April 25, 2009

We are back in Strongsville with Mark for two whole weeks! It's great to have him home. He's been getting himself around the house with his walker, raiding the fridge, and just enjoying himself.

Rich's dad, Pete, arrived this morning from New Jersey for the first time in a number of years. He had not been able to see Mark since he was in Walter Reed due to Rich's mom's illness. He was so happy to see Mark looking so well and getting around so beautifully. Mark decided we needed brownies for their ice cream tonight, so he took on the task himself with some supervision from Grandpa. They are really enjoying themselves.

Peter was amazed at how much progress Mark has made with his walking. He is still having difficulty with his right ankle and we have made arrangements, at the request of his VA doctor, to have Mark get a consultation at the Cleveland Clinic. They would like to do a lengthening of his Achilles tendon to hopefully drop his heel to the ground when he walks. It is currently not striking the ground due to a number of reasons and all the strategies they have tried have not worked. Peter and his friend, Christy, helped arrange a consultation with an orthopedic specialist at the Clinic and then perhaps with a foot and ankle specialist. Keep your fingers crossed that they will come up with some solution. In the meantime, Mark's doctor in Florida is checking into specialists in the Tampa area (not just the VA) who might be able to help. It could set him back about six weeks, but in the scheme of things, that might not be so bad if it helps in the long run and he would be able to walk with just a cane. We will keep everyone posted!

April 19, 2009

So What If You Were In "Caddy Shack?"

Okay all, since I haven't gotten off my bum and haven't put a post in here for some time, allow me to try and entertain you with my most recent shenanigans (I hope that's how you spell it).

Today has been a wonderful, sunny, breezy south Floridian spring afternoon. Last night there were tentative plans to go to the Tampa aquarium, and plans to head to the Outback Restaurants Pro-Am Golf Tournament. We were told the golf tournament had VIP seats for us right along the 18th green, and we were promised a visit from actor/comedian Bill Murray.

We arrived at the course, and were quickly escorted to the grandstands next to the 18th green as promised. We watched as group after group played the hole, and finished their round. After a few hours of watching the other golfers play, Bill Murray came walking down the 18th fairway, wearing a pair of over-sized, novelty sunglasses. He played the remainder of the hole, and when he was finished for the day, he walked over to where our group from the hospital was seated.

He walked up to each of us, shook our hands, and chatted with each person for a while. Many of us got the biggest kick out of him when he was talking to Ivonne as she was attempting to hold AJ still. He walked up to each of us, and spoke to us individually. You can't imagine how tough it was to contain all the stored Caddy Shack lines and jokes.

After Bill Murray left us, we were visited by NBC news anchor, Stone Phillips. When Mr. Phillips came to us, he sat down with each vet, and spoke to each one of us. He has probably been the most sincere celebrity to visit with us. He made a point to ask each of us what had happened, and what the outlook for each of us was going to be. After close to a half an hour, he had to say his goodbyes to us, and left.

And just think, I was going to be a couch potato today. Good thing I took the other option.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Things have been going well for Mark. His vision has improved with the new glasses and he sees the eye specialist again this week. He has been walking to all his therapies within his building, and there has been improvement the more he does it. He was actually cleared to walk alone from room to room which was a big step (pun intended)!

He has been granted leave to come and visit for a couple of weeks here at home. I will be going to Florida to escort him home. Mark's best friend, PJ, will be commissioned a second lieutenant on May 2nd and has asked Mark to be his "first salute" which is a tradition in an Army commissioning ceremony. Mark was delighted to do it, and we are anxious to attend the ceremony at the University of Dayton.

We've included a photo that was taken at the golf tournament a week ago that was shot by one of the professional photographers and then forwarded on to the VA for the guys. Obviously it shows Tiger Woods and in the background are the VA patients, employees, and military that attended. As you can see, someone we all know and love was right in front in the royal blue shirt. For those of you golf fanatics out there, it was shot on the 9th green I'm told.