Day Seventy Six

Tuesday February 17th

I woke up several times during the night and was awake at 4:15 again. Don was awake too and needed to go to the restroom. I got Don covered back up and resting in his recliner but I never did go back to sleep. Home health called to say that they would be visiting today. Unfortunately is was only another assessment. Just in case I haven't mentioned it, Don may not qualify for home health services because we are taking him to therapy at the center. They did change the agency for home health but I am not sure that it is going to make a difference. Don called as he was Donnie Lee was taking him to therapy. They were starting at the YMCA for the aquatic therapy first. Donnie Lee left Don with the therapist and the therapist was going to take Don to the center (which is next door). Don really enjoyed the aquatic therapy. Don's OT was still out sick so someone else did his routine with him. When I arrived he was still doing e-stim. We left a little after 4:00 and his case manager from the insurance called to update me on what was in progress on their behalf. She said that the home health agency would be getting in touch with them to let the insurance know what Don qualified for. She also said that she had contacted a transport service and would be getting back with me on that as well. Kristi arrived home shortly after we did and fixed our supper again. While waiting on supper, I gathered all of the cards that Don received while in the hospital. He read a lot of them and was so touched. Donnie Lee wasn't there for supper but Don said he is really enjoying having meals at the table again as a family. After supper, Kristi gave Don a manicure and a pedicure. He really needs a spa pedicure. He has so much dry skin and his feet are still so swollen. Donnie Lee goes back to work tomorrow. My mom will be coming to stay with Don when Donnie Lee leaves for work.

Don has asked that I type a message from him on today's entry. He wants everyone to know how thankful he is for everything! Each and every prayer, card, e-mail, visit, meal, comment on the blog & gift of every type is greatly appreciated. You may never know how much it means. The smallest gesture to you may be the biggest blessing to us. I want to take this time to say that I may failed to thank you personally for things that you have done. But please know that it wasn't intentional and again it meant the world to us.

Please keep praying for all of us. This is another turn on Don's road to recovery and we are experiencing "ups", "downs" and even some "pot holes" at times. I told someone today that I felt bad to even ask for another prayer for anything, but I need prayer so much for myself right now and I know that Don needs it too!

Day Seventy Five

February 16th
I didn't sleep well at all last night. I was up every few hours. I woke up at 4:00 and Don was awake. He was trying to get repositioned so I went to the living room to help him. I never did go back to sleep and got up a little after 5:00 to go to work. Donnie Lee was off today and stayed with his dad. He helped his dad to get dressed and then took him to Lowe's for a "field trip" as they call it. They saw several friends at Lowe's and Don sounded very positive about the trip. Donnie Lee took him to therapy at the center. Don's OT was out sick so he pretty much just did his routine of exercises with no "extras". He then went to PT and the supervisor worked on Don's leg measuring and assessing it. He said that she really worked his leg over. He was very tired when I went to pick him up at 4:00. He said he would start aquatic therapy on Tuesday and was very excited about that. We stopped by the grocery store to pick up something for supper. Kristi called and said she was on her way over. She and her dad made spaghetti for supper. Donnie Lee came home and we all sat at the table for dinner. After dinner I continued to get things together for the both us for Tuesday and doing laundry. I finally sat down a little before 9:00 and the next thing I knew Kristi was leaving to go to her home. Don slept in his recliner again.

Day Seventy Four

Sunday February 15th
I got up at 7:30 and had to wake Don up to get ready for church. We ate breakfast and then I got Don dressed. I then got ready for church. Kristi came over and we left about 10:15. 15 minutes short of 3 hours with no time wasted and we were finally on our way. After church we came home and I put the chicken in the oven and then got Don's clothes changed. Our neighbor supplied the rest of the meal with items she brought over yesterday. It was very good. Don had another one of his "moments" as he calls them, of being very sad and crying. Our friend that built the ramp for Don built a platform to attach to the bottom of Don's recliner. This allows Don to get in and out of his chair better and he is able to sit more comfortably. Don's parents came by about 3:00 and stayed until about 5:00. We then went to Wal-Mart to pick up some things we would need for the rest of the week. We picked up pizza and headed home about 7:30. Donnie was home from work and we spent the rest of the evening together. After preparing for the both of us for Monday I finally got in the bed sometime after 10:00. Don decided that he would be sleeping in his recliner because he just couldn't get comfortable in the guest bed.