Feeling Good, Looking Good

Dad went out for a haircut yesterday. He's doing tons of Physical Therapy work to strengthen and stretch. He's feeling much more like him sled as evidenced by his interest in tinkering projects around the house. He's taught me to change the air filters, wind and set the clocks, repair the cat scratching post and light the pilot light on the gas fireplace. IF ONLY I'd taken him up on his offer to let me follow him around when I was a kid, I'd know how to do EVERYTHING!

He got the absolute royal treatment from the Westen grandkids this week: a cheer ("gimme an M, gimme an I, gimme a K, gimme an E") and a fantastic rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!"

The Note Fairy Visited Again

During Grandaddy's nap today, another note appeared. It says:

You are well today.

Love,

Note Fairy

Heather's Here Again!

Heather (a.k.a. Auntie Roo) arrived yesterday from Austin. She's seeing enormous changes in Dad since she was last here just 11 days ago!

Working on a kiwi crate with Grandaddy & Olivia (thank you Auntie M & Uncle J!):

A Great Correction!

To quote Dr. Goldsmith immediately after the 9+ hour surgery, it's a "great correction!"

The internal after (left) and before (right):

The Man Himself: The Notorious D.R.G!

What can we say? We LOVE this guy! In addition to changing lives, Dr. Goldsmith continues to impress us with his humility and compassion. It's one thing to be highly skilled (some say gifted) and it's another thing altogether to also be a regular guy with feelings, a sense of humor and not an ounce of arrogance!

Quote of the day from Dr. G about Dad's progress: "You are where I want you to be."

Midnight Snack etc.

Last night when Dad got a bit stiff in bed, we went for a walk around the house at 3:00am. As we circled the kitchen, he said, "is that chocolate cake ..." We stopped for a midnight snack - Dad had Diane Westen's Texas sheet cake and I had Lucy Boyd's peach cobbler. YUM! And a sure sign that Dad is feeling much more like himself.

Today is Dad's first outing - we're at Starbucks at the moment before we visit with Dr. Goldsmith for the first post-rehab follow up. The drive to DC (potholes and all) was a piece of cake for Dad today as compared to the excruciatingly uncomfortable commute the morning of the surgery. What a difference a few weeks (and a highly skilled surgeon) makes!

Thriving!

Dad is thriving (and is VERY busy!) with visits, well-wishes, delicious meals and excellent at-home physical therapy! He awoke from a nap the other day to find this note from the medical fairy. It says "He is well. He is well."

The only slow in his roll is the continued low blood pressure and high heart rate. Once those are under control, there will clearly be no stopping him!

There's No Place Like Home!

What a great homecoming! Dad is sleeping well, eating better and enjoying visits and delicious dinners from friends in the neighborhood and church.

Simba took only a day-and-a-half to forgive Dad for being away from home for so long:

Happy Valentine's Day:

Olivia helps Grandaddy with Physical Therapy exercises:

Jiggity Jig!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

So great to have Dad home and to arrive to a party atmosphere with Gary, Peggy, Bill and Paul! 

He looks like himself a decade ago! Pictured here with Simba.

A Family Affair

It's been really joyful hearing so many kind words and blessings from the Sibley Rehab staff about our family. So many nurses and technicians have told us in such heartfelt ways that seeing our family here with Dad around the clock day after day, week after week has touched them. They apparently don't see that very often - most families pop in for a visit, drop off some flowers then head out. I completely understand that - life is very busy and for many families, it's not possible to be away from work and children. We're very fortunate that we've been able to make this work for us - there is no doubt in my mind that having family advocacy every second of every day has greatly informed, guided and improved Dad's recovery which has progressed so strongly thus far. 

Pictured at Zach's 2014 high school graduation!

Showing off!

This won't be the norm yet when Dad gets home tomorrow, but here's a glimpse into a future phase when he'll be walking upright with only a cane!

Pictured with Cindy, his wonderful Physical Therapist. These two have had some very emotional moments together, especially the first time she stood him up in front of a full length mirror!

He will have a lot of restrictions the next several months to keep the new spine perfectly straight while the marrow and stem cells (always vote yes for stem cells!) fuse everything back together. Dad's progressing quickly now - taking showers, etc. and had his first pain-free full night's sleep last night.

The staples come out of his back today!

Going Home Friday!

True to form, Dad is ahead of schedule!  He's going home on Friday (a week ahead of his Physical Therapist's original estimate and a day ahead of his own goal)!

He just had an EKG, the results of which the cardiologist described as "very youthful." Now he's got the spine to match the rest of his fountain-of-youth countenance!

Message from Mike and Diane

Dearest Friends & Family, 

     Mike is overwhelmed with joy by the loving support you show him each day. Your cards, visits, emails, texts and blog comments mean EVERYTHING to him. He wants me to tell you that he's sorry that he is not acknowledging them himself, but he takes them all to heart. His primary job is to work hard each day to become stronger and to meet his therapy goals set by his incredible PT and OT team. He thinks of all of you every day and thanks God for your presence in his life. We both send our love to all of you.

       Mike & Diane xo

Driving Mister Daisy!

Occupational Therapy is so much fun!

Reminds us of when Dad taught me how to drive 31 years ago!

Taking Care of Business!

And lookin' good!

Visitors from the Neighborhood!

Dad loved visits from Rosa and Harvey, Diane and Bill!

Taller than all of us now!

Photo op today - photos taken by Dr. Snow, Dad's attending physician :-)

Granddaughters Day!

Ashley (all the way from Texas!) and Olivia spent the day with Dad yesterday! 

Dad's goal is to go home next Saturday the 13th! His Physical Therapist is on board to help him reach that goal. With Ashley spotting him, Dad went up and down a big staircase yesterday, walked a bunch (including with only a cane!) and got a hall pass so that the family can walk with him anytime he wants to go for a stroll. He (and we) continues to marvel that his new spine is even a possibility. 

Sharp dressed man

Guess who dressed himself today, socks and all?

Keep on truckin'

Dad had a solid day yesterday - he walked the length of several football fields and he was so fast that Mom and I had to hustle to keep up! 

Last night, Dad asked for the blanket that our dear family friend (and my 2nd & 3rd grade teacher!) Marsha knitted for the occasion. Thank you, Auntie M!

Today Dad's going to start wearing street clothes because that's how SuperMan rolls ...

Glowing Report

Dr. Goldsmith visited this morning and said it's very unusual for anyone to be on such a mild pain management regimen after this surgery and he said it's an indication of how very strong Dad is. He loves the big "before" and "now" photos we have on Dad's wall :-)

Dad's primary job for now is to WALK!

Thanks to the kids of St. M's!

Dad's "heal" loop from the children at St. Margaret's has been with him all along during the hospital/rehab process!

Rehab Selfie & Youngest Visitor

Before and During

You've heard of "before" and "after" photos. Well here are "before" and "during" photos of Dad.

He's moved into Rehab now and he's had an *awesome* string of roommates (first Amy and now me!).

"Before:" On the left with Marcus at Brittany and Levi's October wedding. 

"During:" On the right with Olivia today!!

Some Sunday Visits

Dad's schedule of therapy is quite rigorous so he's very busy and also quite exhausted by the end of his "work" day.

We know that visits will be wonderful for him and for Mom (personally, I feel that he has a LOT to show off!) and we want to manage visits carefully to be sure we don't wear him out and cause any setbacks.

So ... while he is in Rehab for the next few weeks, we are inviting visitors on Sundays! If you would like to visit, please text Mom to make arrangements. And no pressure at all to visit - totally optional and there will also be plenty of time for visits (and maybe some nice walks) once he's back home.