Well, last week was certainly better than the previous one physically.  My sense of smell is not back yet and my pituitary is still malfunctioning.  Healing is still going on though so keep hoping with me! Psychologically, the week was more challenging. Friday was my last day of therapy.  I think it many ways it is time for me to move ahead and try stuff on my own as my strength continues to improve, the rehab folks have been truly instrumental in acquiring the abilities I have now. Not only that, they are really good people and I feel fortunate to have had their kindness and intelligence working so hard for me! As much as I had separation anxiety for this event, I am more at peace knowing that I can go back to them if I need to. As Dave put it, it is another chapter closing. Sigh.

Fortunately, I have my family to keep me busy and entertained! Jani continues to be the positive presence. The kids continue to grow and get more beautiful each day. Jani put us all in the pool yesterday. Now that 100+ degrees is the norm, it is a relief! Rowan paddles and splashes around and Encsi is pretty brazen in it considering that the water comes up to her chest! With daddy around, there really is nothing to fear (except for him when he is angry!)!

Encsi was so sound asleep this morning that even mommy was up and rolling before she was awake.  So I got to go to her room and see her sleeping. Such a wonderful sight! I took pictures of course!! Rowan has been getting better about parting in the morning and even on Mondays. Although he did ask yesterday, “mommy, does Friday come after Tuesday?’ don’t we wish the work week was 3 days long and the weekend was 2!!

So now, what do I do to ease the pain of no therapy? I bury myself in work! I have a TON of stuff to do and there are still parts that I am trying to catch up on so I can not only be up to speed, but also get a few steps ahead of the game (needs to be done to be successful in this line of work!).  So today I am working on resubmitting a manuscript and will concentrate on the grant resubmission from now until July5th. From here on out, I am planning to be at work everyday and hopefully most of those days.  We just bought a mini-fridge/freezer and a microwave for me to keep in my office so I can keep my intranasal desmopression (has to be refrigerated and I have to take it at 6am, 2pm, and 10pm) and food/drink in my office.  Getting back to normal life (well, mostly)! I also bought a ramp to put in the back of the van so that when I go to people’s houses that have steps (most do here since we’re on pocosin wetland) so hopefully I’ll be able to get to more Bunko nights!

I am looking forward to visitors later this summer too. Hope and Jay and their kids are planning to come by when they come down for a vacation at the outer banks in August. Cindy and Karl and their kids and hopefully Cathleen and her family will join us too for a weekend in July or August. 

The news of the flat out 5k that the Jaycees are putting on here in Greenville to benefit burn victims and to help me out too this year has spread like wildfire.  Jani, Teresa, Dave, and Claire have worked to put this together. I put the website link up on the last posting but in case you can’t find it, it is www.flatout5k.com.  The theme this year is S.A.F.E – Streets Are For Everyone.  This will be grueling physically and emotionally but it is yet another example of how many people have come together to help out and support me and apparently, since I am stubborn (I keep hearing this and I’m not sure if it is good but I am still here so I hope so!!), I intend to be there and if it takes me all day to cross the finish line, so be it!. Overwhelming doesn’t even come close to describing how it feels to have so many people reach out to me.

A story that I want to share from my stay at Shepherd:

I had a very nice visit from some old friends from Seattle (they just moved to Minneapolis) Dave and Nicole Nuckley. We went to the Atlanta art museum and then they joined the McDevitts and my family for dinner in the family recreation room. They brought many treats from Seattle (I had to hide some to keep others away from!) like smoked salmon, chocolate covered cherries, choclate covered almonds….mmmmmmmmm. It was awesome to have them visit and to catch up on Tama and Jerrod and Isabelle, and Priscilla and Jeremy. Thanks again for coming out of your way to see me and spend time with all of us!! I hope you are enjoying Minneapolis!

If you are still reading this blog, thank you. I feel good to be able to share these experiences with you and know that you care to read them. I am getting stronger all the time and even though there are ongoing battles, the love and support I have from my family and friends is phenomenal. I wish all those that suffer adversity would have the network that I have. The world would be a better place. I know that many of my friends and family have suffered and I hope that I have been there for them a fraction of the way they are here for me now.

So with that, I wish you all a Happy Monday and hope the week goes well!