Monday, December 20, 2010

Hello Everyone!

I am so happy to report yesterday's outing to Tom's life celebration was a HUGE success! Not only was my dad able to go, he was able to get himself in/out of my car with basically no assistance. We were gone 4 1/2 hours, staying at the event over 3 hours. There were so many of my dad's old friends (grade school & high school) there and everybody was so happy to see one another. It was really a heartfelt event on all accounts. The drive alone was such a pleasure for my dad, to be in a car, sitting in the passenger seat, riding along in "normal" transportation. He was very calm and so was I (for some reason:).

Today in therapy my dad continued to make huge progress. I wasn't there to count steps, but from what hear, I estimate he walked the 50+ steps back & forth twice, with a break in between sitting. The "break" is really sitting down in a chair then having to get back up from the chair and continue walking. The final walk was from one end of the therapy room all the way to his room! I would estimate that well over 100 steps! Total steps around 300! He reports he felt the steps to much more complete, he was breathing & talking:) He laughs about how he was holding his breath just last week! The biggest milestone though was at the end of therapy when he was given "independent" status which means he can get in/out of his bed/chair, go to the bathroom, etc. all by himself without assistance! Hooray!! The aids, by the way, report they will still come hang out in his room!

We are looking forward to our next outing Wednesday night, dinner in Waterville with the sibs.

A happy & blessed holiday to all!