My Brother Bruce

Dear Friends and Family,

Bruce has made good progress. He goes without the ventilator for periods of 8 to 10 hours a day getting only oxygen via the tracheostomy. He is able to walk good distances with minimal assistance. He is beginning to speak using an adapter on the trach tube. He's feeling less helpless since he can now make his needs, ideas and opinions known. The g-tube feedings continue but we are hoping at some point he can begin to eat by mouth. Tomorrow Bruce will be transferred to a rehab hospital in Stoughton, MA. It's southeast of Boston about 20 minutes from Milton so we will no longer have to travel into the city. We are all eager to begin this next step and expect Bruce will be home in a couple of weeks.

Lee is a remarkable woman. She is gaining confidence daily as she learns to make her way through the medical maze seeking the best care for Bruce. Annie and Tom are doing well. We had a little party at MGH last Saturday to celebrate Annie's 10th birthday. It was great for all of us especially Bruce.

John Otis and Ty were here over the last weekend. Ty was checking out Amherst and Boden Colleges so was able to visit Bruce twice. He flew back to Atlanta on Monday afternoon and J Otis stayed on until
Wednesday afternoon. It was great having them here. Doug continues to be here most every week on business so has been a frequent visitor at MGH .He and Bruce watched the Patriots lose to Indianapolis last Sunday. Pam, Callie and Julia visited last weekend to celebrate with Annie. John is here from CT every few days to see how Bruce is doing and check in on us. Bruce is looking forward to Scott's return visit in February as well as a visit next month by Connie and John.

We have been blessed with offers for all kinds of help. We receive meals every other day and soup every Wednesday. Lee's Mom and Dad have been down from NH multiple times to visit Bruce and to take Tom back to NH with them for a while. Cindy's visits to Milton to help Lee make it possible for me to go home for a couple of days at a time.

Thank you all for your many kind words, messages, cards and prayers. Your caring and support mean so much.

Love, Pat/Mom