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03/12/06  ^top^

James celebrated his 75th birthday last Friday by going to dinner with family and friends. The 16 people who attended included his infant great-grandson Owen.  Our hardware vendor's gave James a 17" laptop computer during the dinner.  This wonderful gift will help to speed James' complete recovery.  We are setting it up so that he can read your emails directly.  He still cannot use his left hand on a keyboard, but he can read email and he may even peck out some replies with his right hand.

James has had a cardio-version to reset his heartbeat and an echocardiogram in preparation for a heart cath & possible stint.  We will know more about that when we get the results of the echo.

He began working with a new therapist last week.  It is the first professional therapy he has had since the HMO stopped sending people out last October.  This new group has excellent credentials and they believe that they can have James walking down the street in a year.  They do not work with HMOs so we will need to remove him from it while he is going through this new, more aggressive therapy.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

11/15/05  ^top^

It has been 3 weeks since the HMO discontinued home therapy for James.  He continues to work on his own and we continue to work with him... though we wish we had more time to do so.

His oldest son, Beau, came to town from Utah this past weekend and was pleased with James' progress.  He witnessed James working with his hemi-walker, and pushing himself backward in his wheelchair with Lefty (his weak left leg).

One of the highlights for James in October a visit to his Masonic Lodge.  They were expecting him, so we were able to drop him off and pick him up when it was over.  He enjoyed the event very much.

We took him to an ophthalmologist recently and his vision tested well.  He will have some additional tests to check for blind spots in the future.

In related news: We took Wanda to the cardiologist for a work up.  She will have a nuclear stress test on Tuesday, November 22, 2005.  We hope to avoid Wanda having a similar experience to James'.

Please pray for both of them.

10/18/05  ^top^

James continues to work with therapists at his home.  They are working on standing without assistance and even moving objects such as cups and glasses while standing at the kitchen sink.

He and Carter are working with his Hemi Walker.  With Carter's assistance, James has been able to stand up, walk 6 feet, turn around, walk back to his chair and sit down.  See  Picture Gallery 10.

The most recent evaluation from the HMO concluded that James is unlikely to walk on his own again.  As a result, they will discontinue therapy after this week.

We are undeterred in our faith that James will walk again, and that he will have a full recovery.  We know that you share our faith and we request that you please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

10/02/05  ^top^

Yes, it has been almost a month since our last update.  Not because there has been no news, but because I have not set aside time to post.

James had a re-evaluation regarding his therapy this past week.  The HMO felt that he was making enough progress to approve another 4 weeks of therapy.  That means that he can continue to work on his weak leg with his PT and on his weak arm with his OT.

He also had an evaluation from his new cardiologist, Dr. Haas.  He put James on a new medication (Diovan) than will regulate his BP and begin to heal his heart.  We have a follow up in 3 months when a recommendation will be made regarding heart surgery.  They expect that he will need a stent inserted.

We have some pictures and video taken during September that we will post this coming week.  We will also tell you about what James did during Hurricane Rita.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

09/04/05  ^top^

Please note that James' contact information has been updated.

He still fatigues easily, and it seems like his favorite two activities are sleeping and going to the restroom.  However, we pray that his new therapists will continue challenging him this coming week.

We believe that we have James' new therapists lined up.  Last week's big progress was when the PT had him stand for a few seconds without holding onto anything for support.

His blood pressure is doing better and his doctor had us start him on a mild anti-depressant this weekend.  He is not in a deep depression, but the doctor felt that it would facilitate his recovery.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/26/05  ^top^

His BP (blood pressure) is a little high.  We believe that it is connected to our stopping his coumadin medication in preparation for a visit to the podiatrist on Friday afternoon.  He has an infected toe nail and we need to be ready in case the doctor needs to remove it.  That requires that he be off of the blood thinner for 3 days prior.

His new PT will make her first visit to the house tomorrow (Saturday) night.

She will find that he has all of his meals at the table.  He has been able to spend time in an electric easy chair that raises up to facilitate egress.  He has even been able to play get into the computer room and play PacMan!

He has been using a transfer board for most of his transfers which helps to save our backs.  He has also been using a portable commode rather than one in the bathroom for the same reason.

