Well, don’t get too excited, there was no actual leaping or bounding today – but Mary Elizabeth continues to make progress. In fact, it feels like it is accelerating to me.
I took the day off from work today to catch up on sleep, take some pictures of our little corner of London and to visit Mary Elizabeth early so we could spend significant time together. When I arrived today, Mary Elizabeth had a real look of satisfaction on her face – mixed with happiness, and a little tiredness. She had just finished with the physios and I got a full report. Today, in addition to walking, standing and hand and arm exercises, she added going up a step to her repertoire. Her walking is also apparently getting much better and she is getting the mechanics of leg movement correct, which is apparently a big step.
Her going up and down a step was hard for her to do, and she has some weakness in her knee, but she’ll get the hang of it in no time. The same tracheostomy tube is still in place, but they are planning on putting in a smaller tomorrow or Monday. The next step after that will be to determine if she’s ready to have the whole thing out, or if it needs to stay in a little longer.
The quality of our conversations keeps increasing as well. As far as I can see, there is no diminution of her intellect, personality – or sense of humor. She is in every way the Mary Elizabeth I know – except that she can’t speak, which I know bothers her. Hopefully, this won’t be a problem for much longer as she gets better and better. I think it is her increased awareness and the return of the Mary Elizabeth personality that together are driving the speed of her recovery. She is now a woman on a mission and for those of you who know her well, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
On the eve of week 12 since her stroke – three months – I can hardly find the words to describe how I feel about having Mary Elizabeth back. I have experienced such an overwhelming sense of loss with her being “gone.” To have her back – against the odds – is a blessing of such proportions that words can’t describe it. We still have a long way to go and as I said to Mary Elizabeth today, I will be with her every step of the way – I will always be at her side. I think we’ve always made a good team, and as a team we will get through this. (that’s just about enough platitudes for one night)
One of the things I’ve been hearing about over and over, and even learned to smell are London’s foxes. They are apparently quite urban and live well within the city boundaries. But in the three months I’ve been here, I’ve never seen them, because they are quite stealthy. Tonight, I went out with Ellinor and Jon and got back very late. As I was walking by Stepney Green, with the moon waxing towards full, there were solitary birds singing in the trees. I could hear them in the distance as well, caroling into the night. Those of you who know the Beatles song probably know that these are blackbirds, which are actually thrushes (or turdus, their scientific name which Ellinor and Jon use and have me using too). Blackbird singing in the dead of night, as the song goes.
As I passed St Dunstan’s and swung into Bromley Street, I turned the corner, and there, standing in the middle of the road was a fox. He seemed bigger and more robust than the foxes we have at home, and had a beautiful, full brush. As I saw him, he stopped and sat down and stared at me. I stopped too, and he looked at me and then trotted off, stopped every few feet to look back at me with what seemed to me to be a calculated, appraising stare.
We are building up more and more momentum and one of the things that is powering the momentum, I think, are the messages that you’ve been posting to the blog. I read every one of them to Mary Elizabeth and she derives such satisfaction and joy knowing that so many people are pulling for her. It’s easy to feel isolated here, and the heartfelt wishes of her friends, expressed with such warmth and love are helping to propel her forward. Thank you for helping to make this possible.
Moved in Sundry Places 
Incredible! This is all such great news, i am so happy ME is returning and with such fervor. I am really happy for you both and for me that she will be back!! We have Char here tonite, so enjoying her and Kelsie’s cute friendship.
xx M
ps I will be sending you photos soon from the ski weekend to share with ME too. That was also a great time, they truly enjoyed themselves and you have three little super skiers on your hands when you get back!! FEARLESS and Confident! It is great.
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night”…ok, from now on, I will forever remember you guys when I hear that song. It’s actually one of my favorites.
I’m thrilled beyond words about todays progress and I can’t wait to hear about tomorrow. You guys are on my “to do” list everyday, and I never tire of reading your words. You are a poet my friend!
Today it’s one step, tomorrow it will be two, the next will be the one on the plane. At the rate you guys are going, she seems to want to get home for Easter!
Your not missing much here Stateside. It’s a pile of slushy mess. The kids has a snow day here in the City, and we used it wisely, eating chocolate chip cookies and watching “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (which wasn’t the worst kids movie I’ve ever seen).
So over and out..and sending good vibes from Mulberry Street!
Nat
Dear Scott and MaryElizabeth,
First I read the entry quickly to absorb all of ME’s progress throughout the day. Then I reread it slowly to savor every last bit! Oh how this past week has been such a joy!! Again my mouth is just hanging open in awe of how well ME is doing. Talk about leaps and bounds! My heart swells with thankfulness and gratitude to God. Tell ME to keep up the fantastic work. I can’t wait till the trach is out and ME will be able to tell the whole story from her perspective. (That will be the second part of the book you’re going to write, Scott.)
Love, the Fixes
Sounds like a great day – can’t wait to have both of you home soon. Even if it is rehabilitation, I’ll come visit to keep her company.
