April 22nd to 26th - to Spokane

April 22nd - Tues - to Rochester, WA
We lollygagged around this morning so we wouldn’t hit rush hour traffic on I5 - and it worked, the traffic wasn’t bad at all. We arrived at the Lucky Eagle Casino, where we stay when we come to visit Dean, at about 11:30. I immediately got a roast in the crock pot as Dean is coming for dinner. Jennifer is sick and the kids are busy with practices and homework so we won’t get to see them this time. Dean is leaving for Bend on Thursday after work to help his mother move so we had a pretty narrow window to get together.
We spent some time in the casino after we registered for our RV spot and then had a nice dinner and visit with Dean. The weather is still cold and rainy.

April 23rd - Wed - to Spokane
We figured that freezing weather should be done so feel safe heading for Spokane to see what we can do to help out with Terry’s Mom. She is still in St. Luke’s rehab. Cindy (Terry’s sister) was able to take 4 weeks off work but had to go back to work last Monday. She works 4 days a week and will be flying to Spokane for the next 3 weekends to be with her Mom. Don (Terry’s step dad) has been spending his days with Ella Mae at St. Lukes.
We had a little delay on the way here in the form of a tire blowout on the 5th wheel. We were about 25 miles from Spokane and getting new tires was near the top of our to-do list while we are here. Didn’t quite make it!! Terry changed the tire - and of course it had to be on the “cars and trucks rushing past” side. A police officer stopped when Terry was partly done and his flashing lights got vehicles to move over a little better.
We arrived at Ella Mae & Don’s house shortly after 5 and used the hidden key to make ourselves at home. We didn’t know how to contact Don to tell him that dinner would be ready for him when he left the rehab center so we just hoped that he didn’t stop for something on the way home. He stayed until Ella Mae was settled for the night so we had a late dinner but one that was much appreciated by non-cooking Don.

April 24th - Thurs - Spokane
Don left early to be with Ella Mae while we stayed in bed a while longer. Then Terry went to get tires for the 5th wheel and I did some cleaning for Don and laundry for us. Next we were off to the rehab center . Ella Mae is improving slowly and she had a full schedule of rehab sessions today. Every half hour someone else was coming to wheel her away in her wheelchair for OT, PT, RT and ST (occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy and speech therapy). She finally had 1 ½ hours free for a rest before dinner so we took the opportunity to get an emission test on the truck, Don to get a haircut and meet back at the house for a quick dinner before Don headed back. Cindy is flying in tonight so Don stayed at St. Luke’s until he had to go to the airport.

April 25th - Fri - Spokane
Don & Cindy left early again (6:30!) and we ran errands, made to-do lists, made phone calls and did more laundry. We got to St. Luke’s shortly before lunch. Don was given an extra lunch so Cindy, Terry & I went to the cafeteria. It was a nice day so Don came back to the house with us and mowed the lawn while I trimmed around 11 round stepping stones in the back yard. While dinner was cooking I reloaded the operating system on Ella Mae’s non-functional computer and got it going & set up again. We held dinner until Cindy got back at 7:30. At 10:10, Ella Mae phoned and was all upset about something and said she needed to come home. So Terry & Cindy drove back to St Luke’s (about 15 minutes with no traffic) and Cindy ended up staying all night. The nurses set up a cot for her so she could get some sleep. Don was sleeping by the time Terry returned so we taped a note to the bathroom mirror explaining what was happening.

April 26th - Sat - Spokane
Don was going to go to work this morning but he woke us and said he was going to the rehab center so we did not need to relieve Cindy which was the plan.
We met our good friends Bill & Georgia for breakfast and a gabfest. A couple more errands before heading to St Luke’s. Looks like this will be the routine for a while! Ella Mae got a break today with only respiratory therapy so we took her for an “outing” to the cafeteria and outside for a quick breath of fresh air. She is regaining movement in her left arm, slight movement in her left leg and is getting some strength back in other muscles. Seems like a long way to go but she improves daily.
Don did go to work after Cindy got back from cleaning up & changing clothes. He returned to see Ella Mae again so we left, picked up some baby backs and had dinner ready when they got back at 7:30ish. Sure makes for a short evening when we eat late.