Hello everyone!
This is the first time I’ve written anything on our website. This will not be very long since I’m typing with my mouth stick- I can only push one key at a time. I think that there are probably several people still checking our blog. I apologize for not writing sooner. Getting back to “normal” has been much more difficult than we had anticipated. I realize that there have been hundreds of people following our story from the very beginning. We are so grateful for the overwhelming response-financially and spiritually. It still surprises me that so many people care. There are a couple of things I wanted to share about the response we’ve received. First- please don’t put us on a pedestal. We humbly receive all of the beautiful things people have said about us- but we are no better than anyone else. Also, I was beginning to feel like a reality TV show- (- with people waiting for the latest news of our lives. But now that we are out of the hospital, we are just trying to get our lives back. So please be patient with our long intervals of time between updates.
Aaron is doing very well. He is super tired all the time. He works about 9-10 hours a day at school. At home he tries to keep up with the cooking, laundry, cleaning, the cats, shopping- oh yeah… and taking care of me. He goes for 16-18 hours a day without hardly stopping. He does all of this so cheerfully. He never complains. I am amazed by his love and devotion. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband.
I am doing very well also. Every day I feel stronger and healthier. I can’t remember the last time I had to take pain medication. My pain is so much less than it used to be. My equipment is all working well for me. I am getting a new computer next week that will work better with the voice activated software. I also am getting a new cell phone in the next few days that will be easier to use. We’ve had several “technical difficulties” in the last couple of weeks- Aaron’s computer at school crashed- the internet at home stopped working- our laptop keeps freezing- and Aaron’s cell phone was stolen last Sunday at a restaurant. It seems as though we are constantly battling something.
Things with Sarah are working out really well. She is a tremendous help to us. She is also very cheerful about everything- never complaining.
I’m going to close now. My cheeks are getting tired from all this typing (about 2hours!) I will try to do another update soon. We love you all.
Kari
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Back in the Saddle (2/1)
Hello All-
First of all, I'm not sure how many people are still checking and reading this, so if you do read this, let anybody else that would want to read it know that after 4 weeks, I've done another update. As far as future updates go, I'll probably write here periodically as hopefully Kari will too when we get her voice recognition software fully trained.
Well, the main reason that I'm writing today is that it was my first day back to work at Gage (Middle School). I was a little anxious about it, but after about 5 minutes, all the bad jokes and familiar lines (my spiel, as I call it) came back to me and I felt like I had never left. Not quite used to the sleep schedule yet, though. I'm not the kind of disciplined person that prepares by getting up early for the week prior, I need to kind of shock my body into compliance. Anyways, the kids were excited to see me, as I was to see them. After seeing some of the kids I could only regret not being able to have them all year. I get really attached to my kids and never feel I get enough time with the good ones, so this year will be particularly hard. Lots of work still to be done though--the subs I had did a great job, but I have a lot of work to do organizing and just getting my program in sync. with how I teach again.
We’ve e hired Sarah Thompson to come over in the mornings to do Kari's care and stay with here for much of the day, and she was over most of last week learning everything that she didn't already know from just being around a lot. I know how to do basically everything care wise that Kari needs, and Sarah is a fast learner, so it wasn't too hard to get them set up and it seems that what we have will work out well. I found out that our insurance doesn't cover home health care, just skilled nursing care, which would be anything that only a nurse could do, like give IV's or work with say, a dialysis machine, but I still need to get set up with someone if Sara can't make it.
There is still a lot to figure out, but today seemed to both of us to be the start of what the new "normal" is. I still get so sad at times about everything that has happened, but this whole situation has not taken our joy and only helped to grow our love for each other. You get used to how things are though and we are still happy in our new life together, even if not as care free.
Our main concerns right now are finding more therapies for her to go to, as our stay at Craig used up most of our coverage, getting all the technology that will allow Kari to be more independent figured out, and also just getting totally moved in and settled into a routine that works for both of us.
Health and strength wise, we've both gotten a lot better both mentally and physically since we left Colorado. Kari did spend one night in the hospital for a blood clot, although that was more because the hospital couldn't figure out the logistics of getting her out of there than anything else. Overall though, Kari is so much stronger. I know that if we took the same trip that we took home from the hospital today, it would be a lot easier for her. We have been going places together almost every day--shopping, dinner, church, the movies and such that it will be hard not to get to see each other as much now that I'm at work. At any rate, though it feels great to be back.
Aaron.
First of all, I'm not sure how many people are still checking and reading this, so if you do read this, let anybody else that would want to read it know that after 4 weeks, I've done another update. As far as future updates go, I'll probably write here periodically as hopefully Kari will too when we get her voice recognition software fully trained.
Well, the main reason that I'm writing today is that it was my first day back to work at Gage (Middle School). I was a little anxious about it, but after about 5 minutes, all the bad jokes and familiar lines (my spiel, as I call it) came back to me and I felt like I had never left. Not quite used to the sleep schedule yet, though. I'm not the kind of disciplined person that prepares by getting up early for the week prior, I need to kind of shock my body into compliance. Anyways, the kids were excited to see me, as I was to see them. After seeing some of the kids I could only regret not being able to have them all year. I get really attached to my kids and never feel I get enough time with the good ones, so this year will be particularly hard. Lots of work still to be done though--the subs I had did a great job, but I have a lot of work to do organizing and just getting my program in sync. with how I teach again.
