Thank you for all of the support

My family and I wanted to extend our gratitude to all of you throughout this whole ordeal. We truly could not have made it without all of your prayers and support. As we sit back and reflect on these last few months we have a greater understanding of the meaning of true friends. We are so grateful to have all of you in our lives. All of the cards, care packages, words of encouragement, strength and support have meant the world to us. These things have been especially important to my dad, who says the same thing "couldn't have done it without all of you". So, thank you. During this time of giving and receiving, it is so clear to our family that we are just very thankful for what we have. The entire Ferraro Family would like to send all of you the warmest of holiday wishes. With lots of love, we hope that 2008 brings everybody many fond memories with family and friends.

The reality of the blog is that it was bound to start tapering off a bit...but that is a good thing. At this point we do not have as much to report on a daily basis. The one thing that the doctors continue to track closely is the infection in the toe. They are holding off on starting my dad on the strong antibiotics because of the possible kidney and cell damage. They continue to treat it topically to see if they can dry it up from the outside. The last time they cultured it the results showed that it was negative for one infection but still positive for staph. That doesn't necessarily mean that the other infection is completely gone, though. With that situation we just keep our fingers crossed and hope that eventually the infections clear up.

On a more positive note, my dad continues to make great strides with his rehab. They evaluated him last week and said that he is leaps and bounds from where he started. For his around the house routine he has ditched the walker!! Yippee!! While working with the therapists he tried using one of those 4 pronged canes and it worked quite well. It took a lot of the pressure off his arms and shoulders which have developed tendinitis from all of the weight he has been putting on them using the walker. So when they asked his doctor to write a prescription for one of those canes he said, "no", that he didn't need one of those canes..."those are for grannies". This is the funny orthopedic doctor, whom we respect greatly. He said in all honesty that he thinks my dad is strong enough to walk using a regular cane. I guess it took a few days for him to get used to it but now he is managing quite well with it! Who woulda' thunk it? I mean it was just four months ago that his accident occurred. This really is a miracle!

I know that my dad is pleased with the progress that he is making, just like the rest of us. He and my mom still have high hopes to get down to Florida for a few months, but there are a lot of things to consider. First, they have to wait to get the infections under control. As the doctors have said, "he is still not out of the woods yet". The next, and probably most important, thing is his therapy. He is doing so well now with the therapists he has, my parents aren't willing to just change therapists and take a gamble that they might get some that are just as good. The truth of the matter is that we have been blessed with two extremely good therapists and we want to hold onto them until we feel like my dad doesn't need them as much anymore. We are confident that day will come where he will be more independent. Until then, we need the help of these great therapists..and of course, my mom...and Robb, too! It's been great for everyone that Robb has had some time to spend with my parents over this past month (even more than when we were taking shifts at the hospital and rehab facility). He's been a huge help to my dad and mom. Thanks Bro!

So, if all of you Gator Trace/Florida friends don't see them down there this season, you can bet on it for next year! Thanks again for all of your support!

Enjoy this holiday season with family and friends.
Love, Stacy and The Ferraros