“There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.” Edwin Denby

As already mentioned, lots to rejoice about this weekend:  Vernon’s upward mobilization at the hospital (3rd to 4th floor),  Maki having a great time in THE SHIRE (on bucket list for the rest of us), an amazing night under the full moon for Justine and myself. And need I add: that perfect square of dance-floor above.

And YET, the list continues.  Maybe being on a new floor gives me the confidence to ask for more. I asked if Vernon could be moved down in the gauge-size of his trach, and they did it! The moved him to a 6!

(I am speaking of the little tube in his neck, used for breathing. These tubes go 10-8-6-4-2, size-wise. He had been on a 10, and somehow the 8 got slipped in there recently without my knowledge.)

Anyway…a 6 is great! It is possible to cap a 6-gauge trach, meaning they could actually close up his neck for breathing at this level and he could start breathing on his own.  Since the trach is one of the challenges limiting us to long-term rehabilitation centers, this progress is certainly something to be joyful about. And for the past 24 hours, he has been doing great on the 6! Go, Vernon, go! Just like the quiet warrior he always has been.

Also, there is a new diagnosis about his kidneys that will allow us to change into better health insurance. I couldn’t have seen this coming, but that will open up our options for long-term care as well. So far, there will be little help from the auto insurance of the other driver, so this is a good thing! Thank you again for all your love and kindness and prayer!  It’s obviously powerful stuff!

If you feel like celebrating with us…here is a little ukulele therapy brought in by Dante (Maki’s best friend’s big brother.) Among other tunes, he played this Kinks song for Vernon.