Of course, Butch says he's fine but  I immediately began to pray until we landed.

Test revealed that he has been too busy prior to trip and anxiety about program which starts tomorrow were great contributors to the symptoms. They say when you have had a stroke, often certain situations and actions can exacerbate past symptoms of a stroke. He is fine, in great spirits and looking forward to the challenge tomorrow

We will see "the marine" come out in him and the blood of Jesus rain down on him and his therapist as his sessions begin. He is looking forward to the challenge and so am I as it relates to encouraging him, praying for and with him and just being supportive.

So please continue to pray our strength in the Lord, increased faith, our families safety and Gods will is done, accepted and a lesson/testimony will be given to help those who might be going through or who has gone through similar experiences.

Any-who, we love you all and please send him messages, continue to pray for him and just keep him uplifted in Christ. I am sure his spirits will be lifted and entertained when he reads your comments/messages and concerns about his progress/experiences.


Trust, I will incorporate my lil views and observations too because I have a different perspective on this chapter and the blessing that are/will come from this. Yes, blessing because in everything, there is a blessing, testimony and lesson to be shared and learned.

Please feel free to share site with friends. This blog isn't for business, just uplifting and encouraging Butch in his recovery. All business should be directed to his firm.

Sincerely,
Sherron

Off To Chicago

We leave for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago tomorrow.  I will use this blog to share information about the program and about our progress.   Butch and I are so blessed to have so many colleagues, friends and family members who are interested in our journey.
Your love and support has been overwhelming.  We ask that you continue to pray for us as we take this next step in Butch's healing process.
I would love to be able to speak individually with each of you, but our schedule over the next 30 days will be hectic.
I will take the time to post information from time to time.  We hope that all of our friends will follow us on this Blog!  Wish us luck and continue to pray for us.
Love,
Sherron Williams