College becomes Her

A Radiant Future Awaits

We got the call last night, first from Ginka News, then immediately from the source. I was startled, but not surprised.

Alison Nicole Genevieve (Staskowski) Lunau was accepted by the University of Michigan. (My sister’s daughter/our alma mater) The youngest niece and the Maize and Blue!

She has not decided whether yet whether to major in medicine, law, neuroscience, environmental science, business, the fine arts, a combination of all of the above or to strive for a degree in general studies . . . anything could happen, but she’s in.

If she does what is planned, she will be in the college of L.S.& A. (Literature,Science and the Arts) in the Autumn of 2009. This is where Miss Ruby (Music), the blogger (Architecture & Design), and Brian (B.G.S.), all began. Just 30 years after this favored Uncle (me) graduated, it all begins again. I said favored, not favorite, Brian.

We congratulate her, and remind her we are never far away, (that goes for her brother too). The healing and studious pies of Uncle Brian await you.

Always A Scholar

I’ll just watch, proudly.

- - - Uncle Dave

Solitude

Watching the bulbs grow

The highlight of my life? Sadly, it’s Therapy . . . and that’s ending soon. That either means I’ve progressed so far that it’s no longer beneficial to throw a ball at the trampoline while balancing n one foot OR it means I’ve stopped progressing and I’ll be dizzy for as long as I last.

It’s been almost two months since I left the hospital. The walker and the shower chair are gathering dust, I actually read 15 pages yesterday, what do I have to whine about? The answer is NOTHING. I know that I am lucky to be alive. I am lucky to be given the chance to give up smoking and to give up drinking, and to give up ladders . . . but I want to go outside!

Be careful what you wish for. Two dogs and a husband? Got em. A quiet house with a yard and a white picket fence? Check. No retail work on Saturday? Oh what I wouldn’t give for the voice of a stranger asking why my pots are so expensive.

So what that I almost fell off a step stool hanging holiday greens? I can get around, can’t I? Why the heck would I want to go to Meijer anyway? What’s so special? Thank the gods for the TV, and for the ease of typing on facebook (If you want to join, email me. I’d be happy to invite you. it’s fun!)

I am trying to be careful, to be grateful, to be patient and to be hopeful. I really am! But I am getting tired, and I really want to go outside!

I’ll stop complaining, I am fine. I better get on with my day, Brian was even nice enough to get me the N Y Times, before he left for work. There are places to go, at least in my mind.

- - - David

Feast Day of St. Eph

Birthday Wishes go West

Yesterday was spent honoring our dog.

Today is the day we honor our favorite show girl’s birthday. No, no not Bette, but Steph.

We celebrate her day by canceling all pop quizzes until after the Holidaze. Everyone gets an A.

- - - D

Our Grrl !

Happy Birthday Dear Sophie, Happy Birth Day to you!

As a human, she’d only just be a girl, as a dog she’s all grown-up and grey muzzled.

In either case it’s her birthday today, and it’s worth celebrating!

She’s 12 and she’s S O P H I E !

We salute you.

- - David

YES!

I had a dream

My dream Came true!


- - - David

I Voted . . .

. . . did you?

Walker in hand. I did my duty. Duty. Right. Privilege? . . . you decide. But we did it, Brian and I.

The scanner was broken so I don’t know if it counted, but I did it. I Marked my ballot and handed it in, the historic 2008 American election.

I can only hope my candidate wins, and all is well and my country is no longer led by a fool . . . I think we’ll be fine either way, getting “W” out is enough for me. Recovery is bound to happen eventually,

I’ll be patient.

- - - D

BEING THERE

The biggest problem with being in the hospital, was DEALING with all the tubes,
(AND the plastic bed)

Now . . . Where was I?

Whisking cross the dessert?

Running across the Planes?

Running?

In any case, here I am NOW, an inVALID? A Drooling, Talking-Funny InVALID. . .

using a walker!

And happy to do so!

ReHab is humbling, I no longer look at life the same way. Now I am SO Happy with the LITTLE Things in life.

