Progress is very good

Since the last posting so much has taken place.  I was in the hospital for 9 days and then transferred to the rehab hospital for another 12 days.  It is amazing how quickly things can change and how much learning must take place to get back to normal.  Everyday little miracles took place, from being able to move myself in bed or to roll onto my side was hugh accomplishments.  Then two hands to hold the electric toothbrush, being able to stand up with my platform walker and walk to the hallway door and back to bed was such an accomplishment that it almost required a celebration.

Melody stayed with me every minute she didn't have a preschool class, including all night on the couch bed that was in my room.  There are not enough words of appreciation for the care she gave to me.  She definitely earn a bunch of feather for her already busy angle wings.

I was moved to the rehab hospital and there the work of learning how to return to regular life began.  First how to get in and out of bed without help.  To get my socks on (a very interesting project to accomplish with basically no hands. It can be done)  Moving about in the platform walker and a wheel chair when I was not in work out sessions.  I got pretty good and using my feet and legs to move about in the wheel chair.

I soon discovered that we were on a points system, and every time you had to have help with your straw or opening a milk or juice carton, or bing feed you lost points.  Supper motivation to see how soon I could get by without help.  It almost seem like I was not grateful, but I was determined to do everything possible on my own.  After 5 days I was able to get an escape from jail pass and attend Sacrament meeting and help bless Miss Callie Bell.  We had a great family dinner after church at our house and they had to call from the hospital and remind me to please return ( we were only three hours late)  But it was really good to be home and with all of the family that had traveled to see us.  This was supposed to be our departing sacrament meeting day and get together.

Made good progress over the next two weeks so when I left the hospital I had a wheelchair and the platform walker.  I was planning on staying in the basement apartment that walks out into our backyard, but even though it was supposed to be handicap accessible the bathroom door was too small for either the walker or the wheel chair.  So I settled in upstairs and everytime Melody wanted to watch a movie(TV downstairs) she would make me walk with the walker out the front door to the sidewalk and around to the side entrance to the back yard and into the house.  I think there was a devious plan but it worked to get me lots of exercise.

It was great to have a welcoming committee 

No matter what goes wrong, work will always be waiting your return

As of today I am able to care for myself from dressing, showering, shaving, combing my hair, getting my socks and shoes on and tied, Driving and doing everything that does not require much strength from the wrists.  Walking to church and back, operating the backhoe, driving to Arizona and Utah after materials,(so far with out any major problems.  I have completed the kidney stone surgery and recovery with lots of gravel being discharged. Oh what a feeling.