Marty's Page: Tuesday, April 13

On this day in 1863, the first orthopedic hospital, The Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, opened in New York. Dad was NOT on staff there but it was the best segue I could make to this post this early in the morning.

Things in Denver are really going well. As I said before, Dad has been off the ventilator completely for about 10 days now....yippee! He is still getting oxygen through a trach but it is primarily to help him through the new allergies he is developing in Colorado. He did have his trach changed out for a much smaller and sleeker model...little steps!

Each Friday afternoon, his schedule is hung for the next week. This was his schedule for last week...

As you can see, his days are pretty busy and now that he is able to be in his chair for longer and longer time periods, this schedule will continue to get more full with OT, PT, Tetra classes, rec activities, tech lab (he got a new phone and bluetooth), transportation lab, and a little something called "Chase Theresa" which we aren't really too sure about. Mom is doing a lot of the driving (again, because of the stuffy nose) and I noticed they are usually late. I think she is having problems with the fact that there are not passing periods like in high school!

Dad, as usual, is working his way into the hearts of all the staff. Below is a picture of Megan as she is helping him transfer back into bed. Yes, he is biting her and yes, she is laughing. The two of them take turns singing to each other "M-m-m my M-m-m-Megan" and "M-m-m my M-m-m Marty" to the tune of My Sharona! It's great to see both Dad and Mom smiling as this process continues on.

Below is a picture of Dad's old roommate Erik and his "husband" (they have promised to come to Iowa to get married! :) Ty. Ty took it upon himself one day to demonstrate how the lift works and allowed Mom to practice. This is a great picture!

Since it has a weight limit of 300 pounds, Alison decided she would try it out...Ringling Brothers has already contacted her.

Mom and Dad were invited by Craig's board of directors to come to their next meeting and share their experiences and thoughts with them...what clout! :) On Friday, they are looking at two modified vans and deciding which to order (we all know Dad loves shopping for cars!) They have also decided what type of puppy to get when they come home, but are still debating about her name.

Sheldon and Beth Ohringer, friends from Des Moines, stopped by for a visit last week. Sheldon was on the board at Tifereth Israel with Dad and Mom said it was "a beautiful and warm visit."

Below are some more pictures from our trip. Dad's cousins (Tom, Donna, and Lauren) also visited while we were there.

Here are some more pictures of Jake, Jeremy and Chrissy's little man, as he worked out in the therapy room a few weeks ago.

I know it is getting hard for them as new friends are getting ready to go home, Craig and Jackie are leaving tomorrow and Erik and Ty leave later this month. But, I also know they have formed lasting friendships with people who can honestly say, "I know how you feel." I am sure the wine (in coffee cups) and conversations will last long after they have gone home...on Dad's new phone!