"Dar Graduates To CareMeridian Tuesday"

05-31-2009
0630 Hours

Good morning all, just a short post to give you an update as to Dar’s Recovery.

Friday morning I learned that Dar was going to be given 24 hours of observation after her bladder procedure on Monday.

As long as there are no complications, high fever or something like that, Dar will be headed to her new “digs”. Caremeridian, Fairfax California. Fairfax is about 10 minutes away from Kentfield Hospital on Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Dar has reached the level in her recovery that she does not need the “acute level” of care that Kentfield offers.

I chose Caremeridian for a several of reasons.

Dr Doherty will still remain on Dar’s case and be directly involved in her continuing progress.

The clinical doctor at Caremeridian is a Pulmonary Specialist. This will be a big asset when it comes to Dar’s vocal cord issues, eventual removal of the trach and her sleep apnea.

I have been to the facility and am very impressed with the staff and the future growth that Dar will make under their supervision and talent.

I have kept in contact with AnnMarie, nursing director by email and the staff is already familiar with Dar’s needs and capabilities.

We return to familiar “medical family” as John Murphy and Ryne Spitzer are also at CM. We are going to be reunited with all our friends and their families that we have become so close with.

Although somewhat stressful, we look forward to this new and exciting step. It is a little chaotic now that I have a campus to prepare for graduation on Wednesday and the last day of school activities on Thursday.

Soooo, I find myself working this weekend and backing up my schedule so that I can accomplish those things by the end of the day Monday and be at Kentfield for Dar’s transfer to CM on Tuesday.

Tammy Spitzer is going to greet us when we arrive and assist with getting Dar comfortable in her new surroundings Wednesday and Thursday. I will return on Friday morning to be present as Dar goes through a new day of therapies with new friends that are very much looking forward to seeing her and working with her.

Tammy assures me that from the time we arrive on Tuesday we will be swarmed with staff and Dar will be the center of attention, if at least for a moment or two.

The facility has a max of 12 patients and a staff to patient ratio that is very high. Dar is going to receive a lot of attention. A lot.

The facility is gorgeous, 6 rooms, full gym, hydro tub, kitchen, huge great room, all the things that make the patient feel like they are not in a hospital. It is going to be exciting to see Dar’s Recovery jump to new levels.

Well, I need to keep going on projects. I will keep you informed along the way and over the next few days I ask that you continue to keep your prayers coming, I am feeling very guilty that I am not with Dar this weekend, I miss my pal, pray that the procedure on Monday goes well, pray on Tuesday as we transition to the new facility, continue to pray if you will for our extended medical family, the Murphy’s and the Spitzers, especially Ryne as he continues to find his way “ back to the light”. John is scaling hurdles and doing very well, and of course please pray for their families, moms, dads, sisters, brothers and their extended families.

Thank you everyone, we love you all,

Dar/Danny

"Remember Those Who Have Served and Given Their Lives"

05-25-2005
0445 Hours

Darlene and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a fabulous Memorial Day. We hope you have a great day of boating, county fairs, and of course the family barbeque, maybe the end of a great camping weekend.

Saturday Dar was not her perky self. Again I found Dar under the weather with yet another urinary infection. I can only believe this is directly related to the stones she has in the bladder. Thursday’s procedure was cancelled as a result of this nasty reoccurring problem I will be so thankful when this issue is gone.

As I have done almost every weekend, I dropped Dr. Doherty an email. Dr D returned my email and brought me up to speed regarding Dar’s condition. Dr. D tells me that Dar developed a low-grade fever after Tuesday’s visit to San Francisco. Urine test showed that Dar had another UTI.

Dr. D and Dr. Waters conferred with Dr. Duncan, Kentfield’s Infectious Disease authority and started Dar on an aggressive round of antibiotics. It is the hope that by Tuesday or Wednesday Dar can have her procedure to get rid of these stones.

I am told that the urologist will perform the procedure at the bedside and if possible will “snare” the stones during his evaluation of the bladder. In the event that the stones are not to be snared and eradicated an appointment will be scheduled to have them removed at Marin General.

