November 6
8 AM

Hi, Lily Pad followers! I'm getting ready to head to the Continuing Care facility to see Pat. That's a really nice thing to say, that I can get up and go visit her, and be there in twelve minutes instead of twelve hours! Since it is not far from the hospital (where I work), I will be able to see Pat, take her cards, read your blog comments to her, and do her laundry quite easily.

It's a busier place; instead of a private room, Pat has a roommate, and potentially two (each room could hold four people, but they seem to max out at three). The nurses are busy, but in general seem quite friendly and helpful. There seems to be an inability, though, to break free of something that beeps all night long. Though Pat has no monitors or IVs to make noise, there is a thing in the ceiling of the hall that beeps once a second whenever anyone has pushed their call button. Since someone is always pushing their call button, the thing beeps continuously. Such is life. I have grown more sensitive to these things in regards to my patients at the hospital.

Physical and occupational therapy is much more involved than at the NIH. Pat, as always, wants to do as much as she can, and she is doing more every day. Her ability to stand and transfer move is much better. She is a bit discouraged, but I see how much improvement she has made, and it's a lot. We are still working on getting the diet right and the meds right and get off oxygen. It's one small step at a time, but it's a step forward!

So, off I go! Thanks again for your comments. Sara, Pat loves hearing about the NOG progress, and her heart is always with the kids at Palmer. She knows the people from Park Church are keeping her in their prayers, and thanks to Rev. Todd and all the staff. I bring the Congregationalist to her and it cheers her up. Pat always smiles at messages from Ria, her sister across the sea. Deanna, we had a suggestion, based on what we have seen: rather than having Rob go hunting, just park a bunch of cars around, have a party, and in the morning go collect all the deer that have run into them. Kim, eventually Pat will be walking the aisles of Once Upon a Child, so don't despair. And thanks to Leslie, and sister Suz and everyone who keeps Pat in their thoughts, whether you blog or not.

More updates soon!