I’m noticing a subtle change in Mary Elizabeth. While she’s always predicted a full recovery, she’s now talking about it with more certainty and conviction. I knew that this was only a matter of time, but I think it’s also due to the strong support and positive reinforcement she’s receiving from friends and family who…
Today was a day of final preparations and goodbyes to all the people who we’ve come to know and appreciate over the last three months. And while we’re thrilled to be leaving, there is a lot of wistfulness for those whom we leave behind. All day in the ward, nurses and others whose paths have…
Almost 15 weeks after her stroke, Mary Elizabeth is finally ready to come home. Our good friend Gary will be arriving tomorrow afternoon and will travel back to New York with us on Friday morning. Although Mary Elizabeth is well enough to travel, she still needs a lot of help transferring from wheelchair to airplane…
Mary Elizabeth made it through the weekend with her tracheostomy tube firmly capped. She had no problems breathing, eating or sleeping. This is good news, as it is a very good indication that she will do fine without a tracheostomy tube all together. Decannulation here we come! I rang this morning at Stepney as usual,…
Spring is surely on its way here in London. Although it was very cold today, with frost on the grass as I walked to St. Dunstan’s for ringing this morning, it was sunny and the sky was a clear blue. After ringing at Stepney, I got a ride to Southwark for more service ringing. The…
After some great ringing at Stepney and Southwark this morning, I spent a quiet afternoon with Mary Elizabeth. I remember months ago the apprehension I would feel approaching the hospital, wondering in what state I would find Mary Elizabeth – whether she would be conscious or unaware, wracked by fever or resting comfortably. I wouldn’t…
As I mentioned in my earlier post from today, I had an encouraging meeting this morning with the medical team. When I got to the hospital at 10:00 this morning for the meeting, Mary Elizabeth was out of bed and seated in a chair. She was alert and looking around. I fished her glasses out…
Mary Elizabeth was sleeping when I arrived this evening after work, and slept right through my visit. I learned from the nurses that she was “in the chair” for four hours this afternoon, and likely had visits from the physios and the occupods. That, combined with the fact that she had a fenestrated tracheostomy tube in…
We’re coming up on a full week of awareness and interaction. I got to the hospital this afternoon and found Mary Elizabeth sound asleep. I’ve seen this before and usually she’s very hard to wake up and I wind up sitting quietly while she sleeps. But this afternoon, a few minutes later she opened her…
Mary Elizabeth is on her third day of doing better. I’ve learned the hard way not to look for trends, but I’m just enjoying her responsiveness and awareness. I spent a few hours with Mary Elizabeth this evening, telling her stories about the kids and reminiscing about “old times.” While she can’t respond too much,…
Moved in Sundry Places 