Sam came to visit us this past weekend from New York City . . . we took the metra train into downtown Chicago on Sunday, and spent an afternoon browsing the art institute, walking through Millennium Park, checking out the shops, and of course, taking our necessary coffee shop detour!

dad's therapy has been going well. we're very happy with the therapists he interacts with daily, and find my dad challenged to continue to push himself every day. although speech/communication remains an extremely frustrating aspect of my dad's healing, he has been making daily progress that always keep us hopeful; his writing skills, especially, seem to be getting better and better. this evening he was able to communicate something to us just by writing! we also hear more accuracy with spontaneous speech . . . for instance, if he wants my attention, he's much more likely to call out "Maggie!" than he would have been a few weeks ago. we try to work with him outside of rehab as much as possible as well -- identifying food at the dinner table, naming his kids, repeating certain words and sentences, etc. -- as a way to keep him working and thinking outside of the rehabilitation facility. his walking is looking very good, much more steady and even. every afternoon after therapy one of us will go out for a walk in the neighborhood with him, and the improvements are becoming more and more obvious. the therapists at RIC are also talking about putting my dad into some stroke study programs/research projects, which might be a neat opportunity!

we continue to be blessed here in Plainfield, IL, and daily receive love from all of our friends and family -- THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, no act of kindness has gone unseen. we're happily adjusting to our new home and surroundings here, and it has been a new adventure for all of us:)

"i have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. but take heart! i have overcome the world."

--John 16:33

the next BIG STEP!

hey guys, it's Maggie again! looks like there is a little updating to do since the last blog post!

my dad ended up getting discharged a few days early from Mayo Clinic at our request -- he was getting a bit restless on the rehab floor -- so he left Rochester this past Friday, and spent the weekend in St. Paul with family. he and my mom even made it over to the Minnesota State Fair for some sunshine and food on a stick!

but this past Tuesday morning we packed up our bags and made the road trip down to Chicago, IL, where my dad has begun his new therapy sessions at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

yesterday was his first day of therapy; he and my mom (she wanted to go along the first couple of times to check out the place) were picked up by a transport service around 7:45 AM and my dad went through a full six-hour day of therapy before coming back home a little after 4 PM. he'll have 2 hours a day of occupational, speech, and physical therapy. the therapists spent most of the day just getting to know Geoff, and to see how far along he was with his therapy. my mother was very impressed with all of the therapists, and they, in turn, were so impressed with my dad! they remarked on what great progress he had already made . . . his speech therapist remarked on the fact that his ability to read phrases and his ability to comprehend so well already put him ahead of the game!

it will be hard work for my dad, but hey, we're not ABOUT to let him take it easy:) the first thing he wanted when he came home from therapy yesterday was a big cup of coffee! so he kicked back on the couch and sipped his cup of joe while all of us girls pestered him with questions about his first day of therapy!

after today, he'll have the weekend to rest up -- and then his first FULL week!

also, here is our new address:

24108 Walnut Circle

Plainfield, IL 60585