Happy Anniversary, Bob!

Dearest Bob,
Happy 24th anniversary! To celebrate this special day, we started out by singing "Happy Anniversary to Us" on our way to your therapies. Although June 25th is a special day for us, it also marked the passing of two icons we grew up with: Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. How weird that you would "moonwalk" (walk backwards) just a few days before. Anyways, we were too tired to go celebrate but Jeff brought a barbeque dinner over and celebrated with us.
You've had some fun and challenges in the past week or so . . . let's see:
1) Linda B. and Justin came to visit with you from Texas. You were so anxious to see them because of your language but they were wonderful! Jeanie and Robin fixed dinner and then we all talked one at a time (hard for me) so that you could follow our conversation. Linda and Justin took the pressure off and shared about their lives and work and you were sooooo happy! AND you toasted them by telling them "Not upset. So glad you came to see me."
2) Nancy, Jeff, Sonia, Chad, Shadi, and my folks came to dinner last Sunday and we set ground rules again about not talking over each other, no side conversations, speaking slowly, and stopping and allowing you to speak when you were ready. OMG! You were amazing! You told us, in your own words, what it's like to try to speak when you can't capture words; that you see language and think in pictures and words, depending on the situation; that you think in sentences and paragraphs, not individual words but then you can't catch the word; that you can read but not word for word; that you can't spell individual words; that you see the whole page and have to put in context. You gave your opinion of mixing pulpit and politics when the table talk was about religion and politics. You were incredible! And then, when you were exhausted, you said, "No more tonight!" And then didn't talk the next day at all except to say "Yes and No".
3) You spoke with your long-lost and newly found brother in Minnesota and sister up north. They were wonderfully patient as you struggled to respond to their sharing with you.
4) PT and OT have been incredible! Dr. S had you on the pilates reformer to strengthen your legs! I wanted to push you off and stick my legs in there but it's only for patients and no offense, I don't really want to become a patient in order to use your equipment.
5) You walked on a walker OUTSIDE of PT. Dr. S said that you were ready to use the walker around the house and in and out of therapy treatments so you've been using the walker. (Except when we shower because we don't want you to slip.) It's exhausting, I know, but the more we practice, the greater the stamina. On the way home from therapy today, I suggested that we practice walking in Lowes, Staples, Stater Bros since they're air-conditioned, level floors, and have wide aisles. You kind of sneered at me but I think it's a pretty good idea, myself. So get ready!
6) Speech is still your hardest therapy, but you are improving - as imperceptible as it is to you and me! We will just work at it and pray alot. AND we know that everyone else is praying, too!
7) Socorro brought you holy water from Lourdes Grotto (St. Bernardette) for you. So, look at all of the miracles!
8) Kiyomi saw you on Saturday, her second visit since your first week in the hospital. She cried from joy at the physical changes in you! She was so worried! You hugged her tightly, as if to say, "don't worry, I'm going to be all right!" And she kept saying, "Oh Bobbu-san, I so happy you look so good!" Well yes! When you think that two months ago you couldn't hold your head up or keep your eyes open and well, you do look so much better now.

9) You are learning to stand on your own without support - learning to trust that your right leg will support you. Dr. Summer says that's what rehab is all about: remembering and relearning what your body already knows AND learning new paths for that which was lost. But she has total faith in you and so do I, Bob! So trust your right side, Bob! Keep putting weight on it! ! Rachelle, your OT, says that your right biceps are beginning to kick in and she's pretty excited that your arm will come back. She said it comes in sequence so your hand will be the last to kick in but she's very hopeful, too! I just LOVE your little angels! And they can't be older than 30! Remarkable!

I love you, Bob! Keep working hard!