Slowly getting back to "normal routine"

Dow left for Chicago at noon after spending the morning with Jason. Dow will be visiting Jason regularly and is planning on returning in two weeks. PT found Jason working with Kyla practicing his balance. Jason also did 6 circuits around the floor and we did a couple of more later in the day. Jason spent the morning in PT and I found him trying to nap a little before lunch with Dow reading the newspaper but the phone kept ringing...

After Jason's lunchtime call with Jodi it was time to return to OT and a "walk through" with Heidi of Jason's-to-be room at Mologne House. Jason cut his walking time in half today. The last trip took 30 minutes; t0day's walk took 15 minutes, about twice as long as it takes me. This visit to Mologne was to check out Jason's ability to complete ADL's or Activities of Daily Living. We discussed the height of the bed and Jason's improving hip movement but not yet enough to let him lower himself onto the bed and to get up. It took both of us to get Jason up. We discussed the aides needed for Jason to shower by himself in the tub especially grab bars. We also visited the laundry room located on each floor, having two washers and two dryers. The difficulty with the machines is that Jason cannot yet bend over enough to get items out of the front door washer and dryers. Jason knows his goals to get to Mologne House and to continue to progress. He works so hard at his therapies and his body is responding with increased strength and mobility.

Jason returned to PT for his afternoon session while I made phone calls to Martha to coordinate the return of the van. Martha arrived at WR after her workday and after visiting with Jason and Mike Manseau awhile she and I headed out to bring Jason's requested dinner of the evening...Kentucky Fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, and a biscuit. Martha and I also stopped to get a Jamba Juice. Jason requested one with lemonade but he didn't want his usual strawberry...We found out that you can request "a personalized drink" which we did: a pineapple citrus with lemonade instead of pineapple juice. Jason must have liked it as he drank the quart size down to the last drop! Jason and Martha have a date for a movie and lunch on Saturday.

After dinner Jason got two calls from Chicago friends: Pete, the head of the karate school where Jason achieved his black belt while at Loyola University. Pete has to be in DC next week for work and plans to stop by on Monday. Jason had a good conversation with Chris who is beginning med school in Chicago. Chris is making plans to visit Jason with his girlfriend Erin in February. Jason also received a phone call from one of the men who was with him in Iraq and is now back at Ft. Stewart, Hinesville, GA. They arrived back in the USA on the 30th. Jason's friend plans to visit him soon.

After dinner and phone visits, Jason and I watched the Brothers Grimm, a very different fairy tale, but it had all the ingredients of a good one including an enchanted forest. Jason later told me it was done by one of the writers for Monty Python which explained the story line for me. That made 4 movies in four days for Jason, we need to get his glasses corrected and book holding aides so the man can read!

I told Jason before I left that being with him and spending the day was the best 63rd birthday present I could ever have imagined. All is gift from God, and I give thanks for life, especially the gift of Jason's life. Blessings to all and thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes for Jason full and complete recovery.