March 31 at 6:00

Yeah! We made it to Madonna. Timothy came by amublance and Tim and I were not far behind. We all reached here about 4:00 p.m. Timothy's Mercy nurse and even the ambulance crew gave him some seditives so he is still asleep. Tim and I are very impressed so far. He will have someone staying in his room at all times. Tomorrow a team of people will do his assessment and then tell us what all he will be doing. We will be allowed to sit in on his therapies and can be here anytime.

Housing is available for the family members at a very reasonable rate. There is a cafeteria and several free drink machines.

Tim noted that the facility is spotless--far cleaner than my house right now.

We are excited to be here and ready for Timothy to get to work.

Here is the address: Madonna Rehabilatation Hospital, 5401 South St., Lincoln NE 68506, Room 138.

March 30 at 9:30

Well, it is has been quite a night and day. Unfortunately, Timothy did fall out of bed. As far as we can tell he did not hit his head and x-rays show no problems. I had barely gotten to the hotel when the nurse called so I came back for the rest of the night. Then this morning the hospital arranged for a "sitter" so I could get some rest.

I left for three hours. when I came back someone came to say that the rehab facility might not take Timothy for awhile because he had to have a "sitter" because he woouldn't stay in bed. I have not cried througout this whole time but I cried then. I was so certain that getting to rehab immediately was the most important next step. When I could think straight I called Zach. Wisely, he told me to call Madonna myself and explain the situation. I did. They immediately said they were communicating with Mercy, knew the situation and that it would not affect his acceptance. They were only waiting on authorization from Timothy's insurance.

So Timothy is scheduled to leave here at noon tomorrow for Lincoln. I so hope it happens.

In the meantime, a friend and mother-in-law of my nephew, Dale came by when Timothy was having one of his restless times. She started rubbing his shoulders and lower back. He settled down and enjoyed it so very, very much. I will have to learn how to do this.

Bryson and Kim were here to spend time today. And thinks to Rich Tim is back up here to drive with me to Lincoln.

Our family has always been ones to take care of ourselves, but we are learning that at this time we need help from our friends. And we are so appreciative.

This is the most awful experience of my life, but it is teaching me about love, friendship and caring.

March 29 at 4:30 p.m.

Timothy had some visitors from home today plus one of his railroad friends. He had another good day. He flicked Zach with his water sponge a couple of times, responded to his YES and NO paper several times, and even tried to tell me somehing using marker and paper. However, I couldn't understand what he was trying to write.

Just now he was determined to get out of the bed. He had his legs over the bed sides and was pulling himself upright with his good arm. Luckily the weight of the halo brace forced him back down, but he just kept trying. I called in the nurse so she could see what was happening. After a quick moment she went for some Adavan (spelling may not be right). Anyway something to calm him.

I am not staying the night with him so I wanted to make sure they knew what he is doing.

March 28 at 5:00

After yesterday this was a quiet day--just Zach, Alethia and I are here. However, Timothy has accomplished some new things. Early this morning I asked if I could take some ice chips and rub them on his lips and tongue not let him swallow them yet. Timothy seemed to really like that. When Alethia got here,she took the tiny sponges on a stick that they use to "brush" his teeth and filled them with water and let him suck on those. Timothy really, really enjoyed that. Then he started reaching for them and put them in his mouth himself. Later I thought maybe he could handle a washcloth so I held a dampened cloth, and he took it from my hand and wiped his eyes and face.

We also played around with the paper with YES and NO. Zach held it up and asked Timothy if Alethia was a Dum Dum. Timothy looked around and found Alethia and didn't do anything. Then Zach asked him if Alethia was a pretty good girl. Timothy took his fist and punched the yes on the paper. We all had a good laugh.

I really feel he understands quite a bit. For instance when the nurses come to change his dressings, he stays very still, doesn't do his bed swivels or restless leg movements. Almost always he stays quiet whild they all do the things they have to do for him.

As has been his habit from the beginning, when he is tired of us asking him to do stuff he sighs a huge sigh and closes his eyes shut. Then we go away and leave him be for awhile.

March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

Timothy had lots of company today and responded to everyone, squeezed their hands, followed them with his eyes, and seemed to know who they were. He is following lots of commands and maybe trying to say a few words. Continues to be very restless at times and appears to try to get out of the bed. The nurses got him up in a huge chair, and he was content there for over an hour. We are learning some ways to communicate with him which is a comfort to me. We have a piece of paper with YES on one side and NO on the other. Sometimes he will point to one or the other when we ask very simple questions.

Everyone who came today felt he had improved quite a lot since their last visit.

We are all encouraged.

March 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Aunt Susie and I traded shifts. Timothy has been asleep most of the time since I arrived around 4:30. Susie said they had had him sitting on the edge of the bed, and it had really tired him. He did wake long enough for me to say hello, and he squeezed my hand and raised each of his legs for me. Then he got restless for awhile and tore a hole in his air mattress. They are replacing that now. His right leg has a brace with several sharp points on it, and he really gets to moving those legs.

March 25 at 8:13 p.m.

The last two days have been very encouraging. Timothy continues to make eye contact, respond more often to commands, stay awake longer, and move about in his bed more. The neurosurgeon said he was encouraged with his recent progress. Aunt Susie is still staying with Timothy, and she is very excited.

We received a surprise in the mail today. The Friends to Friends network sent Timothy a check for a nice amount of money. This network, I understand, is a volunteer effort by the employees of Union Pacific Railroad. We are grateful for their help.

I think I have mentioned before how concerned Timothy's railroad friends of been. They continue to call or visit Timothy almost daily.

Our community has been wonderful as well. Tim and I are home, and everywhere we go people ask about Timothy or tell us they are following this blog. We are very appreciative of all the prayers, care packages, cards, and supportive comments, actually I guess you could say we are overwhelmed with all the love everyone has shown our family.