Paul's Update - 10/02/06

Dear Friends:

Paul continues to improve every day. Saturday Tabby & Bobby were in charge while Dad & I took a restful weekend away in the mountains with Bill & Ronda. Paul was alert and ready to be up most of the day. He is doing better at standing up and transferring from the bed to the wheelchair. Tabby had to do this moving some of the time so it was good that Paul helps. Tabby's parents came to visit on Saturday for her birthday (which was actually Sunday). They had a good visit and had a big ham dinner together. Sunday Tabby took Paul to visit some friends in Warrenton. They had a BBQ on their deck. Paul enjoyed visiting with friends and was able to wheel himself all around the deck (which I understand is HUGE). He also stood up at the rail and held himself up to see over the side of the deck into the yard. Tabby said he stood there for several minutes!! The house is wheelchair accessible and it was easy for Paul to get around. Several of the folks there were willing to help Tabby when Paul needed to be moved. As soon as Max showed up someone grabbed him and they passed him all around most of the afternoon so Tabby got a chance to visit and relax. Once they got home Paul wanted to sit outside. Tabby opened a couple of birthday gifts while they sat on the swing. Dad had conferred with Paul and they decided to get Tabby the "Alf" series on DVD. Dad also bought a present from us that Tabby had said she wanted. Paul was also going to send flowers but it was Sunday and Dad didn't get them ordered for Paul (they came on Monday instead!!) Dad brought roses in on Monday morning and handed them to Paul so he could give them to Tabby himself. When she came in the room ... he held them out for her! This is something that he did a lot prior to the accident! Monday night we all went out for dinner to celebrate Tabby's birthday since we couldn't go on Sunday. Carolyn and Alysa came also. We all met at the Cracker Barrell and had a very nice dinner. Paul was very alert today but Dad thought he seemed a bit sad. We still haven't heard back from the neurologist about the blood test last week. Tabby may try to call him on Tuesday. Later this week Paul goes to the Dentist to consult about the dental surgery that needs to be done on his gums. This will be laser surgery to cut away the gums that have grown over his teeth (the side effect of Dilantin). It will also be sedation dental work so the dentist wants to see Paul before agreeing to do the surgery. Hopefully we will be able to start decreasing the Dilantin soon and this side effect will go away! We are thankful that Paul has had so much progress lately. Thanks as always for your continued prayers and support!

Love, Lynne & Carl