Christmas in Portland

So, given the stresses of the last few years, we decided to try and make the holidays as low key as possible. This, in part, meant having no big family celebrations for Christmas. Instead, my folks came up in early December, and we did a small, low-key gift exchange. My in-laws will be coming up in early January for a weekend as well.

Here's the Christmas picture we all took:


Yes, that IS my brother holding his 45 lb dog and STANDING. Isn't it miraculous? He's lost so much weight (and has a new nurse who is on him about his practice and exercise all the time). Coupled with prayer and luck, he's continued to make progress. He can even walk from his bedroom to his bathroom WITHOUT crutches now! (Any further and he is likely to fall down. He's sprained his ankle twice since we've been in Oregon). Even his new doctors are wowed.

Mentally and emotionally, he's not recovering as well or as fast (still very addled hen it comes to time, his short term memory is shot, and he has break-down fall-into-the-fetal-position-on-the-floor anxiety attacks over things as small as leaving the house, sometimes), but there is some movement toward health and away from the fog of terror and confusion he lives in. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!