This is a synopsis of a message I posted in the staff area earlier today.
I talked with Ron on the phone yesterday, having talked with Sam the day before. Progress is extremely slow and somewhat frustrating for both of them. Ron has lost his taste buds and, as a result, isn't eating much of anything. He's lost a lot of weight in addition to having lost muscle mass.
He receives daily physical therapy, but is unable to stand up without help, and is essentially confined to a wheelchair. Because the wheelchair is uncomfortable for him, he spends a lot of time in bed but, as Ron says, laying in bed gets old.
Sam had a ramp built at the house, so one day she took Ron home in the local wheelchair bus. When they arrived, the driver told Sam this would be last time he'd wheel Ron up the ramp unless/until she gets it changed to be less steep.
Ron appears quite lucid when he's talking, but does tend to wander off, apparently due to his short term memory loss. He remembers the visits by Ned & Lorna and the Fitzgeralds, and especially enjoyed seeing them in person.
Sam told me that Ron reads pretty well, and she takes the newspaper in for him to read. So, if anyone wants to send him a note, he'll read it. If someone wishes to call, Ron has a phone in his room. Since Sam spends the mornings there and returns in the evenings, the best time to call Ron would be between 1.00pm and 5.00pm local time (in Montana). Send me a PM if you need the address or the phone number.
I'm sure Sam would appreciate an occasional phone call to give her some support. Again, send me a PM if you need the number.