Sunday, April 6, 2008

Today was rainy, so the three of us spent a quiet day. One of the ladies at the Fisher House organized a dinner for all the guys on the PolyTrauma Unit and several of the other husbands of women staying here. We cooked a couple of hams, as well as the rest of the "fixings". We literally carted it up to the hospital and set the dinner up in the day room. It was fun for the patients, family and nurses. The guys then had a visit from the LSU women's basketball team cheerleaders. Their team is playing tonight in the semi-final NCAA championship here in Tampa. They were adorable and when then heard Mark was an OSU fan they took a picture with him that they say they will put on their website.

Yesterday was beautiful and Mark attended the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. The patients were invited by Sam Schmidt to his "Day at the Races". He is a former Indy car driver who was paralyzed in a crash and has a foundation. They invite veterans and other paralysis patients to a special party to watch the grand prix races around the country. Mark went with his nurse Victor and they had a "guys day out". Victor is a former Air Force Major as well as a nurse and he and Mark had a really good time.

Of course, that made our boy a little sleepy this morning, but he did wake up in time to attend church here at the chapel. He has become friends with the Catholic chaplain and the lay ministers because they deliver communion to him every day. Frankly, I am grateful that he still has such a strong faith and that it helps him through all of this.