Dr. D also told me in her email that as a precaution Dar’s speaking valve and deflation of the trach cuff had been put on hold. Again I am so thankful for Dr. D’s caution when it comes to Dar’s swallowing and ability to protect her airway. She wants Dar to be at the top of her game when it comes to this delicate situation.

Dr. D also told me of her thoughts about Dar’s recent visit to SF. After reading Dr. Courey’s report Dr. D feels that Dar’s vocal cords being stuck or in “spasm” is not a permanent condition but will preclude trach weaning at this time I guess time is what we need to allow things to return to normal. I will speak more to Dr. D about this when I see her on Wednesday.

Dar had 3 therapy sessions on Saturday and being the trooper she is even though she was not up to par, she powered through all 3 and then wanted to go for a short walk outside and see Maverick. It really is true about the healing effect our pets have on us when we are under the weather. After spending some time with Mav we strolled down the pathway to Ross. It was a cool cloudy morning and Dar enjoyed the moist cool ocean breeze as we talked and laughed about some of our trips we have taken on this Memorial weekend.

We returned to her room so that she could get her next round of “meds” about 12:30. Dar slept quite abit the rest of the day.

I am so thankful that we have had more good days than bad but I have to say that it just pulls at my heart strings to see Dar under the weather. She is so happy and perky most of the time that when she is not you can be sure that something is not quite right. In some ways this is really good because it makes it so much easier to find out what is wrong.

I sent Dr. Waters an email this morning asking her to call or send me an email about Dar’s scheduled procedure. I hope she is on call today but she as many of us may be enjoying this special holiday with friends and family. We will wait and see.

Well, I hope everyone has a great holiday today, to my immediate family, to Dar’s family, to Dar’s and my extended health family, to all of you, our friends, our supporters, our prayer partners, I just want to say again how much you mean to us and how much we appreciate your prayers and support. Thank you all.

As I sit in my chair writing this morning I feel guilty not being with Dar today, last evening I barbequed some burgers for meals this week. It was the first time I have really cooked since December, you have to understand, since Dar and I got married and even when we were dating, I have done all the cooking. I love to cook; Dar and I laugh cuz she has yet to cook a meal since we have been together, a desert or two but not a meal. I just love to cook.

It felt empty last night, it felt wrong, something was missing, my friend, my buddy was not sitting in her patio chair talking and sharing with me. I really was empty. I did not like how I felt, and I realized again how much of my everyday life Dar is. I don’t know if I will be barbequing again any too soon.

Well we love you all and hope you have a great holiday, God Bless

Dar/Danny/Mav

"Results of fieldtrip to San Francisco"

05-22-2009
0455 Hours

Below is my communication to Dr. Doherty yesterday regarding our recent visit to San Francisco. I am still waiting to learn of the results from Dar’s procedure yesterday. Dr. Waters will be at the hospital and I would imagine I will learn of the next steps to be taken in both situations. Please continue to pray for Dar and her recovery.



Good morning Dr D

Know that Dr Waters is off today, I am sure you will keep her up to speed.

Will try to be brief as I know you are busy.

Doc D I know today is Dar's exploratory exam regarding her "stones", will look forward to hearing later what the plan will be for their removal.

Regarding Dar's trip to the 'city",

After taking a day to process the information and do some "internet" research, I think now I can put to pen the appropriate questions.

As I understand things, we now know why Dar is not capable of having the button or the "redcap".

If the vocal cords are "stuck/paralyzed" as I believe is the situation from the initial injury back in December, does this mean that we are looking at a prolonged period of having to leave the "trach" in?

Is this, again as I understand it a "neorological" issue directly related to the events in December? I also understand that there is a definate narrowing of the "airway" but this is not the main cause of her difficulty. In my simple terms and understanding, because the "cords" are in a "closed" position, Dar is not able to get enough air to her lungs, therefore cannot speak and maintain herself.

