Another Concert from the Menonite Singers

Recognize This Face?

It's been a while since we've had an unobstructed view. Doesn't he look great?

Goodbye to the NG tube (and the band aid that covered his nose). Dad hated the NG tube - it was uncomfortable, cut up his nose, and always got in the way. Dr. Duke said he was hesitant to take it out because after so many months it would be very painful if he had to put it back in. Well Dad said it was very painful to take it out, so we're definitely praying that it doesn't need to have it re-done. We wanted to post "pray that they take it out soon, and that he does well without it", but then Dr. Duke surprised us and pulled yesterday. So, instead of praying for it's removal, pray that he will not become nauseous and that will feel okay without it suctioning his stomach. (months ago it removed briefly but had to be re-inserted when he became very nauseous). It was pulled out yesterday evening and so far so good!!!




Dad showing that both nostrils are free... and I guess he can fill them with kleenex if he so pleases. However, be careful what you joke about - I'd hate for the hayfever to find you! :)

A Visit From His Boy

Anyone who knows dad well knows just how much he loves this little boy. He raised the three of us girls and then still had to wait another couple of decades to get his chance with a boy. Not a son, but a grandson (that's possibly even better). Me coming to visit seems to be 100 times better if I bring Tate with me. We come in with a bang and Dad lights up at the sound of "PAWPAW!"

Tate has a current infatuation with shoes, and it took him less than 20 seconds to notice that Pawpaw wasn't wearing any. (He was with me when we bought Pawpaw's shoes, so he knows that he has some) Sitting in the chair didn't require running shoes, but when Jocelyn showed up Tate was eagar to help Pawpaw get his shoes on (with some help from Mimi).



























Tate telling me to "come on". He's right, no time for pictures, dad was walking pretty fast!
































A few pictures from the Waiting Room. I'm not sure which one of them was having more fun.

Graduation Day

I would like for you to meet another member of Louie's health care team. Jocelyn is the physical therapist that has worked with Louie for the pastseveral months. She may be only 5 feet tall , but I would pair her against anyone for strength and agility. In the beginning she would patiently organize wound vacs, IV's, suction tubes, drains, etc. to painstakingly get him up to first sitting, and later standing and slowly walking to the window. The process of getting him "ready" was long and complicated but she patiently did so for the few steps he was able to withstand. After that she would reverse the whole process to get him back in bed again. He would make progress only to be set back after skin grafts (no physical therapy for 3 weeks). Each time however when Dr. Duke said physical therapy could be resumed she was back again to start over. He has soared under her direction and she has taught me so much!! As each set of goals was met, new goals were determined. She taught us how to work together using the wheelchair, the walker , the IV pole and other apparatus. I did not realize that she was slowly moving us toward independence with only each other. We were able to leave the room -- going to the chapel and even outside. There is certain criteria set for floor patients and he has met each of them. Today, as she put it, was Graduation Day. We will now, three times a day, do the work she set out for him on our own. We will continue toward building his strength as Dr. Duke gets him ready to go home. When he returns to El Campo he will continue physical therapy locally. When Jocelyn first mentioned that she would not be with us each day, I was quite honestly afraid. She is a joy to have around and I had come to think of her as our safety net. We have practiced alone in the evenings this week and I think we are ready to fly. She will still be around the floor to answer questions, if needed. Letting go is hard, but another measure of success. Thank you , Jocelyn!!

Love to all, Ruthie


Pictures from the last day of therapy

Learning to step up and down is literally crucial for his trip home. It get's him in the front door. :) He did great!

Field Trip

Dr. Duke recently invited Louie on an outing to the 2nd Floor--Surgery. He told us many people had been asking about Louie and wanted to see him. These people were amazed at how good he looked - claiming they never would have recognized him! Dr. Duke, (ever perceptive, of course) answered, "Of course not , you've never seen him with his clothes on!!!"

Their picture was taken in front of operating room 18 where Louie had the majority of his 94 surgeries.


Love to all, Ruthie

Popsicles and The Great Outdoors

Anniversary Date


Popsicles with Cayla and Suzanne



A Breath of Fresh Air - Outside for the First Time



With Dad pushing his IV pole and Mom pushing his wheelchair, they're quite a team!!!

ENT Report

Louie visited the audiologist last week and she tested his hearing. She was very concerned about the large amount of wax that can build up in a person's ears when they have been laying flat for over 7 months.

Although she was able to test him, she recommended he see an ENT for evaluation, She found medium to profound hearing loss in both ears especially to high pitched sounds. She wants to retest him after his ENT appointment. The next day we again travelled to the basement. This time for a visit to the ENT. This doctor found extreme impacted wax, fluid behind the wax in both ears and a punctured ear drum in his right ear. All of this would definitely make him feel that he couldn't hear much of anything. The ENT worked on him for quite some time and then recommended antibiotic drops and mineral oil. The main outcome of all of this is that HE CAN HEAR SO MUCH BETTER!!

For the first time he hears the Life flight helicopters coming in. We also have our TV at a MUCH more normal level so not everyone on the floor is enjoying (or not) the same program he is watching. Regularly there is a shoot out (John Wayne) or battlefield sounds (any war movie) coming from our corner.

Dr. Duke , in one of his funny and helpful moments reminded Louie how very useful that selective hearing is and how he should definitely hang on to some of it. GEEZ !!!!

Louie of course loved that but I was thinking "don't you have something else you need to be doing??? --- you, know medical emergency , saving someone else's life etc. etc. All of a sudden he comes up with all these words of wisdom!! I reminded him that he might not be such a good influence on my husband. Do you think that bothered him????---not at all.

On the other hand, Louie is working hard and moving toward home--keep praying. Dr. Duke says we are on the "home stretch".

Love to all,
Ruthie