Graduation Day!

Well, my dad made it to my graduation from law school a couple weeks ago. I wasn't always sure it would happen but I will be thankful for it every day for the rest of my life...

Your move

Patty says: Just wanted everyone to know that Walter played Chess with our cousin, Eric. He did not win this time but I was very impressed!!! It is very amazing that he remembered this difficult game.

Timmy, Tippy and I played baseball with him on Tuesday. He held the bat in his bad hand and hit the ball very well!! Go Walter!!!

We still need to continue to pray that he will walk again!! His mind has come back wonderfully!! He has been enjoying his days out with Tippy and the guys (and girls). We will be able to get him out on the deck very soon to enjoy his beer and to read his books.

Happy Spring!!!!

Whewh Finally Found our Way back in!

G'day Walt Watchers,

Rick and I both lost access to the blog and I have just got mine back. This is a post from Rick Feb 22nd.

Hi Walt, just writing to let you know that that Corinne, Diane and I enjoyed playing euchre with you and Patty tonight.

Thank you for saving Patty from having to do a re-deal by pointing out that one of the cards in the deck was upside down. None of us picked that up.

Too bad that Corinne "helped" you; I have to admit that you did better on your own when she was futzing around looking for honey to put into Diane's tea. At least you got to both hold and play your cards by yourself and win a few points while she was away from the table.

In fact, I'm certain that if you hadn't been telling Corinne which card to play from your hand on every trick, your team would not have had a chance.

Glad to see your competitive nature returning in such fine form. The snarls and partner reprimands for stupid plays were in full swing.

Anyway, it was fun. Look forward to doing it again soon.

Your Cousin,

Rick


Hmmm Charming.

We played again a couple of weeks ago and this time Walt was on his own. Patty rigged up a makeshift cardholder from an upside down egg carton that worked a treat. (Very creative Patty). It was boys against girls that went to 2 very hotly contested matches with the girls winning by 1 point.

walt was truely amazing. He was anticipating plays, keeping track of the scores for both teams,(and as if I would intentionally get that wrong) and maintaining his focus amongst all the hubbub that goes with the banter between spouses, cousins and team mates.

Those of you that know Walts competive streak will understand that he was NOT happy about the outcome and wanted another game.

We cant wait to do it again.

Patty says: Just wanted to let the "bloggers" know that Walter is doing the best since his injury 2 years ago. He talks and talks and I think is back to himself. Amazing! Amazing! We just need to get him walking. He is very strong again and we are still working on his "core". He is at his max weight now and looking like "Walter". The ongoing problem though is his right side. The right arm is getting looser but not 100% yet. It is probably about 50 per cent. Walter himself, tells me his right leg is not "right". I am sure that this will come in time.

We have come so far in the past 4 months-it is really unbelievable. I am getting my husband back and it is a miracle.

I am grateful to all that have stood by us and gave us the strength and support to forge ahead. You all are very special to Walter & I. In time, this will all be a very bad dream and Walter & I will be able to go on with our lives-and I will treasure that day and be very thankful that my husband survived the horrific accident that almost took his life.

Go Walter!!!

Walt hosts Charlotte friends

Repeating last year's "Charlotte friends" reunion, we joined Walt and Pat for refreshments & food this past Saturday. It's amazing--all these girls are in their forties but except for Kathy J, there isn't a gray hair in the bunch. Hmm.

Here are the guys with Walt.










Here is a picture of Bernie choking on a hot dog. Debbie shows a surprising lack of concern while Gary shows no concern whatsoever.

Later, the girls attained a pleasant state of Beerforia while Walt was up to his old antics. It was nice to see that again. Thanks, Patty.

Patty says: Walter is continuing to improve and amaze me. He walked 20 steps at therapy. We have gone from 4-12-20.

Last Sat. we played euchre with Rick and Corinne and Walter was able to play on his own. All he needs is a card holder. WOW!!! Yesterday he played checkers with Marsha and beat her 2X. Marsha is pretty happy about that!! He gets so chatty at night now I have to say "stop talking". What a difference from pure ephasia just months ago!! He is also on a diet as his weight has jumped to probably 180 lbs from 138. He still wants two sandwiches for lunch and he is pretty unhappy to see one sandwich on his plate.He is getting a new brace for his foot and the therapist says that should help him walk. It will be great to get rid of that big, clunky brace. That is the update for now.

As the therapist says GO WALTER GO.

Progress!

PATTY SAYS; I RECEIVED A VERY EXCITING CALL YESTERDAY FROM WALTER. HE WAS AT THERAPY WITH HIS BROTHER AND CALLED TO SAY THAT "HE HAD WALKED 4 STEPS." THIS REALLY MADE MY DAY AND EVERYONE AT THERAPY! IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS HIS PROGRESS HAS SOARED!! WE ARE DEFINITELY AT THE BEST LEVEL SINCE HIS ACCIDENT!! I REALLY THINK THAT IT IS DO TO THE CONSTANT SUPPORT OF OUR FRIENDS. THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO BE THERE FOR US AND I AM INDEBTED TO THEM. ALSO OUR FAMILY, OF COURSE.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT WALTER BY YOUR VISITS AND PHONE CALLS. WE ARE TRULY ON OUR WAY!!

Birthday boy!

By way of update, my dad celebrated his 57th birthday over the weekend with some Genny Cream, chocolate cake, and the Super Bowl. Any (Rochester) man's ideal celebration, right? My mom made him a big dinner and he opened his presents himself and read all of his cards aloud. It probably wasn't the wildest birthday of his life but he seemed to enjoy himself!

Thanks for checking in!

2009

Patty says: Happy New Year to the walt-watchers!!! Walter is doing wonderful. We actually have conversations. This past week has been amazing. For example: Brian went to the Sabres game Friday night and on Sat. am. after reading the sports page Walter said to Brian "On page 3 there is an article about the Sabres." 10 words all in English and his short term memory was working well. Also, we have been watching the weather and he noticed that the highs for Thurs and Friday were 12 and 10 and then when they were lowered to 5 and 7. He said " they have lowered those temperatures". He continues to amaze me with his progress.

He is starting therapy again 2 days a week. I do not plan on stopping therapy this time. I will have to pay $220 an hour but if I stop he will be bedridden forever.

Please continue to pray that he will walk again.

Thanks again to Walter's friends for their dedication!! I am sure that you guys are part of his recovery. He loves going out for his beers and burgers. He always remembers who was there and what he had on his burger.

Thanks to Geno and Marsha for Walter's brain work and Tippy for his dedication to his brother. I could not do what I am doing without Tippy and Brian. Thanks to my neighbor Hugh for doing my driveway. Thanks Joe for fixing my toilet. Thanks for all the phone calls and visits.

Life is a journey and we never know where it will take us. But Walter is going back up and we will all get him there with our love and care.