Now the questions: over time will this problem correct itself, are we looking at a more lengthy period of haveing the "trach" in? Are "botox" injections something that can be thought of and pursued> I read an article by Dr. Cory Masse (????) that eluded to much success releasing the vocal cords with botox injections? Will injections work in this situation of "neurological" aftermath?

If we are looking at a more lengthy period of time with the "trach" and the fact that Dar is not able to perform "suctioning" for herself are we looking at keeping a "cuffed" "trach", as opposed to a "cuffless" as was suggested by Dr. Courey?

Is Dar's new found condition enough of a "medical" issue to extend her stay at Kentfield or lengthen a stay at a lessor facility such as Caremeridian. I know we are moving that direction Dr D and I am more convinced that given Dar's circumstances I want her to be as close to you as possible when she graduates to her next facility. It is also my understanding that the Director of Medicine at Fairfax is a Pulmanary Specialist. If correct I believe that this is where Dar needs to be. With the best providers with the best and most knowledge of her specific issues.

Dar's family and I visited the facility on Saturday and this is where I would like her to be in the future, with you and the folks at Fairfax.

Please forgive my ramblings and possibly the scattered thougts, I still find myself "reeling" from Tuesdays visit to SF. Was not quite prepared for the results and what these results may hold for the future, very glad we found the problem, just did not think we would/could be looking at something that may turn out to be very long term. Keeping of the trach.

I look forward to hearing from you about this and Dar's results of her exam today. Thank you Dr.D

Danny and Family


Response from Dr. Doherty


before we make any further changes with respect to the trach, i would like to review dr. courey's report. i will ask anna to get a copy expedited over for my review.

dr. d

" Wages Creek, Almost 4 Years Ago, 6-13-2005"

05-16-2009
1355 Hours

Well the verdict is in regarding the bladder stones. Yesterday Dar had an ultrasound and it was confirmed that she has several stones.

I had just learned this from the attending weekend doctor when I received an email from Dr. Doherty. Doctor D tells me that doctor Waters will be in touch with a urologist on Monday to set up a game plan for their removal and or destruction.

Truthfully this is a good piece of news, now we can deal with the issue and even make Dar more comfortable and promote better healing throughout her body. This should greatly improve her ability to focus on other things during her recovery.

So, the plan for this coming week looks like this, eradicate those nasty stones, see Dr. Courey in San Francisco on Tuesday and of course lots of therapy during the week.

Visited the Caremeridian facility in Fairfax, got a chance to catch up with old friends. John Murph, Ryne Spitzer and Darlene’s very first roommate at Kentfield were all there. Had a great time catching up and visiting with theirs families. Had a chance to chat with Kevin, Molly, Larry and his wife, Carol.

The facility is very nice and as I was warned, loud with frogs. Even has a frog crossing on the back deck. Rooms a spacious, two patients per room in most cases, full kitchen and laundry facilities, beautiful grounds.

Dar would have therapy 5 days a week, weekends are laid back. Walks could be taken in her wheelchair. Town is not very far at all.

Liisa Todd, charge nurse was very nice and answered all our questions.

John’s dad Kevin told us to hurry up and get Dar to the facility. Can’t wait to get the gang back together.



05-18-2009
0325 Hours

Talked with Dar’s sister Christine and he mom last night bout 9ish. They had just gotten home after visiting Dar on Sunday.

I returned home Saturday night knowing I had more paperwork to fill out for Tuesday’s appointment and bills to pay. Seems like I just did that a couple of weeks ago.

Dar’s mom, dad and Christine had a good visit, got to the hospital bout 8:00, went for a walk about 10:00 after Dar’s hand and leg splints were taken off. Returned about noon as the temperature was beginning to climb and Dar had an OT Therapy at 12:30.

Family noticed that Dar was very comfortable but just a little too laid back, rested and napped frequently but all in all they had a very good time with Dar.

I kind of think Dar might be getting a little something for the pain of her bladder stones. I can’t even begin to know how she must feel. Today we should learn what the plan is for their removal. I will be emailing Dr. Waters as soon as I post this edition of Dar’s Recovery.

