March 29, 2015

We have really enjoyed the Swank family hospitality this week, and have also enjoyed the beautiful spring weather.  Marjie has been going for walks, assisted by Scott.  She has also been playing with bubbles in the back yard, assisted by Caleb.  We went on a picnic to nearby Wheeler Farm.  The highlight of the trip was seeing several newborn baby calves (although Scott had to point out he had seen thousands of them in his previous life as an ag-banker).  They were exceptionally cute, as were the ducks, geese, goats, horses, bunnies, and other farm animals. 

We are really enjoying the new therapists we have met at Sugarhouse Therapy.  Unfortunately, our insurance severely limits the number of out-patient therapy visits.  We were spoiled by the 6 sessions a day during in-patient therapy (but I think Marjie is one of the few that would feel that way-she loved the hard work).  However, Scott says "That's what savings are for".  We will continue with adequate speech, occupational, and physical therapy to keep her left arm progressing, and to accomplish the "fine-tuning" phase of Marjie's balance and walking.  We are also learning so much to practice on our own, and Marjie has joined the Sugarhouse "wellness" program which allows for use of their gym for additional exercise. 

This past week we have enjoyed visits from O'Leary Middle School friend, Lynn, and from Scott's cousin Rob, his wife Laurie, and son Clark.  We also had a great visit from the Withers family (school and running friends from Twin Falls).  We thoroughly enjoy these visits, and really appreciate the stories and updates from Twin Falls.  In addition to personal visits, we continue to be amazed and humbled by the volume of mail (both regular and email) that we receive each day.  Thanks so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  Please know that while we are not able to respond to all of these notes, you are also in our thankful thoughts and prayers. 

One note on personal vists- while we love to see you, please remember that Marjie is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and as a result her immune system will be weakening.  We ask that you please keep this in mind, as we are doing our best to avoid colds and flu. 

Speaking of chemo and radiation, Marjie just completed week number 2.  So far, side effects have remained quite mild, and manageable with the various drugs that have been prescribed. 

One of Marjie's goals this week is to take a "Scott-assisted" stroll along the Jordan River pathway near the Swank family home.  We are also very much looking forward to a visit from our sister-in-law and niece, and to Becky's 30th birthday!

We will end this week's update with a picture of Marjie coloring with her "still favorite therapist", Caleb.