Sunday August 22nd

Paul has moved this week to the Denny and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, near home. Paul has had a few struggles this week and is in the right place to get the care he needs. Paul suffered his first seizure since his diagnosis and is still somewhat recovering from that episode. He is sleeping considerable portions of the day, but still maintains a sense of humor and good spirit when awake. It has been a slow sports week with the Reds west coast road trip and preseason football being so boring. He has mostly quit watching ESPN due to the Brett Favre coverage that he has no interest in hearing about. Cathy had to return to Ohio for school and Jeff will join her there today to start moving back to Georgia. Brian stopped by Friday but then had to leave Saturday for a week of work in Ireland. Andy has been busy as well with a short trip to Charlotte and the constant drive back and forth to Iowa City. Carole has started school again and has completed the first week with students. Carole's brother Jim came to Cedar Rapids for a few days this week to help Jeff while Carole was in school and as always he was a big help. Thanks Bubba. Below is a picture of Dad having fun with the controls to his bed, he raised himself up about 5 feet of the ground and had a huge grin while sitting above all of us. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers Hooah.

Monday, August 16th

Paul continues to have a lot of family visiting him and helping to care for him.  Carole's brother, Jim, and his wife Nancy came out for several days.  They helped with Paul and also trimmed a lot of the bushes and took care of lawn duties.  Brian and Karen came for a long weekend to spend time and to help.  Brian as always, brought great food to grill.  Andy and Tory help every week, and Paul's sister, Beth, and her husband, Jeff, also came out for a day.
The biggest news of all is that Jeff and Cathy came from Georgia.  Jeff was the only one who didn't think the summer heat was so oppressive after spending his time in the desert of Iraq and the swamp of Georgia.  Cathy left tonight to fly to Canton to get an exam taken on schedule.  Jeff will spend a few more days taking care of his dad.