Hi Laura, This is very very helpful! Thanks. Its so good to have someone else going through the same thing. The main thing that concerns me is that dad has walked for nearly 8 weeks. He has only just started on purified food. Sadly, what seems to have delayed things is the fact that his consultant and the specialist neuro nurse in the initial hospital both went on holiday for two weeks at the same time.
We were assured that dad had a plan in place but nothing seemed to happen. We really had to push to get him onto a stroke rehab ward and things have been positive. However, not everyone is aware of what he can and can't do. For example, a nurse came in the "quiet room" where dad was in a supportive chair and said "he can't have soup can he?" In actual fact dad is able to have purified food and had just polished off two full mugs of ribena. His swallow seems to be fine but the SALT team seem overly cautious. We just want him eating so he can build his strength.
Dad is 70 but previously was extremely fit and healthy. One of the nurses also commented on how short his medical history is and she actually said she had never seen such a short history. Despite this, dad is still in a chair and they aren't, in my opinion, getting him up quick enough. He has started to try and lift himself out the supportive chair!! Confabulation is also a problem - he keeps telling us he has been for a walk, has had people visiting and also isn't too aware of his surroundings.
On top of all this, mum has now got a throat infection so can't go and visit! Its down to my sister and I but this is obviously increasing mum's anxiety!
Ahhh well - soldier on we shall!