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RSL in hospital

I'm more a lurker than anything else, but I've loyally read Robert's Stop Sylvia site and I'm proud to say tha both he and James Randi have been the biggest influences in my skeptical way of life.
I'll keep you all in my thoughts and hope for his speedy recovery to his fantastic self.
 
Susan
Here is a little experiment for you. Ask him some yes / no type questions and to squeeze your arm if the answer is yes (do nothing if the answer is no). You can start with 'Does 1+1 = 2?' 'Does 1+1 = 3?' Then when he can get these questions right, so you know the process works, go on to more important questions.
 
I've been hoping for steady progress, and I haven't been disappointed since the stroke. Thankyou very much, Susan for all the updates - I keep checking every day.

Kind regards,
Orph.
 
I will de-lurk momentarily to add my wishes for recovery to the lot. RSL is an aboslute role model in how one should go about putting the truth forward. There is _nothing_ to reproach in his approach - if we could all keep as level headed the wooers would have nothing to put up against it. Claiming that fair and reasonable people are persecuting them really doesn't make for good martyrdom...

If the sheer amount of well wishers does anything for RSL's recovery, I don't want to be the lurker who stayed in the woodwork.

For England, Harry and St George! Upon St Crispin's... DAAAAAY! (Henry V was a much better motivational speaker than I...)
 
RSL's better half said:
Before I left, I spent several minutes (maybe 20) alone with Robert. His right eye was about half open and his left was open just a slit the whole time. He was looking around, appearing to assess everything around him, including me. He still has the ventilator, so he can't even try to talk. But he held my hand and squeezed it many times. He squeezed Jim's hand as well, which pleased Jim. He also held hands with his best buddy, John, today - which made John a little uncomfortable. They don't hold hands, you see. But it's the only way Robert can express his gratitude to people.
Click to expand...


Is he using one hand or both? Any indications of how many left-right problems he might have?
 
Best wishes to the Lancasters. Robert's utterly rational, yet compassionate mind have been an inspiration to many, including me. To borrow a beautiful idea, I will be holding you two in the Light.
 
Any idea how long he's likely to be on the vent? If it's going to be a while, you should talk to the hospital speech pathologist about trying to set up an augmentative communication system so that he can express himself more easily. Even if it's just a board with pictures on it representing things like "I'm cold" and "My head hurts" and "Read me another get-well card", it could help him take some control of the situation. It may be too early for that, yet, but it never hurts to know your options.

I also agree with rjh, above -- See if you can get a consistent yes/no response from him yet. A hand squeeze, a wink, a head shake .... That's usually the first step to re-establishing communication.

Keep on hanging in. He'll be up and verbally eviscerating fraudsters again soon, I'm sure. :grouphug:
 
Oh, how I do love reading these posts. Lurkers, bless you! Regular posters, you are the best of the best people ever.

Well, tiny improvements every day. It's going to be a long haul. He keeps his eye/eyes open longer. He squeezes my hand. He's still paralyzed on the left side, but I have hope that will change eventually. Edit: he is being weaned off the ventilator. It should be removed tomorrow or Saturday. Janie has started a board for him to use when he's able. The doctors are getting nods yes or no from him. Honestly, I think he has surprised them!
So, another day of life checked off. And we go on. It's been 10 days now. Months - years to go. But I love him, and I know he loves me. We'll get through it.

Good night, All. I'll post more tomorrow.

Love,
Susan
 
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Oh how do I love reading the good news you give us ! Let him know his progresses are watched with much more interest and anticipation than the results of the olympics !

All the best from France to the two of you,
Florence
 
News of Robert's improvement is so heartening! My father suffered a stroke and eventually recovered from it--you're right, it's a long haul--so be prepared for uneven moods (no matter how well he is recovering, Robert will get frustrated with himself and with everyone else from time to time), some difficulties in communication (the right word just won't come, so sometimes you'll have to "interpret" substitutes--my dad called cars "sticks" for a couple of weeks, I guess from their manual transmissions). Be patient, be loving--but I don't have to tell you this. Best wishes for Robert's continued recovery!
 
I've not had a chance to read the forum at all in the past few weeks, so this news is a big shock. Please let me add my best wishes to RSL for a speedy recovery.
 
Thanks so much for your continuing news, Susan. Blessings to you both! The nods are so encouraging. When my father had his stroke his recovery took months but then he actually became healthier than before. He was diabetic and afterwards took his diet much more seriously and was all the better for it and he was 60 at the time.

Hang in there and know there are so many of us who care.
 
Many thanks for the updates, Susan.

Mrs. Tan and Tan Jr. (AudioFreak) are also keeping you both in their thoughts. And we're all greatly encouraged by the steady stream of small improvements. That's what it's all about now.
 
I'm so glad to hear the updates Susan. He's a very special man and you both deserve the good news. Take care again and to all your family. :)
 
So glad to hear he'll be getting off the vent soon! That should make communication and managing those pesky secretions so much easier ... not to mention that it'll be way more comfortable for him.

Every step is significant. He's lucky to have a family so dedicated and able to be there for him. You guys are all heroes.
 
Sheesh, first a stroke then a beardectomy! Here's wishing you a speedy recovery RSL.

Many thanks to Susan for the updates. They are a delight to read.
 
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