I hope all of you have a great week: school coming to and end for the year, vacations to plan, projects to do, trips to take, Dar and I hope you have a wonderful summer and we still look forward to seeing each and every one of you to thank you for your continued prayers and support. We love you all,


Dar/Danny

"Busy, Busy, Busy, Thats What We Are"

05-14-2009
1518 Hours

Wow, what a day Wednesday was. Busy, busy, busy.

Arrived to find Dar in good spirits and ready for the day. Therapies began about 9:30, and by 12:30 we were getting ready for our field trip to Marin General to have Dar’s CT Scan of the throat and trachea.

Transport arrived and the attendants knowing Dar from previous trips were amazed at the progress she has made since they last saw her. She laughed and joked with both of them all the way to Marin General. I rode in the front passenger seat.

Lisa Todd was Dar’s attending nurse; Lisa has been with Dar on each of her trips to Marin.

We had a little bit of a wait at Marin as we were bumped by a trauma case moments before Dar’s appointment. Dar rested and listened as Lisa and I talked about Dar’s progress and the leaps and bounds she has made since coming to Kentfield.

Dr. Doherty and Tom from respitory therapy arrived just as we were told the CT room was ready.

The actual plan for this procedure was to remove Dar’s trach and cap the “stoma” and have her perform some specific breathing tasks that would hopefully show that her trach, (windpipe) was collapsing. The first task was to take a quick deep breath and hold it for about 6 seconds. The second was to take another deep breath and hold it for a moment and expel it quickly.

During Dar’s speech therapy earlier in the morning we found that we had to hold Dar’s nose closed so that she would only breath in with her mouth.

It was unfortunate that during the test Dar was not able to hold her breathes long enough to conclusively show if the trach was collapsing. In fact it appears that it is not, this being said we were still able to get some good film for our trip on Tuesday to San Francisco where we will see Dr. Mark Courey, Director of Larynology Voice Center at UCSF.

I really hope that Dr Courey can pinpoint the issues of why we cannot remove Dar’s trach without her o2 sats plummeting. I have done a little internet research and have put some possible causes that I have found in my memory banks and will listen very carefully as the doc does his exam and makes his recommendations. Please pray the Gods hand will be with Dr. Mark. We leave Kentfield around 1:00 pm for our appointment. I will be able to ride in the transport with Dar and her attendentants.

On Friday, Dar heads back to Marin General to have an ultrasound of her bladder. The purpose of this is to confirm if she has bladder stones. The possible stones were picked up during her CT scan of her bladder last week.

If these stones are confirmed a plan of their removal will be discussed. The options are to use medicine to break them up, use a laser to blow them up or if they are too large they might have to be surgically removed. The results of the ultra sound should be in by Monday.

With all that is going on Dar remains in great spirits and as long as she is not in too much pain she is happy, talkative and wants to be out of that bed as much as possible.

Wednesday before I left, Mike Clark, Director of Physical Therapy and I tightened Dar’s new leg splints a little. Dar really likes having her legs in a straight, flat position. As this “tone” in her legs diminishes she is able to move them more and more. It is quite exciting to see her mentally ask her legs to move and ever so slightly they do. Really puts a smile on your face.

Dar’s upper body “tone” is starting to reside somewhat too, Occupational therapists are able to get more range of motion out of her shoulders than what they were a week or so ago. This is positive progress.

Dar’s mom, dad and sister Christine are coming up this weekend to visit. We are all going to look at the Caremeridian facility in Fairfax Sunday. This facility is about 15 minutes up the same road that Dar is on now. We are getting closer to Dar’s graduation to a Skilled Nursing Facility. At Caremeridian Dar will receive continuing therapies on a much more intense scale. The total patient populous at Caremeridian is 12 so you can imagine the attention she will receive. My desire to have her go to Fairfax is so that she can continue to have Dr. Doherty. Although Dr. D won’t see Dar as much she is always available. Medical issues are addressed by the on site Medical Director.

The Fairfax facility if you recall is the facility that John Murphy recently went to and Ryne Spitzer was transferred to today. John is doing fantastic and his mom and dad tell me that it is such a peaceful and quite place, oh, with the exceptions of the frogs. I guess frogs are croaking all the time as there is a creek running thru the property.

