Thank-full

Day two of the Thanksgiving weekend is drawing to a close, the tryptophan is kicking in and .... Tim is going out for the first time. Brigitte is on her way over to take Tim to local get together of West Stockbridge youth.

We've all enjoyed two great family meals - Thursday night at the Boxers and this evening at the Thornes. Both homes proved welcoming as ramps were installed so that Tim could get inside easily. Once there, it was like old times with cousins swarming, food and wine aplenty and interesting conversation. Many thanks for signature hospitality to Molly, Lou, Sara and Peter.

Thank Goodness for Amy

Please join us in wishing Amy a Happy Birthday today. Although her special day is overshadowed a bit by Thanksgiving (which happens every few years) and homecoming preparations - it appears that she has received the best gift possible withTim's return home.

Homecoming Weekend

The three of us joined the throngs of travelers headed over the rivers (Housatonic, Connecticut, Chicopee, maybe some others) and through the snow (especially in Otis & Becket) to visit grandmothers', siblings', cousins' and friends' houses for Thanksgiving weekend. Traffic wasn't too bad until we reached Framingham and it took over an hour to cover the last 15 or 20 miles. But no complaining from the folks in the car - our destination was worth any inconvenience.



Arriving at Spaulding after visiting hours, we spent a little time catching up and reviewing plans for tomorrow. There were a few last minute glitches that looked like they might throw things off a bit - Tim's power chair was missing, the order for his manual chair had been screwed up and it wouldn't be ready on time, and incorrect equipment had been delivered to our house. On the plus side, modifications to our house were proceeding on schedule and the stair lift was on set to be installed in time for Tim's return. Figuring "that's life" and that there wasn't anything to be accomplished at night, Amy packed up a few more things and we headed up to the apartment for a few hours sleep.

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Wednesday morning was a little weird for sure. We made our last trip down Beacon Hill to see Tim on the ninth floor. We're still not sure what our role is going to be, although Boston will surely be part of it, but this walk down had a different feel to it. We arrived with the morning shift and started to put together the pieces for discharge. Kevin was working to find the missing power chair and get the overdue manual chairs shipped. Rachel touched base about the incorrect equipment and let us know how that was going to be straightened out. Tara told us how to and where to get Tim's meds and gave us the details about the apartment, Tim's outpatient schedule and other details. Brief greetings to the many staff and floor mates we had been so close to - Matt, Ed, Tammy and others - filled out the morning. After four months, Tim's care would be in the hands of new people starting next week, and Tim would be largely responsible for his own well being. Long story short - power chair tracked down, no foul play; expedited order should have the manual chair here in a week and Spaulding loaned us the chair Tim has been using; mis-shipped equipment will be replaced by end of business today. After a final talk with Dr. O'Connor, we packed two wheel chairs, one walker and the last of Tim's possessions and off we set for the Berkshires.



An uneventful (thankfully) drive brought us home on schedule to see a van from the stair lift company in our driveway. Steve was just finishing up, so Tim was able to test drive it immediately, as well as simply spend some time in the house - newly widened door ways making life a bit easier. Some of the new equipment arrived and Tim, Jancy & I headed to Stockbridge for a cheeseburger at Elm Street Market and then down to Barrington for meds and other things. Jancy drove the round trip and did a nice job, despite Tim's constant instructions. Both stops were great - good food from Nick at ESM and some chance run-ins with old friends Joe, Hillary and Jeremy. Steve Bannon and the staff at Bill's Pharmacy had everything ready for us and helped us find a few loose ends.



Back home, Tim had a nice visit from Tyler and Matt. They hung out in Tim's "new" room - he and Jancy have swapped spaces. After that, a nice evening together watching TV and talking. It's good to have Tim at home.

Go West!

Dear Tim
This is your last of 120 days at Spaulding. What a journey you have taken with such a positive ending created by you and all those who love you as well as those who have looked after you at Spaudling. After accomplishing so much on every level - emotional, physical, mental, social, spiritual and metaphysical too!- you have been groomed by yourself and others to meet the challenges of tomorrow. You are well on your way to the next step where you will continue to grow and accomplish things as you face new challenges and celebrate fresh achievements. I know that incredible head and wonderful heart of yours will continue to work through all of this and bring you the success you deserve!! Bon courage and bisous! We love you from way over here! Aunt Carolann

Fast and Furious at Four Months

It's all hitting the fan, here and now. Dom's crew arrived today and dismantled the downstairs bath and widened a couple of doors. Amy hit the road for some counter tops and other errands. A commode chair arrived at the house. Sambone was going nuts with the work, so Peter set up a run for her in the back yard, whereupon she set a new record for continuous barking.

Meanwhile, Tim's at work from Spaulding making arrangements for accommodations, equipment deliveries, medications and other supplies for his time as an outpatient and making sure t's are crossed and j's are dotted for a lot of "little things." He's a tad emotional, too - called me at the office today and said it was just striking him that he had been at Spaulding for four months and in less than 48 hours he'll be checking out to a very different life. Obviously, Spaulding has been a huge part of his life and he has a real attachment to the staff and floor mates. He's ready, though.

Last night, I carried all the bags of stuff that had accumulated out in Boston up to the central "gathering spot" on the third floor. As I've documented, he has received all kinds of tee shirts and mail and let me tell you, they have really added up. I was able to add two more pieces to the mail pouch before bringing that bag up - another nice card from Barbara & Leo and a sweet note from Brittni, a freshman at Monument who doesn't know Tim, but had read about his accident in Maroon Reflections, the student magazine. She wanted to let him know that he's a "very brave guy."

Tomorrow evening, all three of us will head out to Boston with plans to return on Wednesday morning with our son and brother, when he'll spend his first night at home since July 11. Can't wait.

Reconnaissance

We all had a lazy morning today, Amy & I sleeping a bit late and Tim finishing Harry Potter. While he wrapped up that book and the series (he started when he was around 10!), Amy and I had a nice chat with floor mate Dr. Kim and his wife, who both had nice things to say about Tim and his presence on the floor.

Then, it was off to the residence inn by way of wheel chair, so we could get an idea of what Tim would be doing. The route wraps around the Garden and then over the Charles River Locks into Paul Revere Park which is adjacent to the hotel. Parts of the surface along the way are a little rough, but Tim has all the moves down, so it's manageable and seems safe with the use of common sense. One way took about 30 minutes, but often times, Spaulding will be sending a van over to pick him up. The hotel is very nice and the staff allowed us to take a look at two room styles. Tim will be comfortable here for sure.




























































Afterwards, we went around the corner for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery and then headed back. After we pack up some clothes and finalize plans for next week, we're off.