Day 7 - I think I can, | think I can....

Last night Brad went to sleep about 8pm, and was up again around 4. I was lucky to share some of that time with him this morning before the kiddos, dogs, etc woke up. We didn't really discuss anything heavy, just enjoyed about 45 minutes of each other's company. Of course we both went back to sleep for a bit, but it was just nice to share those few moments with just each other, for the first time in what felt like forever.

Today we have continued on in our regimen. Brad got up and about 30 minutes later we were doing our mobility exercises. He had a bowl of cereal after checking his blood sugar, and we went for a little jont around the house. We are learning his limitations cautiously.... such as, he needs help taking his shirt off, but not putting one on (so long as he doesn't raise one arm at a time). It is easier for me to watch and look at how his body is moving and to let him know when he is treading into less than optimum territory, which is alot easier than if he is just trying to monitor himself only because we, as individuals, don't feel how each of our muscles move, whereas someone watching is capable of seeing quickly if muscles are moving the wrong way, it's really quite neat.

Our journey home has also brought with it some interesting challenges as far as dealing with others. There are some that don't seem to accept his limitations and others who seem to think that he should be in bed all the time. Trying to word things to those friends can be difficult because it's not that they are wrong, rest is important after all, nor do they have any ill wishes, they just don't understand the necessity to follow the regiment. For example, after speaking with several doctors and nurses, we have learned that it is essential for Brad to putter around the house, this assists in mobility and circulation etc.... however, we also have to understand that he needs to rest.... so it looks something like this: Brad gets up, does mobility exercises, goes for a walk and eats breakfast, then rests for about 20-30 min, then another short walk and some puttering (getting himself a snack or drink etc) then his nap time for about 2 hrs, then again more puttering and walking.... rest for 30 minutes, help make dinner set the table, eat, then rest for another 30 minutes, then another evening walk then quieting down a bit for the evening, and one last very short puttering about before bed.

He has been very understanding in doing these exercises, and doesn't push himself too hard, but doesn't give in either (remember that delicate balance??) and of course I pretty much play coach, give him a nudge when he needs it, tell him to relax when he needs it, reminders etc, and of course all of that is hard to do while being a cheerleader, and not setting expectations too high, there's alot of intuition and plenty of reading body language (skin tone and lip color etc.)

James is thoroughly enjoying helping his Daddy. He has figured out how to scale up the chair while being cautious of his Daddy's ow's so he can sit on Daddy's lap; enjoys helping with the mobility exercises, and makes sure that there is nothing that could hurt Daddy nearby.

Sebastien is monitoring very carefully what is being served for dinner, lunches etc around here. He wants to make sure his Daddy is getting only the very best. It's really quite sweet though we did have to remind him that Daddy is capable of making decisions for himself and didn't need Mommy's permission to have a cookie or something! Was cute!

Tyler I think is having the hardest time, he seems to be scared of his Dad's incisions and limitations. He doesn't want to be under foot, nor come off as selfish, he wants to hug, but doesn't know how to ask. This I think has been the most difficult, because we have to make the effort to try to help him verbalize what is going on and what he needs, but you should see that smile when he hugs his Dad! It's like the first real hug all over again!

I can't even begin to describe how great it feels to have Brad home, there's more work here now, but I also have that time with my husband to sit, talk, relax and enjoy each other. It is funny how much we take for granted before we face something like this, the look of the mountains, the smile on your child's face, the ability to breathe deep in the garden and enjoy the heavy sweet scent of the flowers. Yeah, I know, we've all read it many many times, but it really is like seeing everything anew.