He is the hub of the wheel

Apparently, Tiger Woods announced that he is coming out of hiding to play in the Masters. It is rumored that he will come out with a bang. (I had some other dirty jokes written in here but Lonnie thought I was pushing the envelope too much. Let me know if you want them sent to you or just check out the websites listed at the bottom.)

Why the reference to Tiger...simple...I thought it would be funny....no particular reason.

But, speaking of rehab, we can now seque to Dad. During the care meeting on Wednesday, the word rehab was actually used. Yeah! We have been waiting to hear that for months!

Dad has made a lot of progress. Neurologically he is functioning at a C5 level (according to ASIA) and has a little C6. Those muscles can be strengthened and hopefully enhance pronation of his arms. Neck strengthening exercises will also be added and massage can help with the tightening and soreness. His skin sore has improved greatly and it is almost certain that he will not have to have surgery.

There were some minor setbacks with the weaning off the ventilator but Dad is working his way back up to most of the day off the support. He can now comfortably go 14-16 hours without the vent. He has good voice production and Dr. Shu says his voice quality will improve. Dr. Hsu also said that Dad is a "wonderful patient...it is easy to manage your care and then discuss it

with you." Thank you, Dr. Hsu!

Jenny from OT reported that they have worked, and will continue to do so, with Dad in the transportation lab, the tech lab, and the positioning clinic. The prescription has been written

for his wheelchair and it has been ordered. Mary from PT has been working with Dad on

stretching exercise and pain management. Now that his wound is healing, he can be more

active. She wants to start him on a standing program in the therapy room and he will soon be able to participate in pool therapy. Christine, from nursing, Jenny, and Mary all agree that education, for both Dad and Mom, is crucial to ongoing rehab. After all, they will be going home in the next few months! Again, for lack of a better word, YIPPEE!

Dr. Houston, the psychologist working with Dad, Mom, and in reality, everyone else in the family, explained it best when he said Dad "is the hub of the wheel. Everyone else in the family

are spokes." We are all impacted so it is crucial to pay attention to the entire wheel and getting everyone back to their respective roles in life, with Dad, as always, the hub.

With that being said...here are some pics of the hub and some of the spokes...

3 generations of Hawkeyes!

Jeremy, Jake, and Chrissy

Mom, Chrissy, and Jake in the therapy room

The Rosenfeld men

Wondering if you would like an e-mail when the blog is updated...if you would, simply send me an e-mail (syoder@mid-prairie.k12.ia.us) and put "add me to Dad's blog" in the subject box. I will then add you to a list and send out a note when I have updated.

Oh, by the way, ain't it great to be from Iowa. The Hawks won their 23 national title in wrestling and the Panthers from UNI beat #1 ranked Kansas and are now in the sweet 16 for the first time in history. Notice there is no mention of Iowa State....I was very selective in my alma maters!

Blessings to all! xxxoooetc.

Suz

*Tiger jokes: www.tigerwoodsjokes.org and www.dailycomedy.com/hottopic/Tiger_Woods

A tribute to Franklin D. Roosevelt

Considering that today is the 77th anniversary of the first of FDR's fireside chats, I thought I would rely on him to help write the post...

"There are many ways to go forward, but only one way of standing still." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

Considering that the Rosenfeld's are only going forward, this seemed like a great way to start today's post. Honestly, it was that or one from Dad's top 10 list..."smurf sex...screwing until your face turns blue."

FDR also said, "One thing is for sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment...If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify as we go along." Needless to say, what Dad does day after day is the best he knows at that moment. These last

few days have had their ups and downs and it seems there is always modifying. Dad had a routine procedure on Wednesday and although there were a couple of glitches, the end result is where it needs to be...another way of going forward. Andrew was in Denver to support Mom while she waited. Hospitals still haven't figured out it is those waiting who need the good drugs (milk of amnesia) as well as the patient. Mom just told me that she is so thankful Andrew was there...his caring, love, and support are so important to her.

Jake, Jeremy, and Chrissy got into town this late last night. I am sure Jake is having a great time running up and down the halls and basking in the sun on the bridge. Dad, Andrew, and Jer had time for some good talks before Andrew left. The next few days will be all about Zayde imparting his smurf wisdom on his grandson...G-d help them all!

The Jones' are heading west again on Wednesday. Elisa says the first trip was easier than they thought, thanks in part to the fact that the boys can hook their Playstation (X-box? Nintendo? Wii? Atari?) up to the TV in the van. Apparently the princess (Avery, not Elisa...well, okay, Elisa, too) sleeps most of the time which will prove to be perfect practice for her days of trying to ignore her brothers. And, yes, for the record, it had to be the Jones' who are already planning their second trip. That just leaves the rest of us trying to keep up with them. (Think a minute...a-ha...now you got it! :)

Amy and Sari are planning her visit on the 21st. I wish I could remember the name of the cab driver who took me to Craig, not leaving until he carried in my luggage and waited until he met Mom. I know Dad is looking forward to her visit and catching up on the news from Chi-town.

We Yoder's are hitching up our buggy and taking our turn over Easter weekend. The Deal's are next on the schedule in April. Max is looking forward to sharing his new board book, Barack Obama 101, with his Zayde.

I don't know who needs the trips more, the kids or adults. Andrew sent us the picture of Mom and Dad yesterday and Alison and I both teared up. Alison assured me that they were happy tears. We can't explain the feeling seeing the real Zayde again, complete with his NCIS hat and Harry Potter glasses.

Hey, we can't forget the past visitors. Rob Tully was out a few weeks ago doing some cigar bonding without the cigars. Dad's cousin, Harvey, stopped for a few hours while he was passing through Denver last weekend and again, catching up was the only thing on the agenda.

I truly believe it is those visits, and the many more to come from other friends and family, that help the healing process more than anything. It is family, friendship, love, prayers, and laughter that have always been Dad's priorities. To quote FDR once more, "Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force." It is certain that Dad's spiritual force can rival the greatest of men.

Good night to all...and remember, "when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." Yep, you guessed it, FDR again.

xxxooo etc.

suz

P.S. I almost forgot...Mom passed her test (yes, a real 10-page test) and is now able to take Dad out of the hospital. They can't go on actual field trips yet as his time in the chair is still limited. However, tomorrow he will be able to go outside and to her apartment. They are both looking forward to the quiet time with just the two of them, without the hustle and bustle of the clinic.