Last Thursday in Orlando!

This morning when dad was getting dressed he said something funny and then said, "Uh-oh you will probably put that on the blog!" We can't remember what he said but it was funny that he is realizing that he has everyone following him on the blog. Nothing exciting happened today, he is just working hard at his therapy and really looking forward to getting home. Merrilee flies in tomorrow and will be helping get them home on Wednesday. Dad says she better hurry and get there because he is flying out tomorrow. He has been away from home for 5 weeks and is really anxious to be home.

First shower in a month

He got to have a shower this morning because his trach wound has closed up. First shower in a month and if any of you know him.... he MUST have a shower every morning and it is usually a very long one! That is where he does his best thinking. Maybe that is all he needs to rehabilitate. In fact my mom made reservations to fly them home in a week. He has had a little fever today so he hasn't felt as well but they still approved him to be released on June 13.

Tuesday

Dad didn't have a good night sleep last night so he was too tired for some of his therapy classes. Mom is going to stay with him tonight so hopefully he will be able to get more rest so he will feel better tomorrow. His trach wound is healing really nicely. He is getting a little stronger everyday. Mandy made it home safely and Merrilee will be making the trip to Florida on Friday.

trach is out!!

This morning when dad's therapist was getting him out of bed he pretended he was falling. You should have seen her face!!! It was so funny, she wanted to punch him. The therapists all worked with him and said he is improving every session. They had scheduled to take his trach out today but decided to wait till tomorrow. He was fiddling with the neck band and he accidentally pulled the trach out about an inch. Mandy hurried and got the nurse, who wasn't able to get it back in. They called the doctor and he okayed them to just take it out. I guess there is more than one way to hurry this process along. Mandy is leaving tomorrow so we are going to try to smuggle pizza in tonight for dinner.

Sunday

Dad was really excited to see us this morning and said, "I would have called you if someone wouldn't have taken my cell phone." He is very ready to go home and keeps asking us what the plan is for getting all of us home. We had lunch out on the porch and it was a beautiful day. They downsized his trach to a 4 and will probably take it out by the end of the week. They buckle him in bed when we aren't here so he won't get up and fall and he hates it. He jokes about us slipping him his pocket knife so he can cut the strap in the night. He is in great spirits and is grateful to be doing as good as he is.

Saturday

Today was a much better day. Mom got a call this morning from rehab and was so worried until she answered it and it was dad!! He wanted us to know he was up and wondering when we were going to be there. It was so good to hear his voice on the other side of the phone. His blood pressure was too low because he hasn't had enough fluids lately but he is drinking more today so he is feeling better. He has also been eating his meals better which should help him have the energy he needs for therapy. He has an eyepatch to help his eyes strengthen and he jokes saying he is hiding behind his new eyepatch and thinks he is pretty scary. He definitely joked a lot today and felt so much better. he is starting to ask when we are planning on taking him home. We are hoping for many more days like today.

Friday

At the rehab facility the nurses and other staff are always amazed when dad stands up at how tall he is. We get comments all day long. They say "WOW!! He is TALL!" The nurse asked if we were driving in a truck yesterday. We told her no and that our truck was 2300 miles away. Dad said,"oh no they have lost the truck!". He still has a problem understanding we are in Orlando, Florida. Today dad didn't feel as well as he has been so therapy didn't go as well as expected. Usually when we have an off day the next day is better so hopefully tomorrow he will be feeling better and ready to work hard.