Archives at Zinester: Storytime Tapestry Update on Hart. Storytime

Dear Friends

This is

It has been a very busy 2 days. Friday I was very upset. I didn't get to go with Helen to the hospital. Helen left the house very early in the morning. I saw my friend Don come in his white pickup and I thought he was coming in, but instead, Helen left and got in the truck. I sat at the window and barked and barked. Maybe she was coming back for me, but she didn't. How could she do this to me? ... But Evelyn explained that it was okay. I would get to go later on. So I settled down....I got a nice surprise later in the day: Ernie and Faith came back from Alberta with a van for Helen to drive, as her car died while ago. That's why she has been going with other people, or borrowing a vehicle. I am glad she will now have her own vehicle to drive. I don't care what kind it is.... Faith and Ernie and Evelyn and I went in to see Hart later in the afternoon. Helen had been there since 7, but said she didn't mind.

Today (Saturday) we didn't go to see Hart until after lunch, and Helen stayed home too, to do some things. Ernie had some more things to do in the house to get it ready for Hart when he gets home....When we got into Hart's room at the hospital, he said, "It's about time you got here." I didn't know he was just kidding, because he knew Helen wouldn't be in early today, but I agreed with him. It WAS about time they brought me. Now I am going to let Helen carry on with her report, as she has some good things to say.

's report:

Yes, as Rocky said, I have some good things to report:

1) On Friday Hart had some very serious physio. The physiotherapist made him transfer from bed to wheelchair, using the walker to balance. It was hard work, but he did it. He has to strengthen his upper body muscles so that he can support his weight with his arms on the walker when he is transferring. ...

2) We learned today...that after we left the hospital last night, a nurse came in and reported that Hart's MRSA (super bug) infection was gone and he was no longer in isolation. Praise the Lord! After having it since October of last year, what great news!

3) When we got to the hospital around one this afternoon, Ernie asked Hart if he wanted to go for a ride in the wheelchair. It was a beautiful day outside, so of course he wanted to get out and get some fresh air. With all of us assisting--Ernie, Faith, myself and Rocky--Hart got into the wheelchair and off we went to see the van. When we got there, Ernie insisted that Hart try to transfer from the wheelchair to the front seat, passenger side of the 1984 Dodge caravan. So with a lot of joy and a lot of effort Hart got himself into the seat. Not bad for a first try. In fact, it seems the ideal vehicle for him. The car that we had--the one that died--had been difficult for Hart to get into whenever we had to go to the doctor. Its seat was much lower than the van's. Hart was so pleased with his success that he tried it a second time...... When Faith and I were talking a bit later, we wondered why Hart couldn't come home, but we found out that he has to wait until his stitches (32 of them) heal first. So that will be something to look forward to in the near future --- then Hart will be back to writing his own inspirational "Hugs" letters again. Won't that be great?

A great big thanks to Ernie and Faith for sacrificing their time to help Hart and me get things fixed up in the house, and supplying a vehicle for our transportation. They leave again for home tomorrow morning with my sister, Marianne and her husband Louis, who are going to Alberta to visit their son and family. Rocky and we will miss them.

Now I will get this report off. But first, thanks again to ALL of you who have sent emails to me and cards to Hart. For anyone who may have missed the mailing address of the hospital, and want to send a card, here it is again:

Hart Dowd

% Fraser Valley Hospital

1275 7th Ave.

Hope, British Columbia,

Canada. V0X 1L4

Or, if you prefer to send a card to our home address, here it is:

Hart Dowd

41 6900 Inkman Rd.

Agassiz, British Columbia,

Canada. V0M 1A1

Good night now, and God bless......