You probably caught my reference to Ryne Spitzer moving to Fairfax today. With his move I have now lost all my “texting” buddies. It is going to be very hard now for me to go thru my days not having my ability to check in on Dar when I feel the need. I will miss Tammy, Mark and Rye, along with Peggy, Kevin and John Murphy. These are good moves for all of us but sad in that we have grown so much together and are now apart for a time. The friendships we have nurtured and the support for one another is amazing. My battles are their battles, theirs mine, we have become a family. Just like the Stewarts and us, these are friendships that will never die. By the way Latosha is doing wonderfully. Progressing at home and doing very well.

I should probably let you know that Fairfax is not the only Caremeridian facility that Dar could go to. The facility in Granite Bay near Sacramento has expressed that they too would like to have Dar come to their facility. Granite Bay, 70 miles from our home, smaller facility, (6) beds and only three patients in the house currently. It is my plan to visit their facility one evening after work next week.

Much to think about and much to weigh out. It might be closer for the family and me to visit but ultimately my choices and decisions have to be based on Dar’s needs and not what might be more convenient for me.

Well, that pretty much sums up the events of Wednesday and gets you caught up somewhat. I hope that you will continue to pray as we all travel this road we so affectionately call Dar’s Recovery.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, we love you all,

Dar/Danny

"Happy Mothers Day"

05-10-2009
0400 Hours

Happy Mother’s Day Mom.

Dar asked me to wish you a very special day today and that she is looking forward to seeing you and dad next weekend.

Darlene and I both would like to wish all of our Dar’s Recovery moms a very Happy Mothers Day. We both thank you for your support and prayers and hope that your special day will be a day of happiness and joy.

A very special wish of joy and happiness goes out to our immediate Kentfield family, Happy Moms day to the Stewart’s, Murphy’s and the Spitzer’s. We love you all.

To the Ken Reimers family, we continue to support and pray for you.

Dar had a great day yesterday; back on her soft food diet she is looking forward to having more and more of a regular diet. We will be working toward this during the week ahead.

After physical therapy yesterday we took off on our walk to Ross, Dr Roebken made comment later that Dar looked like a streak of lightning headed for the hills. If he only knew how correct he is. Dar wants out of that room, out of that bed and out of that building as much and as fast as she can.

We were out for a couple hours together before we had to return for more therapy. The fist of the two remaining involved eating ice cream and drinking V-8 juice. The ice cream had the blue tint again to ensure swallowing, (remember, has had no food for 10 days) and Dar was 100 percent right on. All good in the hood as she says. You could tell she enjoyed her return to “real” food, had a grin from ear to ear.

Lastly, her final therapy is the one that probably causes her the most pain and discomfort. O/T came in to work with her arms, wrists, shoulders, neck and hands. The hands are not as bad as they once were but the shoulders and upper arms are really difficult. We hope the tone will decrease soon. Dar’s “peck muscles” are really tight, and causing much pain. The trooper Dar is, she fights the pain and works hard at following the instructions of the therapist

By the end of the day Dar was ready for a nap, as was I.

Around 7:30 Dar dropped off to sleep and I quietly slipped away to return home. This week will be busy, lots of things to do, lots of things to be prepared for, school getting close to the end, students looking forward to summer, crazy time of the year.

Please be praying for Dar on Wednesday, her field trip to Marin General.

Well, I find myself just a little scattered in the writing dept this morning so I will wish all the moms one more wish for a wonderful day today, and thank you all for your prayers and support for Dar and her Recovery.

To my mom in heaven, “thanks mom, you raised me right, you done good, love ya”

Please, please, please, have a wonderful day everyone and thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we love you.

Dar/Danny

"FIELD TRIPS FOR DAR"

05-09-2009
0649 hours

Well Wednesday last was a busy day for both Dar and I. Dar had a very busy schedule of therapies and I found myself again putting out fires.

