Tuesday, Day 5, 21:32 PDT

I'm trying desperately to stay alert long enough to write a few sentences. Joanie & I have shed more than a few tears (actually quite a few) as we've been touched by the outpouring of love of friends in the form of cards, flowers, emails, and prayers--especially prayers! I've heard of offers to give Joanie a neck & back rub (she's looking forward to that), from people willing to sit with her, and several requests from friends to come and visit her (that's coming soon). Several friends have offered to go shopping or cooking for me. Another insisted on making me lunches this week! It's wonderful beyond belief.

Joanie continues to improve slowly. Tonight when her neurologist was examining her, she was able to raise her left arm just slightly. I was amazed! She seems to move her left leg and ankle fairly well, although standing and walking a few steps remains a challenge. Her speech is much more clear although she speaks in a monotone! I was even able to feed her some food tonight--her first since lunch Friday. She says some truly humorous things and I'm often laughing out loud. She's beginning to sound like my brother, Galen.

Joanie is very sensitive about how she sounds but tonight I had her talk on the phone to her sister and 91 year old mother in Loma Linda. She also talked to our son, Troy, in Auburn, WA. It was great and we all survived.

She has been evaluated by the rehab director and she may be moved over there in the next day or two. I'm hearing that she may spend about two weeks there. We'll miss being at the hospital where the physicians, nurses, and aides have been wonderful but we hear the rehab clinic is great.

Joanie enjoyed having her hair washed tonight by those same two friends from last night. They each had a plan as to how the task should be accomplished and had been bringing what they needed throughout the day. Joanie loved all the attention.