Smooth and mellow....

Another day of the kinder gentler Dad...He did his PT this morning, and when he told me about it, he tells me that they had him up and walking, and that he was showing the PT guys how he could get from his bed into his wheelchair...Now, I don't want to discourage anything, but last time I was there, it took 2 nurses to make that transfer. So, I am not sure if his perception is a little askew, or if he is trying to keep on being positive...Either way, I will give him all of the support he needs. He was still very pleased with his performance at PT this morning.

He had a lot of visitors today. My Aunt and Uncle, Mom and I, Paula and Jay, and then Jim and Mary. It was pretty hot in his room, so we had taken off his gown and he was sporting the topless look...I think he was a little embarrassed, but he got over that pretty quick.:) His room is on the West side, and his window gets beat by the late afternoon sun.

He seems to be getting a little more aware of his surroundings and what is going on. And by that I mean, not what is right in front of him, but his perception of the whole ordeal. He is starting to understand more about what Mom and I have been doing behind the scenes to try and get this organized and understand all of the insurance and schedule all of the Dr. appointments, and arrange for the transportation. This in addition to visiting him, bringing him frozen yogurt, doing his laundry, work (for me)...You know, all the stuff that makes up life. Please understand, I am not complaining for a moment. Life has just shifted to something different. I wouldn't change a thing. But, my point is, he is starting to understand all of this a little better, and he is starting to worry about the impact on us and especially on my Mom. I think this may be one of the reasons he is a little more mellow lately. Although, he is also on an anti-depressant, and sometimes they take a few weeks to kick in, so that might also be contributing to his mood.

I have been taking pictures throughout the past couple weeks, but my Dad has been so adamant that he did not want them published where others could see, that I haven't done much with them. Today I printed out some of the photos and brought them in to show my Dad. The ones of his incision, because he cannot fathom what it must be like, and a couple from after surgery in the ICU, and some from my birthday dinner. He looked at them, and when we got to the ones from my birthday, there was a photo I took of my Mom and Dad posing, and then one of them kissing, and one of the three of us I took with the camera timer...He took one look at these photos and started crying and said "whatever you do, never lose these pictures. This is my family and I love these photos." Needless to say, I am printing large copies of these pix tomorrow and bringing them in to put on the wall in his room so he can always see them.

So, once again, he is really enjoying visitors. If you are interested in stopping by to see him, please keep in mind he has PT most mornings. Also, we got an appointment with the eye Dr. on Wednesday late morning, so he may be gone into the early afternoon on Wednesday. If you need info on where to go, send me an email at RockingHorseFly@cox.net and I will give you directions.

Thank you all once again for your thoughts and prayers. It is with friends and family and love that we will get through this and beyond it. I cannot express how lucky we are to be surrounded with so many wonderful, caring and thoughtful people.

Our most gracious thanks to you all.