Bob and Sharon's Summer So Far!

Our First Out of State Trip!

Customize a free picture collage

Dear Friends,
I know! It's been forever since I've updated the Bob blog so I have lots to tell. First, my retirement from 30 years in public education became official on July 2, whoo-hoo, and I've enjoyed every minute home. Bob and I are together now so that I don't worry as much.
     So what's happened since our last post? Well, here goes:

Living the Dream!

• Bob was discharged from 1 year and 3 months of therapy at Loma Linda and Shadi went home after spending the school year to work with Bob at home. He'll return for "tune-ups" but the name of the game now is home therapy. 
• Bob started his personalized workout circuit designed by PT Summer. We go to the LLUMC Drayson Center several times a week where Bob uses the recumbent bikes and machines to strengthen his leg and arm, walks laps in the pool (without his cane), and we walk the hills and dales of our neighborhood (when it isn't scorchingly hot). 
• Cathy, Bob's daughter, came home for Father's Day and we went to the Kimberly-Crest Mansion for brunch and a garden walk.
• We've started taking weekly field trips. So far, we've gone to the movies, to the Music Center to see South Pacific, San Clemente, Dos Lagos Mall, and San Manuel Casino to test Bob's gambling skills (after tutoring from ex-student Kirk and Terri Taco). Bob won $152 playing 21. Whew! It's quite a show with my three senior citizens in tow. HA!
• We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. The years have flown! 
• Last week, we flew to Oregon to visit the "out-laws". Our first "big trip" was a success--no mishaps. There, we hiked Lithia Park, went to The Lake of Woods resort where we "camped" and communed with nature and Terri Taco and Buck. Bob said the highlight was "driving the boat". 

Bob & Cathy - Happy Father's Day!



Happy Landing!

• 
  
• We recognize that Bob's recovery is our life's and we're grateful for every day. We celebrate every little miracle and I'm learning to live for the moment--in the now. I continue to be in awe of Bob and his commitment to recovery. I marvel at his patience, goodwill, positive attitude, and kindness in spite of his injuries. Walking requires major energy and effort and talking is still hard but somehow we communicate. I just love, love, love him!

Well, I think that's enough for today. I'll try to do better in keeping you posted of Bob's progress. Take care and keep those prayers and good thoughts coming our way. We need and appreciate them.

Love,
Sharon

Bob's Relay for Life!

This free digital collage customized with Smilebox

Support Bob in the Relay for Life!

Dear Friends and Family,  

     On Saturday, May 1, 2010, Bob and I are taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®, to celebrate the one-year milestone of Bob’s stroke recovery. We are also walking in honor of our brother in-law, Jeff Hinkley, a cancer survivor whose passion for life, unconditional love, and daily support has been a huge force in Bob’s recovery.

     We’re walking with Team ESS (my work team) and we’re hoping you will help us raise $1000 (or at least $500 each). Bob has been training at the Loma Linda Rehab Center and we plan to beat his personal best of 18 minutes. Whew!  We’d love to have you watch and cheer Bob on if you have time, but if you don’t, just donate money! Here’s the link to Bob’s personal donation page:   http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10CA?px=15524387&pg=personal&fr_id=20534

Every step is one more step towards Bob’s full recovery and we’re helping others as well. We’re so grateful for all of your love and support. Please visit Bob’s personal web page to make a secure, tax-deductible online donation. Every dollar matters! 

Thank you in advance for your donation and we will keep you updated on our progress. We love you!

Warmly,

Sharon and Bob

Bob and Sharon's Spring Break!

Create your own digital collage

Dear Friends and Family,
Boo-hoo! Spring break is over! Although we didn't go anywhere exotic, I took the week off and had a wonderful time just being with the Bob. I got to witness Bob's miraculous recovery in progress at Loma Linda Outpatient Rehab and my, oh, my, he and this angel therapists are truly something to watch in action. Here are Bob's latest miracles:

• Treadmill walking 17 minutes @ 2.3-2.5 mph
• Relearning how to do Sudoku (which he used to do everyday B.S.)
• Bench pressing his cane @ 2 sets of 20 with minimal assistance barely touching his right elbow)
• Shaking hands with everyone - lots of practice with activating his right arm and hand
• Missing only 4 on the Boston Naming Test (he had to name items with minimal cueing and Cynthia said that she was supposed to stop when he missed 6 but he never got past 4) and they were uncommon things. He was a man on fire in speech and Cynthia said he did "impressively very well". 
• Getting his weekly Friday massage from newest angel, massage therapist, Irene 

It was so beautiful so we got to have sun time at the park where we ate frozen yogurt and read his novel aloud together. I go back to work and will miss him but it's almost June! Retirement is scary - I can't imagine not going to work every day but I am so looking forward to focusing on Bob's recovery. 


