Talk about time flying: (along with Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz)

• It’s a year and a half since the “great tornado” of Salt Lake City (August 11th, 1999).
• t’s almost a full year (December 23rd) since Pat has been at home.
• We have had our first major road trip (vacation).
• 14-month eval review the week of November 5th at Craig Hospital.
• Healing is a miracle but slow work

Yes, time has gone very fast; even though Pat feels her progress with rehab is going very slow. On occasion we need to stop and review the small things we have accomplished. It is disheartening at times to be reminded that a serious brain injury, which causes apraxia and aphasia, is such a slow healer. Good news is the aphasia is almost gone. It is overwhelming to feel the joy as to see the lasting improvements that come through slow healing.

In Mid October we took some time off from therapy for a two-week vacation. We started in Utah and spent a couple days with the Huffman’s as we visited the University of Utah Hospital and the gang. No Pat did not remember any of them, however it is always rewarding for the staff to see the results of their hard work walk through the doors. From Salt Lake we proceeded on to Gooding, Idaho where we visited the Kraatz’s on their hunting and fishing ranch. Upon returning to Denver after 8 days we flew out to Minneapolis to visit, Pat’s mother and relatives.

The first of November we headed back to Craig Hospital to see Dr. Wientraub and the therapy team. We spent a full week with them testing. The results - “keep doing what ever you’re doing, it seems to be working”. They were all very excited about Pat’s progress in the short time. The prescription for this coming year - the same as the past year.

• Singing on Wednesday with the pastor from our church.
• Hippo or horse therapy twice a week
• Workout twice a week at the Gym and swim
• Ready, Paint, Fire (painting ceramics)
• Piano - I am playing Christmas songs now - love it - love it
• SKIING - I have gone 3 days already and I am looking forward to the next trip when I can use my new Volant skis
• Of course I still attend Speech and Occupational therapy regularly during the week.

As Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz finally got her wish/miracle to return home, it would appear that Pat is also a part of an unbelievable miracle and is slowly returning herself.

Slow, but steady the miracle of healing continues and we remain grateful for the gift of “TIME & FRIENDS” the good Lord has given us both.