All, a very busy week and weekend here so I'll get
to it.
Donna is great. Her cast was cut for leg
measurements on Tuesday and the inspection of her incision revealed that it
looked very good. The cast was replaced and this Wednesday afternoon it should
be finished. woo hoo.
I talk so much about all of her accomplishments and
steer clear of really personal topics so I sometimes worry that her status in
this forum comes across a little sugar coated. I thought I would spend a
little time on her challenges to better share the balance of it all.
First her leg and walking. No, Donna doesn't yet walk on her
own. With the cast coming off Wednesday, we'll get our first look at her
walking which will be assisted and with a walker over short distances. We
are all a bit anxious and apprehensive. We know balance is still an
issue that is improving but isn't quite there yet. So regardless of the
leg capabilities, she is not yet ready to run off. Also effecting the
walking is her right arm strength, thats right I said Arm. This is
because for her to be independent walking, she has to hold and steer the walker
with both hands. I'll talk more about the arm next.
Donna's right arm has improved materially but keep
in mind that is from little use to considerable range and use of all her motor
functions. Strength and coordination is a steady improvement process but
still has a way to go. She can get her right hand to where she wants and
can move all the parts, it just may be a bit weak and not as coordinated as she
would like. We remain wildly optimistic regarding the right arm
potential. Donna is just over the last week redeveloping the habit of
trying to use it productively. After 4 plus months of no capability to
use it, bad habits get formed. I really feel this is a time and effort
solution but it is amazing how many daily activities are affected by having a
limited arm function. The issue that could be a problem are the tremors Donna has on her left arm and hand. They are more than nuisance and we are learning more as time goes by. Prognosis is unknown at this stage.
Regarding her brain, she is great. This is
great news because this is the part we can't fix. Aside from some
residual minor short term memory lapses (she's almost better than me now) she
is great between the ears. Healing continues as she is not quite at her
own high standards but all seems well.
So aside from ongoing hard work, only two new
activities went on this week 1) I was gone for several days and Donna had the
joy of being surrounded by her kids and 2) I remain engaged in a bit of an
insurance battle over Donna being at home over the Thanksgiving holiday.
On the Bob away and Sarah and John in charge topic, I managed to attend an annual retreat in Louisiana Thursday, Friday Saturday
and Sunday. That's right 4 days. I only missed seeing Donna 4 days
over the last the last 5 months, so 4 days in a week was a big deal for me.
I wasn't at all worried about her because it gave Sarah a chance to see
her at work in Galveston and I knew what a blast Donna would have in the
company of both her children this weekend. I expect to see her glowing still
when I see her tomorrow. Timing for me to be away was great as Donna
continues to improve, next month will see both her and my situation changing,
and the weather was ideal. Truth is the break did me well. By all
reports, the weekend went well for all.
On Thanksgiving, I'm not worried as we will do what
it takes to make it work, but these are the tribulations that make life
difficult. We are getting help from all the right people so I am quite
optimistic. One way or another we will give thanks at our table at home
with Donna.
So as we all sit down for a Thanksgiving of great
thanks, I recall many months ago thinking maybe by Thanksgiving we'll have this
sorted. Well no, but we have so much to be thankful for. Our lives
while tossed on their ear, have become amazingly simple and clear and the depth
of the blessings we have been showered with could not be clearer either.
I very much hope all of you hold your loved ones tight this holiday, and
for the many that have crosses of their own, I hope it brings you peace.
I have to admit that this blog originated with a
desire to simply push information out efficiently. I so often get
comments and cards from people telling me that it has helped them so much
themselves and also those that they have shared it with. That is so great
but it still didn't seem to explain the strong connection and feelings that
seem to be generated when I run into people, talk to them on the phone or
through notes. This weekend, something was said at my retreat that seemed
to be the missing puzzle piece for me. The Jesuit priest who led the
retreat said, " We become part of each others lives by the stories we
share." That was it, the missing piece. Donna and I feel very
honored to have you all as part of our lives and for us to be part of yours.
I think this is a good lesson for all of us (especially those like me who
wouldn't probably have shared much in a manly way) that life experiences shared
bind and enrich us all. I have a good friend in Pittsburgh, who I admire greatly, for teaching me the good in sharing during tough times.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support for the
finest lady I know, Happy Thanksgiving
Regards
Bob
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