Day 37 - February 13

     Dr. "Chip" has approved a day pass for the Sunday. Stephanie is excited and has asked to go to church, which we will. We have contacted Klint and Nancy Cummings and we will accompany them (and their van) to Hyde Park Baptist Church (we visited with them last week as well). [Klint is a retired Austin Fire Department Battalion Chief and a member of the Baptist Men's Disaster Relief Fellowship. He and his wife, Nancy, are a true blessing and we greatly enjoy their company.]
     Wednesday night Stephanie had a visit from a litter of puppies. A nurse at the Center is giving them away. It was good not only for Stephanie, but also for another patient. This patient was one of the first shot in Iraq last year -- the puppy was the first stimuli he has responded to since his admission last spring. The Lord created animals for a purpose, didn't He?
      Stephanie's speech therapist is yet another Christian in the long list of believers God has sent our way since day one. She has pledged to make Stephanie work...to push her and see how far her brain will stretch. Of course, a speech therapist doesn't work on just the "talk" but also vocabulary, comprehension, reasoning, and so much more.
      On Thursday Stephanie proudly prepared herself for her shower. The nurse had gone next door and Stephanie decided not to wait. She did the whole thing - getting supplies, transferring out of her bed and wheeling around, undressing 90% - all without "touching the floor" (remember from past emails she is on a non-weight-bearing restriction on both legs until April 1).
      Thursday afternoon Stephanie did venture out to have her back brace adjusted. The van was full of patients, so Bill wasn't able to travel with her, but he followed in his truck. They were able to flare the lower part of the brace and take pressure off her hip incisions, add cushion to the back to reduce the friction on her spinal incision, and trim the top-front so she isn't getting choked each time she sits up. She is very happy with the modified fit and says it is very comfortable. Dr. Chip also ordered a different wheelchair for her that has a different seat cushion and it has helped with the tailbone/sacrum discomfort that she has been having.
      Thursday night there was a Valentine's party in the Bluebonnet unit. Bill was there and apparently there is an incriminating Polaroid floating around now with Stephanie "dancing" - maybe "being danced" is more a appropriate term - with one of therapists in her wheel chair. She had a good time and it was good for her to get out of her room and socialize. The party was wrapped up with a visit from Randy Reister, which Steph truly enjoyed.
      Sleeping and eating are still significant concerns, as are pain management and patience. We try very hard to focus on the here and now as talk of the future causes all of us to be restless and antsy. The road is still very long, that is why it is especially important for us to take it One Day At A Time.
      Heather, Robert and Megan are driving back to Austin this afternoon and will return Monday evening (there is no school Monday). Robert hasn't seen Stephanie since before the accident and he is very excited. Bill remains in Austin and likely will until March, when he will also begin commuting. Please pray for traveling mercies as it is 335 miles one way.
      Thank you, all, for your prayers and intercessions. You are all wonderful and may His grace be with you. We love you all.
Bill & Heather Adair