Wednesday, 10 November 2010 at 2112

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

Yesterday was a short day, David was quite sick and so we just came home and let him rest.

Today was another day - places to go, people to see, and things to do. It was a day of much of the same appointments - OT, PT, Prosthetics, oh and we met with the VA today to get things set up to do the vehicle modifications so David can drive his own Jeep.

The one thing that I thought you would really be interested in today was when we went to Prosthetics to get David some smaller shrinkers. David hasn't worn them for over a month because the skin just keeps breaking down. While we were sitting there talking to Pete, David mentioned that he wasn't going to walk today because he just wasn't feeling very good. Pete immediately stopped the conversation and told David that he never wanted to hear that again. He said that, today, tomorrow, 20 years from now and 40 years from now David had to get up and put his legs on and walk. He said that he didn't care how bad he felt, those legs have to be a routine that is never broken unless you are sick enough to be in the hospital. He said he wanted David to walk every day for the rest of his life and work out at least an hour per day.

I personally thought that was the greatest part of this day and so did David. We all need to do that, we need to build routines to maintain our own health, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Pete has run the Iron Man 11 times, which consists of a 2 1/2 mile swim, a 26.2 mile run, and a 110 mile bicycle ride) I may not have those numbers a bit off but, needless to say, Pete knows how to succeed and I believe every word out of his mouth today.

Immediately after that speech from Pete, David went over and got in his legs and did a lap around the place. He had to stop a couple times so he didn't throw up, but he took everything that Pete had to say to heart and I don't think he'll take another break.

There are many changes to come, including the way David keeps his legs on - the current method seems very loose and he feels like he is going to step out of the left leg most of the time. We're told that it will all change many times and to not get discouraged - it's all building strength for the "Big Time!"

Have a great night and have a great Veteran's Day tomorrow.

Good Night

Gordon