IMac you Mak, we all love Mak

Mak is doing very well these days. He is still struggling with the healing of his abnominal area. Nothing like getting a man version of a c-scection and then having to wait it out on the couch for 10 weeks. His left elbow and knee are still sore, but hopefully some physical therapy will get him back in the swing of things.

As for the good old noggin...the scar on his left eye is barely visible. The doctors say that because we know Mak is extremely intelligent (that may be questionable), he needs to get back to exercising his brain, so he doesn't settle for being an average joe. An occupational therapist suggested he learn a new language or take upan activity like tai-chi. Mak is currently looking into taking some pre-reqs in the fall for grad school...pretty cool huh.

The big dilema now is...Mak wants his Mac back. He sent his computer off for repair and now he waits. In the mean time you can find him making cookies in the kitchen, watching sports center or soccer on the couch, or helping me wrangle my two kids out at lunch. Needless to say, we are all trying to get things back to normal.

It is remarkable how well Mak is doing considering what he went through, but he is not completely recovered. Mak still has a few tests and appointments to determine what parts of the mind need to be worked on. Even without any tests, we know he needs to work on patience, concentration, and not becoming easily aggravated- all things expected with his type of head injury. In time, he'll get there.

I'd like to phone a friend

Wanted to touch base with all of the Mak-a-cronies (totally cheezy I know) about what the man has been up to. He has settled in quiet well in home sweet home Sacramento. He has acclimated to the non-hospital food, service and clothing. Mak has also played a few rounds of Scrabble and whooped his opponents butts. No shocker there!

He was pleasantly surprised by a visit from his sister from Seattle for the weekend. She certainlty helped pass the time on the couch between tennis matches. Mak still has a few doctor appointments pending, but nothing major, just check ups.

For all of you who want to visit, the gates of Mak-dom are open. Please call a family member in advance. We'd hate for you to make the trip, only to find him either sleeping or out on the town with the family. (As some may have already experienced.)

Mak in Sac, Again

Mak's amazing mom sprung him from the Vallejo Rehab Center today. Joan had all the therapists and doctors sign off and they were home in Sacramento by 3:00pm for the last two sets of the Federer vs. del Potro French Open semi-final match. Mak was doing well enough on the tasks and exercises in rehab that he is ready to be home, where he will do some twice a week as yet to be determined outpatient stuff as well as whatever activities become part of the daily regimen that he and Joan work out together. Word is that Mak will be cooking his favorite foods soon. The house cleaning and yard work are just a rumor. We'll also try to get him back on schedule for the oral surgery he was already set for on July 28 (lower jaw work). The doctor in Vallejo said he's clear for that.

For this weekend as Mak makes the transition back home, we'd like to not have visitors . He's still pretty frail and needs a lot of rest. We have quite a few family members here through Monday and would like to limit the stimuli he has coming his way. He's doing well but needs to take it easy for awhile as we figure out how life proceeds from here.

Sooner Than Expected

Mak is making amazing progress. Every day since he moved to Sacramento he's improved. It looks as if his stay in Vallejo will be less than two weeks and more like 5 days. Right now we think he'll be coming home on Saturday, because the work he needs can be done as out patient and at home. Sorry, Brandon, I don't know if we'll get to see you in Vallejo - maybe Saturday? Even though Mak's personality and much of his memory is back, there's much more ahead for full recovery. Based on the last week, however, I'm allowing myself to think in terms of weeks and months instead of months and years. As I told Connie Sarkisian this morning, all the prayers and good thoughts are working. In fact, very soon Mak may be writing the entries on this blog himself. Thank you again to all who have been pulling for Mak. He knows a lot of people have been supporting him and us.

"ABC, 123 baby you and me"

Mak is all settled in at rehab and very aware that he needs physical therapy and help to get better. He isn't a fan of being on hospital arrest though. He has an ankle alarm to make sure he doesn't escape. But leave it to Mak to say he has already figured out how to turn it off- so he says. He also isn't pleased that his mama is playing by the rules and won't take him OUT for lunch. He told me the other day, still in Sac, that if I let him go down just one floor of the hospital, he'd take the blame if we got caught. How nice of him; isn't Mak the sweetest. He's even willing to be arrested just to get out the front doors. I told him, in do time my friend you can run through the streets of SacTown.

But for now, while he may be getting a little stir crazy, he knows he needs to get better and that rehab is the place for it. The staff gave the family a preliminary time frame of two weeks for in-patient care and based on my chat on the phone with him, who knows, it could be sooner. What is nice is that Mak is taking this adventure in stride. He knows he had a terrible fall, is sorry that he made everyone worry, and understands that his body and brain are trying to slowly get better. Yesterday he practiced balancing on one foot and walking up stairs with no help, and also worked on some memory, counting, and letter recognition skills. He did well. He also says that he is good friends with all the staff already and that he is making them laugh.

For those who want to stop in and visit Mak in Vallejo, the visiting hours for weekdays are 4:40-8:30pm. If you do make an appearance and it is during his dinner hour, please make sure he isn't disturbed to the point that he doesn't eat. It is important that Mak eats as much grub as he can to get the weight back on his body. Summer is coming and we need to get his physique up to girl worthy.

Good news about Vallejo...KT can visit and that is exactly where she is headed today. I can't even imagine how excited he will be to see her. KT is all he has asked to see the last week. Yeah, thanks Mak, forget about all the friends and family that sat by your side for the past 3 weeks. But like they say, dogs are a man's best friend. Though, I am not too worried, he'll want the gang sooner or later toget him Gunther's, Oscar's and a ride around town. On an Oscar's note, Mak is very thankful for all the burritos brought to him, but we never thought the day would come where he'd say he has had enough for right now.

E.T. Phone Home

So do you hate it when you get woken up before the alarm clock goes off?

Well don't give Mak your phone number then. Mak has picked up the hospital phone three days in a row and called his parents at the crack of dawn asking when are they coming to visit him. And if you are late, forget it. Mak will call you up and ask where the heck are you. Sure for any parent it is a wonderful call after such a horrific accident, but in good humor, we hope they don't let Mak have a phone at rehab before 9am.

And for all those who want to visit Mak at Kaiser Morse, well you are toooooo late. Mak made his big departure to the Vallejo rehab facility this morning at 11am. He was in great spirits. Sporting normal clothes finally; orange baseball cap and all. He even was able to tie his sneaks with ease. He smiled for a few going away pictures and off he went with the super cute transporting crew; well for a girl they were super cute.

The fam couldn't be happier to be moving on to the next step. So please stay posted as the family will let everyone know the who, what, when and hows of Mak's visiting policies at rehab.