Really, part deux

[MINAM]

Hee hee hee. Just giggling. Thanks, Gerry!

 

[Spun Silver]

Wonderful to have the happy, sunny, funny posts. They make me realize how long and dark these many days and nights must have been for you, Gerry, waiting and waiting. I'm so glad things are turning up. Enjoy the spring, you two!

 

[Mozart]

Good afternoon, team!

Today is Day 530, and apparently, Spring has come to Alberta! The snow is gone, the water has dried up, and I have only just begun to fall behind on yardwork!

Yesterday and today, Lee has been doing better... we have been wheeling outside into the sunshine and fresh air, for the first time since August. She still isn't talking too much, but she is visibly more stable, and seems to be responding well. Her skintone is better, she is more relaxed, and her eyes...

I have to tell you this one - don't ever tell her I said anything, or she will beat me.

She was laying on her back watching TV - hadn't really said anything to me since she woke up - I was doing some stretching/range of motion work on her legs (her hamstrings are still fairly constricted, and we are working on that every change I get.

Anyway, as I was stretching her leg, talking away (just filling the silence, because she wasn't talking much) her Ostomy burped. I gave her a wide-eyed look of surprise, and said "Did you just Fart at me?"

She just looked at me like I'd lost my mind, and then she snorted out loud, closed her eyes, and shook her head (as if to say "I can't believe you just said that..."). When she opened her eyes and looked at me again, I put my ear down close, and she leaned forward and kissed my ear, then whispered "You're an idiot".

Yep. That's me. Grinning like a fool. And if you ever say anything to her, I'll deny it.

Thanks, everyone, for keeping an eye on her while I was away... in 8 days, I was in Lethbridge, Calgary, Denver, Saskatoon, Brooks, and home... 4 flights, 5 different hotels, a bunch of driving, and away from her way too much. I phoned every day (and a few times when I woke up in the dark), my son dropped in on her a few times while I was away, so we got to talk on facetime a bit, and he sent me a few pictures to keep me going... and I felt better knowing you were there in spirit. Your thoughts are a constant source of support to us.

Have a great day! (I sure am)
Gerry

Glad you guys are doing ok. Stomas can be quite amusing at times with their burping

 

[victorskid]

Thinking of @Really on this Mother's Day weekend. May the outside excursions in the spring weather and the slow improvement continue!

 

[Simone411]

So glad Lee has been out getting some sunshine! Thanks for this awesome update, @Gerry, and a huge Happy Mother's Day to Lee!

 

[pat c]

This is still the right address to get cards to Lee:

Cards_4_Lee
Bentley School
Box 299, 5314 - 49 Street
Bentley, Alberta,
T0C 0J0

 

[debo]

Gerry, check in with us as soon as is practical for you. Lee and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Gerry]

Hello, everyone! I'm back from work again, greeted by surprises from the wonderful team of SkateFans that has been supporting Lee and I for the last 543 days.

I will post a picture of the lovely flowers as soon as I figure out how... I asked Lee what she wanted to say to you and she said "tell them 'Thank You'... they make me smile."

I honestly don't know what to say to you all right now, but I'll work up something for later. Thank you; we both are humbled, and we love love you all.

 

[Marge_Simpson]

 

[Jayar]

Personally, the message from Lee was enough for me. We love her, too!

 

[Gerry]

Here are the flowers from the front... they are gorgeous! I have no clue what the big pink one is, neither does Lee, but we both love them!

 

[quartz]

Hydrangea.

 

[Gerry]

Hydrangea.

I think she was treated for that about 6 months ago...

 

[victorskid]

I hope you can both enjoy this "May 2 4" weekend. Thanks for sharing images of the (((floral hugs))) from Lee's friends on FSU.

 

[skatesindreams]

I asked Lee what she wanted to say to you and she said "tell them 'Thank You'... they make me smile."

Her message makes me smile.

 

[taf2002]

I've never seen a hydrangea that color. It's gorgeous.

 

[Gerry]

I just want to tell all of you how amazing you are... Lee and I were checking out her beautiful bouquet of flowers today, and she spoke of how pretty they were - I told her that the pink ones were hydrangea and she said 'That's right... I forgot. They are pretty.'

Through this long journey, your cards, happy words, thoughts and prayers, and flowers have been a constant source of support and have helped us to keep taking those slow steps forward. Lee has been overwhelmed by the love you have shown; I read all of your cards to her (when she isn't able to read them herself) and I can see in her eyes that she can feel you through your words. Those cards, little notes, and gifts have amazed her healthcare teams, and all of us.

A Special Thanks to PatC, for organizing this, for the sometimes-daily checkins to see how Lee is doing, and for making sure that we take care of ourselves, so we can care for Lee. Tonight, I think I'll sit on the deck with a glass of wine and pretend that Lee and I are watching the sunset, just like we did from that same spot, 2 years ago... times were happier then, but every day means more, now.

From Lee, myself, and our family, Thank You.

 

[Marge_Simpson]

You and Lee are in my prayers every day, Gerry. Thank you for the update.

 

[Jayar]

Thank you for making us feel like we are part of your family, @Gerry. Lee has told us so much about all of you that I am sure that most of us feel like we know you quite well. We are here for you as long as you need us, and I just know that she will be home enjoying that sunset with you before summer's end

 

[FreeAgent]

T

Thank you for making us feel like we are part of your family, @Gerry. Lee has told us so much about all of you that I am sure that most of us feel like we know you quite well. We are here for you as long as you need us, and I just know that she will be home enjoying that sunset with you before summer's end

INDEED!!!!

Couldn't find better words

 

[once_upon]

I pray that you and Lee will be enjoying the beautiful sunsets together on your deck this summer. You are so gracious to share your journey with us, as we all care about Lee

 

[4rkidz]

Just checking in, glad Lee loved the flowers. I really hope one day that you can both sit again on that deck and enjoy the sunset together.

 

[pat c]

This is still the right address to get cards to Lee:

Cards_4_Lee
Bentley School
Box 299, 5314 - 49 Street
Bentley, Alberta,
T0C 0J0

 

[MINAM]

I don't wanna jinx it, but I have a feeling that Lee is going up, up, uppity UP!

 

[cholla]

Yeah, let's her do that

 

[Gerry]

Hi team!

Lee is awake and looking great today! She absolutely lurves her new flowers, and said to say thank you, they are lovely.

I've been reading her your notes and cards, and the things written in this thread. She thinks 4cc tickets are expensive, but that it's a nice place to go for a competition.

She says to say thanks to everybody. Thanks from me, too... I was away working (went to Toronto for a few days to work with a bunch of French Immersion teachers), and when I got back yesterday, she was noticeably brighter, more talkative, and moving better. This morning, she has new flowers from her friends, and is in pretty good spirits.

Right now, she is trying to scratch her nose. And I'm watching her struggle with the diminished range of motion. I'm going to let her struggle... until she gets frustrated... that's how incremental improvements work.

Anyway, thanks again. It's nice to know I can leave her in good hands and earn my keep, and I feel better knowing you guys have her back.

Have a great Saturday!

 

[Kruss]

**waves** Hello, you two!!!

 

[skatesindreams]

I'm delighted to hear such good news, Gerry.
How wonderful that the flowers are serving their intended purpose, as well.

 

[LilJen]

<SCRATCH THAT NOSE, LEE!!> Rooting for fingernail to meet nose. If she ends up picking her nose, oh well. At least she will have regained some strength and range of motion

 

[MrSatterwhite]

Lee!!!