September 10, 2006
Update #24
Update #24

Hello Family and Friends!

Update #24 finds Glen and Karen living back in Cedar Falls, Iowa!!! They are thrilled to be back “home” and anxious to resume their “old”, but “new” life.

We sent them off with a going away open house at Lisa and Gregg’s. Thank you to those of you who stopped by (see pics on website this week), it was very emotional. AND a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our entire family here in Arizona over the past 25 months, we could not have done it without you.

On August 26th, we acquired a private Jet with medical personnel on board and flew mom and dad back to the “big city”…CF! Lisa accompanied them on the flight, friend & neighbor Bob Peters drove the truck across country and Lance flew in two days later to help unload. Of course, Glen Jr. and Sandy participated in every aspect of getting them settled. Lisa’s husband Gregg and son Jackson joined them a week later for the Holiday weekend, Gregg did a great job with the yard!! Dad’s nurse and main caretaker (besides mom), Janette, came with them and is living in an apartment in CF. She is excited to start her new life in Iowa and we are thrilled to have her here! She is busy everyday with dad’s needs as well as training his two new nurses, Audrey and Zina, who will work night and weekend shifts.

They came home to great weather and big changes. Cedar Falls has really grown and a lot of action is taking place. Thank you to Nancy Peters and her sister Paula who surprised mom with her beautiful flower beds and to everyone who has been dropping off food, flowers, papers etc…can’t beat the hospitality and love in the Midwest!!

We put a small addition on the back of their house, off the master bedroom, to accommodate dad’s showering and exercise needs. Everyone who worked on the house did a great job and we thank you for all your efforts. A big thanks to Fred Rose for heading up the project in his “spare time” and to Glen Jr., the photographer, for emailing us pictures throughout the process!!

Last night, both mom and dad attended their first UNI football game in over two years; they said, “It felt good to be in the dome!”

This Monday, Dad will resume occupational therapy at Covenant Medical Center in W’loo. He’s had two meetings with Dr. Nora, his new Physiatrist and we feel confident he will guide and follow through with the plans/goals we’ve set for Dad’s future accomplishments. He still needs help with EVERYTHING he does, but he works out everyday on his own in an effort to overcome his disabilities. His first goal is to gain some independence by learning to drive the wheelchair himself. Glen Jr. is setting up a voice activated T.V. remote control, lets hope it works so dad can “channel surf” like he used to…ugh, they say it’s a man thing!

Sometime in the next two months we will bring Dad’s “head coach”, Taylor Kevin Isaacs in from Los Angeles. Taylor will reassess dad’s physical condition and implement a new strategy based on his results. He will work with the new therapists and nurses to maintain a cohesive workout program.

On a personal note, mom and dad’s third grandchild was born. Blake Henry Donnelli, born July 14th is happy and healthy and doing great. Big sister Taylor is adapting well and loves her “baby brother”! Jackson thinks he is his “baby brother” too as he refers to Taylor as his “sister cousin”. Bob and I, along with our kids, will arrive in mid October, stay for 10 days and return for the Christmas holidays with the rest of our family. We are looking forward to having Christmas in the cold this year!!

Lance will be back the first weekend in October and Lisa will return with Taylor Kevin Isaacs.

We hope everyone is doing great, thanks for all the love and support.

The Dream Team (Lori)