Home Again!!!

After 4 months in Atlanta at the Shepherd Center, we finally headed back home on February 18th!  There is no way to say how it feels but this picture comes close.  This was taken in the car on the way back to Franklin.  You can tell we had to drag him kicking and screaming from Shepherd.

Our experience at Shepherd was wonderful. It's a great place to be in recovery and rehab. The facilities are designed for its expertise. Not only is the building meant to be cheerful but also the staff. The building on the left is the hospital portion and on the right is the Woodruff Residence Center providing apartments for family staying with patients and for patients and caregivers in the Day Program.

While at Shepherd, we took advantage of the garden area whenever it was not too chilly outside for Bill. It was one of our favorite places. This was taken 2/6/11. As long as he was in the sun and there was no wind, he enjoyed it.

The day before we were to leave we went one last time into the garden. Even on Feb 17, you could see the beginning signs of spring and it was warm...

Bill had 2 graduations. The 1st was from the Hospital Therapy Program on 1/12, the day before we moved from the hospital to the Residence Center to begin the Day program. Pictured are some of his nurses and therapists. Surrounding Bill left to right: Serena (PCT), Erin (OT), Melanie (nurse), Me, Beth (charge nurse), Chris (TR), and Drew (PT). Are they smiling because they're finally getting rid of him? Be sure and ask Bill about his Shepherd Grad t-shirt

Then there was the 2nd graduation on 2/18 from the Day Program. Pictured left to right around Bill: Dan (PT), Darcy (OT), Rachel (nurse), and Amanda (PT). There was, of course, the traditional presenting of the Shepherd Grad t-shirt but this time it was given to Claudia for all her hard work! Almost immediately after this we were on the road heading home.

Do these dogs look like they're glad to see us? Actually they were but I think we wore them out.They were a little leary of Bill's wheelchair. Pepper has been sharing Xena's bed since Shadow has been gone.

Everyone gathered when we got home and it felt so good to be in our own surroundings. The house was in good shape thanks to the kids' keeping everything up.

Here Tami &; Tony are hard at work finishing up on the bathroom that Adam and Tony remodeled for Bill. It turned out pretty good. The three of them have worked really hard. It was very small and they increased the size for wheelchair access plus making a larger accessible shower area.

We are so glad to be home but look forward to a trip back to Atlanta probably in the Fall for more therapy. Meantime we are busy with doctors' appointments, acupuncture, and physical and occupational therapy.