Will download the photos tomorrow from Thursday night’s Pinewood Derby for Clark – he did great and Andrea Dunne and I kept an eye on him.
Rooting for you both!
Dear Scott
The only word I can think of at this moment is AWESOME!! Mary Elizabeth is gaining strength that is incredible. We pray that with her added strength that you will be able to come home soon. That would be so wonderful for both of you, your children, Lucille and your family and friends. Keep up the good work Mary Elizabeth. God is good, God is great.
God Bless,
Bob & Carol
Hope you read the messages from previous days (just catching up here) but my word for the day is OVERJOYED! This week was one of wonderful and long-awaited progress. Not only will you be by ME’s side, Scott, but you have acquired a mass cheering squad through this blog and I’m simply elated by your entries this week. ME, keep up the great work! We can’t wait for you to be home where you belong!! XO
From Albuquerque NM, I am cheering for both of you while John is shoveling piles of snow in NY. It is awesome to hear about how Mary Elizabeth is progressing…and that her tenacious, get-it-done personality is asserting itself. These treasures of improvement and headway…and being able to communicate together again…must be heavenly!
We keep praying for you both.
Love,
Jane and John
What a wonderfully descriptive entry this is, Scott and now I truly feel as though I am now writing to Mel too, !! Love the beautiful description of spring arriving, birds singing and fox sighting-he/she didn’t want to mess with you!! I don’t think any of us ever questioned that you two were made for each other and this latest and most difficult challenge is proving that your combined strength and love is insurmountable! Mel-scott has been amazing and we are all anxiously awaiting your return!! love, bambi
INCREDIBLE! It is inspiring, motiviting and captivating. Mary Elizabeth, you are unbelievable. The prayers and well wishes have been in abundance, but Scott has been a true angel. This is a story that no one wants to experience, but has given such strength, to, I believe, so many. I continue to route for you and figure you will be up and on your way, soon.
Love to you – Mary Elizabeth.
Janet
Wonderful news again! How uplifting it is to see Mary Elizabeth keeping up the great progress she has been making! I can’t wait to read the post that tells us that you will both be coming home! Give Mary Elizabeth a big hug from us and tell her to keep up the great work!
All our love,
Suzy & Bob
That is a VERY significant song for me and my life. My daughter also picks it beautifully on the guitar and we harmonize together to it. Don’t forget the very next line – “take these broken wings and learn to fly!” When I’ve had some pretyy big lows in my life, this song has always inspired me to learn to fly with my broken wings and “into the light of the dark black night!” which I liken to the “unknown” – and so I trust in God’s heavenly encouragement and I trust. I fly…or I relearn how to fly and right ahead into the unknown, the dark black night, trusting that God will protect me and empower me. And then I say “…you were always waiting for this moment to be free..” It is in times of adversity that we grow and becoming stronger as we wear our new stripes of experience and wisdom. Mary Elizabeth is our blackbird! Blackbird fly!
I hope this wasn’t too corny, but I just had to share why that song has been so significant to me and is meaningful in Mary’s situation too. :o)
Bless you both – Scott, please give Mary a very enthusiastic “Hello!” from me and the whole Nassau County Mothers of Twins Club. There isn’t a day that passes that we aren’t thinking about her and talking about her and missing her.
Good news indeed. I sure hope this leads to you guys being back home soon. 🙂
I have not had a chance to read the blog in a while but now that I have caught up I am so thrilled to hear of so much progress. What great news. Please tell Mary E that we are all still thinking of her and sending our prayers your way(they seem to working). We hope that she will continue on this slow and steady road of progress and that she will soon be home.
Claudia Perillo
(NCMOTC)
Foxes are good omens. Yes, I’m sure they are. Don’t ask me how I know, I just know. 😉
Amazing progress and a great team effort. Foxes, blackbirds, the whole nine yards (or meters, I suppose). It’s great to hear that the cognitive side is looking good….as is the physical side. There’s so much to look forward to…but one day at a time. Thanks again for your descriptive and genuinely heartfelt posts. It means a lot. Debby P.
Awesome news! Keep up the good work Mary Elizabeth!
Love David
We are so happy to hear about the progress ME is making. We are all anxiously waiting for the post to read you are booked on a flight home. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. It is incredible how she has turned around in just the last week.
That Mary Elizabeth personality is one of a kind!! SO thrilled to hear that signs of it are emerging once again. How much you must have missed her Scott, I know I sure have. Please give her a big Hello and a hug from me and let her know I am thinking about her and rooting for her every step of the way.
Take good care,
Theresa Koubek
As one of your bell ringing friends I am thrilled at ME’s progress – it’s great news. I’m also aware that at some stage (soon, we all hope) you’ll be able to take Mary Elizabeth back home; you will certainly be missed by the bell ringing community. Fingers heavily crossed that the trachy comes out soon. See you tomorrow with the Stepney band! All the very best. Greg