7/29

Last week, Mike went for a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) which is an ultrasound of the heart. The test served two purposes: first, it ruled out a cardioembolic source of the stroke and secondly, the cardiologist had a good look at the aortic valve. Then, today we saw a cardiothoracic surgeon who advised him to follow the valve over time. There will come a day when the aortic valve will need to be replaced. But it's not now.

Mike takes a break from his PT this month but will return in September to a more rigorous schedule. He also starts up with a personal trainer at the athletic club this week. He has two upcoming goals: returning to his bike riding and learning how to play squash.

We leave next week for Denver to visit with Mike's mom and dad. Then it's on to San Diego. Amelia starts third grade in early September and Winston (3) will begin a new pre-school as well.

7/1

We head out to Ashland Thursday to pick up the kids, see some plays and enjoy some (Weil) family time.

For the last five days, Mike has hauled out and done most of "the loop" around our house. Using a walker or cane (and buoyed by a therapy belt), he's walked about 1/2 mile daily, much of it up and down hill and all of it uneven terrain. It's an impressive step forward.

With so many days childless, I've had time to do...nothing. And with so much nothingness surrounding me, I have had a chance to get interested in the world around me. Today, I can tell you I finally have a layman's understanding of the housing market crisis because of This American Life. Listen here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1242