Happy 19th!

As I watch the Pats dismantle another otherwise worthy opponent, I'll get you all caught up on what's been going on with not-as-young-as-yesterday Tim. He's on the way back to Boston with Amy after quietly celebrating his 19th birthday with us here in the Berkshires.

I met Tim on Thursday night as he was sitting down for a late dinner, munching on a Chicken Caesar Wrap. His day had included a short lunchtime visit from Grandma and Grandpa in between his therapy sessions and a late afternoon nap! He seems to be very comfortable in his surroundings on Tudor Wharf. For three days, he had been managing quite well on his own. "Managing" away from the hospital staff and family means making sure he takes his medications on time (a complicated schedule involving 6 or 7 meds to be taken half a dozen times each day), getting himself ready for the Spaulding van, being responsible for his personal hygiene (including taking showers on his own - transferring to a bench for that purpose) and meals. Beyond that, he is scheduling his outpatient therapy sessions into January, tracking his wheelchair shipment and making plans to take driving lessons. A personal FES unit is part of his home-therapy program, and he uses it to stimulate muscle activity in his triceps.

He has a goal in mind - he wants to be able to walk around the house, with a walker, when he comes home for Christmas. That means that his therapists need to give him permission to walk independently - without a "spotter" walking alongside. I don't see any reason why that won't happen as Tim has been setting and meeting goals since July 13th. We're looking forward to it.

I joined him for breakfast on Friday and then picked him up at the end of the day for a ride home. I learned that he sleeps a lot, as his therapy sessions still tire him out. He's enjoying the pace of his life right now, reading and watching shows that he finds on Discovery and the Science channels (not to mention Comedy Central). I think he's also looking forward to the end of finals, so that he can spend some time with his hard working college friends in Boston. We had a pleasant ride down the Pike, just talking. Amy had delicious pulled pork sandwiches waiting upon our arrival. Tim thanked her by standing up with his walker and taking a lap around the first floor - a beautiful thing.

It was a pretty uneventful weekend, lots of simply "hanging around" while Amy, Jancy and I went about our jobs, chores, etc. On Saturday night, we invited the Berkshire's newest residents - Aunt Carolann and cousin Allott - to join us for a birthday dinner celebration at Koi. Few will be surprised to learn that Tim ordered and enjoyed boneless spare ribs and General Tso's chicken!

We're feeling comfortable enough to leave Tim home alone for short periods of time (please note I said "we" - Tim has no problem with it) and we all seem to be settling in to an easy home life. His departure today was delayed a bit by a surprise visit from cousin Sam, who was home for Christmas from UTI in Sacramento. He brought along John and Tim and a good time was had by all.