2013 The Year of New Beginnings!

Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!

To start the year off, Denny moved into a new sub-acute rehab facility in Alameda. He arrived yesterday afternoon, and had a great day today. An auspicious beginning!

His new room has a courtyard view, and his bed is on the window side. Last night when he began to get restless, they used that energy to good effect by getting him up in his chair and rolling him to the nurses' station. There he was able to sit with another night owl and watch the goings on. This is the first time anyone has tried this method to deal with his restlessness, and it seems like a good one. In fact, he is already getting a lot of attention from the nurses and staff. The respiratory therapist even volunteered to cut his hair -- it had been almost 6 months and it was getting long (sorry, Glenda, he couldn't wait, though he did ask me to call you the other day). He was thrilled with his new haircut.

In every other facility it usually takes several days to a week before they evaluate him and start him on his therapy regime again. Here, the physical therapist came in on his first day and did an evaluation. He talked with Dad and Mom about their goals and Dad's previous therapy. The occupational therapist also came in and did 45 minutes of OT! Once again, we are hopeful that things will continue in such a positive and professional manner.

Before he left the Kentwood facility, Dad enjoyed a number of special holiday visitors. All three of his kids, Cathleen, Christine, and Kevin, were able to be with him before Christmas. And after Christmas, he enjoyed the beautiful weather as his visitors took him outside for walks along Corte Madera Creek. His sister, Cathy, and Ron Maher came down and visited him last Saturday. While on New Years' Eve day he took his longest walk yet, down to the estuary of the creek and the bay. He was joined by three of his four grandchildren, Cecilia, Lincoln, and Ila. They enjoyed rides with Grandpa and throwing rocks in the water. He was in fine form, identifying birds for us and even attempting to throw a rock in the water himself.

As we happily bid 2012 adieu, we are reminded of the silver lining of the past five months: the realization that we have been blessed by being part of an amazing community of friends and relatives. We are also thankful for those medical professionals who did their best for Dad, and didn't give up on him. And we are once again grateful for Dad's determination and strength (another way to put that is his Irish stubbornness!) And we can't thank Mom enough for being by Dad's side to be his advocate, fighting for him against the less helpful people we've encountered along the way.

We hope that you and yours have a happy and healthy 2013!