April 14, 2005
Update #19
Greeting from Sunny Arizona!!

I write you today from Barrow Neurological where Dad is in one of his daily OT sessions. He is doing great! It wasn’t so long ago when he could hardly tolerate therapies because of his pain and spasms. He is not free from either, however they have substantially decreased and are somewhat manageable. Today he works with two and three pound ankle weights on his arms, striving for some recovery. We have returned to Barrow for his PT as they have purchased a new Ergys Machine (a pedal bike) since their admittance of their old bikes inadequacies. Our schedule remains the same as the last update except for the added natural herbs Dad has to drink…God Bless Him…they are the nastiest smelling and tasting things you’ve ever come across (sorry Master Shaw). He holds his breath, drinks it three times a day and chases it with apple juiceJ

March proved to be a very busy month with a holiday, activities, visitors and all the daily rituals. I’ve decided to start taking pictures of visitors, I apologize I didn’t start this process sooner as so many of you have stopped by and are not posted on the website. I guess that means you’ll have to visit again!

We are starting to venture out more with Dad in “tow”. He and Mom spend at least three evenings a week at either my or Lisa’s house. It’s a great change of pace and scenery for both of them not to mention it’s easier with our kids in their own domain!

We had the most incredible outing, we cannot thank The Chandler Family enough for jump-starting Dads “want” for getting out more. Their son Lt. Col Mike Chandler (our hometown boy) is the “Commander” of the Thunderbirds. Only 26 other men have held this position (maybe they’ll get a woman in their somedayJ), we are proud. He gave our family and especially Dad the VIP/Royal Treatment (in fact The Chandlers, who see him perform all over the US, said they have never had it THAT good!). We were escorted on to Luke Air Force Bases tarmac, passing by a huge fleet of fighter planes loaded and ready to go. Suddenly I saw Dads and my husbands chests get puffy!! When they seated us in front of 125,000 screaming fans, realizing we were the only people out there other than military, we knew something special was going on. The Commander of Luke visited and welcomed Dad, giving him a special commemorative coin. After the Thunderbirds performance and autograph session (these T-Birds are like rock stars) Mike brought over the entire team of 12 to acknowledge our presence. He presented Dad with an autographed poster and the flag he flew in his F15 that day. (See pictures in the “Photo Album”). It proved to be an overwhelmingly emotional day, we felt blessed to be alive, to be Americans, to be free and to be the recipients of such kindness. Thank you to Nancy and Bob Peters for all their love and support that day too!

It seems like a holiday always passes during updates. Easter was fun with the grandkids excited about the Easter Egg Hunt and the Easter Bunny. We attended our Arizona church, La Casa De Cristo Lutheran, a first for Dad since arriving. It will now be on most of Dad’s Sunday schedules. We spent the rest of the day at Lisa’s; we had a gorgeous day and much to be thankful for!!

Mom is doing so much better. She had hormone pellets (Bio Identical Matching) inserted in her hip, it has made a HUGE difference in her sleeping, anxieties, coping skills etc…we would be glad to give any of you (men or women) info on it. We are sending Mom home to Iowa for a week after Mothers Day. Its time for her to get a little dose of her home, friends and take a little break from her “new normal”.

I have posted 21 of our latest pictures on the website in the “Photo Album”, here’s the run down:

#1-Jody “Physical Therapist” & Dads Irritating College Buddy “Georgie”
#2-Dad hard at work w/ Tove (Pronounced “Tova”) –his Occupational Therapist
#3-Tove and her sweet smirk-she gives Dad a hard time, we love it!
#4-Master Shaw-Master Acupuncturist and Shaolin Monk
#5-Dad at his in home OT table
#6-The Thunderbirds @ Luke Air Force Base
#7-Lt. Col. Mike Chandler presenting Dad
#8-Our crew with the Base Commander
#9-Best friends from college, George & Mickey “The Saint” Douglas, Lander, WY
#10-Tom &Carol LeBeau Hamilton, Coronado, CA
#11-Jeff & Jeanne Weinland, Columbus, OH
#12-Kahlil & Mimi Kingsbury, Santa Fe, NM (left)
Parke & Marlene Behn, Cedar Falls, IA (right)
#13-Dick & Jean Dobson, Denver, IA/Tucson, AZ
#14-The ‘other’ Glen Henry family…Jake, Sandy, Glen, Cameron(rt), Cedar Falls, IA
#15-The Dream Team
#16-Bob & Rosemary Beach, Cedar Falls, IA
#17-Dad w/his sisters Faye, Carlsbad, CA (left) & Maggie, Rock Springs, WY (rt)
#18-Dad w/ nephew (Maggie’s son) Shannon Riley, Rock Springs, WY
#19-Easter Sunday
#20-Bullet & Karen @ Lisa’s House, Easter
#21-Lori, Taylor, Bob, Gregg,, Jackson & Lisa

We hope all of you are doing well, we would love to hear from you on the website “Send a Thought”.

Thank you for your continued prayers, your efforts to visit, phone calls and your love, it’s inspiring.

The Dream Team (Lori)