We’ve e hired Sarah Thompson to come over in the mornings to do Kari's care and stay with here for much of the day, and she was over most of last week learning everything that she didn't already know from just being around a lot. I know how to do basically everything care wise that Kari needs, and Sarah is a fast learner, so it wasn't too hard to get them set up and it seems that what we have will work out well. I found out that our insurance doesn't cover home health care, just skilled nursing care, which would be anything that only a nurse could do, like give IV's or work with say, a dialysis machine, but I still need to get set up with someone if Sara can't make it.
There is still a lot to figure out, but today seemed to both of us to be the start of what the new "normal" is. I still get so sad at times about everything that has happened, but this whole situation has not taken our joy and only helped to grow our love for each other. You get used to how things are though and we are still happy in our new life together, even if not as care free.
Our main concerns right now are finding more therapies for her to go to, as our stay at Craig used up most of our coverage, getting all the technology that will allow Kari to be more independent figured out, and also just getting totally moved in and settled into a routine that works for both of us.
Health and strength wise, we've both gotten a lot better both mentally and physically since we left Colorado. Kari did spend one night in the hospital for a blood clot, although that was more because the hospital couldn't figure out the logistics of getting her out of there than anything else. Overall though, Kari is so much stronger. I know that if we took the same trip that we took home from the hospital today, it would be a lot easier for her. We have been going places together almost every day--shopping, dinner, church, the movies and such that it will be hard not to get to see each other as much now that I'm at work. At any rate, though it feels great to be back.
Aaron.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Moving on (1/5/6)
Hello All--
We’ve been home for a week now, and things are still going well. We went to Kari’s doctor for her hospital discharge follow up and got all her prescriptions done along with flu shots and a pneumonia vaccine. The Doctor seemed to think that Kari was doing well and they were happy to see her since hearing about the accident July. Health wise, the only problem that Kari is the tension and resulting pain in her shoulders and neck that has bothered her for months. Her arms too, which were straightened by casting, have also started to tighten up a bit, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new arm splints that should help correct the problem. Other than that, we are both feeling great and still excited about being in Southern California. (Still can’t believe SC lost!) Yesterday was such a beautiful day and Kari and I were able to get out to do some errands and see our new apartment, which Kari loved.
We move in tomorrow (Friday), and would definitely appreciate any help if you are able. I don’t anticipate needing any help until noon or later, and if you are interested, call me and I’ll tell you where to meet. (If you don’t have my number, leave a comment to this update with you’re email and I‘ll write you back later this evening.) All of our stuff is either in Loma Linda at a storage unit or in Redlands at our church, so any large vehicles would obviously be useful. The bathroom still needs modification, which we can’t start until we get the Keys and will need to start Saturday. I have already spoken with some people about helping, but could use one or two experienced people to help get started on it on Saturday. Needless to say, it’s about to be a very busy few days, but we are excited to get into our own place.
There is good news to report from the Logan house, where we are staying. Melissa had (yet another) surgery yesterday to put a nerve block into her lower back and is now walking again. She has had these done before, though, and some of the previous blocks have only worked for a few days. We are all happy that it worked, but of course nervous about how long it will last, as the rollercoaster Melissa and her family have been on the last year has had countless ups and downs. Still, it is a joy to see her standing. I can understand why the atmosphere here yesterday was one more of relief than excitement as Kari and I have found it hard to celebrate some of the progress she made during rehab with the entirety of the situation still upon us. I imagine, in our different struggles, we all feel how a soldier must feel after a long-fought battle—hardened by pain, weary from the struggle, relived by victory, and unsure about when the next inevitable battle will start. Thank you for keeping us so faithfully in your prayers.
Aaron.
We’ve been home for a week now, and things are still going well. We went to Kari’s doctor for her hospital discharge follow up and got all her prescriptions done along with flu shots and a pneumonia vaccine. The Doctor seemed to think that Kari was doing well and they were happy to see her since hearing about the accident July. Health wise, the only problem that Kari is the tension and resulting pain in her shoulders and neck that has bothered her for months. Her arms too, which were straightened by casting, have also started to tighten up a bit, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new arm splints that should help correct the problem. Other than that, we are both feeling great and still excited about being in Southern California. (Still can’t believe SC lost!) Yesterday was such a beautiful day and Kari and I were able to get out to do some errands and see our new apartment, which Kari loved.
We move in tomorrow (Friday), and would definitely appreciate any help if you are able. I don’t anticipate needing any help until noon or later, and if you are interested, call me and I’ll tell you where to meet. (If you don’t have my number, leave a comment to this update with you’re email and I‘ll write you back later this evening.) All of our stuff is either in Loma Linda at a storage unit or in Redlands at our church, so any large vehicles would obviously be useful. The bathroom still needs modification, which we can’t start until we get the Keys and will need to start Saturday. I have already spoken with some people about helping, but could use one or two experienced people to help get started on it on Saturday. Needless to say, it’s about to be a very busy few days, but we are excited to get into our own place.
There is good news to report from the Logan house, where we are staying. Melissa had (yet another) surgery yesterday to put a nerve block into her lower back and is now walking again. She has had these done before, though, and some of the previous blocks have only worked for a few days. We are all happy that it worked, but of course nervous about how long it will last, as the rollercoaster Melissa and her family have been on the last year has had countless ups and downs. Still, it is a joy to see her standing. I can understand why the atmosphere here yesterday was one more of relief than excitement as Kari and I have found it hard to celebrate some of the progress she made during rehab with the entirety of the situation still upon us. I imagine, in our different struggles, we all feel how a soldier must feel after a long-fought battle—hardened by pain, weary from the struggle, relived by victory, and unsure about when the next inevitable battle will start. Thank you for keeping us so faithfully in your prayers.
Aaron.
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