Dar started off her day with a visit from Dr. Doherty. Dr. D told us that Dar would be headed to Marin General this coming Wednesday for a special CT scan of her throat. Specifically the trach. We now suspect that Dar may be suffering from “trachiomalacia. Best described, this is a condition where the windpipe (trach) collapses under negative pressure. If you recall we have tried to remove the trach on 2 other separate occasions. Each time Dar does ok for about 2 minutes and then her O2 sats drop rapidly. This means that the oxygen in her blood drops very low. We have seen a specialist about this issue and he is not able to see any problems.

Another way to describe this problem is to picture breathing thru a straw. When the straw is open at one end you don’t have a problem breathing. Close the open end and take a deep breath, what happens, the walls of the straw collapse. This is what we think is happening to Dar. If this is the case it may lend evidence to what really happened back in December.

Should this condition be proved, Dar would have surgery to repair the problem with a “stent”. Dr. Corry at the SF University Hospital would do this procedure. Dr D has already got Dr Corry onboard.

Dar was approved for new leg splints that will help reduce the “tone”, “spasticity” in her legs. The splints are from Dyna Splints and are state of the art. Dana from Dyna Splints schooled me in their application and theory. I then gave a workshop to the staff on how to put them on Dar. Dar will wear these splints for a two-hour period and then have a rest period of two hours.



The splints are totally adjustable and over time they will hopefully bring Dar’s legs back down to a flat position while lying on her back and she will be able to have her full range of motion again. Dana is very confident we will achieve this as Dar’s “tone” has decreased dramatically over the past week of so. Dar does not seem to find them uncomfortable and does not mind wearing them.

Dar was to resume her “puree” food as of Thursday. She was very excited about this.

As for the fires that I was busily putting out, it seems that Anthem Blue Cross has the power to say when Dar should be moved from Kentfield. Evidently there is someone sitting in a chair playing “armchair quarterback” deciding when or if Dar is making the amount of progress that would allow her to stay at Kentfield.

As I have been told there are 3 criterions for Dar to remain at Kentfield.

1. Medical necessity
2. The need to be seen by at least one doctor on a daily basis.
3. Progress

Now given that Dar continues to be seen by both Dr D and Dr Waters daily, she is making wonderful progress that leaves but one area left.

You think the fact that we have not been able to remove the trach and Dar might be suffering for trachiomalacia might give the armchair quarterback a clue that there is still medical necessity for Dar to remain where she is. Duh.

It really ticks me off that these insurance companies have this kind of power. Believe me its true. This is not the first time we have had this happen since Dar came to Kentfield. Back on Feb 20th they tried to. Dr. D stepped right up and fought for her patient and between the two of us we got Dar reinstated. Not until the 27th mind you but we got it done. 4 days later Dar started scaling hurdles in her recovery. Now, here we are again doing the same thing.

This is a common occurrence; I have seen it happen to other patients since we have been here. It is happening to another patient and family we have come to care about even now.

Dar has been cleared to stay till Monday but Dr Waters assures me that nothing will happen as Dar has her appointment on Wednesday.

Let me make clear that I am totally aware and accept that at some time Dar will graduate to the next facility, the next level of care, that is what we want. We want Dar to go to the next facility where she can continue her progress/continue her therapy, but she must be STABLE. Acute medical attention not needed.

Also let me make clear, that as Dar’s primary advocate, there is nothing I won’t do to ensure she is cared for in the best possible manner and placement. I will leave no stone unturned, I will facilitate any and all means of support, including legal actions, media, complaints to insurance commissions and even political officials that I know personally. I will even ask for you as readers to share your voice. I hope I can count on you.

That is a little of what I dealt with on Wednesday.

Thursday Dar went to Marin General to have a CT Scan of her abdomen. Dr Waters is being cautious about the frequency of Dar’s urinary infections. She wants to rule out and organ problems. Results are not in as yet.

Well it is about time for me to go see Dar and spend the day with her. I will talk to you all again later in the weekend and bring you up to speed on her continuing Recovery.

Thank you all for your prayers, please continue.

