Update on the Grimms

Tomorrow will be three weeks since Mike's back surgery in Tucson, Arizona. We've been in the States now for about a month, with another month to go before we head back to Cuenca, Ecuador.

Mike's progress is slow but steady (emphasis on the "slow"). It does get frustrating for him at times. The physical therapist told us that the nerves regenerate themselves at a rate of 1 millimeter per month (there are 25 millimeters in an inch). So this is going to be a long process. Just this morning, Mike almost fell because his leg gave out (with no warning). So he's back to using the walker again. (He was getting so much better we thought, and he was walking without the walker.)

He walks every morning for about twenty minutes (with the walker) and me by his side. I'm a little concerned about the sidewalks and curbs in Cuenca. He's going to have difficulty because his leg doesn't work properly and he cannot lift it to go up the curbs. We'll probably have to buy a walker and bring it back with us to Cuenca for him to use.

We are house-sitting for our friends who are back East visiting their friends and family. We're taking care of their home, plants, pool, and cute little dog (Molly). It's been a Godsend to have friends like them who have welcomed us back into their home with open arms.

I've been enjoying driving again; speaking and everybody understands me; having all the products and food available that I've been missing (i.e., we had to go to Wendy's so Mike could get a Frosty, and we went to Subway so I could get my favorite sandwich!)

So even though this has been a difficult time, there's always something to be thankful for!