We had some good news at the VA Hospitals and Clinics for Arthur. His fractured neck bone (technically, his right occipital condyle bone, the base of the skull) is healed sufficiently that he was permitted to remove the nefarious neck brace, which he's hated wearing so much. This allows him to look and feel more like himself, not to mention he doesn't have to feel so conspicuous when out and about in public.
Further good news came from the ENT (otolaryngology) specialist, who said he didn't need any "remediation" with respect to a chronic ear issue. So overall, Arthur is healing apace.
In the car driving back home from the hospital, I said, "Well, it's all cause for optimism."
Arthur's reply, in his classic Arthur style, was, "Now I just need to be an optimist."
[daily log: walking, 3km]