August 2 update

We're happy to report life is becoming more predictable, easier and less dramatic in our household. Bob continues to be a model patient, working hard to recover and never complaining. He goes for walks 3-4 times daily, varying in length from 1/4 to 1/3 mile each. His stamina has grown, he takes fewer and shorter naps, and appetite and weight are both good and stable. He's down to one medium-size and several small bandages which need changing daily, and each day we're faster at handling the shower, wound cleaning and bandage-changing routine. Today we broke one hour for the first time!

Bob's wounds continue to heal rapidly. Lots of new, pink skin is replacing burns. It's tender, easily damaged if bumped, scratched or rubbed, and he's been told to avoid wearing any coarse fabric (jeans) for 3 months and keep his new skin out of the sun for a full year. Guess we're not going to the beach this winter!

Cathryn has made progress on Insurance issues (got our first check reimbursing us for large out-of-pocket hospital costs in Canada), and together we continue to narrow the options on a plan to bring "Next To Me" home. We've had many offers of help from friends, friends-of-friends, and professional Delivery Captain referrals, so are figuring out what will work best for our schedule and budget. We really, really want the boat and our personal belongings back. We still have few clothes at home (though have shopped for some replacements), and several times a day wish aloud that we had an item, followed by the frequent lament "but it's on the boat!"

Cathryn's sister Anne flew home 5 days ago, and her sister Susan arrived 2 days later. Like Anne, Susan has been a whirlwind of activity keeping us fed, clothed in clean attire, towels and bedsheets, kept the house clean, run a zillion errands, and taken care of all the odds-and-ends around the house (in addition to visiting her elderly and not-well father-in-law in Tacoma). Bob's sister Lynn and David continue to help regularly with individual requests and feed us.

And all of you, our friends, continue to feed us or serve as our Cheerleading Squad to remind us we're loved and supported, tell us entertaining or amusing stories of your lives that make us laugh, and reinforce for us how fortunate we are to have such a great circle of people in our life.

Life is beginning to go so well that Bob is bored and feeling cabin-fever, so we're starting to discuss outings that interest him and feel within the scope of his stamina.

Thanks so much for your continued love and support, and soon we hope to feel ready to re-engage in our social life. Hugs all around!