Wednesday, December 17...NOW it's the two-step

e Another day, another step, and everyone’s excited! Kelly, Dad’s therapist, greeted Mom as she got to the hospital at lunch time and said that Dad took TWO steps this morning! Again, they are controlled by the therapist and her spotter, but she said that dad had much better balance than yesterday and that he is standing up out of the wheelchair with minimal assistance. The occupational therapist joined in their conversation and said she worked him hard today as well, so he was ready for a lunch break. Mom took him a tuna salad sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheese soup from Panera Bread, and she said that he ate the entire half of sandwich and half of the broccoli cheese soup and then said, “that’s pretty good stuff!” She then helped him get shaved and his teeth brushed, and just as he was about to nod off for a few good winks, she told him she had to leave to go back to work and he had to go back out into the hallway where they would come and get him for his speech therapy. Dad wasn’t too thrilled about that idea, and as mom began pushing his wheelchair, he grabbed onto the wall and said he wasn’t going anywhere. Mom told him that as long as he only had one strong side, she would most likely win this battle, and he told her “maybe so … for now!” I may be wrong, but I think those are “fightin’ words” and we are all up for the challenge if Dad is! Tonight was Mom’s bunko night, and we think she deserved an outing, so Dave and I were in charge of our patient. When Dave and I arrived at the hospital this evening, Dad was up and talkative. I asked him how dinner was and he said "okay" and then I asked him if he was still hungry and he told me he was. Dad then told me that he wanted enchiladas so I went to Tony's to get him what he wanted. When I arrived back at the hospital, Danny Thomason had stopped by to visit with Dad and talk about hunting...always a favorite topic of discussion with Dad. After Dad finished eating, we got Dad ready for bed and let him get some rest. We are going back to the hospital tomorrow afternoon to learn how to transfer Dad so he will be able to come home for a few hours on Christmas Day!