Catching up

First, the good news:  Alan had his peg (feeding) tube removed on July 27, and he had his last speech/swallowing therapy session today.  He still sounds very hoarse, but the therapist said that no more therapy was needed at this time--he has basically maxed out all she could do.  It is going to just take time to heal.  He has exercises to do each day to help.  He is sounding better every day, so we assume that over the next few months, he will continue to make progress.  His swallowing is so recovered that he can eat and drink almost anything he wants to. He is working on gaining back physical strength also.  We've been walking on the Greenbelt every day.  The section we do has a big hill, so it is definitely exercise.  We have worked up to about 3 1/2 miles, with more to come.

Last week, I went to Logan, Ohio for the annual sisters week with Rosemary.  Logan is near Hocking Hills State Park, which has lots of waterfalls. Rosemary lives in Pittsburgh, so we try to meet every year at a place that is fun to explore. It was a wonderful, relaxing time for me, especially given the stress of the last few months.  

Falls near Old Man's Cave

Rosemary at waterfall overlook

Cedar Falls

Ash Cave 

While I was gone, Charlotte stayed here with Alan, since he was getting his peg tube removed at the hospital.  Alan had great "sister" time, too.  On the last day she was here, this very large box appeared in the living room, with a sign to not open it until I returned.

Because Alan and I had our birthdays while Alan was in ICU, Charlotte decided that she was going to leave us a "birthday in a box."  Inside was a balloon that popped out, a delicious German chocolate cake, noisemakers, hats, confetti, and wonderful cards/gifts from Charlotte, Harry, Susie, Ed, Anna, and Bill.  We opened it as soon as I returned.  What a delightful, creative surprise it was!  The video is Charlotte testing it out at Bill and Anna's before bringing it over here.

The only bad news in this post is that Alan's dad had a heart attack and kidney stone attack a few days ago.  He has been in the hospital, and is being transferred to a rehab center this evening.  Susie has been here the last few days helping Anna care for Bill.  We all hope he gets his strength back soon, so he can go home.  Bill is 90 years old and very weak, so it will take time and much physical therapy, I am afraid.