September 29, 2009
Update #27

Dear Friends and Family,

As I checked "My Documents" to find the last update I created (and never sent out pending the swimming pool announcement), I cannot believe how much time has passed since typing it…APRIL, Wow!! Instead of making a ton of changes, I decided to create an additional one and send it along.

We did visit over the summer and had a wonderful time. Mom had a wonderful summer trip to San Diego hosted by Lisa and family. My family stayed with Dad while she was gone. Then we did a girls trip to Chicago to visit the American Girl Doll store for my daughter, Taylor...that was special for Grandma, better known as Nini! We did celebrate Dad's birthday with a coming together of old musician friends for a little jam session, thank you to all who were there! Although Dad doesn't have the same wind power he did pre-accident, he sounded quite good...he's still got it!

On October 17th (UNI's Homecoming), a ceremony will be held at the University unveiling the new name of the pool…..AWESOME! We will all be back for this grand occasion. Thank you Roy Fielding for all your efforts regarding this great honor! Mark Onstott, Dad's former swimmer, will be inducted in to the UNI Sports Hall of Fame that same weekend, congrats Mark!

As we did with our parent's anniversary, we will be hosting a tent party outside the Dome pre and post game. (Same spot…big white tent) Please stop by for some refreshments and fun!

Here is a line up of the day's events:
11:00am - Hall of Fame Luncheon at the McCloud Center
2:00pm - Dedication at the Pool
3:00pm - Tent Party Hosted by the Henry's (West side of the Dome)
4:00pm -Kick Of f... GO PANTHERS!!
AFTER THE GAME, WILL BE AT THE TENT!!

Most of you may or may not know how happy we are to have Dad be present at this celebration!!

In late August, he was hospitalized for a UT infection that turned into a kidney infection and he was septic. He then developed pneumonia and eventually "coded" and was put back on a respirator/ventilator. He was in ICU/hospital for 17 days, Lisa and I flew in and did not leave his bedside until his release and Lance came to Iowa after we returned! It's our understanding that typically people in that critical of condition (and the fact that he is a quad), would not normally have turned the corner the way he did. The man has a serious will to be here, thank the Good Lord! (Maybe it was the fact that Lisa and I were in his ear telling him” it was not going to work for us to have him leave at this time and it was imperative for him to be at this upcoming event)!! He is back home, on the mend and looking forward to seeing everyone!

Mom is doing pretty well as this situation certainly isn't easy on her. Dads needs keep her busy, but she keeps up her deserved relationships with girlfriends and tries to stay involved with the things that brighten her spirit! She is a trooper and for that, we thank her!!

As always…big kudos to the nursing staff and therapists...we have a fabulous team! Our greatest thanks to Little Glen (and he really is a "mini me")...without him our situation would be rough. Who can forget all the neighbors who voluntarily pitch in for absolutely anything ALL the time and the incredibly loyal friends of my parents... You all are the VERY BEST!!! Thank you , thank you, thank you!!!

All is well with the rest of the crew and our families! We are HOT in Arizona and looking forward to "winter". We will be headed back to Iowa for Christmas, we are praying for snow (sorry Iowanians)!!

Please visit the website and send your thoughts or send Dad a note at his new email address:
gfhenry@cfu.net.

Love and happiness to all, The Dream Team! (Lori)