On The Up and Up

Hi all,
it seems such a long time since I have written a blog but here goes. I got to spend a great few hours with Walt and Patti yesterday morning. Walt had just finished physical therapy and the aide was giving him a bath when I arrived so I got to give Patty a much needed neck massage. I had promised her one after I gave Walt one after Thanksgiving.

The house is so busy with people coming and going all the time. The visiting nurse arrived with a student in tow and the female quotient went up to 5 to 1. Walt seems to be enjoying all the attention.

I was so happy to be able to have something of a conversation with him again. Albeit a whispered one. He is alert and the Walt facial expressions and wry comments are back.

The speech therapist arrived and he was going very well at matching words. The funniest thing was when she asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said a new head!! Oh dear.

This will be my last post for a couple of months as I am going to Australia to visit my family so I am hoping that you all will write plenty of comments so i can keep up with the the world of Walt.

Cheers
Corinne

Thanksgiving

Patty says: We had a great Thanksgiving with Walter being home. We have lots to be thankful for!!! Thanks to all that visited Walter. He really needs this stimulation to get better. Thanks too for all your dishes. This gives me more time to take care of Walter.

For those that want to visit, just call first. You may visit any time. If it is not a good time, I will let you know.

Thanks to Dick for helping Brian with his shelf. It looks great and now it will not fall.

Please continue to pray for his continuing recovery. He still needs to walk and talk. We are having some breakthroughs with words. I sneezed and he said "Bless You" and he asked Lindsay what time it was. He was pretty aware and awake for the holiday and really seemed to enjoy it.

He will be going out Friday for his 1st Dr's appt. He will surely be tired after his appt. He is having therapy and basically they are starting from scratch. We need lots of prayers and thoughts to get him through this. I truly believe that he will recover. It will just take a long, long time. Thanks to St. Jude for favors received! Please continue to help us through this difficult time.

Walter at Home - Chapter Two

Patty says: Walter is doing great!! He is saying more words every day and is getting more alert!! The aids are wonderful too! We are in the process of getting therapy going but when visitors come I put them to work with therapy, stretching, item identifying, writing on an etch a sketch, looking at books and putting shapes in a box (which he has mastered by the way). When you come over for a visit, bring some ideas for therapy with you-more ideas wanted!!

Thanks to all that have brought a dish-it really helps me to have more time with Walter. Thanks to Marsha and Lori for running errands for me!! Thanks to Alyce and Joanne for the offer of Turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. Thanks to all that have sent Walter cards. He loves to open them and read them. He is truly my hero and a real survivor. I am sure that is because of the friends who have supported him and the love that they have shown him. That is really the most important thing in the world-family and friends. We have the best family you could ever ask for and we love you all - I just wish you were all in town so we could see you and hug you every day. I always knew you were so special-since I met you when I was just 15 years old. Aunt Anna-you are so special-You are my 2nd mother. You are Lucy Rabitz the 2nd. My special, special mother-in-law who is now-in spirit helping me take care of her baby-and I am so so glad to do it. I love you Walter!!!

That is all for now. Dinner is calling. I will soon have some visiting times for Walter. Will keep you posted.

Please continue to send Walter wishes via computer too!! We will be reading these to him.

Just type your comment. Press Other-then publish your comment.

Walter at Home - Chapter One

Patty says: Walter has been home for 4 1/2 days. He is doing great. Although this is as demanding as 2 sets of triplets it is so worth it to have my sweetie home to us. It is great for me to wake up and see him.

I have to get through l hr changes and 2 hr to get his pills ready for the week. The wash is endless and meal times come just as I finish the first one. I have to thicken all of his liquids and turn him every 2 hrs.

The rewards are endless. I say" Are you my sweetie" and he says "definitely." Brian had a concert Thurs and he heard us discussing the plans for the evening. He said "What time are you leaving" Wow 5 words!! He is soo happy to be home. I will take any help I can get. Right now I have an aid for 2 hrs 3 times a week. I am hoping to get an aid for 5 days. I am working on this. Insurance can be a pain. I read a great article in today's paper. To get through the hard times in life "It's not the cards dealt, but how you play them" We live because life takes courage, and because, thank God, we are blessed and taught by the example of those who have it. I am grateful that my husband survived this horrific accident and I still have hime to take care of. In sickness and health., I will be there for him.

Thanks again, to those friends who have helped us get through the "good times" and the "bad times." You are all a strong bunch and I am so lucky you have helped us. You all know who you are and we love you all!!

Thanks to my brother Joe, my Mom, Tippy, Jean, Aunt Anna and Joanne, of course, and Rick and Corinne to help me through this difficult adjustment. Thanks to all of the phone calls this week to see how things were going. This will help me get through this difficult time!! Thanks for the offers of Walter sitting and the food deliveries.

Keep praying for his complete recovery and for his caregiver to be the wife that she should be at this difficult time in his life. I love you Walter!~!!!

Also, if you are reading this blog, please send Walter a get well note and I will read them to him. Thanks! Just click other-then publish your comment after you type your message.

Homeward Bound

Patty says: 1/2 of my dream has come true. Walter is not going back to the nursing home. He is coming home to Brian and I. Monday is the big day!! I will have visiting nurses and aids coming until he (maybe) goes to Albany to the brain rehab. I think it will help to be in his own environment with his kitty on his lap. I will also be able to monitor his drinking so that he does not get dehydrated. And being at home, I am hoping to keep infections at bay. Once we get settled, you may visit him.

Thanks again to all that have supported us over the past 8 months. It has been a long, difficult road that will continue until he is walking, talking and making our favorite meals-toasted, of course, with a glass of wine. Keep the prayers coming-we need them!!