Dad had a meaningful and coherent discussion with Karl this morning, with Don in the afternoon and Gary in the evening today regarding Mom’s passing. He had no memory of her stroke, death or funeral, and wanted to have a lot of information about especially the funeral. After talking extensively with Karl, Dad said he had a single memory of the Doctor telling him in the hospital that Mom would not make it. Don told him that we had a DVD of the funeral and pictures that Chris accumulated and he asked if he could view them. I took my copies of them to his room this evening but he was quite tired and said he wanted to see them tomorrow. He continues to show signs of better thought process and memory, but will then revert to less significant memories when he is tired.

I talked with Dr. Noble today about Dad’s eyes. We have an appointment on Friday morning (9:40 am) to have him evaluate Dad’s eyesight. Dr Noble cautioned me that he may or may not be able to get a definitive answer for us, depending on the ability Dad would have to assist in the exam. He was concerned that we keep Dad’s eyes moistened. He gave me the name of some gel to put in his eyes 3-4 times a day, and a different gel to put in his eyes at night as he went to bed. We need to follow through on this when we are with him.

Dad’s therapy schedule is expected to be: 9:00 am to 10:00 am for speech therapy; 11:00 am to 12:00 noon for occupational therapy; and 3:00 pm to 3:30 (or perhaps 4:00 pm ?) for physical therapy.

Well Grandpa seems to be adjusting to his new surroundings. He was sleeping and we couldn't wake him to take his meds. He kept clinching his mouth shut. He did not want to take them. Martin took his lounge chair into his room and he was resting in it. He seems to remember things more every day.

Today dad was moved to the Orem Rehab Center. The address is 575 East 1400 South, Orem,Room # 214. Phone # is 801-235-9303, it is just south of the University Mall one block. They do not have visiting hours. You can come anytime you want and leave when you want. He really enjoys seeing the younger kids. He perks right up and usually knows them by name.Thank you for your love and prayers.

Just a quick note to let everyone know what is up. Grandpa seems to be getting better with some of the memory things. He is recognizing sometimes. He will be moving to the Rehab center in Orem tomorrow for more therapy. He will have open visiting hours so don't hesitate to come and see him.

Just a quick update. Not much new to tell. Dad seems to have great improvements one hour and then the next time you see him within hours he is unresponsive. Everyone is giving it their all. All the hospital workers are very kind to him and everyone else. They have been good to work with us and keep us in on what is going on. They have been taping his eyes open during therapy and it seems to help him. He kept them open during dinner last night. ( just a slit) He would lift his head and try to see you. You have to be right in front of him for him to see you. He sometimes recognises voices. He loves to see and hear the little ones. He lights up every time one comes in.

Well yesterday Dad recognized Rogers voice and said Hi Roger on his own. The night before Brooke was reading from the family history book and he would finish some of the stories for her. This is the first of him starting any conversation. He had his glasses on and was trying to open his eyes. We have Don and Randy going to Alaska on Sunday and we need someone to be able to help cover the shifts. If any of the grandchildren are available for a 5 hr shift or you can split it between a couple of you that would really help out. The hours are 9-12, 12-5, 5-9 we have a sign up sheet at the hospital if you can help that would be great. Thanks for all your love and prayers in Dad's behalf.

Just to let everyone know, they removed the feeding tube yesterday. Dad is eating on his own. There have been no real improvements other than that. Thanks for your love and support.

Just returned from the hospital. Dad ate his first meal. He has had a feeding tub, which he does not like, he keeps trying to take it out. He ate pasta, peaches, squash, cookies and ice cream. He is still having memory issues. He was very tired when we got there. You can tell he is trying to remember things but just cant. They have asked us to bring pictures and try to get him to talk as much as possible. It looks like a long road.

As many of you know we are trying to keep everyone updated on Grandpa's progress. He has been moved to the Rehab Unit in the hospital. He is in room 2683, he seems to enjoy your visits. He sleeps a lot especially after his therapy. They work on him about 3 hours a day they take him for a walk and he comes back to his room and sleeps.Visiting hours are 6:00 pm Monday- Saturday and Sunday all day, we have a sign up sheet for people to be with him during the day and there is a nurse that stays with him during the night. Please check the schedule and see if there is a time you can stay with him. We appreciate all the prayers in his behalf. I am sure he feels your love for him.

Arvid's about the same

S. Arvid Dodge updates

HI-this is Karlene here, not Chris...:)
I decided with our rather LARGE family it would be a great idea to keep you posted on a blog. Chris will take over after I have to leave. For the sake of extended family that may not have heard any details, this is a sketchy version of what has transpired with dad so far.
On Sunday, Martin took Dad to ER because he was feeling poorly. His heart had liquid around it. It had been in a-fib for a while (the upper half) so they had turned that portion of the pace-maker off. They sent him home and Monday morning when Dad wasn't up and about, Martin found him still asleep. He woke him and in another short amount of time Martin went back in and found him half in and out of bed unable to do either, and pretty unresponsive. After taking him to ER where the liquid around his heart had increased severely, they admitted him.
He had a stroke in the lower R side in the back of the brain (occiptal) area. From the CAT scans, there were probably previous strokes there as well. He has lost the vision on his left side of both eyes. They indicate he will probably not recover from this. Besides his eyelids being very weak, he has no other indications of damage beside some Cognitive problems. I understand that being mixed up and not "all there" is usual for a brain injury. He is able to hear us and communicate a little bit. He is responsive to us and will talk and answer questions. He can squeeze your hand and adjust his body somewhat in bed himself.
Today (Wednesday Aug. 4) is the second day they have had him up and walking a bit with a walker. Today he took a pretty good hike half way around the block here on the 5th floor of UVRMC in Provo. He is currently in Rm 580.
Unfortunately, today he flunked his swallowing test and they are inserting a feeding tube right now. It's pretty miserable to listen to and watch. He coughed it up. They'll try again later.
I'll try to get this address into an email to everyone. Please forward that on to anyone you don't see on my list. I'm not sure of how many email addresses I have.
Love to all