Yesterday, Rick installed an adjustable pole beside James' bed that extends from the floor to the ceiling.  James is using it to make unassisted transfers between his bed and wheelchair.  He still needs help getting into position, but the transfer itself is almost totally done by himself.

Risk also installed a grab bar in the commode room that allows James to perform that transfer with only minimal assistance.  He is able to do so with only one person assisting, rather than two.  He is doing 80-90% of the work during this transfer.

He has attacked these two new therapy tools with enthusiasm.  Significant developments during these transfers have been his ability to drag his weak leg and foot along with him and his ability to scoot backward toward his target while holding the transfer pole.

NEW PICS.  Picture Gallery 1 has been updated.

A video of James describing this web page to Mr. White, a fellow stroke survivor, whom he enjoyed eating meals with in the SBR dining room.  See Video page.

We have also uploaded a small gallery of scenes from the final two days that James spent at SBR.  See  Picture Gallery 9.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/23/05  ^top^

He was able to keep his promise to attend his great-grand daughter's 2nd birthday party on Saturday evening.

It has quickly become evident that, though James has made tremendous progress, the real work has only begun.  Where we were transferring him a couple of times a day while he was at he SNiF and Rehab, we are now transferring him 16 to 20 times each day.  The commode is the most challenging transfer and really tests our backs.

The days are full, and hectic.  We are administering and recording his medicines and his blood pressure readings.

We stopped at his primary care physician's office on our way home to meet his new doctor.  We were pleased with our initial meeting.

We have not yet had a visit from the health team to the house.  We are anxious to get his new therapist in place and to get advice on placement of grab bars.

Each of us is adjusting to our new responsibilities and to the occasional frayed nerve here and there.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/18/05  ^top^

I am comfortable that we can care for him and continue his recovery from the house.  We still have to mount a few grab bars, but we are waiting for the health team to come to the house and give us recommendations regarding placement and height.  The "catch-22" is that they will not come out until James is home... ergo, we cannot install these in advance.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/16/05  ^top^

He is able to push himself backward using his weak, left leg while sitting in his wheelchair.  It takes alot of effort, and he can only do it a few times, but it is a significant event.

Though I would not recommend it as a diet, he has lost 83 lbs. in the past 90 days.  He weighed 299 when he had his stroke.  Monday, he weighed 216.

We are hoping that he will be discharged this Friday, the 19th, and allowed to come home.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/09/05  ^top^

James had a good first day of therapy at SBR.  The therapists are delighted by his progress and by his attitude.  They spent Monday evaluating his skills.  We expect them to quickly increase his workout.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

08/08/05  ^top^

Wanda is pleased with the care that she has seen from the staff at the new location over the weekend.

A couple of early differences are that 1.) they require him to eat in the dining room instead of in bed; and 2.) he is using the bathroom toilet rather than a bed pan.

08/07/05  ^top^

We had been expecting James to be discharged and sent home from the SNiF at Heartland for the past few weeks.  However, James' recent progress with movement in his left leg and his ability to stand on his own led the HMO to transfer him to SBR (Spring Branch Rehabilitation Center) an "acute" rehab facility.  See  Picture Gallery 8.

We expect him to spend a week or two here, where James will receive intense therapy 7 days per week.  See the "Visiting Hours" section for new directions and contact information.

One of the unique features of SBR is an area called Easy Street.  Here they have duplicated several situations which are encountered daily.  On Easy Street, James will practice kitchen chores, banking, shopping, dining and transportation skills.

SBR will also work with James on showering and bathroom skills.

08/06/05  ^top^

08/02/05  ^top^

First, he was able (with the assistance of his no.1 son, Beau, and his no.3 son, Carter) to move from his wheelchair to a commode at his home.  It was the first time he had been able to do this since he had his stroke.  He has been wanting to do it since the first day.

Second, as we prepared to transition him from his bed to his wheelchair for his return to the SNiF, he said, "Carter, look at this!"  He then lifted his left leg voluntarily.  At the time, all 4 of his children, 2 of his grand children and 2 of his great grand children happened to be at the house.  I called all of them in to see what James was doing.  He repeated it several times.  I got the final one on video.

This is the first voluntary movement on his left side!!!!  It greatly improves his chances of a full recovery.  I have uploaded a clip of it to the newly created Video page.