Love to all,


Dar/Danny

Post update,

Before removing Dar's new splints about 10:00 she told me that she could move her legs when lying flat on the bed. Folks, the girl was telling it straight. After I took the splints off I asked her to show me what she could do. First the right leg, which still shows the most "tone", she bent at the knee and moved her leg upward, not huge but huge that her brain told her leg to do something and it responded. The left leg, which has much less tone followed in the same manner. So exciting to see. Previously Dar was not coming close to putting her legs flat on the bed, now she is resting the left and almost the right on the bed. That is what the pros call "zero". Dar is getting real close with both legs. Great news, the "pros" do not think we will have any trouble getting her to Zero.

Thanks again folks, enjoy this beautiful day.

All our love,

Dar/Danny

" Maverick and Mom at the Fredrick Allen Park"

05-02-2009

1406 Hours

The photo to the left was taken on a recent wheelchair quad ride to the little hamlet of "Ross".

Darlene and John Murphy took a stroll to this little community park at the end of the pathway with Maverick in tow. Dar loves to be out in her chair as it reminds her of riding her quad. The rougher the path got the more Dar laughed and enjoyed herself.

Not wanting to be left out Dar wanted Mav in her lap so he could have his picture taken with mom. You can see by the photo both mom and Mav are quite happy.

Today finds Dar in great spirits and using her speaking valve again she is building up her lungs and speaking muscles after having had to lay off for more than a week.

We still have not had contact between Dr. D and Dr. Shapiro regarding Dar's dificulty with the "button". Hopefully both doctors will be in touch soon.

This morning Dr. Waters saw Dar and I think there is something the two of them share that must be pretty special. Neither of them will share with me what it is but I am pretty sure there are some secrets they are keeping to themselves. The two of them laugh and there is alot of whispering going on. Dar is not about to give up any information to me, so I will just enjoy that the two of them have something special.

Dr. Waters watched as dar and I played our game of Simon Says and thought it was a great tool to use with Dar as she continues to process information and follow instructions. I won the first couple of games but later on Dar was winning quite regularly.

Dar has such a special spirit that you can't help but participate in her conversations as she works very hard to communicate with those folks around her.

My difficulty at this time is related to her discomfort and her ablity now to communicate with us. It is heart wrenching to know that something is bothering her and she is uncomfortable and while trying to communicate this to us I can't pinpoint it immediatley. It usually takes several questions before I am able to find the issue and then take the appropriate steps to correct it.

I feel like I've been hit by a semi truck at the end of the day. Although it is emotional for me, I can only thank God that we are seeing this continuing progress from Dar. She has come so far and is making such good progress.

Dr. Waters still plans on haveing a specialist look at Dar to rule out any possible problems regarding the frequency of Dar's UTI infections. Both Dr. D and Dr. Waters are very pro active when it comes to infections and heading them off at the pass. Probably more because of having had the "Cath" are they taking this proactive step. Dar's hydration is very good.

As I type this blog Dar is resting very peacefully with her "trach cuff" deflated and her speaking valve on. Her numbers are great and she looks ever so peacefull.

We are both looking forward to her being able to have some of her "favorite regular food" very soon. Only haveing the speaking valve on since yesterday, Dr. D wants to make sure that all is in order for Dar to start having her special food.

I will return home later tonight to pay those nasty bills that seem to come at the beginning of every month.

Always seems to be something to do.

I thank those of you that have taken a moment to leave a special comment for Dar and I. It really means a great deal to me to find them at the end of the "posts".

I have had several comments about the poem I posted the other day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Remember, you can find the comment link at the bottom of each post. All you have to do is sign in as "annoyn" write your comment, verify the security letters and then hit submit. Thats all there is to it, and they do mean alot to me.

Well, I hope you all enjoy your weekend and please, please remember, Dar and I could not get through this without your love and support.

John Murphy is doing well in his new "digs" and the family is looking forward to his return home.

Rye Spitzer continues to improve and is now wearing his speaking valve too. We continue to uplift his family and friends as they too travel this road to recovery.

Have a great weekend everyone, we love you all.

Dar/Danny