Dad (not?) walking and more

Emails from Liz & Dor:

[Liz] Dad had an appt with a urologist today to see if he could have the catheter removed yet.  Answer was "no", basically because he is not strong enough to get himself to the bathroom when needed.  After 3 more weeks of physical therapy for strengthening, he will have a return visit to the urologist.  He does not yet do any walking except during physical therapy sessions (or getting himself to the wheelchair)

[Dorrie] Wednesday night he was!  wheelchair was parked near the door when I got there, Dad was alert in the chair watching TV, walker at his side, and got up (very slowly, leaning on counter for support, but definitely unassisted) and walked to the door with me.  We stood there for quite a few minutes because my phone rang & it was Julie, & I put her on to say "hello to granddad" and they chatted for quite a few minutes -- he holding the phone in one hand & leaning on the walker with the other.  He had quite bit of fun with the phone that "didn't need to be plugged in to anything - "isn't that something? how does that thing work?"  I was standing there worried that he was standing too long but he seemed ok.  We retreated back to his bedside after, since it had been a few minutes, and he was definitely tiring.  I asked if he had been taking some regular walks and he said "yes, some" but Liz talked to the nurses today and it seems the walks are while he is in PT. He has not walked to dinner on his own or anywhere unattended.  He is for sure stronger than he was a week ago, but I would in fact worry about him walking (even with the walker) unattended.

unrelated - but since we are on email together - their dear friend Ruth Crissey died yesterday morning.  I talked to Mom Wednesday night; told her this seemed imminent; she learned the fact here today.  Dad still doesn't know; Liz will tell him tomorrow if Mom hasn't already.  Memorial service not til January and I will make sure they can get to it.