Good evening from Calgary. We were fortunate to make it home from Maui today with enough time to stop by the hospital for a brief visit with Gord and Sheila. While I only got about 15 minutes of sleep during last night's flight I thought I'd risk sounding a little off in order to give an update to the many of you who have come to count on this blog for your news.
Gord is currently in "Recovery", awaiting a bed in the stroke ward where he will likely remain while he undergoes his eventual rehabilitation. Earlier today, an ultrasound was performed on Gord's legs to check for clots, which can arise and jeopardize ones health when one is bedridden. Fortunately, the results were clear.
While we were visiting tonight, Gord moved his left side frequently, but again, there was very little from the right. His left side movement was comforting and reminiscent of a not too distant Gord who always seemed to be itching to head off and do something interesting! I was also very pleased to find Sheila in good spirits tonight, with an attitude full of fight.
Although we grew comfortable seeing Gord in his current condition while we were in Maui, I will admit that it took some effort tonight to once again accept this new reality (while at the same time accepting that we really have no idea about this new reality!). I believe the greatest challenge for many of us will be exercising the patience that is required for Gord's body to clearly communicate its status. Naturally our minds seem to want to make definitive assessments of nearly every movement he makes. The questions circulate over and over, was that squeeze of the hand or that facial expression meaningful or merely a conditioned reflex action? We live in a world where we are increasingly able to have what we want immediately and thanks in part to the Internet, this often includes answers. There is no question that both Gord and Sheila have a very long road ahead, but this time there is no way to access an answer as to the condition of that road...so tonight and maybe for many nights to come, I will pray for patience.
Laurie Bell
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Dear Laurie, I think you should keep a record of this entire blog site, the people comments and write a book about the experiences of going through this trama.
ReplyDeleteYou are so articulate, and reading your words, are comforting.
I can see where others in this position would get great comfort along with the reality from a book such as this.
Hope you will take this to thought, and though you are busy now,keeping a record for the future will not bring you any regets of should of could of..Your family as well as all Gordon and Sheila's friends would want this, as a reminder that we are all going to travel this road together and hearing that one is not alone during these times can be a God Sent.
We enjoy hearing daily the updates of Gordon's conditin and how Sheila is doing, with your writings we feel like we are there
Again, we send our prayers,
Deloryes and David (Michigan/Maui friends)
sharing.
Dear Laurie & family
ReplyDeleteI too find great comfort in your words, and your words help me to picture Gord and Sheila as they make this journey together. Thank you for all you do.
Hug the big guy and Sheila for me.My love and prayers are with all of you. Luv Mrs D
Dear Gord & Sheila We continue to moniter this awesome blog . We also send our love to the rest of the family . It will be a long & tough trip But we know our wonderful Saskatchewan workaholic partner ( with Sheila by his side ) is up to the challenge .It will require some rebuilding & rewiring of his personal panel .we will be here when you want anything Love Ron & Janet
ReplyDeleteHello all ....we made it to the llth floor finally !!!! I am so happy. From Gord's room we view over the mountains and it is just spectacular. We now have defined visiting hours which makes things easier on all. They are 11am - 9pm with a rest period between
ReplyDelete1-2:30pm. He is on the 11th floor in Unit 112 and Room 1191. You just come up the elevators by the Good Earth cafe to floor 11. Turn right a few steps and right again into the unit. He is quite close to that area.
I have just moved into Peter and Kathy's home while they are away and it will be a wonderful nurturing healing place for me. Thank you Peter and Kathy! Also I want to thank Laurie's parents, Wayne and Linda for having me stay with them since our arrival. I love you guys!!
So all I can say now is "onward and upward". Gord opens his eyes more now but still does not respond to commands. Now that he is settled in one place, we can begin to encourage him more. He has the best neurologist there is named Michael Hill. We have a long long road ahead and we will fight all the way.
Thank you all again for your wonderful support.
Love
Sheila and Gord
Hello sheila gord and Family
ReplyDeleteAgain i would like to thank you for taking the time to update the blog Laurie and hear from you Sheila. I wish I was as good at putting my thoughts into words as you. I am happy to hear that Gord is awake. I am sure he hears every word you say. Even though the road to recovery seems long he has done so well to get as far as he has. With you and his family as his cheering section he has everything there to encourage him even though you may not see any sign of it yet.
I check the blog day and night. You two are in our thoughts and prayers. We miss you and if we can do anything here or at home let us know.
Take care of yourself Sheila. HEllo to Gord for us
Great news, Sheila, we'll look forward to our next visit with you & Gord. We're sure the new surroundings will make a difference and also allow some assessment/rehab to begin.
ReplyDeleteTake care, we'll see you the 1st of the week again. Our prayers & love to you both and your families.
Harris & Carol
Sheila, good to know Gord is conscious. We hadn't caught up on things in a few days. Sounds like he is progressing so that is good and all we can ask for. He is such a strong individual that we are sure he'll work his way back to his life prior to the incident. We think of you often and pray for your strength as well. You are both such sweet people and we miss you. If you need anything to be done here let us know.
ReplyDeleteLove and aloha,
Paula & John
Dear Sheila,
ReplyDeletethank you for the updates you find time to post here. Sending you a huge hug from Haiku, and all the best to keep you strong and healthy in the months ahead. We keep Gord in our thoughs daily. Take care and aloha,
Elena&Antonio
January 18, 2009
ReplyDeleteDear Sheila,
We just arrrived home from vacation and were saddened to hear about Gordon. Gordon has always been a fighter and we are hopeful he will have a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vern & Carol Vleck
Dear Sheila & Gord,
ReplyDeleteWe have been keeping you in our daily thoughts after getting the first reports from brother Richard. This blog that Laurie has been compiling is remarkable; she truly has a gift for writing. It has been a real comfort for us and the many others who seek daily updates as we can see by the comments. We are planning a visit over the next week.
Attached is a link that I got from a friend some time ago. It’s a video of a woman neurologist, Jill Bolte Taylor, who experienced a stroke and survived to tell about it. I thought you might find it intesting as it sheds light on the experience from the perspective of the person undergoing the event(20 min long - you may need to cut and paste the address if the link isn't live):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU&feature=PlayList&p=AD65C3038C454234&playnext=1&index=37
Best regards and warm thoughts are with you.
Joan Faulk & Jon Greggs