After Weekend Visit

I got home yesturday afternoon from visiting Carolyn and Mike in San Antonio. My sister also talked with Carolyn's doctor today and got some encouraging words.

Mike, after several days of waiting and several phone calls, has been transferred back to HealthSouth. They are still waiting for his blood work to get back to a normal range so he can have his surgery. He seems to be in relatively good spirits and was happy to have us in town. Once he has the neurosurgery, he will stay at Methodist Hospital for about 2 weeks. Then he will go back to HealthSouth to complete his rehab. He has mentioned, several times, how greatful he is for all the visits, thoughts and prayers. He can get a little "down" sometimes (which is totally understandable considering the circumstances). Every visit, letter, and prayer helps those moments be a little less often.

Carolyn is improving. They have started her on a couple of new medications that seem to be working. She has been responding, occassionally, with a nod or a shake of her head, to questions that she is asked. Her answers seem appropriate to the questions. There are times when it appears that she is focusing on you as you talk to her. She is moving around even more. According to what the doctor has said, she can "see" and "hear" things but there is still a disconnect somewhere and she doesn't usually process what she is seeing and hearing correctly. She has smiled at some comments or jokes that have been made and has evened laughed a couple of times when others in the room have laughed. She has her eyes opened most of the time now, but she mostly still has a blank stare. The doctor has also said that he thinks that she will do well. He said it will be a very slow, very long process, but he is very pleased with her progress and response to the medications.

As those of you in Boerne may have noticed, we moved all of Carolyn's things out of the office this weekend. We still have all of the photos and negatives and files (25 years worth). Over the next few months we will be going through everything to make sure that it is all organized. We (Lara, Monte, Mike, and I) made the decision after several discussions. I know that it will be really difficult for some of you to see that space empty (I know it was for me), but please know that because of the circumstances, we felt it is for the best. This does not mean that Carolyn will never do photography again, but since we know that it will be many months until she will be capable of doing it, we want to simplify things as much as possible. Thank you to everyone who helped in the move and cleaning. We also are very thankful for all of those who have helped in so many other ways. This is never an easy situation for anyone but with so much help, love, and support it does make it more bearable. THANK YOU!!!!!