Hi,
Our dreams of a good night of sleep with the new CPAP machine were dashed by a long night of thunderstorms and a very nervous dog. Chip kept us both up for most of the night; he does not like thunder and lightening. We also had to get up early for a 9 am PT session at SKI. During this PT session, Julie did a lot of walking with a single point cane. She walked for 35 minutes or more, and did it all at a faster pace than I have seen her walk since before mid February. 
 

After our visit to SKI, Julie and I stopped by at a local CVS Pharmacy and found her a nice single point cane of her own. She will be using this cane not only to walk with, but there are several exercises that the OT therapists have given us that use a single point cane. I am beginning to feel like we are living in a small rehab center. We now have an assortment of equipment that includes a wheel chair, a four point cane, a single point cane, an estim machine, a CPAP machine, and a device that I built out of PVC pipe for Julie to work out her right arm and shoulder, and a long list of exercises for Julie.
 

The big news of the day occurred after dinner tonight. Julie decided to walk down the stairs to the basement, and she did it!  We are entertaining a few of our neighbors tomorrow night, just to say thank you for all that they have done for Julie, Chip, and me over the past eight months. Julie wanted to get to the basement to look for some glasses and napkins, so down the stairs she went. I stood in front of her on the way down, as a precaution, but she made her way down the steps all on her own. This is a huge mile stone for Julie. She was so happy to be able to get down the stairs for the first time since early February. 
 

Once she was there, she was like an IG team leader, (thatÕs a military Inspector General team). She saw pictures that were not straight, spider webs in the corners, pillows out of alignment, etc, etc, etc. I just walked behind and said, ÒYes Dear.Ó We spent about 20 minutes walking around this area that Julie has not walked in for eight months. It really was a sentimental journey for her and for me. I really miss the days when we used to sit down there and watch a movie in front of a nice hot fire. After today, I really believe that those days are not far away us again. 
 

Her trip up the stairs was easier than the trip down; Julie does have a fear of heights. I do believe that tonight we will all sleep a bit better. Today another barrier was broken, and more confidence gained. Today a new reality began for Julie and me. Today the prospect of recovery seems that much closer.
 

Stephen