Testimonial by Molly

Hi Everyone,   Update on Rudy. For the past 6 months he has been doing extremely well. He started Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in January and ended in April. In the past 4 weeks his progress has escalated noticeably. Rudy is like a baby learning and understanding new things day by day, week by week, month by months as the brain cells heal and reconnect. The simplest action or reaction is a landmark. He shows increased interest in events around him. He likes to go out, even grocery shopping (he disliked it before). He helps with the grocery selection. He helped me with watering the garden a few times (Never even in sickness or in health. I mean to take advantage of this). He comes down the stairs to look for me if I am gone for a long time (never did before). He tries to sing (the result is a lot of oh's and ah's) but that is great. He is discovering that he can make sounds. What comes out is probably not what he is thinking but a least, it's a start. He tries to communicate using signs sometimes.  He even went to church with me for evening prayers for T.P. who passed away recently (Rudy never liked to attend those events). For the first time, he dipped his right hand into the holy water and tried to make the sign of the cross with it. He normally uses his left hand. W listen to oldies on the radio and dance to the ones we like. I think the songs bring back a lot of memories and I believe it is good stimulation for the brain. He is a back seat driver. Tells everyone how to drive, where to turn, change lanes... The bad part is he loves to eat out. Hardly eats home cooked meals, mine or mom's. Is it his taste buds or my cooking? I don't cook too often now and depend on take out of prepared foods. He likes a lot of sweets. For the past 2 years, I could not get him to go for walks. Four weeks ago he started going for walks with me. Now he is the one asking me to go for a walk. We walk to Danny's market down the street and he buys a pop or chocolate milk. He admires the gardens and houses as we walk. I am teaching him to do the scale out of tune. Somebody had better come to his rescue soon before he loses his musical ear.  Before Rudy just sat and watched TV. There was no interaction. He has more of a presence now. Wanting to be part of the activities. Things just seem to have escalated and he seems much brighter. He likes wearing his black straw hat and sunglasses like he did in pre-stroke times. He studies his face in the mirror mornings and at night. He also points out when I don't do a good job shaving his face.  I have taught him to do his  night prayers and he does it on his own now. I am sure there is more but can't remember everything.   Love, Molly  Thursday July 19th 2001.