Tuesday, August 2nd

Mary has reached the point in her recovery that "no news is good news," and there is not always something to update at the end of each day. So we may not post something every single day from this point on, but we will continue to give frequent updates on her status as she progresses and improves. So if you check back and there's nothing new...no news is good news! Here is what Mary has been up to the past couple of days: lots of physical therapy!! She has wound care every morning, which is where her skin grafts are checked and her bandages are changed. She is doing a lot of this on her own now, but she is stil far from being able to take care of it on her own. She has physical therapy every morning and afternoon, and this entails lots of stretching and bending and is quite uncomfortable and even painful at times. But her physical therapists seem to be very positive and supportive, but at the same time they really push her to her limits. In general, Mary is hesitant about trying new things (like walking without her cane, which they made her do today). She is convinced that she can't do it, but once she tries it and succeeds, then she will no longer struggle with that particular thing. She was also able to check another major "to do" item off her list today, but standing up and sitting down on her own. That is one of the things that she needs to master before she can be released from the hospital. So...check! Way to go Mary! Also on the list, walking without a cane or walker. Check! Now, rather than give you the false idea that she is cruising up and down the halls of the hospital, I should mention that she is still not able to stand with her back straight, and when she walks her knees are not bending. So it's more of a hobble than a walk, similar to the walk of a 90 year old woman (no offense if you're a 90 year old woman). But her walk will continue to improve, just as it has so far. I can hardly even imagine her walking, frankly, since when I was with her 5 days ago she wasn't even been able to put weight on her legs. The human body really is amazing. Mary had a low point yesterday, where she was really ready to be out of the hospital. She feels like she is doing her best every day, but sometimes gets the impression from her doctor that she is not improving as quickly as they would like. But her physical therapist reassured her today that they aren't measuring her against "other people," but rather against herself. And as long as she is improving, they are happy. No official word yet on when she will be released, but it sounds like they will want her to stay near the hospital for a few days afterward. So I know that many of you are wondering when she will be coming home (so am I!), but we just don't know yet. As soon as we know...you'll know!!

Another funny drug-induced quote: "If my nephew Tyler was here I would ask him if he wanted to go steal that boat and go hide somewhere to eat it in secret...and he'd say yes!"