DAVE RYLES, LES EATHORNE, BEN MANCHION
By Patti Ryles
I’m so sorry it’s been so long since my last update. I did actually type an update at 2 a.m. this morning but I must’ve dozed with my finger on the back space key because when I woke up, the screen was completely blank. Anyways, here is the latest on Dave.
I’ve spoken with physical, occupational and speech therapists. All say the same. Dave is more than willing but only participating at about 25%, which means progress is very slow. I was with Dave on Thursday when he saw the speech therapist, Kim. He was given thickened water by spoonfuls and then was given the glass to drink as much as he wanted. Kim was happy with his progress, still not perfect but getting there. The big risk is that he will aspiriate something into his lungs giving him aspiration pneumonia, which would probably be fatal to Dave because he is so weak. His left side is getting stronger but again very slowly.
Mentally, there has been no change. He has good days and bad days but definitely does better living in the past. He is extremely miserable and knows he doesn’t want to be there but he doesn’t really understand why he’s there. Every day he asks to go home or where are his keys or what are we doing tonight. It just breaks my heart and I try to explain the situation but he just doesn’t understand. Maybe that’s a good thing.
A special thanks to Scott Woodward, a long time friend of Dave’s. If you’ve been in to see Dave in the last week you would’ve seen the WSU baseball jersey #1, which was Dave’s number. Scott had it framed beautifully and I’m going to hang it on the wall the next time I go in. Again, Scott, thank you so much for your time and effort. I know it means a lot to Dave.
Please keep visiting. Visitors are the only thing Dave has to look forward to. Also please keep up the prayers. It will take a miracle to bring Dave home to us.
Thank you family and friends, Patti