Current Hospital

Craig Hospital New Room 210 West!

If you want to send cards...etc. the address is

Craig Hospital Patricia Schmidt 3425 South Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80110
(303)789-8254

E-mail's, cards and notes will all go in Pat's new scrapbook.

We know your love is here. Debra

Mailing List Subscription Information The Aunt Pat Mail List

Sunday, October 24, 1999 Mom here with Pat this morning.

We had a good breakfast together. She is doing so well. I have to leave tomorrow. It will be so hard to leave her, but it is easier knowing the excellent care she is getting here at Craig. Pat is so patient, full of smiles, and so sweet. You couldn't ask for her disposition to be any better. Also knowing Larry is here every day is a comfort to me. He's WONDERFUL!

All the Prayers, Love, and Support are still coming through.

Love, Ardelle

Sunday greetings from Kay. I'd like to pass on some information I've been reading which has helped me understand where Pat is right now in her efforts to communicate. Pat has a disorder known as aphasia.

Aphasia is a language disorder - neurologically based communication difficulties usually caused by stroke or head injury. "The person who has aphasia has suffered a breakdown in the ability to use the representations or symbols in a number of ways. It must be made clear that the breakdown is in language, not intelligence . . . It is a problem with the retrieval process, not the vocabulary or intelligence."

The doctor has not said this to me, but the following seems to describe the type of aphasia Pat has right now. "Non-fluent aphasia is characterized by an injury which is more toward the front of the brain. This region of the brain controls body and limb movement as well. Therefore, the person may have paralysis or weakness of an arm and/or leg in addition to the speech muscles. The person tends to have better auditory comprehension than verbal expression. Attempts at speech are halting. The person may only be able to speak a few words and these words tend to be used in most speaking attempts. The term 'telegraphic speech' is often used to describe this phenomena as the person leaves out many of the words in attempts to communicate." (From Aphasia, a Guide for the Patient and Family, Interactive Therapeutics Inc.) Some patients regain communications skills gradually, some very quickly.

Pat certainly is determined to help us understand what she is saying. To her, she is saying things correctly and gets frustrated that we cannot get the message. I asked her today if she was speaking to me in German. Wow! Did I ever get an exasperated, disgusted look.

She talked to our brother Dan on the phone this morning, and also to Brainerd friend Julie Perlinger. I believe she understood everything they said, and she said a few words to them. It is very hard work for her to do that, but Sunday seemed to be the best day for a couple of phone calls.

Tom has kept Larry happy on the golf course again today, letting Uncle Larry win another one.

We will have a chance for a short visit tomorrow before we leave. That will be a tough one. Love and prayers to all of you, Kay

E-Mail From Julie Perlinger

Hi Larry, Kay, Ardelle and Tom-and co..... and I wanted to add to your update that Pat called me" jules" on the phone today. its what she has called me "forever" and she said it after I said," I love you so much, cloudy" . I dont know if you guys caught it- but I sure did! Patty- you're doing sooooo well! We're all so encouraged and inspired by your progress! Keep working sweetie! Each day brings something special and new!

You go girl! Love Julie