Mark and I visited my mother-in-law today. She's doing a lot better with her physical therapy and is able to get around using the walker now. They now think that her pain and other symptoms are the result of issues with her hips, both of which were replaced at least 15 years ago. She actually used the word "sciatica" for the first time. Ugh. So it doesn't sound like there are many steps that they can take that will alleviate the symptoms of pain and numbness outright.

However, the walker, the therapy, and some in-home sessons once she's discharged will go a long way to helping her manage the condition. They did some sessions to help her learn how to get into and out of a bathtub, and she already owns a shower chair from her hip surgeries years ago, so she's ahead of the curve there.

She's hoping that if all goes well, she might even be discharged late next week. I hope so. I think she's looking forward to going home and I *know* my father-in-law is looking forward to having her come home. He visits her every day, but that's not the same thing.

So, thank God for giant favors. There's finally been some good news to report.