May 8

Happy Saturday morning!

The O Team finished the Sole Burner in somewhat damp weather but in great spirits.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Regardless of your team, the cause is a great one. To be honest, neither Denny nor I have had a member of our immediate families ever had to battle cancer. Friends, yes, and we have prayed and cried with them, but within our families cancer has not been an issue. I'm sure that's why Denny's diagnosis threw us into a state of panic. (It's hard to believe that it's nearly a year ago since that diagnosis.) The American Cancer Society needs all of the financial support people can give. It was so inspiring to see the thousands of people out walking for this wonderful cause.

Yesterday Denny was transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. I was only there from 3:30 until he went to bed, but my first impressions are stellar. He is on the rehab unit (room 528), which has its own director. He met us and evaluated Denny; he and his associate, a neurologist, will see Den every day. There will be physical, occupational, and speech therapies each day -- the amount of time spent on each will be about double what he received last time at St. E's. Every Tuesday there will be a staffing with all of the doctors, therapists, and nurses, plus Denny, myself, and any other family members that want to attend. I certainly got the feeling that it's a real team oriented program. The doctors will stay in communication with Jim Richter, and it's possible there will be new efforts at pain control. Once they can get a real grasp on that, I believe the physical rehab will
come along faster. Mentally, Den just has to get back to that athlete/competitor
place where he spent his first 58 years!

That's really all I know for now. I am going down there this afternoon and tomorrow, but Den's real work won't begin until Monday. I'll write again then!

Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Carla