Wednesday, July 16, 2008

WHEW!!!! After the last eight months and all the trials and tribulations, I did it---made it through my 60th birthday!!! It was a good day yesterday, with a very nice surprise party here at the hospital. The family group social worker/psychologist arranged for a huge cake and everyone attended; nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers, families, and patients. I enjoyed myself tremendously. Then Mark, Jess and I went out to dinner with our Fisher House family and we had a good time all over again. We missed Rich, Pete and Deb, but it was great to have so many good new friends to share the day with. I want to thank all of you who sent cards, messages, emails, etc. I was overwhelmed. Sorry I haven't yet been able to get back to all of you that I missed during the day, but I will get to you sooner or later, I promise.

Today Mark had a "therapy" outing for most of the day. The rec, speech, and physical therapists took a group of the patients to a nearby mall for the day. They took family members as well, but they were encouraged to go off on their own and let the therapists evaluate the guys mingling with the population in the mall on their own. Mark did well, but was exhausted when he got back. Jess went with him and I went off on my own to visit my good friend, Olga, who wanted to celebrate my birthday with me and then had dinner with my aunt, Norma, who lives in the same town as Olga.

All in all, it was a busy two days, and a fun break in the regular weekday routine.