Home at Last

This will be the last post, at least for a while. Jack went home today. He was very appreciative of his ability to recuperate at Wildacres but was quite anxious to get back to his home in Mt. Arlington, NJ. Mike and Katy drove him down and brother Greg met us there to help Jack get unpacked, drive to the A&P for shopping and getting settled in. Greg's report later today was that Jack did just fine driving into Denville, got a little tired while shopping but got through it without problem. So all the brothers will keep in touch with Jack and we'll all just keep praying!

83 Years and Counting!

Mike was in Philadelphia yesterday at a conference so I took Jack out to dinner to celebrate his 83rd. My friend Barbara joined us at Matteo's, a favorite haunt of ours. Last week was Barbara's 79th birthday, mine was last month, so it was birthdays all around!

Unfortunately, the camera was forgotten so you'll have to take my word for this: we had a really fun time! Jack asked if he could please have Crown Royal -"since it's my birthday" - I sprung for the top-shelf figuring it would help ensure he would enjoy himself.

Barbara is a wonderful, smart, funny and active woman who still works 4 days a week as the Tax Assessor in Washington CT, walks a few miles daily and enjoys Rob Roy's. She and Jack had met last Christmas so it was comfortable for him and fun for me to sit back and listen to their discussion of replacement parts.

Jack was touched by all of the calls, cards and thoughtfulness that came his way from his family - particularly the cookies - and enjoyed the meal and fellowship of the evening.

It started snowing here today at about Noon and we have about 3/4 inch so far. Not sticking too much, but as you can see, the flowers and green leaves look a bit out of place with the white coating.

Tomorrow I'm taking Jack to Kohl's to shop for his birthday sweatsuit. I might let him drive.

Keep your radios on ...

Clarification

Jack has started telling people that the reason he's going home is because he's disrupting our lives too much. The truth is that he insisted that he wanted to go home, that he was completely capable of being on this own. We tried to encourage him to stay longer, to get stronger and more stable. But he insisted he wanted to go home.

"... the party's over ..."

Yes, it's true. The 4-week recuperation period is coming to an end. On Saturday Jack will be going home to the Garden State.

Our visit to Dr. Barth on Monday was a positive experience for all and reinforced our feeling that Jack is ready to leave the nest. The good doctor said that Jack's cognitive skills were great, his vital signs good and, although he's not as steady on his feet as he really should be, all in all he's doing fine.

Dr. B told Jack very bluntly: daily exercise is needed and he has to 'use it or lose it' in all aspects in order to maintain his mobility and live independently. The doctor wouldn't go so far as to make a judgement on how Jack will fare with driving, but he advised caution and moderation in returning to the road.

And so kids, as the campfire turns to embers, the tale of Jack-in-the-Woods begins to wind down. A happy ending is just around the corner from the Tappan Zee. Jack is upbeat and looking forward to the peace and quiet of the Carriage Club where he can get back to his daily laps in the pool and mingling with his friends in the hallway.

Mike and Katy will miss having Jackeroo as a house-guest ... yes, really. Josie will now have to go back to eating lunch all by herself.

All's well that ends well!

Quite a Saturday

On Chris' recommendation that Jack enter the NJ Senior Olympics, we started training today. After a breakfast of waffles and bacon, Jack and Mike took to the road, grocery shopping at Big Y. Jack did very well! They were in the store a good 30 minutes. He pushed the cart, found his own 5-lb. tub of chocolate chip cookies, prevailed upon Mike to get some liverwurst, loaded all the groceries into the car and even hauled some up to the house.

But that was just the start. Jack watched more of the President's Cup, took a power nap, then spiffed up for a night out. We headed to St. Francis Xavier for Mass said by Fr. Mike ("I don't want to sit in the front row; too conspicuous"). Afterward, he said that it was a very nice parish.

From there it was off to Carl's River Bistro for a night of hanging out at the bar ("This is just my style"). Jack can only sit at the kitchen table with us for about a half hour because the chair's not that comfortable. But the comfy bar stools at Carl's allowed him to sit there for 2 1/2 hours. We

watched the Dodgers and kibitzed with the regulars. This grainy photo from Mike's blackberry attests to the bar's suitability for Jack's recovery. He finished off the day's training with an excellent swordfish steak and a couple of VOs.

Three weeks and counting

How times flies! It's been only three weeks since Jack arrived at Wildacres to recuperate. He arrived in an ornery mood, weak from his infections and wanted only to sit in his recliner, watch bad afternoon TV and nod off.

How things have changed! He is now stronger, takes walks on the treadmill - albeit for short spurts and at very slow speed, but nonetheless a walk, and his mood has become downright sunny! (just checking to see if you are paying attention)

He no longer uses his cane, takes showers by himself (can you see Mike smiling here?) makes his own breakfast and lunch, cleans up the dishes and folds laundry. We're thinking that next week he'll be up to weeding the garden ... Household chores aside, he is much more mobile though still not very stable when walking and not yet standing fully upright. His mood is more pleasant and the naps are less frequent. Judge Judy still reins supreme each afternoon, though.

We visited a local Urologist yesterday: Dr. Yu. We're going back next week so that Dr. Yu can take an x-ray of Jack's kidney stones and stint to be sure all is status quo. He indicated that overall Jack's plumbing is working well. Although Jack walked into the office with a bit of a 'tude, he left thinking Dr. Yu was an okay guy - for an "Oriental". Yes, it was one of the more memorable doctor visits for me.

On Monday we have an appointment with Dr. Barth, a local GP. He's Caucasian. Stay tuned.

In Training

Of his own volition Jack did two sessions on the treadmill today. Here's the morning's five-minute session. He was able to be a little more upright in the afternoon session. He can barely make five minutes at a very slow pace but at least he's making the effort. Of course, he insists he can do anything he needs to do, like grocery shopping, to live on his own. He just can't walk for more than five minutes with support without needing a two hour nap.

Next comes doing laundry. When Jack can make a trip around the grocery store, pay the bill and get the purchase back to the car then he might be ready to trying driving (my new car?!).

Jack is also making his own breakfast and lunch, putting his dishes in the dishwasher and taking his own showers. He's also able to streak to the pantry if Mike doesn't shut down the mailroom by 6:30 to start cocktail hour. He realizes he gets a better portion if he serves up his own VO, Wis Pride and 'Flipsides' crackers.

And finally, Jack's also quoting the paper as in, "The Times said this morning...." after all those years of heaping abuse on any NY Times reader as effete he's now one of us.