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I realize I haven’t written in quite awhile. As you can imagine, all our lives have been more than busy, as they have changed dramatically across the board.

First and foremost, Rick is doing well. During the week, he stays with my mom and dad, and they get him back and forth to the intensive therapy sessions he has been getting during the week. On the weekends, he has been going home with Deborah. And from what I understand, things on that front are coming along.

A van comes by my folks’ house and picks him up (along with either my mother or father, who prepare his lunch and go with him each day) at about 7 a.m. The van also picks up others who live in south county or over in Porter County, and takes them all to the rehab facility out in Munster.

At the facility, which is tied to both to the hospital out there and the rehab facility at Northwestern Memorial in Chicago, they put him through his paces each day. The types of therapy include physical, occupational and speech therapy methods.

He has been able to move his right leg for awhile now, and the physical therapists have been working on that in order to get him up and moving. Though he is sitting in a wheelchair, he has been able to move himself from the wheelchair to a bed and back. He is able to do quite a bit with his left hand, including feed himself. Rick still does not have much movement in his right arm, but the doctors have said that movement will come back as time advances.

This past week, he was fitted with two braces on his right leg — one on his ankle to hold his heel in place and to prevent that foot from drooping. The second, provides support to his knee so that it can help him stand.

One day this week, the physical therapist, along with my dad, helped him stand and to take a few steps. The therapist got him a type of cane that was fitted with a wide base and four feet. The therapist and Dad walked slowly with him, in order to steady him; Dad had Rick’s wheelchair, in case it was needed. Rick walked to the end of the room, and kept right on going, out toward the front door of the complex. He got near the front door, and wanted to turn around.

“Do you want to sit down?” the therapist asked.

“No!” he replied.

Once he got turned around, he found that he was out of steam. Dad held the wheelchair while he sat down.

Anyway, Mom said he has been walking all week and getting better at it.

Rick’s speech is improving dramatically. He is able to slowly put words together — but don’t ask him to repeat himself — at least not for now. He certainly knows what he wants to say, but putting repeated thoughts back together is still a bit difficult for him. I talk with him on the phone several times a week, and our conversations have advanced dramatically.

The experts say that stroke victims tend to make major strides in the fifth month and again in the seventh month after a stroke. We’re just coming up to the five-month point now. So we’re still looking for more advancements as time goes on.

Courtney and Roy got him the full set of Black Adder episodes — he’s a longtime fan — so he has started watching them. And since he’s such a big fan of British comedy, I picked up the first season of “Father Ted”, and sent him a cap from the Final Four. Dad said he’s been happy with watching all of those, and loves the hat.

Rachel and I are still planning on driving up with the kids in July, and we’re all looking forward to seeing him. As I mentioned at the start, this has changed all our lives immeasurably. I had ballooned to 306 pounds as of my physical last fall, and my cholesterol level had risen to 213. As of a month ago, I had come down to near 290, and my overall cholesterol had fallen to 198. I’ve changed the way I eat, reducing the portions and the types of things I eat. I’ve increased my water intake, and almost completely eliminated fried food and bread from my diet (okay, I still grab some fries every couple of weeks or so). I’ve upped the amount of fish in my diet, primarily with tilapia and salmon — I try to have fish at least twice a week. I’ve also added more fiber to my diet, primarily with Wasa crackers (a high-fiber, low salt flatbread cracker), but also with more fruit and vegetables.

People tell me my face is smaller, and I’ve noticed that my clothes fit differently. My doctor wants me to get another cholesterol test within the next week or so, so I hope there is an even bigger reduction than a month ago.

Thank you to everyone who has written and called and e-mailed, and thank you for all the prayers and thoughts and words. God is the Great Physician, and His hand is evident in everything that has been happening as things have moved forward. May God bless you all and may He continue to hold you in His hand, and may you keep Him in your heart. Keep praying for us — though we are not out of the woods yet, things are much, much better.

Finally, to each and every one of you — please, please, please monitor yourselves. Blacks in general, and black men in particular, are at hightened risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease. Cut the amount of fried food, sugars and fats in your diet. Pay attention to your portion sizes. Get your cholesterol checked regularly. Get out and walk more. Also for us as black men over 40, getting a regular digital exam for an enlarged prostate is a necessity. It ain’t pleasant (although I asked my doctor for a cigarette after my last one), but it is a necessary safeguard. It will make a difference in your life, and it very well may save your life.

God bless you, be well, and we’ll talk soon...

Michael