This is round three, an update for all of you that are curious about who reads this and where they are.

We've managed to get a few more in Europe. There've been a few in jolly old England for awhile. So, I should say "Hi!" to my other Dad (Dad-in-law for those that are confused), as at least one of these new dots is probably him.

Here's a crazy number kind of thing: 9523 pageviews! Considering this blog does not offer any trendy must-have commercial products, has been spread around almost entirely by word of mouth (aka email), and is about my dad, that's pretty good (har har har). That number includes page refreshes when a comment or guestbook entry is made, or when one of us goes and cycles the page two or three times while editing.

Looking at things in a different of way (excluding page reloads and how many times we addicts come back for more), we have about 443 "people" who have made 2059 visits, and each time we visit, we view 4 or 5 pages. That 443 number is really rough: every IP address should mean (as far as silly statistics are concerned) a different "person"; this implies that I'm at least two people, probably more (keep the comments to yourself, please: at least one of me can probably hear you).

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Well, Bonnie H, I think I've got you beat. Mike took a little slip on my watch this time. He was trying to navigate GiGi's back stairs using his walker and his leg got ahead of his arms and he sat (ever so controlled) on his a--. we were both a little freaked out for a minute because it was obvious that he had an scrape on his stump and it was bleeding...well, after a look see-- with no huge issues, I called Tammy. Her response simply was "that Goober"... She was very comforting, and just explained that we could put a dressing on it and keep our regularly scheduled appointment. The reason for the call was that some of the skin looked bruised. Tammy was not concerned..so, another lesson learned regarding the senstive conditon of that skin. For those of you wondering why he came down the back steps...he thought it would be too hard to walk around on the grass to the pool (he was going to help me replace the skimmer on the pool). Guess he forgot that the screen porch leads directly to the pool...next time he'll take the safer route. Looks like his appopinment with Overload, Jenny's muscle building connection, will takes place tomorrow. An assessment only--his butt needs to rest for 24 hours. This will certainly be an interesting project...TV?, Movies? Money? Fame? Who knows.....it's Mike!

We were thrilled and honored to be the first place that Mike decided to visit on his first solo outing. It was great to see him and his wonderful spirit and attitude. He decided to try the tricky back steps down to the basement rec room and he did well. Good thing for all his upper body strength. We look forward to his next outing out here. We tried to attached a few photos of his visit so you all can see how awsome he is doing, but they won't upload. Hopefully Erin can help Love ya Mike !! Nancy & Buzz

This is Erin, I'll just append Nancy's pictures here:



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I can't speak for all our faithful readers out there, but as soon as I heard this story (after feeling fiercely proud of the ingenuity) I couldn't wait for the pictures! Without further ado...

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Thursday, May 31st

Outpatient PT went well today. The stump range of motion is good and I've been cleared, even encouraged, to pursue an accelerated fitness program at a fitness center called Overload. (Thanks Jennifer K. for the connection.) I'll be evaluated by Overload, to see if their program will fit my needs and goals, on Wed the 6th. So, keep that positive energy flowing.

Another first: Did my first solo outing. Visited Buzz and Nancy in Valley City (near Medina), about a 25 minute drive from GiGi's in Valley View. Got there without difficulty and had a great day. The plan was lunch and hangout for couple of hours. When Maine Dish & I walked the AT we ran into some towns were we stayed a lot longer than we planned cause we just kind'a get stuck there. Well... after solving all the problems known to the cosmos, and hobbling down the outside route to the basement to play with Buzz's phenomenal HO train set, two hours became five then we ate dinner (great food all day Nancy). Headed back to mom's (GiGi's) just before 8:00 pm with a huge basket of pre-washed fruit, which has already been devoured. A big thanks from the Haasers!!!!

Friday, June 1st

Still another first: First solo run to PT. Got parked in the outpatient garage, got the wheel chair out of the back of my Outback, made my way thru the parking lot (still no handicapped sticker), up the elevator, and into PT registration with 20 minutes to spare. Had a good session. Went thru the basic stuff with ease, I'm ok to go "HOME" as stump maintenance and therapy schedule permits. We plan to ramp things up next week with a focus on stair steps to get ready for work (the 15 steps to my office at the Deerfield Plant). Rodney - is the railing ready? Getting up and walking on a shiny new prosthetic leg is still a long and probably painful way off, but coming home, getting back on the horse (back to work) and getting a piece of my life back looks to be only a few weeks away.

Phyllis, Marsha, Kathy, Ed, GiGi, and I went to a restaurant (another first again) for a fish fry (walleye). Me, out in public - only dribbled a little food down the front of my shirt - hardly noticable - I was cool.

