It's already been a great day! Terry sat on the side of the bed for about 30 minutes!!! He wanted so bad to stand up, but just couldn't accomplish it....maybe later.

Don't know why the turn around the last two days but I'm so thankful! Terry has been alert all day! He's sorta sat up in bed and watched basketball for hours. He talked to his Mom quite well today.

We just shared a subway sandwich (thank you Shannon and Bryan!) and now he's eating peanut butter m & m's.

He hasn't really talked much but he's watched me come and go from the room a lot. Usually he's unaware of his surroundings. So, here's hoping for another great day tomorrow!

Wow! Terry was so alert today! He sat up (his bed was raised all the way) for hours! He tried to feed himself breakfast....just the fact that he made the effort is great! He did feed himself lunch, a sandwich and sat on the side of the bed for a few minutes this afternoon.

All in all he's had a great day!

Home health care started again, finally! Thank you Dr. Fairbanks!

Terry quite enjoyed all the attention. He sat up on the side of the bed for a few minutes (with help, of course) and even attempted some leg exercises.

Unfortunately he had to be prompted to tell the physical therapist the names of our kids. That made me sad :(

All in all it's been a good day for him. Now, I'm off to Sonic to get a hotdog for him. Isaac and David will watch him for a few minutes....while he sleeps. :)

Terry's procedure went well. The dr said he only found one "flat red spot" on the inside of his bladder, so he biopsied it and we'll get the results next week.

Terry was awake for several hours, until we got home and he ate. He's slept all afternoon, as usual. :)

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. We appreciate you all.

It's been a pleasant day, Terry's very content.

The procedure for his bladder scope and biopsy is tomorrow at 7:30 am! The transport guy will pick us up at 6! It'll be a short night tonight!

Terry sat on the side of the bed while I fed him breakfast this morning! I tried to get him up in a chair, but we didn't quite make it...maybe tomorrow.

Emily made a poster for his party (retirement, etc in 2008) about travel. It's a collage of lots of places around the world. He looks at it for hours! I lowered it to eye level for him today. I guess he traveled so much it really appeals to him. He'll ask me once in a while if I've seen something on it. I may make more collages and switch them out.

He asked me today where my Mom was. As far as I can remember that's the first time he's mentioned her since she died.

I ordered a machine to exercise his legs. I've wanted one for years, but just never bought it for myself. It's called the Exerciser 2000 Elite. You just lie down and put your ankles on it (I ordered a fuzzy cover for Terry) and it rocks back and forth to exercise your legs and hips. It's used in physical therapy. I've used it on him 3 times, just about 2 minutes each time. He doesn't really like it, but he's cooperating fairly well with it.

If anyone is reading this, please feel free to comment...it's lonely in here. :)

We've had an uneventful week. Terry hasn't had much to say, he has enjoyed watching the Olympics. I'm concerned at how weak he's getting.

He seems more rested in his new bed, even a little more alert, I think, at times. It could be wishful thinking on my part....

Guess I'm just rambling so I'll stop and get some sleep.

Wow! Can't believe it's been a week since I wrote on here. Terry wasn't very alert last week, but Friday we had a hospital bed delivered and he loves it! I think he feels safer with the side rails.

Yesterday and today he has been more alert. In fact, he fed himself lunch today! It's been a while since he did that.

He's been watching the Olympics and seems to enjoy it.

I wish he communicated more, but he rarely talks to me. He does speak to the kids when they go in to see him, most of the time. Guess he thinks after 39 years I should read his mind. (Do I sound like my mother, or what!) :)

The last couple of days have had some improvement! Terry sat up yesterday almost all morning! He had his breakfast and watched some tv and dozed :) while in his chair. The last time he was out of bed was Monday, so that was a biggy! This morning he's been talking and cheerful. We've been up since around 6am. He's sleeping again. I'm going in to bathe him after he rests some, and try to get him up again.

As I type this it seems a little silly, but in our life right now every small action on his part is major. So, hopefully this doesn't get too boring.


Deborah

Terry has been better yesterday and today. He's been in bed both days, but a little more alert, at least in the evening.

Yesterday was the most difficult day we've had in a long time. Terry did not have his procedure. The anesthesiologist and urologist both determined he was not up to it, their biggest concern was that he wouldn't be able to cough to clear his airway after the surgery. He just wasn't responding to anything we asked him to do.

Getting him to the hospital was quite an ordeal! Most of the time he just won't say anything or do anything...stand up, lift his foot, take a step, etc. Emily helped me get him in the car (I was at my wits end and she came to the rescue!) We were an hour late getting there (no, not the reason for postponing it, they just took the next person and waited for us).

Everyone at the hospital was so nice and helpful. After getting him in and ready, then postponing, I asked if we could just stay and let him sleep for a while. They let us and Terry was a little better after he slept some. They put him back in the car for me and we headed for Sonic to get a cheeseburger, fries and a coke, his second favorite! (A hot dog is first!) We haven't been out for a burger in several weeks, so even though he didn't say, I know he enjoyed it. I fed him the fries while we drove. When we got home I got him out into the wheelchair and Emily (strong man, I mean woman :) ) practically lifted the wheel chair from the garage into the house. It's a step up. I can't pull it over without building a makeshift ramp. I fed him his cheeseburger then got him back in bed.

By the time we made it home, and I got him back in bed, I was just exhausted. (I left out quite a few details, frustration, tears, pain from trying to lift, etc. Difficult day)

Bryan and the boys came over and cooked supper. Shannon cleaned up the dishes afterwards. That was such a treat! I was ready to open a can of soup and call it supper!

Terry was awake in the evening, so I fed him dinner and we shared the biggest piece of chocolate cake you've ever seen!

He still isn't talking...just waiting for another good day to share with my hubby.

Deborah

ps (can you use ps on a blog?) I wish I had started this 4 years ago when he first got sick, instead of waiting until now when things seem so bleak. We've had some wonderful days through all of this, a lot of those spent with family and friends. I hope and pray we have many more.