I last wrote on the 3rd of August, and you all remarked that it was nice to hear positive news, so here is some more.

Mom, who has hydrocephalus and a brain shunt, is doing so well in her occupational therapy that she will be dressing herself except for fastening her bra, tying her shoes and pulling up her pants! All that after only one session with the occupational therapist! She says she wants to help more around the house too, so I will certainly let her! She started on Cymbalta 3 weeks ago, and it is clearly working on her depression. She is seeing a home visiting therapist for her anxiety and panic attacks. I think she needs a little more time to learn to deal with those.

Papa is making good progress at the outpatient physical therapy at ATI. He goes there twice a week for an hour, and gets a good work out. He will see the neurologist on Friday for his Parkinson's. So far, he still is on no meds. His disease is progressing slowly, but I think he is managing pretty well.

On the 29th, we are having an open house 50th Wedding Anniversary Party for my parents, followed by a sit down dinner for the Parents, my brother and his wife and kids, and my Dad's sisters from the city. Mom (still depressed and not too keen on the motivation) is a little cautious on the idea of a party, but I told her, you only have a fifty year anniversary once! Besides, it is a chance for me to get to say "thank you" to her for all the wonderful things she has done for me.

To make things a little easier for me (because I have chronic health issues as well) I am hiring a caregiver for the day to help out with anything I need.

For the first time in a couple of weeks, I am smiling as I write this. I am looking forward to it. I hope Mom and Dad have a great time seeing old friends.