September 13, 2012 (Final)

8:15 am
Good clear conversation this morning for most of my visit.  I noticed that interruptions cause confusion.

Gretchen was able to wheel her chair into her room when I arrived.

going to be late for work so I'll post for now.

5:15 pm
Gretchen is doing well this evening.  She is able to carry on a clear conversation if there are no interruptions or  non-sequitors.  Gretchen's appetite was good at dinner.  I think we can safely say that Gretchen is having a good day.  She is tired but I think that is a general condition while she is recovering.  Right now Peter is regaling Gretchen with tales of the new game that he played with a friend today.  It isn't really interesting to her and she may be a bit confused but she is doing a good job of feigning interest.

I just learned that Gretchen managed to get out of the bed earlier today without setting of the bed alarm.  The funny part of it is that when the CNAs stripped her bed this morning I commented on how the bed alarm worked and that she just needed to keep weight in the middle of the bed and then she can get up.  When one of the CNAs came in to get her back in bed we were laughing about it and the CNA told me not to give her any more ideas.

Well, probably ought to let Gretchen rest before her sister arrives.

9:00 pm
As Peter and I were talking on the way home from Siskin he made a remarkable statement.  I don't remember how it came up (I was asking him something about how things are going) but he basically told me that when everything fell apart on August 12 he decided not to look back but instead to take each day as it came.  I know that is easier for kids to do because they are more focused on the here and now (even then it isn't easy) but this is a true example of God's Grace in Peter's life.

I have been trying to reach some local friends that I knew back up in Washington State.  When it happened someone helped me find their phone.  I tried calling but got no answer (don't recall if I left a message, that was only a month ago, why can't I remember...) and then lost the number.  They visited Gretchen and left a gift (he was my pastor in Washington and our pastor later) and then called and left a message.  I wrote down the number and deleted the message...and then lost the number.  Finally, today I got a letter of encouragement from them and they included an email address. Tonight I must write and thank them (an apologize for not being more persistent in trying to contact them.

I talked to Gretchen yesterday about visitors.  She seemed a bit hesitant.  I think visitors would be good but I am not sure how to arrange it yet.  Hopefully we can get a couple visitors in to see her soon.