Our Experience

Having spent the past weekend with Dad, Jackie and I feel that we would like to share our experiences. When first seeing him we were elated to see how far he had come since the last time we saw him. We feel that he is aware of who we are as well as where we live. We were amazed at how infatuated Dad was with his Grandson Daniel, he would totally block out his surroundings and fully focus on him. He would grab Daniels hand and he even cheated in a wheelchair/stroller race in the hallway. Quite obviously his sense of humor is still fully in tact.

From what we witnessed this weekend Dad is aware of what is happening to him as well as completely aware of his surroundings. While talking with him I asked if he remembered helping me with a project I had been working on this summer (finishing the basement of our house) he thought for a moment and then replied "oh yeah". I told him that I had finished it, and he said "all of it?" I told him yes and then he asked if I had done suspended ceilings. Obviously he was aware of the project I was talking about as well as some of the details surrounding it.

While helping Dad eat supper one evening he only wanted to eat some of the meal, mainly the BBQ pork and did not want to eat the potatoes or beans that were on the plate. I thought I would sneak some potatoes on the fork with the pork and after a few bites he looked at me and quite angrily said "just the meat!" On top of that I was trying to get him to eat some of the bread that was on the plate. He really didn't want it but I kept pushing the issue. So Dad finally relented and I handed him the piece of bread, he threw the bread back at me and started to laugh. Again clearly his sense of humor is still very present.

We did notice some frustration from Dad. Several times throughout the weekend Dad would be trying to tell us something and it wouldn't come out right, at this point he would grit his teeth and shake his head. (Anyone who has spent time around a Bosch man knows this look). At one point Dad looked over to me and asked "what am I doing here?". I tried to explain the situation that had brought him here and he stated that he wanted to leave. I asked him where he would like to go and he said "the lake". I told him that he could go to the lake as soon as he got a little better, he responded with the the same frustration I mentioned before.

At one point we were walking around the hospital with Dad and while passing one of the windows a sunbeam hit him and he let out a relieved sigh. We stopped for a few minutes in the hallway and then found a very sunny spot in the chapel, there was also a fantastic view of the mountains. We sat there for about 15 min and every time we asked if Dad would like to go he would say "just a few more minutes". While sitting in the sun we noticed Dad trying to move his right arm. He was pulling with his shoulder and kind of grunting. It was great to see his determination.

All in all we had a great weekend with Dad and we are excited to hear that he is out of the hospital and in a facility that will be pushing him in his recovery. We want to thank the people who are drastically changing their lives in order to help Dad with his recovery. Obviously Sheila who is by Dads side day in and day out. My sister Stacy who balances full time work, raising a two year old son and spending time with Dad every night. Dad's brother Richard who is constantly pushing Dad by forcing him to sing, or do the alphabet or just spend time with him. Dad mentioned to us that he missed Richard when Richard hadn't been in for a few days. Richards wife Vonnie who has been great with providing meals for Dad, spending countless hours at the hospital and supporting the family as a whole. I also want to thank Richard's daughter Jenna for making some Valentine's Day cookies for Dad, although Jackie ate most of them. Dads brother Gary and sister Diane who have made the trip from Lloydminster to Calgary several times, I am certain Dad enjoys your company.

For those of you that havn't had the opportunity to see Dad we want you all to know what great progress he has made. Although I am certain the progress seems slow and sometimes frustrating for those who are closest to him you can tell that with Dad's determination he will not rest until he recovers from this.

Darren & Jackie