Mike's doing very well with the blocked-off trachie and is talking more and more and more loudly. He still gets tired easily and sleeps a lot - being read to seems to send him to sleep, even when Frodo and the others are trapped in the Barrow by the Barrow-wright, which I thought would have been exciting enough to keep anyone awake. He is a lot more peaceful now that he is getting more sleep.
When I (Tracy) arrived this morning Mike was in his wheelchair, so I took him for a tour around the rehab centre. When I wheeled him into the day-room, another of the clients was there. On seeing Mike, his whole face lit up and though he can't talk, all his attention was focussed on Mike, and Mike gave him a grin and a hand-wave and asked him how he was doing. Also, another of the clients gave Mike his Charlie Brown doll last night, and according to the staff he does not give presents to just anyone. Looks like Mike's friendship skills are still intact.
Mike really enjoys Kent & Amanda's mini-discs, and wants to compete in another Ironman. Which is fair enough, I would be deeply frustrated by doing all that training and getting two weeks from the start line, and then not competing. But right now he's still got to learn to walk.
At least he does have a shorter-term goal, which also shows how much of a JAFA he still is - he wants to go out to a cafe and have a coffee.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Hey Mikey, Just writing (from London) to wish you all the best for getting to the starting line of the next ironman. If you do make it, I want the book rights and to start selling yellow "mikestrong" arm bands for you. There are lots of people following your progress and wishing you the best.
but i would go easy on the coffee as those wheelchairs aren't designed to hit more than 30km/h! Don't break it.
laters
Matt
Gidday, Mike, and gang,
We appreciate the blog updates, but realized we hadn't commented for a long time. There are so many people tracking your daily progress, I know that the blog comments are just the tip of the iceberg. I see that you are going to have a deep-set peg removed from your tummy. Reminds me of the old shaggy dog story about the lad with the copper screw in his stomach - anyway, following the story, mind that your bum doesn't fall off when the peg comes out...
Best wishes, and many thoughts to you through the aether from all of us.
Rodney, Helen, Meta, Elliot and Gregory Vaughan,
Vancouver.
Really thrilled with the amazing progress. I know there is a way to go but look where you have come from!! Truly fantastic. Time for us to have a celebratory cup of coffee together soon, Lee, and then you can go back and tell Mike all about it-drop by delicious drop. It will make a change from the economics articles. Keep up the momentum.
Aroha Lesley M
Hey Mikey,
We've been watching your progress and are amazed at how quickly you are recovering. Looking forward to being able to come and see you sometime soon but realise you need a bit of down time at the moment. Thought you would like to know that i asked Ann to marry me last week and low and behold she said yes! Thinking the wedding will be next january in Ashburton.
Keep up the great progess and we'll see you soon.
Greg and Annie
Here in Abu Dhabi we were treated to the world championships for stunt plane fliers .They set up barges in the harbour upon which they inflated upside down air socks which made up the course .The little [top dressing ]planes proceeded to entertain us with stunt flying that scared you to death and had us gasping .Each pilot had a set routine to accomplish and they were timed through it .Some of the pilots definitely had a death wish .
Then we were treated to displays of aerial feats which would have any other pilots falling out of the sky. .All this I might add in a built up area !!!!No Osh in Middle East.
Mike I wish you could have seen it Made you envious that you couldnt be a bird .Glad to here you are getting the rest you need and that you are inching towards the next iron man
Susi
Mike, Your great burst of progress must have been helped this weekend by the positive vibes from my whanau (33 Townsends staying in a Papakura motel together) as we all ESP'd special thoughts down to you. We had Dad's funeral at the Ardmore Church. At 93 years, Eric had enjoyed a wonderful life and the Service was just magic.
After 7 weeks, I realise that you will be craving for Wattie's good food - so I'll crank up our factories production schedules to build your stocks of hi carbo goodies. Gerald & jane
Hi Wilkinson family,
This is Mike Vaughan
Glad to hear Mike is doing better, lots of small steps
I am now in Wellington, and if you would like any help I would love to provide it, even if its just a cup of coffee.
I would like to visit Mike, but understand that its probably best if its just family.
keep it up
Mike Vaughan
Hi Mike,
Am monitoring your great progress closely - this week from Baku (Azerbaijan) on the Caspian coast!
Ran into Boris Yeltsin yesterday in the hotel elevator. He even asked how you are doing!
Best for now,
David W.
Post a Comment