Thursday was a pretty big deal for Mike. In the morning the Physical Therapist spent an hour doing an assessment of where Mike is and where he wants to be...quickly. As usual the therpist was impressed with his aggressive time line, but agreed that the only thing slowing things down is the status of the grafts that seem to be taking their time healing. All-in-all, is was a good visit and we were able to proceed with schedling 2 visits a week for the next few weeks (of course, we can cancel, if he transitions home before then).

The afternoon was Mike's first solo adventure--He found his way to Valley City to visit with his friends, Buzz and Nancy. Hopefully they will comment about their day with Mike. The interesting part for me was that he said he was just going for lunch and problay stay no more than an hour....I didn't really believe that, but when it got to be 5:30, Mom ca;lled to see if all was OK. Well, he was having a fabulous time and extended his visit through dinner. Never made back to the compound until 9:00 pm or so... All went well!!

Dad has mentioned the email Noël sent to anyone that would listen, and stated a few times during our visit last weekend (to Noël's embarassment) how wonderful it was, how perfectly it was timed, etc. He also asked that it be posted on this blog on the date it was received (which is back in Memphis when things were still pretty scary). So, here it is.

No picture's to post until tomorrow--Mike decided he was ready for a litttle work today..he ventured down the stairs and into the garage where the lawn tractor is housed. After about 20 minutes of trying to figure out how to work the left sided clutch and brake, he was off and mowing and mowing and mowing. What a great help to have the lawn mowed. He spent about 1 1/2 hours on the tractor. Oh, did I mention that he used his crutch to operate the clutch and brake--what a sight. Between the mowing and the heat, he was ready for a "power nap"...I'm guessing he enjoyed that activity.

Tomorrow Mike will take a solo trip to Valley City (about 45 minutes from here) to visit with some friends. He's pretty excited about that. I'm sure he'll be "blogging" about that himself!

Just got back from the scheduled dressing change appointment. Tammy was thrilled with the healing and the overall look of the stump. After a few oversize bandaids were applied to the remaining unhealed sites, Mike was cut loose! His shower can now be independent (we stopped and bought the back brush he's been requesting). The only dressing is a stockinette (stump sleeve). That will really let the therapist have a good idea of what she can do when the evaluation takes place on Thursday. Phyllis and I will no longer need to apply his dressing, unless the bandaids (DuoDerm) fall off. MIke is also ging to schedule a meeting at a Gym that Jennie arranged. This facility is looking to work with him, get good results and market him as a "success story" for their strength and conditioning program. The end result could be a return trip to the A.T.

Oh yeah--there's more!! The BP pills can be cut in half and gradually discontinued (his pulse in now normal); the ensure and protein powder can be discontinued and used only to supplement as needed. This will facilitate his anticipated dieting program. He has to drop about 30#. We also picked up the tool that allows Mike to pick up things from the floor (mostly after he drops them).

The next thing on Mike's agenda is to schedule some visits with friends...he's driving to them!! Once the rehab appointments are scheduled, he'll begin working on that social calendar...and then, maybe a visit to work. We just keep reminding Mike that pateince is a virtue he needs to embrace for a while.

It's been 6 days since the last entry on Monday. Phyllis and Marsha have been doing the same daily domeboro (wet, debriding) dressings that we were doing before the touch-up graft. (easy-peasy) Except for washing the middle of my back and drying after, I have been showering and removing the old bandages unassisted.

Tue - GiGi (Great Grandma Haaser) came up with a scarf we use for exercising my stump. When tied to the overhead trapeze it provides up-ward resistance for a variety of routines.

Friday - Erin and Chris dropped in from Poughkeepsie. After gabbing for a bit, we opted for game of Spades. This required clearing and lowering the bandaging table, positioning it over the recliner with me in it, bring three additional chairs, and (last but not least by a good 10 minutes) find usable deck of playing cards with two jokers. First card game since 3/11.

Saturday - Chris and I (with my walker) went to Sam's Club without incident. Did maybe 150 feet (nice exercise) with the walker. We stopped at Walgreens Pharmacy on the way back. The car was parked, in a handicapped space, about as close to the door as we could get (15 feet tops), but the pharmacy counter was as far from the door as it could be (plus side of 250 feet). I was exhausted when I got to the counter to find out we were at wrong pharmacy. I was beyond exhausted with shaky arms, sore ankle, and weak knee (the walker is too much work for this distance) by the time I back to car. When we got back up-stairs to GiGi's Phyllis said, "Why didn't you use the DRIVE THROUGH"? (doyck)

Bonnie Griffith arrived about 2pm for her much-anticipated three-day visit. Noel, Ben and 14-month-old Adam (should have been Atom - small bundle of energy) arrived around 3pm. First time I've seen Adam - he looks like his dad.

Sunday (today) - Quiet day - just hang'n-out with Bonnie G.