July 07, 2005
Update #20
A Long Overdue Update on “Glen/Coach/Bullet” & Karen

We hope this update finds everyone happy and healthy and that your summer is going great! It’s a hot one here in the desert, we finally hit the100’s mid June and have held steady ever since. We are not far from the fires (12-15 miles north of us), some days you can definitely smell them outside.

We are fast approaching the one-year mark since Mom and Dads accident. Sometimes it feels like time has flown by so quickly, I remember that dreaded phone call on July 24th, 2004 like it was yesterday and other times it feels like this is how life has always been. Whatever way we feel on any given day, we do what ever it takes to get the job done. (I think that was just “coach” talking).

I last updated in April and as usual a few holidays have passed. Both Memorial Day and The Fourth of July were spent at one of us kids homes with pool parties, good food and fun. We have been venturing out a lot more with Dad to restaurants, movies, dinner parties etc…he’s finally feeling up to it.

His Condition: He still has spasms on a daily basis, not anything like he used to, they seem to be less painful. His ability to do for himself hasn’t changed but he is making progress on arm movement. He has feeling in his biceps and part of his triceps. He can feel on his right arm into the elbow and just last week he could feel a pull in his forearms during stretching (THAT’S NEW)! We love NEW feelings!! He holds his head up perfectly and can turn to the right and left ever so slightly, much improved from before when he could only look straightforward. He is constantly working on something, trying to give it his all in the areas where he has a little control (his neck/shoulders). We understand he is at the mercy of his spine and no matter how hard he works or how many hours he puts in its all up to “his spine” to decide, if and when, it will heal. They tell us he needs to get to 18-24 months before he has more answers, what a waiting game. He has been really fortunate in that he hasn’t been sick with anything else. People in his condition seem to experience a lot of respitory problems and bedsores, which he has been free of since his arrival from the Mayo Clinic. (Must be that great care he’s receiving along with the great shape he was in pre-accident). He is currently trying to learn to operate his chair with a hand control. He can’t feel his hands or lift them up, YET, so someone places his hand on the control and he will have to rely on watching rather than feel for operation. He has mobile arm supports attached to his chair that act like a robotic arm. We place his arms in them, they allow him to exercise and increase his strength. They are also trying to find some kind of special spoon to attach to his arm supports so he can attempt to feed himself (this task will take awhile, he will accomplish it, I know!) His attitude remains the same,” I will not give up”, we are so lucky. Your words and notes keep him inspired and remind him that he is loved and not forgotten!

Mom had a wonderful time back in Iowa; it felt so good to be in her comfort zone. Thank you to everyone who embraced her during this time, I don’t think she spent much time at home. She is coping. Like anyone in this situation, she has her moments. But “like a good soldier, she gets done what needs to be done.” Her sister and brother-in-law were out for a few days and that was a good visit. Dads old Assist. Coach, Pete Hovland, was by for a visit as well. I don’t suspect we’ll have many visitors this “hot” summer.

Tomorrow/today is Moms birthday….Karen is 65!! (And looking good).
Please go to “send a thought” on the website or email her @ ruthiehenry01@cox.net with all your birthday wishes. I know it’s a hard time for her right now being away from all of her friends. Mark your calendars on the 20th of this month to send messages to Dad as he turns 66. (Don’t worry I’ll send you a reminder).

I want to say thank you to my best girlfriend and “sister”, Michele’ Brown from outside Chicago who flew down and had a Jewelry Party with all proceeds going to the” Glen Henry Medical Trust.” I appreciate all her efforts, it takes a long time, patience and a lot of love to make that much jewelry, we had a wonderful time and it was a great success. (Thanks to Granny Franny, Sandy Henry and Lisa & Holly for their product contribution as well).

That’s all for now, check the “photo album” for updated pictures in the next few days.

We love you all, thank you for your continued prayers and support!

The Dream Team (Lori)