{Karlton Bontrager}

The headache continues, and Karlton still rates it high on a scale of pain, but by the end of the day we noticed that he’d made many fewer complaints about the pain than on previous days. We can only hope that it is lessening somewhat. The resident said he was hesitant to increase the codeine dosage because it would make Karlton dopey. He assured us, however, that the headache was not caused by swelling of the brain or other organic problems. He told us, too, that the results of the nasal drip test had come in last Friday. They were negative for cerebro-spinal fluid, thank goodness.

Yesterday while he was resting quietly, Karlton called Choy-Lang’s attention to his left hand. He was attempting to drum his fingers, and he was able to get his fingers to make slight, visible movements. He told Choy-Lang that it took a lot of work to move his fingers just that much.

He was so mouthy today. He had an answer to everything. And most of his comments were negative. (Doesn’t that sound like the Karlton you know? We celebrated the return of his humor; perhaps we should celebrate the return of his attitude as well.)

At the same time, he misses us when we are not around. If Choy-Lang leaves the room, he notices her absence and asks me right away where she’s gone. If I tell him she’s gone to the kitchen or laundry room, he starts calling out for her, as if she can hear him from that far away.

Yesterday I didn’t get to the ISIS Center until 1:00p. Choy-Lang said he kept asking and calling out for me. When visitors arrived about 2:00p, he introduced me as his dad who hasn’t been around for several days!

The PTs got Karlton up in his special wheelchair and took him to their gym. Next, they had him sit on a flat surface and support himself on his own as much as he could. He did so for about two or three minutes. When it was time to put him in the wheelchair, he suggested that he walk. And he did so–with assistance, of course.

On the way back to his room, the PTs took Karlton outside for a bit. The light was very bright for him. (Have no fear, the 2:00 guests brought him from Queenstown those awful red, white, and blue sunglasses that he wore as his trademark. He’s more than ready for an outing today.) Then he stayed sitting up in the wheelchair for a good spell. He must have been up for about two hours altogether.

His progress has been less remarkable for the last two days, but he continues to make progress. We’re excited that he is regaining some control over his left side. We’re hopeful that the PTs can guide him along in that area even more.