November 4, 2002 - 9PM CST:
My Abba is doing better and better each day. I think we've left the rapid and euphoric "I made it" stage and entered the "I've got a lot of work to do" recovery stage. This is not to say that the euphoria of making it through this ordeal isn't still noticeable, but simply that it has been compounded by the view of the road ahead. This means that his determination is even stronger (believe it or not) and that he needs lots of rest. This also means that he is not ready for guests and phone calls. I cannot stress this enough. DO NOT COME TO THE HOSPITAL! I'm not saying he doesn't want to see you all. He really does. He just wants to wait until he's a bit stronger and more able to choose weather his behind is visible. He has begun talking on the phone but only in short calls and to mostly to his parents. Please don't call him, let him call you - for now - as soon as he's out, we'll be able to do a bit more telecommunicating. For now, you are more likely to interrupt a knap, or sponge bath than you are to actually catch him ready to talk.

Yesterday he graduated to walking the entire ward, which I estimate is about a furlong around. He is still on oxygen although his nurses and docs are slowly weaning him off of that. For now, the oxygen-related accomplishment is being able to wheel around his own tank (although the meds make him drive a bit like he's drunk - which I guess in some way he is). He's also able to eat more and more solids.

I've got some still photos of him, which I'll put on the website later today. Rest assured, things are still going very, very well. He continues to love your e-mails and cards. He also got to see the website for the first time yesterday and was a bit taken aback. More to come soon!