I mentioned that Beau assisted James on Sunday.  Beau is James' oldest (hence "no.1") son.  Remember your old Charlie Chan movies?  James has always referred to us that way and to Wanda as his "1st wife".

Beau and his daughter McKenna came into town for the weekend to take James to an Astros' game on Saturday night for his 4th Day Trip.  Beau lives in Utah and McKenna lives in Philadelphia.  They were accompanied to the game by Rick and wife Leslie, and by Becky and her husband John.  Rick had James' new van ready for the trip.  They had a great time.

Another piece of good news came last week when Becky's husband, John Bailey, was offered and accepted the position of Deputy Superintendent for the Katy Independent School District.  It means that they will be moving back to town from central Texas soon.  It is a great opportunity for John, who is leaving his position as superintendent of Glen Rose ISD.  We are very proud of him.

We took a picture of the family members who had gathered at James' home on Sunday, July 31, 2005.  All of whom witnessed his amazing left leg movement.  The photo has been added to Picture Gallery 1.  For family members, a large copy may be downloaded by clicking here.  (size = 1mb)

An new picture gallery has been added showing James' therapy session on 07/25/05 in which he worked on standing.  See Picture Gallery 7 .

08/01/05  ^top^

During James' Day Trip on Sunday two events of major significance occurred.  One involved movement in his left side.

I'll post more tonight.

07/28/05  ^top^

Another day of therapy.  Hard work, small gains.  The therapists are admonishing him to work the fingers of his weak, left hand with his right so that it does not atrophy.

He continues to gain strength and comfort from your emails, cards and visits... and most importantly, from your prayers.

Rick, James' no.2 son, bought a van today which has been customized and fitted with a wheelchair lift.  It's a '94 and has 100k on it, but it has some nice amenities and will meet our needs very well.  It needs some mechanical work, but fortunately Rick owns Rick's Hi-Tech Auto Care, a 13-bay care car center here in Katy.  He's hoping to have it tuned up and ready to go for James' Day Trips this weekend.

What a blessing he has been to James and Wanda.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/27/05  ^top^

James continues to work hard during his therapy sessions.  We have not heard anything from the HMO, yet, so it  looks like he will stay in the SNiF through the weekend, at least.

I was able to upload pictures from James Days trips this past Saturday & Sunday.  See Picture Gallery 6 .

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/25/05  ^top^

I was able to watch James' session today with his PT, Roel.  They worked on standing between walking rails.  I turns out that Dad had been standing for up to 2 minutes last week.  Today, I saw him support lift and support himself on walking rails for 3.5 minutes.  It was very hard work.

Next, they worked on his moving to his right tiptoe while standing.  Then they worked on hopping the right foot forward.  The goal is to prepare him for use with a brace on his left side.

James worked until he was absolutely exhausted.  During a break, he whispered to me, "When we get through here, you're going to have to take me back to the room and get my bed pan... he's worked the cr-p out of me!"  If you know James well, you know that amounts to an extreme profanity.  I just nodded and chuckled.

I took some pics.  I'll post them, along with those from last weekend soon... hopefully, tomorrow.

We still have not received any notice from the HMO about his discharge.  We're taking it a day at a time.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/24/05  ^top^

James took his 2nd and 3rd Day Trips this weekend.  On Saturday, we brought to the house where he spent a relaxing afternoon.

On Sunday, He and Wanda attended their first church service in nine weeks.  Everyone was delighted to see him.  The pastor stopped the service when we rolled him to his seat and noted his presence.  The congregation gave him an ovation.  It's just what he needed.

We brought him back to the house after church for lunch and to receive some friends.  He even read some email from my laptop!

I'll post some pics tomorrow.  Today, I have uploaded Picture Gallery 5 which contains pictures of a therapy session that took place on July 5th.  During the session, James' pastor, Randy White, got a first hand look at the effort James' puts into his therapy sessions.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/22/05 ^top^

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend James' therapy session today.  However, I was able to visit with his therapist and he felt that James has had a very good week.  He even worked on hopping on his strong side.

