Howe continues to improve after stem cell treatment

The remarkable resurgence of Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe continues, as he has gone from wheelchair bound to pushing a shopping cart.

Son Mark Howe, who was at Saturday's game between the Wings and Washington Capitals in his role as a Wings pro scout, told the Free Press that Gordie Howe "is doing very well, overall."

Gordie Howe, who turns 87 in March, has severe dementia and has suffered a series of strokes since last summer, including a serious one in October. He was rushed to hospital in early December with what was feared to be another stroke, but turned out to be dehydration.

The family - sons Mark, Marty, Murray and daughter Cathy, the latter of whom Gordie Howe resides with in Lubbock, Texas - opted to have Gordie Howe undergo stem cell treatment in mid-December. Since then, their father's quality of life has improved to the point he goes out in public accompanied by family members.

Before the treatment, Mark Howe said, his father's mobility was limited to shuffling his feet forward while sitting in a wheelchair. Now he's able to kick a small ball around outside. And within the past few days, "dad was pushing a cart at a grocery store, and he's gone to the mall," Mark Howe said.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.