Paul's Update - 10/25/07

Dear Friends:

The last week has gone by very quickly. I cannot believe a week has gone by ... I was gone for most of it. I apologize that I’ve fallen so far behind. Last Thursday Paul was able to tell me his last name. I prompted the first name and he said the last name without ANY prompt. I love when he does anything without prompting!! Dad spent several hours digging up the stump in the front yard.
Friday Dad went out to buy a new TV for Paul’s bedroom. We had planned to do this for a while. Paul had some money coming from his tax return so Dad decided that was a good way to spend some of it on Paul. He hasn’t had a lot of time to watch it but I think he likes it. We went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s. The dining room was crowded and Paul’s walker was difficult to maneuver but Paul was able to get in to the table and we had a very nice dinner. He had lemon salmon but he really loved the strawberry cream puff dessert!! Later Paul had a stumble when he was coming back from the bathroom. He lost his balance and took at least 5 or 6 large unbalanced steps. The amazing thing is ... he DID NOT fall and Dad DID NOT touch him. He was able to recover from the stumble without Dad catching him!!! His walking is still difficult to watch but he is getting better balance all the time!

Saturday morning I spent some time getting laundry done and did some work in my office. Gradis got Paul up and showered before breakfast. I needed to get ready to be able to leave about noon time with Ronda. She and I travelled to be at her Mom & Dad’s house in Indiana. Her mother was having a pacemaker put in on Tuesday we were going to be there when she had her surgery. Dad, Paul, Gradis & Max headed out to the O’Dell’s for a Fall Festival that Marty was doing for the children. Carolyn brought Alysa & Chris too. They all had a great time. Dad said Max had fun playing in the sandbox and with the other children. Paul had to manage the steps in the house in order to go to the bathroom. They had about eight steps and He was able to manage them with Dad’s help. It is so wonderful that he is walking ... it makes life so much easier. I was just thinking about all the things Paul is able to do by walking that he couldn’t do in the wheelchair!! Just think ... it wasn’t that long ago that he was pretty much confined to his wheelchair!

Sunday Dad, Paul & Gradis met with Bill & Lew for breakfast. They headed off to church at 9:30. The rest of the day was pretty quiet ... a good football day!

Monday Dad had to go to Richmond with Paul. Dora went with them to help get him into the building. It is a bit of a walk. Dad & Paul met with Taryn (the counselor) while Dora waited out in the waiting area. They stopped at Thornburg for lunch on the way home.

Tuesday was Ronda’s mom’s surgery. She and I spent the day at the Heart Hospital in Indianapolis IN. Her brothers and sister came to the hospital too. Her mom came through the surgery well. Dad was supposed to take Paul to Physical Therapy but the office called and cancelled since the therapist had a sick child at home. They decided to go to the gym instead. Dad said Paul did real well on the bike. He didn’t want to quit!

Wednesday Dad took Paul to Occupational Therapy at 9:30am. He had to spend a bunch of time at the registration desk and missed most of the therapy session. Afterwards they went to the pool at the gym. Paul & Dad seem to be coming down with colds. Ronda & I headed home on Wednesday morning. I was able to speak to Paul on the phone when we arrived at our hotel for the night. He really talks well on the phone. I think he knows we cannot SEE him so he talks to us!!

Thursday PT was cancelled again. Dad & Paul spent the day at home. Ronda and I returned from our trip about 10:30am. I stayed home from work to get some things done at home that I’ve been neglecting. Ronda came over and I fixed dinner for her this week (she usually fixes dinner for us on Thursday!). Paul went to bed a bit early, his cold is making him a bit tired. Over all we’ve had a busy week. Paul continues to improve in his walking and every once in a while he responds to us in new ways.

Have a great weekend, Lynne & Carl