Homeward Bound

Patty says: Today, Friday, Walter is coming home. The Dr. says that he is ready and I think and hope that he is. He looks good, very alert and eating well.

Next week you may come to see him.

Thanks to all that went up to Strong to see Walter. And thanks to all of the bloggers for their postings.

Enjoy the nice weather and have a beer for Walter!!

Update

Hi everyone,

My dad is currently on the 7th floor of Strong, wing 1400, room 4. Interestingly enough, this is the cardiac unit, because apparently they didn't have an room on the neuro floor for a man who had a scheduled brain surgery. Ahhhh, the hospital system.

Anyway, his head/incision looks good and he has fevers that go up and down as a result of the surgery. Fevers later down the road may indicate an infection (God forbid) but for right now, we are being told that they are normal.

He does wake up and look around and try to communicate per typical Walter-style so nothing has changed on that front.

We don't know for sure how long he will be in the hospital but as always, visitors are welcome.

Step One: Surgery

I just talked to my mom and my dad made it through surgery okay. He was just coming out of the recovery room and they were trying to get him his own room as an attempt to circumvent the threat of infection. He had the bone flap put back on and a plastic surgeon put some new skin on his head where there was substantial scarring before. His whole head had to be shaved again. I don't know what room he will be in but once he is settled, visitors are certainly welcome.

Details

Patty says: Walter's surgery is on Mon. am at 8:30. Please pray for no infections and a quick recovery.

Update - Surgery Soon

Patty says: Finally the time has come for Walter to have his surgery to put the bone back in his head. The surgery is scheduled for Monday, June 16th. I think he is the strongest and most alert since he has been home. He is still pretty aphasic but knows exactly what is going on. He has been working hard on his arms and legs. I am giving him lots of ice cream and food to fatten him up before surgery. As we speak he is out with his brother and Tom Wahl for a beer at Hooligans. He is going to a medical day program once a week which he seems to enjoy. We have had lots of visitors to keep his brain stimulated. He helped Corinne to decide which card to play when we played euchre. He is still reading lots and watching his "favorite" The military channel. He never gets tired of TV and always told me if anything ever happened to him to "prop him up in front of the tv and he would be fine". And he is.

I want to thank his friends again for their dedication to Walter. Our wedding party guys have really come through for Walter at this most difficult time in his life. Not to mention Tom, Gary and of course Tippy. Tippy has helped me with bringing him to the many, many dr. appts. I was feeling very worn out for a while there. I am going to have surgery while Walter is in the hospital on my other knee. I tore my meniscus in the other knee pushing the wheelchair up and down the ramps.

Walter will probably be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks. Visitors are welcome and appreciated!!!

Thanks again to my "special" girlfriends for their continued support. I do not know what I would do without them.

If you want to give Walter a good luck and get well wish, I will read them to him in the hospital. Please continue to pray for a quick recovery from this surgery with no infections to complicate things. St. Jude: Thank you for favors received.