Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Epilogue

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS


I thought that I should close this chapter by announcing that Chris is engaged and about to start a new life.

He (and his adorable & lovely Fiancée) can be found on Facebook...where he loves to leave me messages that begin and end with the word "idiot"
...still an insatiable tease.

Looking back at his journey throughout this journal, I've come to appreciate how tenuous and precious Life really is. 
Our friendships define and mold us.
We adapt and adjust to accomodate our circumstances, but our relationships will always be our the most precious gifts.

I'm so happy for Chris.
He has always been a Giver, and I believe that somehow his karmic cache of goodwill was atleast partially responsible for his second chance.

His sense of humor and compassion remain intact as his body continues to strengthen.

All in all, I've come to realise that I'm just as lucky as he was...
well, almost!  :)

Saturday, May 22, 2010

SHORT TRIP ON MAY LONG

Chris is okay.

Tonight around suppertime Chris had a seizure, not another stroke. ..he was discharged just before 1 am.

His Mom discovered him on the floor and although he quickly recovered, he was sent to the hospital afew blocks away. He had a few tests to be sure... some bloodwork, a CT scan and heart monitoring.

The attending Doctor said that there was no evidence of any new damage and that seizures were not uncommon with stroke patients. His speech and newfound mobility were unaffected. Chris was prescribed some medication and shown the door.

Chris remained in good spirits throughout his 5 hour visit...his daughter and I entertained (distracted and kept him awake) until his son returned to help him in the car and take him home. 

As you can imagine Chris was ECSTATIC to get out of there, and I have to admit that it was awful seeing him back in a gown.

Onwards and upwards!

Hopefully the medication works and Chris can continue his remarkable progress.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

A "NEW" YEAR

Just thought that I'd write a brief post about how Chris is managing.
I am happy to report that Chris is in high spirits when we get together.

He seems to have adjusted to his new place and routine. Chris manages to get on his Blog and Facebook once and a while.

More than anything Chris is embracing his freedom.
I think that he realises how lucky he is and that he has received a gift..
so he hasn't complained once about how different it is. 

Chris appears to be surprisingly compliant about his "rules" concerning his recovery...
he seems to sense that there isn't a magic wand to wave or some secret shortcut to his synaptic resurgence.



This afternoon he teased me mercilessly in front of my wife and youngest son..
he even made jokes about me to my oldest son on the phone...
and he loved every minute of it..
so did I.

I'm sure that there are moments when he is really struggling and like everyone else, I wish that there was more that I could do. I don't know if he understands how far he has come so far.

I do know that he obviously wishes it was further, but somethings just take time...something that he bought a little more of last year through sheer determination. So I have high hopes that his will to exceed his expectations is percolating night and day.

All that I can say is that making him laugh and goofing around is something that I treasure. One of these days he may ask more of me and hopefully I will be ready, until then, I'm thrilled to be able to spend time with him.