One happy camper.

Today is a new day of hope. Dad was very alert and excited to see us when we got here. He, of course, had already talked to his doctors and had discussed his current condition and the plan for the next couple of days. BLESS HIM! Ha. We sat back and chatted with him to make sure he passed his swallowing test. He did! So he had some delicious thickened apple juice, ice chips, milk, and tried some grits, but they didnt taste so good. Leave it to my Dad to go 9 days without eating real food and then pass on some grits. Ha we have laughed already. He was in good spirits and looking forward to the plans for the day. After he had some good breakfast and they sat him up in his bed (which turns into a chair! COOL) he was ready to get shaved and cleaned up. We decided to let Mom be in charge of that! :) The next goal of today is to get him WALKING. Just to his chair in his room, but hey thats still out of bed! He is, of course, already ready to do that. We have spent the last 9 days learning some serious patience, now it is his turn!
More to come when he passes each test. He is one determined little fellow.

I must say how extremely fortunate we have been in this situation. While I would never have wished for something like this to happen I feel so very blessed by your constant concern for my dad's health and your support of my family. On that same note we have been so lucky to have the Tuttle's here with us and we are so pleased with the progress of sweet baby heath! I did get to go visit him yesterday after he had almost a whole cup of applesauce!! (He hasnt had real food in a month!) It has been nice to have friends like you who have been ready at a moments notice to help us in any way. It has opened my eyes to the community of friends and family that my dad has created. He, as you must know, is a very special person. And 10 days ago he would have dropped anything to help any of you and it has been so nice to see that you would do the same for him. So I can complain all I want about small town Burlington, but on thing is for damn sure. Burlington is a family. No matter our differences we are always willing to help one another out. (Of course as soon as we are all healthy we can go back to talking about each other ;) ) Thus far we have heard from over 400 families who were concerned with my Dad's health. I am so very proud to be the daughter of such a well respected and cared for man. Mom told him yesterday how proud we were of his progress and how hard he has worked to get his body back to recovery. I just felt his arms and muscles. Its astounding how much strength that man has.
I must also say that the care we have received at Duke has been phenomenal to say the least. The nurses, doctors, and staff have been so very kind. Every nurse has checked in on him at any chance they had. (He is the most popular patient on the hall :) ) Probably because he is so darn cute, and funny as heck. He has been a big flirt with the nurses. BUT, he did tell Mom yesterday that she was the prettiest woman he had ever met, so he isn't too stupid. His doctors have been very thorough and optomistic about his health. It is very refreshing. And while it absolutely kills me to say this. I will never say another bad thing about Duke. While I won't exactly consider myself a fan (I am a Carolina girl at heart.) I believe that Duke and I will have a mutual respect for one another. They have brought my daddy back so I really cant complain.
I wish you all a very happy new year! It will certainly be a new year for us, full of changes and progress. Our family new years resolution will be to take care of ourselves because we still have many years of life and love to live. Oh what a good feeling this new year brings. :)
So today I am one happy camper... Long road ahead, but we are up for the challenge.
One day soon when I get a chance I will post all the funny things he has said, but the best thing he has said yet was yesterday. The nurse commented on what a funny/weird family we were. Dad said, "Yeah we are joke around, but we also look out for each other." What a great statement. We fight, talk about each other, laugh, complain about what TV show we are watching, disagree on politics, disagree on lots, but we are family first and foremost and while it might be ok for us to yell disagree and talk about each other, it is certainly not ok for anyone else to do so!! ha :) We have more love between the four of us than many people know in a lifetime and I am so so SO thankful for all of the above. We are crazy. but I love it.
So today begins our long road home. But we have each other and the strength we share together. We also have you and the strength you have given us over the past 9 days. We know we can count on you all for anything and believe me as soon as the time comes expect those phones to be ringing!! Today the doctors said we still have to keep his visitation to just me mom and lawson, but as soon as he gets sick of us and the doctors say its ok I will let you all know!
Enjoy your new years day!!!
LOVEYOUMEANIT!!!
BB