Dan was moved over to the rehab ward of the hospital today. This is going to be a big improvement for him. It will include daily hygiene routines, like taking a shower and brushing your teeth, putting on and wearing normal clothes, and communal meals with the other patients in the middle of the ward. Initially, he is scheduled for 90 minutes of occupational therapy and 90 minutes of physical therapy. The therapy is done at a gym several floors down, so he will get to go out and about around the hospital, though in a wheelchair.

Dan received some lovely and thoughtful gifts today from Perro & Mahoney and Mwako (silly lion!). Thanks to Lex for an absolutely gorgeous walking cane! It may be a while before he can use it, but it will be extremely useful down the line.

So here is where we’re at: likely 2-3 weeks in the rehab ward, then 4 weeks of in-home therapy, and outpatient therapy thereafter. The reality is that this is some serious nerve damage. It will take 12-18 months of recovery, and some things may not come back at all. Right now, standing unaided is impossible and walking is out of the question. But that is just right now. Every day that goes by brings improvement, large and small. Dan is a fighter, and I know he is going to work his ass off every possible moment to beat this.

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