That's it for now! Take care and much love,


Sharon   (Bob's biggest fan) 

Happy Easter, Bob, and Other Miracles!

Create your own free picture collage

Dear Family and Friends,

Can you believe that we've been in the trenches for over eleven months? And we're still here! Whoo-hoo! We wish you the best this Easter!

We spent the day with family at Sonia and Jeff's just kicking back, eating a lot of food, and watching The Blind Side. The big excitement came when the 7.2 Mexicali earthquake shook the earth but we kept right on eating and saying, "We're having an earthquake."

Jeanie was our Bobwatcher while Shadi's in Korea with Bill. Although we LOVE Shadi's support, Bob is enjoying Jeanie's attention immensely. Jeanie is the quietest and calmest of the four sisters and Bob is a quiet man so it's a good combination. Besides, she's a super cook (like Shadi, who makes Bob "dang good" meals).  Jeanie is also a "Healing Touch" certified and gives him massages so life with Jeanie is pretty good.

Jeanie said that she's amazed at Bob's progress and determination in therapy. His miracles during her watch were: (1) flexing his hand back and up and (2) walking 10 minutes at 2.5 mph on the treadmill, singing "Margaritaville"! The Walk-Aide is jolting Bob to lift his knee, foot, and toes so that his gait will continue to improve. If only there was a similar device that could help him with his speech. We just work patiently at it and pray for lots of improvements every day.


Well, I'd better get to bed. Happy Easter, all!

Warmly,

Sharon

Happy Spring! Sharon & Bob Sing! And March Miracle #727!

This ecard customized with Smilebox

Dear Friends and Family,
Can you believe that it's the last weekend in March? Bob is enjoying March Madness and I'm trying to avoid working on taxes (which used to be Bob's job). I used to go garden and find projects while he worked on them and now I can't wait until he can help me with this tedious task.

Bob is getting stronger and more engaged every day. Shadi has him folding clothes, clearing the table, and picking up after himself. Next, he'll be unloading and loading the dishwasher and washing machine like he used to. I like it! I really like when Toddi wants to kiss him, and kiss him, and kiss him, and kiss him. He's getting better at saying, "No Toddi" but his voice is very soft so I don't think she takes him seriously. She loves her some Bob!

In the last blog, I told you that Shadi and Bill donated the very expensive computerized Walk Aide that sends electric stimuli to his leg muscles so that he picks up his knee and foot when he walks. Well, the Loma Linda business office went to bat for us and guess what? They got our insurance to pay for it after all! YEAH! Miracle after miracle happens! So I asked Bill and Shadi if they'd like to donate to my retirement wardrobe foundation and they said NOT! By the way, Bill arrived from Brazil a few days ago and will take Shadi back to Korea with him for a few weeks, but she'll return in mid-April ! My middle sister, Jeanie, will "Bobwatch" next week and I'll take my spring break the following week, and then Shadi will be back (or Bob and I will be heading to Korea after her. HA!) Time is flying.

Well, I'd better get back on task. Take care, dear friends. Thanks for keeping us in prayer. Pray for Bob's full recovery and especially for the return of his speech and language! He needs practice so please call him or visit!

Much love,

Sharon

See Bob Walk! See Bob Be Extraordinary!

This free digital scrapbook created with Smilebox

Dear Friends,
I wanted you to see the extraordinary progress Bob has made over the last few months. Bob's angels, Lisa, Rachelle, Cynthia, and Shadi help his neurons click, fire, and find new pathways every day, and because of them and Bob's commitment to recover, he's made big gains over the year. Click on the smilebox to start and wait for it to load. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We need EVERY single one of them. Take care!

Warmly,

Sharon