Friday, Aug 28 - We've Come A Long Way Baby!

This week marked the 9-month anniversary of George's stroke, and he knew how to make it memorable!! Yesterday, for the first time ever, George got up from the kitchen table and walked to the den ALL BY HIMSELF ... meaning both unassisted and unescorted!! As many of you know, his walking has really improved and he has needed little help now for a few weeks except around corners, through doorways, or on/off the couch, etc. I think with September just a few days away, and hunting season lurking, he's decided to put some extra effort into his recovery. So yesterday, he and I were both finishing up lunch, when I got a business call. I stepped out of the kitchen into my office which is in the front of the house, and when I hung up 10 minutes later, I headed back to the kitchen to check on him. As I turned the corner, he wasn't there, and for a minute I thought, "Where did I leave him?!?" And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him sitting on the far end of the couch with a big ol' smile on his face! If any of the neighbors were out, I'm sure they thought we were having a party inside, because I started hooping and hollering, praising the Lord, and then Brady got all excited, and he started barking and running around with his squeaky toys! However, I think George got the biggest kick out of my excitement and wanted to "high five" me several times during my celebration! And then this morning, I had walked him into the bathroom and before I knew it, there he was coming back toward me down the hallway! I could hardly wait for his therapy appointments at MHKRH today so I could relay the good news to all of the therapists, aides and assistants who have worked so tirelessly in getting us to this point. In fact, I took cupcakes to sweeten the occasion! Paige and Jennifer, a PT student that has been also working with George for the last month, posed for a picture with him before they got started today, but don't let those smiles and cute faces fool you. They make George work really hard for the full hour they have him, and then Jennifer has to "recharge him" before they hand him over to Darrell for OT! Darrell has done a great job on George's right hand. Thanks to the use of pulleys, building blocks and peg boards, George is finally starting to use his hand more and more. In fact, over the weekend, I sat him at the table and had him cut up all of the veggies I use in my blackened fish tacos. I worried about him using a paring knife, but I kept a close eye on him (and band-aids handy!) and he did awesome! So, as you can see, we've had a really remarkable week on this 9-month anniversary.

I want to thank Mike Ligon for bringing over dinner last night and staying with George while we girls attended a church function. We are certainly blessed to have such wonderful friends and health professionals in our lives. We could not have made it through this very tumultuous time without all of you ... you're the best!!

On a much sadder note, George's "partner-in-crime" ... Charles Lee Luker ... lost his battle with lung cancer. The deer lease trips will never be the same, and George will miss their annual fishing trips to Port O'Connor the most. They were family, but they were also best friends. We look forward to being with family members on Tuesday in Victoria to share stories and memories at Charlie's memorial service.

Saturday, August 22 - All is Well!

We have good news to share ... Emily, our sweet, 13-year old granddaughter is home from Texas Children's Hospital and all is well! As many of you know, Emily was born with a heart defect, and she had open heart surgery before she was a year old. The doctors perform thorough tests every year, and after her check-up a few weeks ago, they saw some changes and decided they needed a closer look. They told Emily that they might put a stent in one of her arteries so her heart didn't have to work soo hard since one of her valves does not work properly. However, once they got the cameras inside, they didn't think the stent would be beneficial, and it might make it more difficult for the surgeons down the road when they have to replace her "broken" valve. So, after a very long day at Texas Children's Hospital on Thursday (where her mom, dad, grandpap, her "CiCi" and Lindsay & Dave kept her company), she got to come home that very same night ... with only an incision and sore groin area. And, the best news is that after 5 days of limited activity, she can continue to play volleyball and stay on the 8th grade cheerleading squad ... GO EMILY, WE LOVE YOU!!


On Wednesday evening, our good friend, Van Gilbert, came to stay with George so I could go play bunko! He and George ate dinner and then rooted the Astros on to victory! We met Van, and his wife Jo, when we all joined St. Peter's UMC many years ago. We both had daughters the same age, so they went through Sunday School together, and then they both became awesome volleyball players in high school, played club ball together, and then went on and played intramural volleyball together at Texas A&M. Amy just had an adorable baby boy, Evan, two months ago, so Van & Jo are experiencing the joys of being a grandparent. And they also have a very handsome younger son, James, flying for the Naval Air Force. (this picture was taken Christmas 2007; I just love a man in a uniform!). Congrats and God's blessings to the entire family!!