" Happy Valentines Day to everyone"

02-15-2009

0735 hours

Good morning everyone. Darlene and I would like to take this opportunity to say that we hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day and are enjoying this very wet and windy weather. Darlene and I celebrated Valentines Day on Friday as I returned back to the house late.

Dar's mom and dad arrived late in the afternoon on Friday and Diane was expected to be in on Amtrak on Saturday morning. The rooms are rather small so I took advantage of the long weekend to come back late on Friday and pay bills and run errands over the weekend.

Dar had a great day on Friday and we spent a couple of hours in the lobby talking and laughing and watching the weather change from sun to rain. Dar was in great spirits and enjoyed the time greatly. She worked hard in all of her therapy sessions and was really tired by the time her mom and dad arrived.

Mid afternoon I put Dar's speaking cap on and we worked with her on her sounds and how they might relate to yes and no. She was really, really tired and experiencing some discomfort because her muscle tone is returning and they work her pretty hard through the day. So, instead some yes/no sounds we got to hear how much Dar can tell us that she is in pain. Man, that girls has got a set of lungs, she was making it pretty darn clear that she was not happy. I had the nurse give her a little medication to ease the pain.

Late Friday evening Dr. Doherty came to see Dar and we chatted about her progress. Dr. D. is very pleased with what she is seeing. She even had me work with Dar on some responce questions that Dar answered very well. The responces were simple but excited Dr. D that Dar was responding to questions with her eyes and "focalizing" when asked.

We talked about her medication and Dr. D reminded me that we want Dar to relax and heal and she will have an easier time of doing that if she is not in pain. Dar has her way of communicating with us. It is with facial expressions as we have talked and shared with you before. Once Dar's "tells", (changing/reposition), have been eliminated it would probably be a good bet that she might be experiencing some pain, so, give her a little something so she can rest. Perfectly acceptable. A good thing.

I left about 9:00 pm on Friday to return home with Mav.

Saturday, mom/dad and Diane spent the day with Dar and Diane was so gracious to braid Dar's hair again. Sue Gillen and I washed and conditioned Dar's hair on Friday afternoon and Dar's mom and I brushed it out through the evening to let it dry.

Diane and mom, and maybe even dad (not sure), trimmed fingernails, toenails and continued the lavender creams on Dar's hands, legs and arms. Spoke briefly with Diane and she said Dar smiled much of the day but did not laugh a whole lot. Diane tells me that she had a good time with her sister. I am thankful they are having this time with Dar.

I recieved some exciting news regarding Tosha late in the afternoon. Carol texted me that Tosha was being transferred back to Stanford wher she started some 30 plus days ago. Was a total surprise to mom and dad and kinda caught them off-guard. Stewart texted me about 9:30 that they were finally on their way.

Well, you have probably figured out already how hard this hit when I learned this. So so happy for Tosha and her folks but so so so sad to loose our Gaurdian Angels for Dar. I know that God has already started finding our "new angel/angels" and maybe our "angels" will be in a different form, might be just some good quiet time and sleep time for Dar is what the doctor ordered. Doc. D explained to me again last night after I emailed her that sleep again is Dar's best tool., especially at night, Dar needs to get good rest at night, especially after working so hard during the day. Doc D suggested that if I am up around mid-nite or 5:00 am I might call the nurses station and ask Dar's nurse to look in on Dar and check to see if she is resting well. Also allow me to relax a bit too.

Doc D continues to suggest that I keep my visits to the weekends until Dar is really needing me there more.

Dar' s muscle tone and body support continue to improve and when she is ready and needs me there more regularly you can bet I will be there.

We are so happy and proud of Tosha and it hurts so much to loose those eyes and ears for Dar, but we have made a new family and this new family will continue to grow in frienship and love for one another. Stewart has already told me that he will be calling over there to check on Dar. All of us will stay in touch, "texting" will still continue as it has, nights/weekends/days, emails will fly to home computers, phone calls will continue. There is just going to be a little distance between folks that have grown to care and respect one another. Kinda like the distance between Dar and I and all of you. I know that this is/will be/ going to be hard for you folks too. I may not have my connection at the hospital that will allow me to keep you as informed as you have been. It is very hard to get "good info" over the phone. It is even hard to get through to the Nurses station during the day, probably why Doc D,. suggested midnight/5:00 am.

I am sure things will work out, work the way they are supposed to and weekends will become very important to me and I'm sure you also.

I am not worried in the least about the Stewart's and Mardilla friendship, we are bonded and connected for life. Just like so many of you, so many I don't even know, have not met, hope to meet, look forward to meeting we are all bonded together by one thing.

DARLENE.

Darlene and her love for all. Her faith that is so strong and so selfliss, just as she is, that thinks of others long before she will think of herself. Her fabulous personality, a personality and happines that does not need the ability to speak words. A stature that is tall but yet so tiny, a beauty that is best shown by her inner strength, complimented by her outer beauty.

Yea, I'm pretty damn proud of my best friend, pretty damn proud to be her husband, pretty damn proud to be a part of her "life". I love you Darlene, Happy Valentines Day. Happy Valentines Day to all of our friends, new friends, family and new family. Darlene and I love you all.

Gotta go, keyboard is getting soaked. Post later as I learn more through the day.

Words don't get it done everyone, Thank you all I love you

Danny Mardilla

1200 hours

Just called the hospital, no word yet as to whether Dar passed her overnight blue dye test. I have requested that Dar try to be moved near the window, where Tosha was. Sliding window, sunshine, view of the outdoors, could be good for Dar. Keep you posted.