Day 141 to 147, Jan. 11-17

IDay 141 to 147, Jan. 11-17

This week was a good one. As a family we've taken more initiative in telling our dad what to do and the result has been pretty funny. We are grateful to have made some positive memories with him and we are all looking forward to many more! 

Monday was pretty uneventful. Kasey from TOSH came for occupational therapy in the afternoon. This helps Jeff and Annette so much and we are so grateful they offer in-home visits. 

Jeff took a day off from therapy on Tuesday because they were expecting the delivery of their new bed. It has become imperative that Jeff get a pressure reducing mattress because of the sores he's developed. Unfortunately the bed never came. 

Thankfully, their good friends Brent and Janet Lloyd saved the day from being a total bust by bringing them lunch and spending some time with them. It was much needed and appreciated! 

On Wednesday Brandi went with them to Neuroworx. While Jeff got a great workout Annette and Brandi went to Rod Works to look around. They found Brandi some cute coat hangers since she doesn't have a coat closet. 

When Annette & Brandi returned to Neuroworxs Jeff was doing therapy and visiting with a new acquaintance, Christian. Brandi's friend in Mary Kay  works with Christian and told Brandi about him. Christian was in a mountain biking accident as well and suffered a spinal cord injury. Brandi has been emailing Christian and getting some good advice for our dad and they thought it would be good for Christian to meet our dad so he met him at Neuroworx. Christian and Jeff talked about the back country skiing and mountain biking they used to do before their accidents. Brandi said it was good to hear her dad talk cause he seems to be a lot quieter now days than he used to be. Christian told our dad that things would get better and he would improve but that it would take time. He said we need to think in terms of years instead of months. We are all very impatient and want our dad to improve quickly so he can find joy in life again, but we will just have to give things some time. We are thankful that Christian took the time out of his busy day to meet our dad and talk with him.

They went to Neuroworx again on Thursday and Annette went and met her parents while Jeff had his physical therapy. 

Friday was supposed to be a TOSH day, but Kasey was sick. We hope he gets well quick! 

We are so grateful to say the new bed finally arrived! We are praying it will help to decrease pressure to trouble areas and aid in allowing current sores to heal. 

Now for the funniest moment of the week! 

Cherie decided they were going out to dinner and told Jeff in her own feisty way that he was going and he didn't have a choice. She then said, "You've been inside all day. You need to get out and have some society interaction!"

Keep in mind he hasn't been out to eat in public since his accident.

His response was, "You're such a Budda!" But, he grudgingly allowed them to get him in the truck. (Jeff has called her Budda since she was a little girl!)

Cherie sent a text to Brandi and Julee about it and said, "Hope it's a good hamburger or I'll never get him out again!"

They went to a place they had never tried before called Freddy's. When they pulled in and Jeff saw how busy it was inside he said, "Let's just go to the drive thru."

That didn't sit well at all! Annette firmly said, "We didn't get you all ready and in this truck to go to the drive thru!"

And sassy Cherie spouted out, "Hell no! We're going inside!" Ha! 

He looks so thrilled to be there, doesn't he? 

Deciding what to eat. So many choices! 

Aliyah, loving every minute. She's always so quick to smile! 

The hamburger was so tall he couldn't hold it so they had to cut it up. And yes, he said it was very good! 

Love this one of our beautiful mom laughing! 

All in all their first night out was a success and we are so grateful to Cherie and Blake for making it happen. Annette said, "It was all Cherie's idea and she was very helpful and patient."

On Saturday night Ryan and Blake took Jeff to the Utah Auto Expo. Needless to say they didn't have to work as hard as Cherie to convince Jeff to go. 

They made it a boy's night out with Jaxon and Talon joining them. Ryan says Jeff pushed himself for at least half the time. He got tired of telling Ryan which way to go and said he wanted to be in control! 

Jeff said Talon was a "pill" about halfway through, no surprise there! But he got better after riding with grandpa and then on dad's shoulders. That's a lot of walking for a four year old! 

That smile spells trouble! Look out world! 

Sunday was pretty much the same routine as usual. However after early church Zach came over and switched out the motor in Jeff's power wheelchair for a different one. He then took apart the hand controls and cleaned it really well because the buttons weren't working all that great and were sticking. Jeff has been wanting this done since he came home from the hospital and we are grateful Zach took time to use his mechanical skills to do what needed to be done. It was then time for spaghetti dinner with the family. We are so blessed to have this time together. 

We have a lot to be thankful for as we reflect on this past week. It was a huge leap to get our dad out into public, doing some of the same things he used to enjoy. Little steps like this are what will lead to the bigger ones. He's already starting to plan a trip to St. George next month and we can't wait for it to happen! 

It finally feels as if life is starting to move forward again. It no longer revolves around what Jeff can't do, but what he can do. We cannot express our gratitude enough. Our merciful Father has heard our prayers and is helping us find ways to involve our dad in more than just therapy. He is learning how to live again.