Update: 2:15am on 2/5

Forrest had a busy day starting in ICU and being evaluated by a variety of Shepherd staff. Dr. Kaelin, his attending Doctor had the biggest impact today. He asked for a thumbs up and immediately got one from Forrest. He lifted his leg as well and handed the ball to Dr K on command. He then gave me a
"peace out" sign, or for us older folks a peace sign as soon as I asked him for it.

The doctors here have just started seriously weaning the medications that control his agitation but they also make him less arousable. He starts doing a variety of therapies in a small amount on Saturday and doing it in earnest on Monday. It was great to see him responsive today and the goal as time goes on is to make it repeatable and reliable before they move on to more challenging chores such as speech. He still can't speak but does have his tracheotomy in which makes it almost impossible. We will see how he does next week with him trying to swallow and cover the trach hole and let him talk around it if he can.

James Shepherd the founder of Shepherd Center came rolling in his wheelchair this afternoon brimming with welcome and enthusiasm. He had some great personal experiences to share as well as many success stories out of the Center. He shared stories about knowing Jane Ware and her family and his special connection with them as well as knowing Andrew Bishop well, both of which have been very helpful and supportive. Patrick O'Brien and Patty Overland have also been very helpful as we make our transition to Atlanta. We can't tell you how many great encouraging messages and offers of help or hope that we have received daily from so many of you, it is truly touching. We didn't know how many great friends we had until something like this happens.

Austin and Aunt Trisha did a great job of driving the vehicles from Virginia to Georgia in the rain, as Austin so aptly documented. They both have supported Forrest all night long if need be but also tremendous support for Rae and I for everything. Aunt Trisha has been a saint to pick up on short notice from Oregon and do everything that needs doing and more just like Forrest's Uncle John did for the first week. Austin has put his life and career on hold without a second thought to help his brother recover and daily or nightly is cheerful helpful and always encouraging. I have two wonderful sisters who would do anything for me but never had a brother. If I had one I would hope he would have been as great as Austin has been with Forrest. Rae has been a champ throughout this experience. She always sees the glass overflowing and if any of the rest of us get down she is always there to cheer us up and tell us how great he is doing.and always asking probing questions of the staff and never tiring of being Forrest's Champion.

So we travel on down this road we would have never chosen in our darkest day. But we have learned that on days like this that the road and journey is often filled with friends, hope and light too and that makes it worth going forward, one more day at a time.
Dad

Quote of the day:

"If I accept as you are, I will make you worse; however if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that."                                                 -- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

A dozen beautiful white roses, left by someone at the entrance to the farm.