Which do you want first?

Personally, I prefer having my bad news first so that the good news kind of makes up for it and leaves you on a happy note.

The bad news: My mother is in the hospital (and unfortunately for us not the same hospital as Dad). She is under observation for her knee pain and a severe UTI. We are still working hard to get her the right help so that she will not have to come home until she is well enough. (If any of you would like more information on Mom, please e-mail me or leave a comment here.)

Unfortunately, this is really effecting Dad's mood and focus. (With any brain injury, the patient is likely to be much more emotional than previously and less able to cope well with strong emotions...and this is a lot to cope with.) Several of the nurses have noted that he's not his usual cheerful self. It's tough to see him so down, especially when he needs all his fighting strength.

The good news: Dad's catheter is OUT!! He is tube and wire free for the first time since December 3rd! AND this morning he WALKED to the bathroom! He needed a hand up from the nurse and then was able to use his walker the 8-9 feet into the bathroom!!

He is getting so much stronger in his legs and is sitting/standing better and better. I had a nice long chat with his occupational therapist and she told me he is using his utensils better at mealtimes. She is so pleased with his progress in so many ways, but she really sees a difference in his vision.

My dear friend Emmy (she's a doctor of physical therapy) came and hung out with us some today. Because Dad's PT team is mainly focused on getting him mobile, Emmy wanted to help him work on his left arm. He's still having trouble trusting it enough to use it, and Em explained that after so much lack of use the muscles have likely shortened, thus causing a limit in his range of motion. Dad worked really hard on some exercises with her and he told her she really helped him. One great thing she explained to us is how long it takes to get back muscle tone. I think it helped Dad to understand why he is still pretty weak, even though he has the ability and coordination to do the activities of therapy. I love my Emmy. She makes everything easy to understand! :)

Thanks to all those who are able to stop by and visit. We appreciate the time you take to make Dad feel loved. (If I could just make a quick PSA, please, please announce who you are when you come in the room. It's sooo frustrating to play "guess who I am." End of PSA.)