On Cloud 9

Last night was the first night Susan had with the couch. The following morning she reported having slept really well on it. Indeed the chair has rightfully earned the name the Coma Couch, and thus it will be named so. Not only is the couch astoundingly comfy, it’s much easier to rise from when Susan needs to. In fact, when she had to make her nocturnal visits to el bano at the wee hours of the night, she did so with absolutely no assistance from either Doug or me. Three times in the night – which included rising from the sofa on her own, doing her business, and returning to the sofa, then situating herself, and falling back to sleep without hailing her father or her husband for help. THAT is a huge triumph for somebody who hasn’t had that type of independence for quite some time.

After lunch Susan had the urge to visit the front patio. Doug and I went ahead of her while she carefully attempted the feat. You don’t need me to tell you what happened next. You can guess it. She stepped out there on her own. Well, Doug did hold onto her arm, but that was more for reassurance and not so much for support. Then she tried returning to the living room from the patio on her much weaker foot. No problem, she did it. She came back out and went back inside. As she demonstrated, her legs are becoming stronger. The little leg exercises she learned from the therapist and Susan’s own recipe for stamina that she practices daily is giving her strength.

Susan and me on the patio. She seems awfully proud of herself. I know I am - proud of her, that is.

We couldn't resist a congratulatory kiss.

Velma , the therapist arrived today. She was impressed with Susan’s new variation of a technique that Velma showed her a couple of days ago. Susan was originally taught how to move her legs in a marching fashion while sitting down. Well, Susan had to up it with an adaptation of it: She marched around the house – from living room, down the hall, to the kitchen and back. Velma was pleased.

Since Susan is standing up longer, Velma gave her additional exercises to work on her legs. At the end, she massaged Susan’s “tick hand” and arm and scheduled for another visit for tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Here we have Susan and Velma. The Therapist is massaging Susan's troubled arm. In no time Susan should get full use of her right arm.

As I was prepping dinner, I answered a knock at the door and a delivery person was there with what looked like a bouquet for Susan. A large balloon was attached to it that said “Thinking of You.” It was a bouquet of fresh fruit cut into shape of flowers – pineapples, grapes, melons, strawberries, and chocolate covered apple slices.

Here is how the gift looked before it was unwrapped, balloon and all. Hey, it's blocking my view of the TV!

A closer view of the bouqet of flower-shaped fruits.

The lovely gift was from Susan’s long-time friend Deb Haas. In case you’re not familiar what Deb is doing for Susan, Deb and Kari Wells are planning to do the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, which benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund in Dallas on November 7th (if I have the date right). They formed the Captain Susan’s Pirates team. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the walk is a 60 mile journey, and it’s no easy task for anybody to take. Susan is blessed with such friends to do this for her.

Okay, here's another photo of Susan having unwrapped the gift from Deb. She can't wait to dig into the orangutan food.

Here's a more subdued Susan posing with the bouquet and balloon.

If there was ever a time to feel blessed during these trying times, we do. We have great families, great friends, and great doctors working together, praying together, and doing things that I thought I’d never see happen. Thank you for all the blessings. May it return to you a thousand fold.

Ray