Sunday September 30

Well I noticed a strange thing this week, I have felt my stress level come down a notch.  Its the combination of a stable well-cared for routine for Donna, no major decisions to be made for her and some preoccupation on my part (primarily in the form of work).  There are still plenty of future issues that I still anguish a bit over but that will be the case till all is well.  I think the bottom line is what I have told some of the people who have graciously allowed me to bend their ear; while Donna has a good way to go, she has crossed a minimum threshold that confirms for me that we will have a good life together.  I didn't really know the stress was there but now that we have passed that point, I feel a good bit of relief.

Donna is good.  While physically her therapy remains modest, the healing in her head is noticeable.  Her awareness and clarity grows and our conversations get richer.  She still struggles with very short term memory but even that is improving a bit.  Her speech is still not quite normal but the clarity and engagement of it keep getting better.  I have so enjoyed the conversations we have had over the last few days.

With Donna's honeymoon/evaluation period in Galveston now over, I'll be talking with them early this week how we step up the aggressive nature of some of her therapy.  We like everything at this facility but we want a more focused, personally targeted approach.  I'm optimistic we will get there with them.

Donna had a great weekend.  We came to the medical center on saturday and did our now standard nap, cook, visit and laugh experience.  Today we had a shopping experience for some things for her.  It was great to finally get her involved; way too much pressure with me having to buy her things.  We had a pizza lunch, watched the Texans football game and then topped it off with an afternoon yogurt and later a dinner at IHOP.   I so enjoyed her company and she smiled a lot.  We continue to strive for something that looks like a normal life.  We have to take it a little at a time.

I wanted to take a minute to thank those people who have helped so much in tangible ways, as well as, those that have been such an outstanding listening support to me.  As I thought this weekend about our journey,  I realize that all of the support and well wishes have been great but the tangible help and the listening has sustained us.   I hesitate to think where we would be now without the help.  I know I would never have been able to do it without you.  A very sincere thank you.

As we were leaving IHOP, the cashier asked me if Donna (who was still sitting at the table) was my wife.  I told her yes and she said that she couldn't help but notice the love.  I had to smile.  I had no idea it showed.

I'll try to keep the blog going twice a week for those of you who really want to hear of Donna's status.  Things get so routine that at times it is hard to ensure I have something meaningful to say.  if the note is short, that will be the reason.

Regards
Bob