Getting Stronger

Today was my first day back with Forrest in a couple of weeks, and as always, it was inspiring. Forrest is hanging in there. He gave his first smile in several days this morning! Several friends visited throughout the day and elicited more ear-to-ear grins.  He even threw a soft football back and forth a few times. He's uttered a few soft phrases that have been hard to understand. We've worked on range-of-motion exercises in-between doctor's visits. He's still on smoothie diet via PEG, but hopefully we'll evaluate his swallowing tomorrow and see about starting eating. There's still a significant amount of swelling, though we expect it to start decreasing in the next few days. Vitals are stable, no evidence so far of infection or other complications. The number of incisions involved in the last surgery is astounding; he's been through a lot over the last few days but he's in amazingly good spirits, all considering.

This evening Angel brought a few movie choices and Forrest chose Hercules, the animated Disney movie. We're bedside watching the movie right now with him. A few minutes ago the "I can go the distance" song came on, which Forrest has sung many times with Tom and in front of audiences, and Forrest mouthed the words along with us, too quiet to hear but nevertheless there. Tami just walked in the door and will be staying with him tonight. Tomorrow more visitors are arriving and we'll work some lacrosse into the physical therapy mix! Thanks for all the messages, he smiles when we read them aloud.

All the best,
Austin and Team 44