Dave's in LA!!

So, on behalf of the blog originators (wendy, thanks; amy, we'll see you soon; & sharon: you are not a jinx... get over it.), the updating has fallen on me. I'm sure you'll be back in the ladies' capable keystrokes soon enough, but until then, you got me.

A bunch has happened since the last post. The reason no one has posted is because it's tough to type with your fingers crossed. Dave's track record of "one step up and two steps back" is noted, but he seems to be holding his own now (knock knock).

Dave's now in beautiful downtown LA!

That's Lake Ariel, to you and me. And yes, it is a "nursing" facility, but you need to understand that while Dave is so much better than he was two months ago, he cannot endure the three hours of physical therapy a day that Good Shepherd maintains. Also, this place has PT, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy (retarded, sez Dave), and an on-staff doctor.

Lemme 'splain. PT, OT, and ST meet with Dave for an hour apiece pretty much five days a week. Speech evaluates (speech, duh) but also swallow function as well. Dave has been eating three meals a day since he arrived at Brighten, although food is either soft or ground to be soft. Sharon told me that they are going to try solid meat (steak!?) soon.

The hole from Dave's trach is all but closed; his speech is coming back really well. Dave is being patient with us when we can't understand him, and he's more understandable daily.

Sorry this post isn't longer. The progress is "baby steps" at this point, but they are all stepping the right direction for now. Dave is more aware of life as he misses it and asks about you all from time to time. We will try to keep this as up-to-date as possible; please post comments when you can.

sorry about chocolate pudding. there is something as too much of a good thing.

wendy & amy: tell jinxy it's OK.