#191

Elaine had a nice day today. Staci picked up Elaine for eye therapy. It was a good hour and seemed like they made some progress and nailed down what is going on. Today, it seemed that her left eye is more of the issue. The best news possible is that all skills and abilities are there, she just needs to increase her stamina in her left eye. In the exercises when both eyes are working, eventually the left eye gets bored, then relaxes, therefore losing vision out of her left eye because it stops working. This is correctable. Elaine was given some exercises to work on this week. This is a picture of Elaine using special glasses with a red lens and a blue lens.

Elaine rested this afternoon, doing her arm stretcher, and trying to relax. Unfortunately, she didn't get any sleep but at least she let her body lay quiet.

Following a long day at the doctor, Fred and Elaine spent another great evening with friends at Big Canyon. It has been a real treat to have so many of their close friends in town this week! They have really enjoyed it and feel so lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends!

#190

Elaine had another busy day! She started off with her finger prick as she tries to get her INR level back to where it was before the injection. Fred did it three times and her blood was too thick,  they couldn't get enough out to get a reading. She had therapy with Paul for two hours. She even walked down the stairs twice today without holding on to the rail. It was the first time she has done that. She was nervous, but did it well!

She had a little downtime before her afternoon started. Fred and Elaine went to see the dr so he could test her blood. It was low so they gave her extra coumadin this afternoon and will continue with a higher dose for the next few days. Elaine then went to the physical therapist that works on her shoulder. She wouldn't let Fred watch so he sat in the waiting room. An hour later, Elaine walked out to find Fred sound asleep in a chair! He is as exhausted as she is. Elaine said the shoulder therapy went well. She didn't hurt her and actually said its important that she not to do things that hurt because it causes more swelling. She does have to do her stretcher though!

Tonight the Smith and Francois families went to Mastro's to celebrate Elaine's birthday with the kids. It was a wonderful night filled with steaks and butter cakes. We hope the Smith house is sound asleep, they are both exhausted!

#189

Life is all about the little things. Here is a quick story on one of those little things that made all the difference. There is a song with the line, "It's a great day to be alive." That is a refrain that we have been thinking non-stop about Elaine since the end of January. Today is Elaine's birthday and once again, we were so grateful that she is alive following her ordeal. That is the business as usual part. What was different today was that Elaine, for the first time, said out loud, "I am so happy that I survived!"

She went on to explain that she is so thankful that she is alive and that she will see her grandchildren grow up and get married. She cried tears of joy when Brian told her Happy Birthday this morning, her first birthday that he's been able to do that. She was overcome knowing that she could have missed that. It was big step for Elaine, and it is all part of getting better physically and emotionally.

We celebrated Elaine's big day in style. We started with breakfast on the sand at Crystal Cove and then moved on to beach for few hours while Fred and the kids played in the surf. Elaine got into the action as well, but she thought the water was a little chilly. Following the beach, the whole crew headed back to Fred and Elaine's for presents and cake. Elaine still loves those presents!

This evening, Elaine was the guest of honor at a wonderful birthday honor. There were incredibly nice words about friendship, about Fred, and especially about Elaine. It is widely recognized that she is one of kind and the most special kind of person who possesses unlimited courage in the face of any obstacle. Elaine - you are truly loved and you deserve to be more than anyone!

Happy Birthday!  (now get some rest!!!!)

#188

Elaine had therapy with Paul today. They worked only on her lower body and her hand. He is very impressed with her shoulder mobility in such a short time. Elaine is still in pain, it seems to get worse as the day goes on. She had therapy and rested at home today. She is preparing for her 61st birthday tomorrow (Sunday!).

#187

Elaine went to meet her new therapist today. She will work with her exclusively on her frozen shoulder, and doesn't want anyone else to work with her upper body. She is very confident that she will be able to help Elaine regain 100% mobility and range of motion. He range of motion is already at 25%, and it was at 0% just over a week ago! It are very excited. Elaine went in terrified after all the horror stories she has heard. The therapist assured her that she won't pin her down and break it up. Its a slow, and delicate process. You have to be gentle or you cause more harm than good. We are all very optimistic! The therapist is so excited to work with Elaine. She said it is so rare that someone comes in there prepared to work hard and that wants to get better. She doesn't know that it will be Elaine pushing her to work her harder, not the other way around. There is no one like her!

When Fred and Elaine returned home from the doctor, Staci and the kids picked Elaine up for a mini celebration lunch at the Counter for burgers and shakes. After lunch, the girls talked Nammie into taking them into a beauty supply store for nail polish. As you can imagine, it didn't take much to talk Elaine into it. Staci and Brian stayed outside so Brian didn't redecorate the store. The three of them certainly took their time shopping! I am not sure who is a worse influence on who! 

It was a fun afternoon. Elaine is feeling better, the torture stretcher is still painful, but its working, which makes the pain more bearable! 

#186

Elaine had a great day today! Elaine and Fred went shopping for new golf clothes this morning and had a wonderful time! Elaine was in her element! After the shopping trip, they met Staci for lunch. Fred and Staci played golf while Elaine rode around with them and kept score! Elaine looked so cute today! It was so fun to have her out there with us and looking like herself. Her arm was feeling much better today too. It started getting more sore by the end of the afternoon, but it felt much better than yesterday and her range of motion continues to increase. Shh don't mention it to her, but she was even using her left hand while she was driving today:

We picked the girls up from camp after and we headed to Nammie's for a few minutes. They wanted to see her arm in her stretcher. They weren't quite sure why it hurt Nammie to put her arm in but they believed her. You wouldn't know by the way they were climbing on her though!

A big congratulations to her twin cousins, Elaine and Joanne, who won their golf tournament in Ogden, Utah today. They wore pink in Elaine's honor and sent this great photo!

Elaine's continues to amaze and inspire us!

#185

Elaine had her injection in her arm today. The actual injection was relatively painless and quick. She spent the rest of the day relaxing and icing her arm. It grew increasingly sore as the day wore on. The usual pain in her shoulder was escalated by the pain from the shot. She was quite miserable this afternoon and we are hoping that she will be able to get some sleep tonight. Fred insisted she skip the other two sessions of her arm stretcher today, she was in enough pain for one day! She could continue to feel soreness from the shot for the next few days. It is unknown how quickly she will start to get some pain relief from shot, sometimes its as soon as a three days and sometimes takes weeks. We are hoping/begging for sooner!!! She deserves it!