After getting called at 4:15 and 6:15 this morning from Bill who was ready to go and wondering where I was, the feeding tube was removed about noon. I came out easily and the dr. was pleased with the way everything looked.

The PAs and dr. were also pleased with his leg, but the PAs were more excited to see Bill walk and get onto the table by himself. The last time one of them had seen him was in the hospital and he wasn't convinced he would make it. The other one had to help him get on the table the last time he saw him.

Bill walked today and didn't use a wheelchair at all. He used one of the Rolator walkers, the kind with 4 wheels and a seat for resting. He only had to stop 1 time to rest. All of the buildings at Mayo are connected and we were in 2 of them, 2 stops in the first building, 2 stops in the second building and 1 stop back in the first building. We also made a run to the post office after his appointments but he stayed in the car. He was more tired walking from the parking lot to his room when we got back!

Because he had walked so much today he was excused from PT and OT, but he has to make it up Saturday. He did do his speech therapy and she was astounded with his work today. He had to look at a map of the US and then answer 13 questions relating to the map such as direction, bordering states, etc. She said he buzzed right through it and brought it to me to see.

The outing to Cracker Barrel has been moved to Friday, but he has decided not to go. I still haven't taken him off the list yet so maybe he'll think about it tomorrow and change his mind.

I left him tonight with Mrs. Erma, the 85-year old black lady who is across the hall. She's been joining us for meals at a table instead of eating in her room. They were plotting wheelchair races and how to go dancing when I left! I also reminded him that I won't be there in the morning. I also reminded him not to call at 4 am! Hopefully he'll start sleeping all night when he gets home. Otherwise it's going to make for a very crabby wife!