Celebrating new sensations

We had a great time this weekend wandering around the dunes and town. Rob is really building up his strength and able to be out of bed for longer times. We really enjoyed the great weather and sitting out in the sun on a terrace.

Later today we were talking about what sensations he had on his left side. He has been able to move his left leg, foot and toes and physiotherapy is helping a lot to regain movement. He has not been able to move his left arm, hand and fingers. He does feel a lot of tingling, and we have been talking about the brains plasticity and ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between brain cells (good book on this topic: “The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge).

While we were discussing it, I was holding Rob’s left fingers and started to feel resistance back. As we talked more, Rob was able to start moving his fingers and hand and even his left arm. It was very exciting and a very big step in his recovery. He certainly seems to be re-wiring his brain now that he is regaining his health and we are very optimistic about his recovery.

On Saturday Rob had a surprise visit from his cousin Anja who lives near Heliomare. We have not seen her in years, so it was great to catch up on everything. Her brother Alex has also been through a very challenging time with his health, and we are hoping to be able to visit him in the not-too-distant future.

On Friday our friend Albert and I had talked about meeting up by Heliomare. I mentioned that I wanted to stop in at a café because an old friend, Dorien, was playing there (she played at our wedding). It really is small world, because Albert studies singing with Dorien. It was really nice for us to see each other again, and I’m hoping Rob can go to her next gig later in October.

Rob also had a visit from Albert and his son Hans at Heliomare. It’s nice that they live nearby, because they have come twice now, but the timing just has not worked out and Rob has been sleeping. I think Albert needs to bring his harmonica’s next time to wake him up with a bit of blues!

We went on Friday to get a new used Saab from a collague of Mick’s, our brother-in-law. It was sad to see our old “Green Goddess” Saab put to rest, but at 21 years, she was no longer “Thor” the road warrior. Thanks for sorting that all out for us Mick and Anne!

And as always, Jansen loves the visits with Rob and wandering around the dunes. Jansen also enjoyed himself hearing live music at a beach bar. The guy playing tambourine made the mistake of shaking it at Jansen, who went nuts and accidently unplugged the band’s equipment while trying to go after the tambourine. I had warned the guy, but I guess he found out the hard way about what a party animal Jansen is (he has demolished 4 tambourines at home)!