We intend to take him on his second day trip this weekend... bringing him again to the house on Saturday and perhaps to church on Sunday.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/21/05  ^top^

Last time, I referred to a breakthrough during James' therapy this past Monday.  I can now share with you that he was able to pull himself from his wheelchair and into a standing position without assistance for the first time.  He only stood for about 5 seconds, but he repeated it 5 times.  Obviously, he is putting all of the weight on his right side.

The therapist asked us not to tell anyone about it until he could surprise James' daughter, Becky, with it when she attended Wednesday's therapy session.

As of today, he is standing for 5 minutes at a time.  The significance of this development is that James can use this action to transfer from the wheelchair in tight areas such as the bathroom.  They hope to work on some of these transfers soon.

I hope to attend his therapy session tomorrow.  If I do, I'll get some pictures.

With the progress in his therapy, the HMO decided not to discharge James this week.  He will stay at the SNiF through the weekend.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/19/05  ^top^

James had noteworthy breakthrough during yesterday's therapy session.  Unfortunately, I cannot tell you about it until tomorrow at the request of Rowell, his therapist.

I mention it tonight because it "might" cause the HMO to extend his stay in the SNiF for another week.

To my knowledge, we have not yet received the 48-hour discharge notice from the HMO.  If we do not receive it tomorrow, we will probably not receive it this week.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/17/05  ^top^

I know, I know... you've been wondering why I haven't updated you this week.  No excuses.

Though we have not had any major developments, James has had a good week.  His therapy sessions have continued to run 2 hours each day.  They are focusing on working his left arm and hand, on standing, on transfers and on dressing himself.

We expect them to discharge him from the SNiF this coming week... probably Wednesday or Thursday.  We are ready for it, and I think that James is, too.

I have posted a new gallery with pictures of James' day trip last weekend.  See Picture Gallery 4.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/11/05  ^top^

We were able to take James out for his first "Day Trip" this past Saturday.  It was exhausting for all involved. Mom, my brother Rick and his wife Leslie, Dad & me. Mostly because of the 8 transfers that we did with James... bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to car, car to wheelchair, wheelchair to new bed and visa-versa.

Having said that, it was a great day. James got to see the preparations that we have made for his return.  He also got to see his dogs, watch some Astro's baseball, eat lunch at the kitchen table, lay on his new bed and inspect his new roll-in shower.  He really enjoyed the day.

We took some pictures which I'll post soon.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/08/05  ^top^

Tomorrow (Saturday) we are planning to take James out of the SNiF for his first "Day Trip".  We can check him out for 4 hours.  His therapists have encouraged us to do this.

We plan to bring him home and show him all of the work that Rick & Becky have done getting the house ready for his return.  They have both done a ton of work to make things easier for James when he comes home.

Rick has replaced the carpet in the Master Bedroom and halls with hardwood.  Becky has laid tile in the master bath and closets.  Rick has also removed the tub in the master bath and replaced it with a wheelchair accessible roll-in shower, and has replaced the bed in the master  bedroom with an air-filled dual-control Serta.

We think that it will be good for James to know what preparations are being made for his return home.

It will also allow him to visit with his dogs and enjoy his yard for a few hours.  We'll let you know how it goes.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

07/07/05 ^top^

James had a bout with disorientation last night resulting in his inability to know where he was.  Though I took it in stride, it hit Wanda very hard.

When I saw him this morning, we discussed it in detail.  He recounted it to me with great accuracy.  We mused about what could have caused it and I enforced the thought in his mind that "No matter where you think you are, try to remember that you are safe". 

The question is whether it was a dream that he thought was reality, or whether it was reality that he thought was a dream (in other words... a "waking dream").

The former would be something that we could ignore.  The latter would not be.

Wanda and I spoke candidly about God's part in all of this on our way in to see James today.  After all, if He is omnipotent, then He has SOME responsibility.  This morning, Wanda was not very happy with His time-table for healing James.  It crossed my mind that God might be saying "I'll answer your prayer as soon as I have perfected your patience!"

Regardless, God is merciful.  He gave Wanda the best tonic that she could have asked for when James worked through 2 hours of therapy this afternoon.  That is twice as long as he has been able to endure before.  He spent 30 minutes standing!

His therapists were delighted... as was the PA for the HMO, who witnessed it.

We are again humbled before God for His mercy and for His grace.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails. 

07/05/05 ^top^

Has it really been a week since the last update?!  I apologize.

