Day 4-5: Change

Obama todayI never got around to posting yesterday. I was here in the morning, but decided to wait until later to write anything so I’d have the latest info. But by the time I visited in the evening I didn’t have my laptop with me. I’ll get to why later.

So, I’m double posting here, covering both yesterday and today. That’s all right, because there isn’t really any big news, just steady, incremental improvement. Continue Reading…

Family House

Neville Family HouseI’ve been staying at a place called Neville Family House. It’s one of four locations run by the Family House organization here at UPMC.

I didn’t know much about it, having stayed at a hotel the last time I was here in 2000. But after being up all night, by Friday I didn’t care if it was a cot in a closet.

It’s been really nice. It’s sort of like a hotel, but you do a lot for yourself, just as if it were your home. It sort of is, while you’re there. You make your own beds, clean up after yourself, are responsible for your own food and cooking and laundry. Yep, just like home. Continue Reading…

Day 3: Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Recovery

The IV Tree
Al continues to improve slowly. He’s still wired to a bunch of IV’s and drain tubes, but that’s to be expected. He’s not out of the woods yet, but there’s been no sign of the Wicked Witch or any Flying Monkeys.

I visited him late this morning and found him sitting up in a chair and eating applesauce and apple juice. Finally, food, such as it is. I know he was hungry even going into surgery. But that’s no time to eat!

While I was there, he was getting some of his meds and a nurse was doing his checks. Everything still looks good, but Al was tired and I left after a while to let him rest. Continue Reading…

Day 2: So far, so great!


Al is looking good, considering what he’s been through. He came off the ventilator today and I got visit him twice today.

He wanted his glasses and iPod, so he’s feeling good enough to do more than just lie there. With the tubes out of his throat, he’s talking and in pretty good spirits. He says his breathing is feeling better already, but there is some soreness yet. I thought he looked really good.

I visited again tonight, even though there is no shuttle service. I found out it’s not too bad of a walk and walked down for an evening visit. While I was there, they moved him into a bigger room with a TV. Where he was before, he was right by the doors coming into the unit and it was always busy. He’s now in a more off-the path area, so he’ll be able to rest better.

I’ll be back in the morning. I hope he’ll be even better to report then.

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