Monday, January 5, 2009

Well, all good things must come to an end, so today we go back to reality. Mark and Jess left on Saturday after two glorious weeks for us, and I hope, for them. Mark really enjoyed having all his favorite foods and sweets and it will be interesting to see how much weight he has gained during his visit. Jess loved Strongsville and the area, loved meeting Mark's friends, and even enjoyed the snow.

They left from Cleveland with very nice assistance from TSA and the USO. We were met by the Duty Manager for TSA and he escorted us to the Continental counter and we were given security passes so that we could accompany Mark and Jess to the gate. Continental was extremely helpful and had upgraded their seats to first class for the return trip also. Mark was welcomed by the pilot when he arrived and they had a nice discussion about Aviano, where this pilot had been based while in the Air Force.

They returned to the Fisher House and this morning Mark was readmitted to the hospital. He had the day off from therapy to unpack and get resettled. While they were doing this, they came to hook up his television set. He turned it on and to quote him, " I looked up and saw my ugly mug on the screen." The episode of The American Veteran that featured Mark was airing on the Pentagon Channel. You can view it at the link below, just click on the Lokomat episode:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/amervet/index.asp

The story turned out very well and the doctor featured is Dr. Steven Scott, who is the director of the Poly Trauma Rehabilitation Unit and is Mark's doctor. I think I have said before that he is a wonderful man whose ministry in life is getting these young men back to where they were before their injuries.

We think our fifteen minutes of fame, that stretched to forty-five, are finally over and we promise not to bore you any longer!