As you might expect, James had his ups and downs this past week.  He had very good therapy sessions last week, but was just too tired to get much done yesterday (July 4th).

He looked great this morning when I dropped Wanda off to sit with him.

Good news:  His therapy sessions have grown from 30 minutes to an hour.  Ultimately, they want him to be able to do 3 hours of rehab each day.

Pray that he has a good session today so that the HMO will approve another week.  We will try to get some pictures.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails. 

06/28/05

Shilpa, James' PT (Physical Therapist), completed her contract on Friday and we will miss her.  She took a personal interest in James and he worked very hard for her.  We were able to get a picture of her with James before she left.  See Picture Gallery 1.

A new PT began working with James Monday.  James has had great therapy sessions the last two days.  They have been working on his transitions from his wheelchair, standing & working his left hand.  His new PT was very pleased.  The HMO has approved another week at the SNiF.  See Picture Gallery 3.

This past weekend, James was able to sit in front of the bathroom mirror and shave himself for the first time since his stroke.  He enjoyed that.  Till now, his daughter (Becky), has been shaving him.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails. 

06/24/05

I attended James' therapy session yesterday because his PT wanted Wanda and me to know what they were working on and she wanted us to assist him as he transitioned from his bed to his wheel chair (and back again).  James worked very hard and did a wonderful job.  It wore him out... us, too.

It is going to be a real chore for us when we get him home and we do not have the therapists to help us.  Regardless, we will welcome the challenge when it comes.

Today was the 38th day in a row (since James' stroke) that Wanda has spent all day (ordinarily, at least 12 hours) at his side.  She continues to be a great comfort to him.

Please keep praying for both of them.

I am going to attend James' therapy session tomorrow so that I can learn what we will need to do with him when we bring him home.

The therapists want him to keep his weak arm from hanging off of the bed, so they have him grab it with his right hand and rest it on his stomach while he is laying down.  When I asked him to do this for me this evening, it seemed as though he was rotating his left arm to help his right hand get a hold of it.  That would be great progress.

While I was there, they came in to take him for a shower.  They moved him to the wheel chair without using the hoist.  Instead, they lowered his bed to the level of the chair and had him pivot on his strong right leg to transition into the chair.  He did a great job!

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails. 

James got to hold Owen, his 10 day old great-grand son, on Father's Day.

He has been working on moving from his bed to his wheel chair using a board (rather than the hoist) for the past few days.  He is making very good progress.  This "transitioning" is one of the biggest things that the therapists want to achieve while he is in the SNiF.

Once he can transition from bed to chair, chair to commode, chair to bed by himself then they will be comfortable enough to let him come home.

We hope that this will happen within the next two weeks.

His stamina continues to improve.  He is awake most of the day, he spends about 4 hours each day in his wheel chair, and his "left space awareness" is improving.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails. 

They mean so much to James.  He dictated the following message for me to share with each of you:

" Thank you.

For those many wonderful people who took their time and effort to send me a personal email:

A massive, impersonal response is inadequate.

Nevertheless, I do want you to know that your every email and prayer is appreciated.

May the Lord richly bless you and yours in your every endeavor."

This message was James' idea and I have used his exact words.

James' has had great therapy sessions the past two days.  I will post details tomorrow.

James was awake most of the day the past three days.  That's an improvement.

He still gets disoriented from time to time... so would I if you took a ping pong ball sized part of my brain away from me.

I had a nice visit with him Saturday evening.  Nothing big, just small talk, but it lasted longer than usual and I really enjoyed it.

He appreciates your messages, cards, calls & visits  so much.  He dictated a message for me to share with all of you.  I will post it tomorrow.

The meeting with the HMO went extremely well.  Dad's therapists raved about his efforts and his prognosis.  The HMO agent agreed with the PT that James needs about 60 days of therapy in the SNiF.  However, she must approve it one week at a time.

For now, we are clear until next Friday.

James was able to stand for the first time on Thursday morning.  He needed help, and could not put any weight on his left side, but by using parallel bars, he stood for 30 seconds three times.  It absolutely wore him out, but it was great progress.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

Bad news.  The HMO has decided that James is not making enough progress to justify his being at the Skilled Nursing Facility.  They want us to move him either to his home or to a standard nursing home by Friday.  Pretty confusing.

