Home...at Last! (September 1)

!!!!!HOMECOMING!!!!!

Hello to all. It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you from HOME - I have been waiting to say that for a very long time. That's right - Columbia, SC. Josh made it home safe and sound on August 31st. That marks 90 days since the time of the accident. My how time flies when you are having fun - NOT!!! We are just so thrilled to finally have Josh home!! In true Chandler traveling fashion, Tropical storm Ernesto made sure that we traveled in the rain (that seems to be our lot in life), fortunately God kept us all safe and we made it home just fine. Josh did not even seem a little bit nervous riding when in the car for the first time in quite a while, even though we took an unintentional tour of Charlotte prior to our journey back to Gamecock country.

Josh is doing well. He is very thankful to be home. Fist thing he did was just take in all the sights of home. He relaxed in his wheelchair, played with my Dixie for a little while (she really missed him!), and rested. He will be chillin' for the next few days until we can get all of his outpatient therapies set up. Today (9/01/06) we went and met the physician who will be taking over Josh's care here in Columbia. We all really liked him. We also have an appointment set up for Thursday the 7th to meet the new rehab doctor and get things in motion to continue on in Josh's road to complete recovery. Don't worry, he won't be skipping out on any therapy. We will just do things with him at home until all of the outpatient appointments are in place. I will make sure to all of that!!

Before Josh came home we were able to get a lot of the little stuff taken care of like have a wheelchair ramp made for the back (thank you to Bobby and Stephen), get the house cleaned up a little (thank you Teresa, Mallie, Alex, Michelle, Starling, and Irene), and become semi-organized to help make the transition to a newer environment a little easier. I am sure there are some details I am leaving out, but please forgive me.

Josh told a few people prior to leaving Charlotte that his goal was going to be walking a little about 3 weeks. I like the sound of that. Josh still has a ways to go, but he can do it. His memory is fine, he justs gets confused on occasion with very minute, insignificant areas. Like arguing with you whether or not the wheelchair is in the room or not. Thankfully all true family memories are still very much intact and it is nice to reminesce on these from time to time. As far as Josh is physically concerned we are continuing to work on stretching out the fingers to his right hand. His left arm is moving a good bit, it is just very weak. The right leg remains his strongest extremity. I can tell a huge difference when we transfer from last week to the present because it is sooooo much easier to transfer him yourself. The left ankle is still turned in a little bit, but I am hoping that this will soon relax and he can go back to leading a somwhat normal life. Josh still remains patient with mom and I as we transfer him. We finally got the cast removed and Josh is faithfully wearing his new splint and doing exactly what is aksed of him. Josh still has lots of mediations that he is taking, but hopefully over time it will decrease. He was also able to get his feeding tube out this week. I know that he is sure glad for that.

Please don't stop praying for a complete recovery. I know that he can do it, and I am sure that he will thank me later when he realizes why I have been so "pushy". Josh is still getting up a lot during the night so mom isn't getting a lot of sleep right now. Story of all our lives, we're tired! hehe!! Josh still has his sense of humor though, he tries to cheat if he can when doing certain movements.

Anyway, all is well on the home front. We are very thankful for every step of progress that we see. Josh told me to tell you that he IS home and that he is doing fine. All feels like it is right in the world when you have days such as these. Thank you again for your continue love and prayers. We truly would not have made it through this without our friends and family all over the world. God's family is very big. We love you all.

Love ya,

Cari

P.S. Notice the "Cameron Crazie" t-shirt. Josh wore it in honor of all his new friends at UNC!! Have a wonderful week!