gone fishin'

Todd came and picked up Mikey to go fishing today. They have minnows, corks, (life jackets), and a picnic lunch. They are fishing out at Bridgewater off land. We went and got Mikey's freshwater fishing license this morning first. Todd is hoping to partner up with Mikey on a speck tournament at the end of Feb. He has to get the day off first.
Mikey said something funny today (well he says lots of funny/cute things, but this is one that sticks in my mind.........). We were driving around with Petey (our dog) and Petey was leaning forward through the console of my car looking so sweet, so I said "Aw baby you are such a sweet little thing." and Petey put her head on my shoulder. Mikey observed this and said he thinks Petey knew what I was saying and decided to "take it up a notch".

We are getting into a routine now with Mikey spending Sat-Sun in Lakeland, then back to Dade City for Monday, returning to Lakeland Monday nights through Tues night, back to Dade City Wed-Saturday. We have 4 appointments this week, 2 with doctors, and 2 for therapy. Today Mikey jumped on Morgan's rip stick (like a skateboard) and took off easily. He needed some help getting started, but once he got going he did awesome. He also jumped some on the trampoline and rode the electric scooter. We took Petey to the park and walked around some, then went grocery shopping. Todd came over for a visit, and he is planning on taking Mikey fishing next Sunday.

Back in Lakeland

Mikey is in Lakeland for a couple of days. We stopped by to see Alex briefly last night, then went to Taco Bell with a few of my friends. We are getting into a routine (I think) and will be going for the first outpatient therapy session in Winter Haven today. First we have to go get some bloodwork drawn at Clark & Daughtrey. Markie/Rhoda (Scott's daughter/Mikey's step-sister) is coming over today to check it all out. She may be helping out on the Lakeland front. We shall see........... Next week is busy with various follow up appointments with the trauma docs and the neurosurgeon. We are trying to work out a 3 day/4 day split between Lakeland and Dade City respectively so Tommy can get some of his business moving again-- all while coordinating therapy etc. We will keep you posted as to what we end up doing. xoxoxo Les/Momma

Home sweet home

Mikey is home!!! Here are a few pictures I just snapped before heading back to Lakeland.We are so glad to have him home!!!!!

He immediately checked his phone/voice messages/text messages. Those wishing to see Mikey while he is in Lakeland can see him Tuesday morning next week, before we go for our first therapy session. He will be there with me (Dorchester rd) all morning until about noon.

discharge tomorrow

Sorry its been a bit since update. We have been anxiously awaiting Mikey's discharge, which is TOMORROW. My Mom (Granny) is also visiting and between work, visiting Mikey, gym etc....we have been busy. Tomorrow I will be picking Mikey up and bringing him out to Dade City. Tommy and Lynne have been making preparations for this big day. Mikeys first outpatient rehab appointment is next Tuesday--I will be taking him Monday night and then taking him Tuesday. From there we are going to figure it all out, depending on dates/availability etc.

family training

Today Tommy Lynne and Momma Jackie went to family training. The therapists were giving them all kinds of information on Mikey. When I got there they were going over physical therapy exercises. We are encouraged to attempt to get Mikey to stop counting, which is a form of "perseverance", and also perhaps a sign of overstimulation. He's funny, when we say 'Stop counting Mikey" he starts whispering the numbers!!! :) Mom/Granny arrives this Saturday for a week, and we are attending similar training next Wednesday in preparation for his discharge on 1/14/10. We decided that he will go to Dade City with Tommy and Lynne and to the Winter Haven brain injury rehabilitation center (ESTEEM program) for outpatient therapy. He will be going 3 days a week. This is preferred overall by all of us, for a few reasons--continuity of care, less traffic, familiarily etc......I think we are planning on splitting up the rehab., me taking one day, Tommy/Lynne/Momma Jackie one day and maybe Brian taking a day (depending on his class schedule).........it mainly depends on WHEN those days are, more will be revealed as time goes on............. We will figure it out, I am sure. Thanks again to all you visitors, thoughts prayers and support. xoxoxo Les

Smiles

We had a quick visit today due to time limitations. Mikey enjoyed (I think) a sour Limeade--from the look on his face he thought it was pretty sour. Here is is with his sitter Jamisha. She told him to "throw out some deuces", and he thought that was funny, making him look all gangster. We walked (alot)--I think he is restless, and wants to walk and walk. He counts quite a bit--perhaps he is counting to calm his head down, we dont know. Physically he is doing great, just has a stuffy nose. It is COLD here. We walked over to the window and Morgan had him feel the glass to give him an idea of how cold it was outside. We saw some people fishing from a bass boat, he remarked they were "bastards"--maybe its a play on words (?)--bass turds. Dont know.

another great visit, and RED LOBSTER

Today Bri and I visited Mikey. We walked a lap around the hospital with the therapists (Petey too). Mikey looked at the lake and remarked that there is one house with an "impressive shoreline". He was naming various plants. Brian was quizzing him on the various "codes" for Counter Strike 1.6 to buy specific weapons, and Mikey readily rattled them off....Brian and I went to Red Lobster and brought back a meal for Mikey--steak and shrimp. Mmmmmmmm

Mikey walks Petey, or maybe the other way around.

Mikey went outside for physical therapy and Petey was ready for a walk. I am not sure who was walking who, but they both enjoyed it. Mikey is laughing (alot) over just about everything, which is good for the soul. The rehab staff say that he should be ready to go home by Jan 13-14.