Summer has arrived in Steamboat and the summer schedule is in full swing! We have put the blog on the back burner somewhat to focus our energy on our dream (returning to normal). But after a few emails and nudges I am going to get back in the habit…or nudge Brad to do it 
. The best part is I think he will be psyched to share these posts. Brad is working, exercising, healing…and smiling.
The Tour de Steamboat is this weekend, so we are preparing for the 7th annual Sunshine Kids fundraiser – 250 attendees at a Benefit dinner, 600+ bike riders, and a BBQ ought to provide a fun and festive weekend! Needless to say, Brad is full steam ahead in prepping for the ride, working away and finding time to spend with his other lady…Emily…his horse.
He is working tirelessly at rehabilitating his body and mind. It is not happening over night, but it is indeed happening and getting better every day. He finds improvement everywhere: the ability to point his right toe forward in stride, count a hand of dominoes on game night, saddle a horse, or walk a meadow with a friend. Seriously it is fun, frustrating, challenging, exhausting and exhilarating. Every day we can find something new that is moving in the right direction. And without a doubt there is an abundance of patience that he puts forth every day that majority of mankind cannot even begin to fathom. When we discuss rehab we have done our best to boil it down to the old adage: How do you eat an elephant…one bite at a time. We know this will take a lot of time and hard work – but we are happy to say we have the time.
Tomorrow we are heading to Denver to meet with a new speech pathologist – phase one in eating an elephant is figuring out the speech. The program she is proposing has never been done on a brain tumor case, so we are excited to dive into something innovative with both feet and find some solutions. The theory on this particular treatment is rather intensive and will take two weeks for Brad to spend in Denver with 3-4 hours per day. It will not be easy, but I think the two of us barely know how to spell the word anymore.
On top of it all – today we are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. So here is to celebrating love, life and laughter ~ and to the husband that can defy all odds and make the universe smile. We are truly blessed to have one another.
Happy Bastille Day!
What wonderful news and an anniversary to boot! Congrats to both of you in all areas of your lives. May God continue to bless you.
By: Sue Brown on July 14, 2011
at 12:37 pm
Congratulations on another anniversary! And thanks for another update, we will keep looking and hopeing for progress.
By: Verla & Lars on July 19, 2011
at 2:15 am
Happy belated anniversary! So glad to hear Brad’s progress. The both of you bless us with your positive attitudes towards this very trying experience! Keep it up, keep smiling, and you remain in our prayers. Love you and appreciate the updates.
By: Carolyn Bussey on July 19, 2011
at 4:22 pm
Well, those of us in extreme heat appreciate the effort you both share on this site. It saves us all from you having to repeat stories via phone or email. SO on behalf of all of us who live in other places, thank you!!
It sounds like fun and excitement are in store for Brad. I love new things, and I am happy you can take the time to focus on the speech advancement.
Right now you can actually cook your whole dinner on the pavement, and you don’t even need to be in the sun, as it is boiling everywhere.
Food is cold or liquor, and that is getting us all by for now!
I will be praying for a quick advancement of Brad’s innovative program to stick like the midwest humidity, fast and forever!!
By: Pastor Peggy on July 20, 2011
at 2:59 pm
Thanks for the new update. You two are truly an inspiration to all of us.
Pam & Craig
By: Craig Walker on July 27, 2011
at 3:13 am