We are appealing the decision and have a meeting scheduled with them for tomorrow (Thursday, 6/9) at 1:00pm.  Please pray that we can convince them to give him more time, at least 2 weeks.

We see his progress, but it doesn't fit the HMO's "formula".

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

The HMO doctor told James on Saturday that they expect him to make a full recovery.  Though this is very encouraging and is what we are praying for, it is a little difficult to believe that they can predict that at this point.  I'll feel much better when I see some movement in his left shoulder and thigh.

The HMO has approved the barium test and we are hoping that they give it to him this week.  If it goes well, he will be able to eat solid foods.

His attitude is good, and his therapists and nurses alike comment on how strong are his mind and will to recover.  We already know this, of course, but it is nice to hear it from someone else.

We got cable TV hooked up in James' room last Friday.  Now he can watch the Astros, Brit Hume, Gunsmoke and Rockford.  That will help him pass the time much more easily.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

James' PT said that she felt movement in the area of his scapula during yesterday's sessions.  This is a good indication that his left side may be coming back.  Thank God for this early answer to our prayers.

He was so happy about this that he had Wanda call me at the office so that he could tell me.

The next goal is to move his left shoulder.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

 James seemed to have a little more stamina today.  I had alot of messages to read to him and he paid attention and commented on each one... at the same time that he was eating dinner... at the same time he had a visitor.

I got updates from his physical and speech therapists.  The news was mixed.

His PT says that, though others believe that they have seen him move his toes and fingers, she has not seen any movement in their sessions, yet.  She points out that it is still early and that we should not be discouraged.  I encouraged her to be patient because Dad is a special individual and that there were literally hundreds of people from across America praying for him.

Both she and the ST agreed that he is a unique patient... and a great story teller.

His ST shared her plans with me.  It was the first time that I had met her. She is a pretty young woman, of course, which shouldn't hurt James' cooperation.  I am pleased with her plan.

It may be awhile before James gets the barium test, so he will stay on a pureed diet for the time being.

James commented tonight on how many of you have written that you are praying for "full & complete" recovery.  We talked about how important it was to pray specifically in this way.  He added that the large numbers who are praying is also important.  We all believe that God will answer those prayers positively.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

 Tomorrow is a big day for James.  His ST is giving him a barium test to see if he can start eating solid foods.

Also, his therapy begins again after a 3 day weekend.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

 James won't have any more therapy sessions until after Memorial Day.  However, he is supposed to spend a few hours in a wheel chair each day.  This is easier said than done.  Staff use a hoist to lift him from his bed and put him into the chair.

It is also very important that he not be allowed to slouch to the left whether in bed or in his chair.  If he does this, the muscles will contract and we will not be able to stretch them back out.  He was sitting very well today.

The highlight of his day was seeing his two dogs.  He has been asking about them every day.  They actually were allowed into his room!  It's a new program which emphasizes the importance of a patient's pets on his recovery.

The highlight of my day came when we were outside in the courtyard for some fresh air.  Wanda was about 50 feet away and he tried to whistle to get her attention.  On the third try, he succeeded.  This is really a significant development in that it indicates continued recovery of control over his facial muscles.  His speech therapist will be quite pleased.

He still has a very painful rash from the yeast infection.  It is really the only pain he is experiencing, but it seems to be constant.  They are treating it with medication.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

James' PT says that she feels some trembling in his left arm... which is a good sign.

His oldest child, Becky, has come in for a week from central Texas and is driving for Wanda.  This frees up Rick and me to tend to our businesses with more routine.

Becky & Carolyn (her youngest) report that James moved his fingers a little bit during therapy today.

We met the doctor who is the HMO's PA (Physician's Assistant) for the first time as he made his rounds.  We were happy with the depth of questions that he asked regarding James.  He seems well qualified and genuinely concerned for James' health.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

James had a busy day today.  He started his therapy.

His PT put him in a wheel chair.  She says that he did very well.  It was the first time he had been out of a bed since the stroke.  Wanda was able to take him outside for some fresh air.

He even got a cup of coffee!

