I'm Grateful. . .

I'm taking a cue from my good friend, Lisa, today and listing a few of the little things I'm grateful for. There are a lot of things, actually, that I have come to appreciate here at the hospital.  Here are a few of them:

 The artwork (by kids and for kids) on the ceilings and hallways.

 I'm fascinated with the helicopters coming and going.  Seeing LifeFlight fly over my house almost every day used to make me cry.  Now I'm grateful that someone is getting the help they need! (Thanks Carolyn Davidson for that beautiful perspective.)

 I'm grateful for family and the amazing help they have been at the hospital, and at home, and via FaceTime.

 I'm grateful to see the sky and am especially grateful when we have a great view out the room window.

I was so grateful to be in the Neurotrauma Unit when this beautiful ray of sunshine arrived.  Flowers, plants, or anything living cannot be taken to the 4th floor ICS unit.  So I enjoyed these while we lived on the 2nd floor!

 I am grateful when I can find a blow dryer.

 I'm so grateful for a friendly kids menu and room service.  It's so much easier getting Brendan to eat when it is something he likes!  Food service always has a smile and they call Brendan by name, both when taking his order by phone and when they deliver the food to his room.  Plus, they always make the food look nice and fancy!

And they always include a joke and a cute rubber guy!

 (I think by the time we get out of here we will have enough rubber guys to populate a whole city!)

 Today I'm especially grateful for progress!  Last night Brendan turned himself onto his left side all by himself!

 Later, he got up to walk to the bathroom. His neck is still very weak and he has a hard time holding it up by himself, but it's improving.

 I'm especially grateful for a shower close to our room.

 This morning ENT came and took the drain out of Brendan's neck.  It slipped right out, much to Brendan's relief!  Yesterday he wasn't quite so lucky with the Foley (catheter).  It took a urologist to come help.  Ouch!

More and more progress!

Snow?!!!  (Still trying to be grateful for that.)

Things are looking up!  Here comes therapy. . .