Sunday, July 15, 2007

First Half of July

This is a summary of the first half of the month of July.  I know that I said I would put the Epistle on hold for the time being, but so many little things are going on that I decided to write an update.

Rand has been doing puzzles galore!  He wants each one glued, not returned to the box.  There are stacks in his room and I don't know what to do with them as there is no place to display them - now what!?

Thuan became a US Citizen on July 5 and wore Rand's red, white and blue jacket on the big day.  Rand was so happy and proud of him!

July 14, Bastille Day, marked one year since Rand left the hospital for good.  He came "home" that day to the rainbow/Randbo banner from the Fisher School group and took up residence on Antigua Dr. on July 14, 2006.  Last night, returning from an outing with friends, I asked him if he wanted to come home for dessert.   He said no.  That was the first time ever that he has turned down an opportunity to come to the house.  I guess the transition to his new home is complete - this is no longer home to him.  I hate that.

He's watching his weight with that enormous will-power of his.  He chooses fresh fruit over candy, cookies and goodies every time.  I haven't seen a drop in pounds yet, but that will come.  His blood test results are the envy of all of us - cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. numbers are perfect.  His blood viscosity is still variable and the coumadin is adjusted every two weeks.

Rand's becoming a good solitaire player - when I'm there.  He won't try it on his own yet.  He misses some moves and doesn't see all the possibilities.

I've ordered a new lounge chair for him.  It is electric with separate controls for the back and the foot rest as well as a seat lift.  It is made by Zero Gravity and, again it is in blue.  The company is changing the controls to the left side for Rand so it should be here by Labor Day.  I think it will solve several problems that the current one creates such as being too low to get in and out of easily, letting him raise and lower his legs independently without waiting for help and eliminating the separate foot stool- another piece of furniture that gets in his way.  I am concerned about the electric seat lift as I see it as a safety issue - Rand doesn't know when to stop and I fear that he will go head over teacup as that feature catapults him up and out of the chair.  I'll have to figure something out.  His chair from home worked well until recently, but now he can transfer much easier except that he sits so low in the chair.  When he needed two people to help him stand up from the chair, it wasn't a problem.  Now it is.

We had company for a few days.  They are old friends and Rand loved seeing them and every minute spent with them.  While they were here we called another couple that we used to run around with and had a fun, funny six-way conversation.  The photo below was taken during that phone call.  You can see how Rand enjoyed hearing their voices and laughing at old memories!

This week Rand was a demo patient for Recovering Function - he was the only one and the instructor worked on him in front of the class.  Later this month he will again be a  demo patient for Recovering Function for eight days.   We are so fortunate to have him receive this extra therapy by the best of the best in the nation!

My latest resolution is to take a trip every month.  The trip might only be one day, but I will get out of town and have a change of scenery.  I find that I am rejuvenated, relaxed, and have new energy when I get away.  It is good for my soul as well as giving me something to look forward to. I have two July trips planned - one to an Indian casino out in the middle of nowhere!  It is a one day adventure and I will thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The other is to the Phoenix area to spend a couple of days with a friend whose husband died suddenly and unexpectedly this week.  I hope I can offer her some solace and insight - if not, I'll just be there.


Rand enjoying a phone call from far-away friends.

All is well - Keep Randbo close.

Love,
Connie

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