Well, I suppose I am slipping back into my old blogging habits.  For a while I was blogging daily, sometimes multiple times a day.  Now, I just can't seem to blog more than 1 or 2 times a week.  I have intended to blog this exact post since Friday of last week.  Somehow I have always found better things (okay, maybe not better, but at least more fun) to do.


Friday marked 90 days since Marty's stroke.  The majority of a stroke patients recovery happens in the first 90 days.  Marty was impacted 3 ways.  Let's check his progress.

1. Physically - Marty had marked weakness in his right arm and hand.  At times it was difficult for him to hold a pencil.  His reflexes were slowed.  Even I could beat him at arm wrestling.  Now he is back 100%.  
2. Verbally - at first, Marty was not able to speak a single word. thankfully he never lost his ability to write so he had the ability to communicate though laborious.  Slowly over time, Marty has regained 95% or so of his verbal skills.  He still stutters and finds it difficult to find the right words at times.  A huge thank you to Oma and Amy who helped guide him down the path to recovery.
3. Cognitive - this was one we didn't fully recognize at first.  Overtime it became apparent.  There were times Marty would fake things that he really didn't understand.  Marty lost all his longterm memories, reasoning skills, reading ability, comprehension, logic, etc.  This has proven to be the most frustrating for me.  So, what are things he has forgotten and re-learned?
• how to eat
• how to shower, brush teeth, other basic hygiene
• read
• clean
• do laundry
• cook (still working through some kinks)

• Comprehend what he reads
• Drive
• strengthen testimony
• strengthen relationships with others
• manage money