Twas the day after...

Christmas, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Including the spouse.

Actually, I got up early today and did some sale shopping.

Patti and I spent Christmas at sister and brother-in-law Theresa and Greg Marshall and had a simply wonderful time hanging out with family. We hope God blessed you with a magnificent Christmas and the inspiration of His presence.

Here's the catch up for the week:

Last Wednesday we got Patti moved from the Zale-Lipshy hospital over to the Centre for Neuro Skills rehab center. We got there at 1:00 PM and by 1:20 she was already going through physical therapy and evaluation. I, of course, got to enjoy all of the associated paperwork. After occupational therapy and a meeting with a counselor we got her over to the apartments where she is staying at around 4:30. They are spartan, but very adequate and clean. The bed, frankly, was horrible so on Thursday Greg, Theresa and I picked her up a new mattress, courtesy of her Dad, bedspread, sheets etc. and got her room put together in a much more comfortable way.

Patti was pretty emotional through the transition and for several reasons. First, she would rather go home than to another temporary location. It has now been seven weeks since she has seen home and you can imagine the sense of loss she feels from time to time. Secondly, we really had adjusted to the routine at the hospital and gotten to know the people there. So a new place was very uncertain from lots of angles.

Thursday night, however, I checked Patti out and took her to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. We really enjoyed the time together and this was a confidence builder for her that things are making progress on the road to normal and that she can handle herself outside of the center. Friday we ran some errands around town and Saturday night we went to a Christmas eve service at Calvary Temple which is about two minutes from the apartment. Afterwards we drove around Dallas a little to look at Christmas lights.

Oh, the rehab facility was closed Friday and today (Monday) for the holidays so we had some time to kill.

Physically, Patti is still making good progress. She can stand easily now and can walk a little with assistance although her right leg is very unsteady. She is beginning to generate a lot of movement from the shoulder in the right arm and can lift a little from the elbow. The right hand is beginning to tighten up a little, which is normal, so we are focusing on stretching and relaxing the muscles there.

Patti's speech is getting better and better as well. She still has a lot of work to do here, but she is getting more and more out each day and what she does get out sounds just like Patti!

By the way, Patti's roommate at the apartment is a lady named Amy Scott. She had an aneurysm that burst during surgery and created a stroke-like effect. She is very sweet and friendly and we think she will be a good roomate for Patti.

Finally, the most exciting Christmas gift came from daughter Abbey and son-in-law Nick. They sent Patti a small picture frame with a post-it note on the front that said, "Mom, hope this will be motivation for you to get well soon so you can hold your new grandbaby in July!" Then we lifted up the post-it note to find a sonogram picture of the little one!!!!! Grandparents for the third time!!! Congratulations to Nick and Abbey! And, yes, Patti is highly motivated!!!

Prayer requests:

1. Right leg strength to get Patti walking regularly and out of the wheel chair.
2. Muscle relaxation in the lower right arm and continued recovery in general.

Patti and I hope you have a blessed and Spirit-filled New Year! We are so thankful for our friends and family and all who visit this site and are praying for her. The staff at the new facility is amazed at how far along Patti is in her recovery. We have taken every opportunity to explain how it is only God and tell the story of how He has protected and lifted Patti every step of the way.

Forever in Him,

Mike