Visit from Sally

I’m Sally, Brooke’s sister-in-law (otherwise known as Peggy’s little sister). I’m here for a visit and am experiencing Salt Lake City’s summer heat for the first time—it’s considerably more tolerable than New York’s!
Brooke was in great spirits when I arrived for lunch bearing a sweet pork salad from Costa Vida. He’d had an “easy” two hour off-the-vent trial and looked devastatingly handsome with a huge smile when I walked in around 12:15. We had a chance to have some talk time before he was put into his chair for the ride down to therapy – he drove the whole way using the joystick with his left hand (WOW!), negotiating the twists and turns in and out of the elevator with nary a mishap. Returning to his room, he was seated (supported in the hoyer sling) on the recumbent bicycle that Peggy had brought in from home. With assistance, he did 4 sets of 20 revolutions each - that’s 80 revolutions, pushing most of the way through each turn with his left leg.
Another breathing trial of two hours in the afternoon was followed by a visit from son Mike before his return home to Seattle. Then came a quick bite of dinner—Thai, from the restaurant where the Philosophy Department had had its annual retreat luncheon-- followed by a two hour interview with Peggy Fletcher Stack and Leah Hogsten from the Tribune. Needless to say, Brooke was sound asleep before Peggy and I left to come home. I know that there are bad days and good days - this was a really good day.
During the years I worked as a Hospice nurse I was privileged to care for many in difficult situations. Brooke’s determination is simply awe inspiring and humbling.