We know that many of you would like to have his address for visits or flowers, so here it is:

Room 2204

Heartland Health Care Center - West Houston
2939 Woodland Park Drive
Houston, TX 77082
281-870-9100

Map

We are requesting that visitors come between the hours of 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Cards may be sent to James at:

5719 Highway Blvd.

Katy, TX 77494

Please keep him in your prayers.
 

James is feeding himself (with his right hand) under supervision.  He is still confined to bed because of his left side.  He has some severe pain resulting from a yeast infection that developed while he was in ICU.  They are treating it, but the healing will be slow until he is able to get out of bed to use the restroom.  He is really looking forward to that!

He  was evaluated today by the Physical Therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT) and Speech Therapist (ST) who will be working with him.  I was able to meet with the PT beforehand and my first impression of her was very favorable.  I also met the OT and felt good about her.

Both young women have positive personalities and seem to be professional and capable.  The fact that they also happen to be pretty is not lost on James!

They are going to try to put him into a wheel chair tomorrow.  There are no rules about how quickly or slowly he will respond to therapy.  We expect him to spend 30 to 90 days at the SNiF (Skilled Nursing Facility), depending upon his progress.

The PT will work with James to strengthen his left side.  The OT will work with him to master everyday tasks such as bathing, shaving, transferring from bed to chair - chair to commode, etc.  The ST will work with him on improving his diction and swallowing.

He told Mom (Wanda) that this was a new adventure for them.  She has been wonderfully strong throughout this ordeal.  I believe that they are both ready for it.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

James was released from ICU today.  He has been moved to a Special Nursing Facility on the west side of Houston.

We hope to meet with the therapists tomorrow and form a plan for his therapy and rehabilitation.

We are not ready to release the location, just yet, because James still fatigues very quickly... even from talking.  We will re-evaluate this every day until we feel he is ready for unannounced visitors.

Though he is out of the hospital, he is still very ill and faces a long, hard recovery.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

Doctors re-evaluated James this morning and decided that he is ready to be released from the ICU.  He will be moved to a "Snif" (Special Nursing Facility) where he will start a slow program of therapy designed to prepare him for acute rehabilitation.

We toured centers today and favored one on the west side of Houston.  Once he has been moved, we will post where you can send flowers or visit him.

We are  comfortable that he is ready to leave ICU, and we are comfortable that he will be able do his therapy (which could take up to 45 days) at a qualified SNF before he comes home.

Two pieces of good news:

He moved his leg upon request while hanging off of the side of the bed.  And, they allowed him to start drinking water again today and I am told that he did well.  These are important developments.

Please keep praying for James and sending him encouraging emails.

James is still in the ICU Stroke Treatment Center at Hermann.  His face and diction seem to continue to improve. We read him some get well cards and emails tonight and had him read some himself. They really lifted his spirits.  He will remain in the ICU area at least until Monday.

James gave us a scare this morning when he had a series of 24 terminal heartbeats.  The ICU staff immediately summoned 2 staff cardiologists who arrived just Rick & Wanda got there.  They examined Dad thoroughly and decided that he was okay, but that his heart pressure was about 40% lower than it should be.  They recommended that we should consider a stint to improve his heart pressure after James has recovered from his stroke.

Rick says that Dad wiggled his toes on his left foot when he asked him to today.  I told Dad that I wanted to see him do it myself tomorrow.

There is such a long way to go.  Please continue to pray for James and Wanda.

James' speech seemed improved this morning.  We called his bed to let the nurse know that we were on our way to see him and he answered the phone!  Actually, the nurse picked the phone up and held it to his ear.

He said, "Hello?".  I said, "Who is this?"  He said, "James Sharbrough".  I said, "What are you doing answering the phone?"  He said, "I can do anything I want to do!"  It was a great way to start my day.

He knows what you are talking about and stays on topic.  He fatigues quickly, however, and will drift off topic or even nod off altogether.

It seems to me that his mind is still spending alot of energy digesting the extent of damage and, possibly, attempting to "re-wire" itself.

He was finally allowed to have liquids this morning.  He has been asking for water since Tuesday, but they were afraid that is would go down his wind pipe.  He had some trouble with it and they took him off liquids again this evening.

He still has no control over his left arm & leg, but it seems like his face is more natural and his eyes seem to be brighter.

Please keep praying for his complete recovery.