The people you meet during a long journey. The first picture is of Missy a nurse from his days at ICU. He did not remember her at first but after hearing her voice awhile something clicked in. She was with him those first few days when he was sedated most of the time. Spence videotaped an interview with her,asking a million questions i'm sure. Just the start of his movie.

The second picture is with Maria a nurse from Spaulding Rehab who has taken care of Spence alot and as you can see takes care of Carter from time to time.

The third picture is with Renee his primary nurse at Spaulding. She looks out for all the Nuttall's wellbeing. If we need anything done she is the one to go to. And believe me,it gets DONE!

This is just 3 of the many wonderful people we have met along our journey of the last 53 days.

no green beer for spence today, it just wasn't on his list of choices. O'well,he did have tacos again today made for him personally by the O'McFriends mother who made him his first one. It was delicious he told me. He tried to get the holiday off by telling everyone his name was really Sean McNuttall but they weren't buying it. I think they doubled his PT (physical torture).

not a whole lot going on this weekend. on friday spence tried walking with no cane but 2 therapists guiding him with his right hand behind his back. I'm told this is all about getting a sense of balance. On saturday optimus prime and flavor flav visited one left his mask and the other some bling. now that would be some reality TV: Optimus vs Flavor Flav vs the Poison dude in a Rock of Lovefest. Winner battles Spence with his new sword. Back to real reality, on sunday he had a feast of his mom's cooking. as always the smile was priceless! almost as priceless was his mom trying to heat up everything in a 2 x 2 kitchen while all the other parents came in to heat up their dinners. just another thing we will laughing about in a few months.

He Made IT!! Real clothes,outside for fresh air.the "short bus". this smile lasted for the whole 2 hours out. What we all take for granted!! Spencer had a new doctor today interview him about his trip out, i think his name was Dr. Phil.

Dr Phil: How many days have you been in the hospital?

Spence: "way to many" (48 actually)

Dr Phil: How does it feel to wear real clothes?

Spence: "pretty awesome"

Dr Phil: What was it like when you got the that first breath of fresh air after 48 days in the hospital?

Spence: It was amazing, the best air yet!!

Dr Phil: you mean to tell me that todays air was better than the first breath you took at birth.

Spence: Well DUH!! I dont remember my birth

Dr Phil: good point!

Dr Phil: What was it like to be out and having to get around in a wheelchair?

Spence: It was pretty cool to be independent but I never realized how many turns and corners there are in the stores of a mall

Dr Phil: What was your favorite part of the day?

Spence: finding a sword at KB toys to battle the nurses and greg back at the hospital, and getting a soft taco at TACO BELL.

Dr Phil: let me get this straight you go to the mall and are satified with basically a happy meal? you know a toy and fast food.

Spencer's Dad (from the audience) : Why cant it be this easy with his sister!!

Spence: Not quite, someone promised me a CRUNCH RAP SUPREME from TACO BELL and I am looking forward to that day.

Dr Phil: any last thoughts for your adoring public

Spence: Yes 2 things. 1. thank you for reading and come back soon. 2. i have know idea what uncle teds last latin message says, but i do know blogum is not a latin word.

Spencer today played a series of games with all the kids on the floor. Not sure who won or lost but Spence got Voted off the Floor and a Get Out of Jail Free Card. What does this mean?? As long as everything goes well (weather,medically etc.) he will go outside tomorrow for the first time in 48 days. The plan is for him to go to the mall in Cambridge. He heard there is a Apple computer store in the mall so he may jump right out of that wheelchair.
A couple of firsts today. Spence was able to move his elbow and 2 fingers today. He did this during therapy. The therapist must know how to relax certain muscles and stimulate others to get this movement.
Slowly we are getting there! Keep up the good work to everyone!

spencer today got a new wheelchair,one that he can maneuver himself. not very well but he can get around. he had his usual therapy and his first actual tutoring session. it was in latin,something he learned last year but he was pleased he remembered it. to go with his AFO he now has a UFO (universal foot orthotic). this is a brace he uses when lying down to keep the muscle tone in the ankle and foot. to everyone keep everything going we are getting there.

An interesting day today, donna and i,and spence had a meeting with all of his therapists today. they each had their turn to tell us of spencer's progress and their hope for his future progress. i think every one started with "i have never seen anyone with so many visitors and friends". some of the therapists and nurses see all the pictures,some visit the blog,some are there to see everyone. that being said,you guys are awesome and a big part of his recovery.
we saw some movement in spencers leg today, it was side to side and not one foot in front of the other but we will take it. he walked a bunch today.
during the meeting we found out the docs have a new theory on why the clot travelled to his carotid artery. something about a vein and artery connecting in the lung. this is not normal as veins and arteries are seperate from each other. i guess it explains the travel part but not why an 18yr old kid has a clot that size.
during the meeting spencer learned of a guesstimate of his release date. this is if he has no setbacks, he continues to progress at his current rate,and the docs are happy with the medical part. i want to tell you when it is but you will have to ask him.