One Year Later!

I shudder when I think about what MaryEleanor went through a year ago last night. The impact on Paul, Caitlin, Dayton and me will never be forgotten. The immediate response family and friends was unreal. It was a blur.

For me, time stood still. A day was just that, a day. Six plus weeks in intensive care followed weeks on a medical floor, a short stay in skilled nursing home, back in intensive care and then again on a medical floor. All during this time, we all kept looking for tiny improvements, something to allow us to say ME was getting better.

When we went to the University of Washington, things began to change at an ever increasing pace. The most important thing we knew before we arrived was that there was a plan for when we left. Not knowing what was to happen next used to drive me crazy. However, knowing we were coming home from the U allowed ME and I to focus on tasks to insure we could come home safely. December 10, 2008 is another date I will not forget.

The past seven months have flown by. Gone were any real medical concerns. Everything centered around recovery and mainstreaming. Countless hours of every type of therapy you can imagine was and is being delivered. The cupboard full of medications is dwindling. The next step is to get MaryEleanor up on her feet. On August 18th, she will have her first procedure on her right ankle. The left will be six to eight weeks later. We have a plan.

Yesterday, ME enjoyed a bit pampering. A little cut and color. We spent the afternoon together working on a few honey do's, staying inside as the outdoor temp hovered around 110. Last night we enjoyed a little "Captain 'n Coke" before eating a quiet dinner together.

None of this would have possible without the unbelievable outpouring of support from our respective families and friends from coast to coast. MaryEleanor and I are eternally grateful. We will never be able to repay everyone for everything they have done for ME. We can only promise you that we will pay it forward.

Happy Anniversary MaryEleanor!