Vacation in Arizona

After three weeks of therapy at Spaulding Rehab Hospital, Tania was ready for a vacation road trip to Arizona to visit family and friends. The therapy sessions were very helpful, but they only wanted to schedule her for three weeks. Next week she will resume therapy with the folks she was working with prior to starting the short term program at Spaulding. On Monday she is also scheduled to see the eye doctor again as the glasses are not helping her vision much.

The Phoenix weather was wonderful and it was great to see Rollie's Dad and Ann along with several other cousins. Tara joined us for a few days and Tania's sister, Sonia, took a Southwest flight from Omaha to join us for five days. Have a Merry Christmas next weekend.

Rollie

Shifting gears with therapy

This past Thursday Tania was evaluated by the therapy team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Aurora, CO. This hospital specializes in all types of brain injuries and has a comprehensive therapy program. Their evaluation recommended that Tania start therapy next week at the hospital in Aurora for 2 to 3 hours per day for 2 to 3 days per week. Since she has only been doing therapy for 1 hour per day for 3 days a week, this is definitely "shifting gears" to a faster pace (particularly when you consider the 35 mile one way trip to the hospital).

We are excited to begin the new therapy program and are praying that her stamina and skills will continue to improve as new brain cells are trained to take over the functions of the ones that have been damaged. Have a great Thanksgiving this coming week.

Rollie

Overnight Guests

Tara and our granddaughter, Saydie, spent the night with us while Saydie's parents enjoyed a Friday night in the mountains to celebrate Travis's birthday. Other than waking up a couple of times during the night, Saydie did great.

Tania's vision did not improve this week with the contacts given to her at the eye doctor's examination last week and we have another eye exam scheduled for the week after next. The compression fracture in her back is not giving her any significant discomfort. She is spending more time helping her care-givers in the kitchen.

Rollie

Lunch with Friends

During the past two weeks Tania has had the enjoyable experience of having four friends bring her lunch. Shown in the photo with Tania is Joanne and Karen who have been great prayer warriors throughout her hospitalization and recovery. Continuing prayer needs are for improved vision, balance, stamina and memory.

Yesterday, Tania enjoyed preparing egg casseroles for Monday's Bible study that she and Jacqueline are hosting for the first time. She also assisted Mary with a German chocolate cake for my birthday today that we will enjoy following lunch with our kids and granddaughter.

Rollie

Carving Pumpkins

Tara, Travis, Laycee and Saydie came over for dinner this week and brought pumpkins to carve for Halloween. Tania enjoyed the visitors and joined in the festivities in getting ready for next weekend.

Tania slept more than usual this past week as she re-charged her batteries from the long road trip last weekend. She had physical therapy four times this past week that included three times in the pool. We are enjoying what is probably the last nice fall days before the weather turns colder again.

Rollie

Road Trip to Omaha

Last Thursday, October 14th, Tania and I traveled to North Platte, NE to join two of my cousins and their wives for dinner. As we crossed into the Central Time Zone, I told Tania that it was the first time she had been in a different time zone for almost a year and a half. On Friday we joined Tania's younger sister, Vonne, and her family (shown in the photo) for pizza in Omaha. We then traveled to the western suburb of Elkhorn where we stayed three nights with Tania's nephew, Jeff, and his wife, Linda.

On Saturday, I went to the Nebraska vs. Texas football game in Lincoln while Tania stayed with Linda. On Sunday we went to church and spent the afternoon with Jeff's parents (Tania's older sister) and then drove back home on Monday. I got a rental car with a big back seat that I made into a bed for Tania to use while we traveled. She did great and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Rollie

Stonecroft Ministries Colorado Conference

Last night Tania and I were invited to attend the evening session of the annual Stonecroft Ministries Colorado Conference in Colorado Springs. We checked into the hotel shortly after 4:00 p.m. so Tania could get some rest before dinner. Following dinner Tania made her way to the podium to thank the group for the opportunity to serve as a District Consulting Coordinator for Bible Studies for the past decade. She also expressed her appreciation for the prayers and other support our family has received the past thirteen months. She was truly grateful when they gave her a standing ovation, and also two very nice gifts.

Later in the evening we spent some time with Travis, Laycee and our granddaughter, Saydie, who stopped at the hotel to see us on their way to Pueblo for the weekend. Tania's memory is continuing to improve as she recalled the events from last night while we joined the conference attendees for breakfast this morning. It was a very nice overnight trip. I've learned that the best luggage when pushing a wheel chair is a backpack....except next time I won't forget to pack the toothpaste.

Rollie