Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010

We had a pretty good day yesterday (Friday). Michael completely frazzled the Physical Therapists. He's easily completed everything they've come up with to challenge him.  When they come to take him to work out, he starts by making them take the stairs (three floors each direction). He won't take the elevator. He's done ramp work, balance work, stationary bike work, eliptical trainer work, and the "Treadwall". The Treadwall has been the hardest to date but not because of his lack of sight. He can find the handholds and move pretty well but it get his arms burning long before he's winded.  We haven't been able to try it again because they moved his IV needle nearer to his elbow and now he can't straighten his arm all the way.  Solomon, an ex-NY Giant, is one of his therapists.  He told Michael to think over the weekend and come up with something challenging "but safe" for next week.  He emphasized the "safe" (I wonder why). Another lady, the Occupational Therapist, brought a puzzle in to test Michael's thinking skills (they're still monitoring him for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). She brought a game with a bunch of small pieces that fit in a special base. We bought the same game a few years ago. I think it's named "Perfection". In the game, if you don't get the pieces placed in time, the board pops up and knocks the pieces out.  As soon as Michael felt the pieces, he knew the game.  Somehow, he remembered the placement of some of them. As soon as she handed him the pieces, he immediatley fit four or five of them in the board. The therapist was shocked and asked Michael if he was cheating.  He replied: "Yeah, I'm peeking."

We've continued to receive distinguished visitors. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (the highest placed enlisted man in the Air Force) came to thank Michael for his service. He added his coin to Michael's collection. In addition to the guests, we've received a few boxes of gifts and a bunch of cards as well. We're asking people to hold any more mailings because he might not be here much longer. If everything goes as planned, he could be in Palo Alto by the end of next week. The office at the address I gave last will make sure anything arriving late will get forwarded.

He will have his last surgery at Walter Reed on Monday and then the countdown begins. One small piece of good news is that I will be able to accompany Roxann and Michael there. I will be able to meet the new medical and therapy team and then I will return to Albuquerque.

His sisters, Tiffany and Kally (and their infant babies) were able to come here this weekend for a visit. Their trip was funded by organizations dedicated to helping wounded warriors like Michael. The generosity of these groups is very much appreciated.  The same group will also fly his sister Lisa to California as she was unable to make this trip. The girls are at the same hotel as Roxann and I. They came by his hospital room right after the flight but didn't stay long. The babies were restless. When we got off the elevator on their floor last night, we immediately found their room by the sound of crying babies drifting through the doors into the hall.  We laughed but the mommies sure weren't laughing.  We brought them a hot chocolate and wished them a good night (being a grandparent is great at times like that).  Kally says he looks better than she expected, Tiffany says he looks worse than she expected.  Neither saw what he was like before or they would be overjoyed with the progress.  They both expressed their love and support. They also apologized for bringing crying babies to his room but he was ok with it.

The "fan club" continues to grow too. His neice Jade added the blue ones. I don't know what the nurses think about all this.

That's it for now. We'll see what the weekend brings.......

As always, thanks for all the support and encouragement.  I'm sorry to be so slow with these updates but I'm hoping to get better. I know there are many of you wanting to hear the latest.  As I've asked before, keep praying for Michael because I am convinced his progress and condition is directly the result of those prayers. We thank you all so much.