We're Going Home!

"I'm going home, oh ya, oh ya, I'm going home, oh ya, oh ya" was the chant Donovan sang out as we celebrated with a "going home parade" last night. Deb and Emily, our Rec Therapists, decorated Donovan's bike (mounted Monkey on the handle bars), his helmet and with Carl and Emma wearing party hats and making noise with horns and noise makers, Donovan peddled around the whole 3rd floor for his victory parade! He was very proud! We continued the parade out to Corey's (one of the RN's) motorcycle parked in the ramp! A big night of biking for our guy.


So yes, on Thursday (today) we have one more day of in patient therapy then at 4:30pm, we will pack up the final stuff (think moving out of a dorm room) and we are off to our final celebration, a night at the Whitecaps game (local AAA baseball)! Carl played his last t-ball game of the season last night, and his league has a night out at the ball game. And he was picked to "run the bases" between innings with a few of his teammates, so he'll have the chance to really ham it up with siblings cheering him on!

We can't thank the staff here at Mary Free Bed enough for what they have given us and Donovan this past month. Their kindness, understanding, extra - extraefforts, and just plain humanity has been wonderful. Donovan is well on his way to a wonderful recovery. He has gone from barely able to move his legs to crawling, walking with a walker, and peddling, to taking a few precious steps on his own.

A few special thanks to the staff here that worked the most with Donovan. Physical Therapy: Joe, Star, and Mitch: Occupational Therapy: Daniella: Recreational Therapy: Christy, Deb and Emily: The Nurses: Deb, Katie, Corey, Tahaney, Mary,and Diane. Also, we want to thank Jackie (Dir. In Patient Therapy) Betty (Dir. outpatient Therapy), Deloris (Social Worker), and Dr. Rush, who took the time to listen to every concern and suggestion we had with grace, even when we were not so graceful (ok, that was me being blunt, Bridget is always graceful!)

On the home front, again we can't begin to thank our family, friends and parents of our kids friends enough for all their support, dinners, phone calls, emails and daycare (disguised as play dates). The Shook family (Carl's home away from home), the Sines family (Emma's home away from home), the Merchant's, theHelm's, the Ducey's, Ann, Jan, Diane, and of course Sandi! These are only a few of the many that have meant so much as we have made these initial steps on this journey.

Thank you all very much!

Donovan will take Friday and the weekend off, but then on Monday it is back to work with 45 minutes of outpatient therapy five days a week (Monday through Friday), and lots of stretching and therapy at home with Mom and Dad, not to mention, constant play with Carl and Emma!

This blog will continue so as they say in the comic books, until next time, stay tuned to the journey and adventures of "Donovan, licensed to charm".