Moving on up!

Hi to all - I have not visited Dustin since the last blog but wanted to let everyone know that he was moved to the progressive rehab unit. The usual is that you are there for 12 weeks working on your independence, going out into the community and practicing getting around, doing recreation therapy and getting driver certified. Dustin is on that course with an eye on the continued healing of the wound. The wound does limit what they can do on working on bed to chair transfers etc. as they cannot "slide" and practice as they do not want that wound to open up in any way.

Dustin is in in his new room and at this time it is a private room for which I am grateful. Nerina and her mom visited for the last few days after his move on Thursday and besides a fever and new antibiotics, he is doing fairly well. They have figured out that whenever he gets a fever , his pain level goes way up.

Dustin and Nerina met with the recreation therapist to go over activities that he likes. I think they were to meet yesterday and go to the library upstairs in the VA. As his "chair time" increases he will be going out to dinner, going to the zoo, sports games etc. Of course he will be going to the Army ball on June 13th with Nerina in full tux and dress. He seems really excited about that. Pray for all of the nursing staff as they will get them dressed and decked out. That should be a huge undertaking and I am certainly excited about having pictures.

Please pray as Dustin undergoes yet another swallowing test on Wed. If he passes, they will progress him to a regular diet and liquids!!!! I think the thing he wants the most is water. I finally was able to talk to the nurse today after many attempts and he is doing well. It sounds like he is up for a much longer period of time as they put him back to bed at 6pm which is the latest ever. He has physical therapy at 11am so perhaps he has been extended to be up for at least 6 hours.

Rick had his 59th birthday and we celebrated with our new stray dog that was adopted from the church grounds. NO - not just a mixed breed stray starved dog but a full bred Great Dane puppy that had every rib and bone sticking out. Well, I never have had a desire for a Great Dane but he looked like he would be one grateful dog if you would just feed him. I called Rick and he said if I could get him home, we could keep him. Now therein lies the problem. A starved dog who has no energy that needs to jump in the back of the truck. Fortunately we have a girl at work that has all the "farm" stuff in her truck and then another guy who came to lift him in the back. What started out as a great teaching at (Biblical insights to Food and Food Related Issues) ended up with this "farm" girl , an anorexic Great Dane and old pepperoni to tempt it in the back of the truck. Well I certainly know how to get out of going to Walmart for my husband's birthday present!?!?!?! (I hate to shop especially at Walmart which is the only store in town) I mean "Buckwheat" is the perfect gift for Rick.....the first dog he does not have to lean over and pet.

With that in mind, I better end this post. Lots of love, laughs and strength to help us through.

love
mary pat