Sunshine and Fresh air are wonderful gifts, not to be missed or taken for granted, neither are friends (however infrequently seen) Or Family (However FAR AWAY) OR Loved ones. (However angry at you) Or the freedom just to walk outside and dig in the soil . . .

All are worthy of Incredible Respect.

All should be constantly thanked.

All are gifts to be grateful for.

As Joni says . . . “You don’t know what you got . . . til it’s gone.”

Or as John McCain says, “You learn ‘Not to waste time!’ “

And I am Grateful . . . for learning this in time.

I wouldn't recommend a stroke, or a months stay in the hospital to anyone, but it was an eye opener.

- - - David

You CAN Go Home Again

At Home, ALL is Well

At Home at Last.
Grateful.
Grateful for ALL.

- - - David

Twelve Days So Far

David has now been at St Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor (it’s actually in Ypsilanti) for 12 days. For David it’s been 12 days too long in the hospital. For me, it’s been a blur since the stroke. But I’m happy to report after a week in the rehab unit, Dave is making slow but steady progress in his mobility, coordination, speaking, and swallowing. We had a “family meeting” with the whole rehab team and doctor in charge today. Everyone is very pleased with his progress. He barely needs assistance with the walker anymore, but does need a spotter. The rehab team just cautioned him from getting too confident as he tends to be impulsive (really?!). Safety first. Today, his constant dizziness seemed gone. The patch is to help alleviate double vision. Right now they will likely keep him (or as David says, “hold me as a prisoner”) for another 9-10 days depending on progress. Unfortunately, I need to continue to work, take care of dogs, and mind the house, so I’m no longer spending the night in his hospital room. Visitors are welcome (Rm. 416) after his therapies at 4 pm on weekdays and all weekend or between 5-7 am if you are wielding a latte (2 sugars please). Everyone’s cards, flowers, treats, and stuffed dogs have been very much appreciated, so keep them coming to brighten his room for the next 10 days. He is checking email, FaceBook, and has his cell. 

The hospital has a great service to send a personalized card here: http://www.sjmercyhealth.org/body.cfm?id=1084

Or the old-fashioned location is: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, 5301 McAuley Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, Phone: 734-712-3456

David’s sense-of-humor is helping me, at least, get through this. I think it’s helping him cope too. We both appreciate everyone’s prayers, thoughts, warm wishes, and offers for help. I can’t wait for him to be home.

My David and Yours - From Brian

I’m sure like me, you’ve all been eagerly awaiting David’s next blog entry. 

Which is written brilliantly by him on behalf of both of us. The blog began a couple years back as a way to connect our daily lives to yours . . . to share pics and stories about the dogs, our travels, the house renovation and more in this iAge. What the blog became expanded beyond that. It became interesting musings of not only our life, but David’s observations all around. The blog became dedicated to special birthdays and people we love, memorials to pets we miss dearly, and sometimes rantings about the injustices of this small world we all share. So forgive me, because I don’t know how to format this blog the way Dave does with pics here and text there . . . you all know how picky he can be about design and styling, so bear with me on this entry as I learn.

By now many of you have heard the news of David’s stroke this week. For those of you who have not, I’m truly sorry to tell you in this e-medium way. I write this blog today as I take a guilty break from caregiving at the hospital. I write to tell you that the blog will be on what I expect to be a temporary hiatus. I write to give you a sense of how we both are today. But mostly I write to ask for and thank you for your love, prayers and wishes. . . .and helping hands. We need helping hands. Thanks already to the helping hands of dear friend Ginny and sis Karen for allowing me a break from the hospital and helping with the dogs. And everyone’s emotional and moral support from near and far is also very greatly appreciated. So please accept my apologies when I can’t take or return calls immediately, because I may be in the middle of helping David with basic daily tasks.

So the medical update: David has a blocked artery to the brain and we are awaiting news on how that will be treated. Inpatient Rehab might begin as early as Monday for speech, physical, and occupational therapy. We will know more of “the plan” for treatment and recovery this weekend. What’s great: his mind is good (and thankfully so is his wry but often blatant sense-of-humor). He’s already given the classic David sarcastic “look” as well as the “smirk.” The NOT great: he is frustrated with his speech can’t up with his mind; he can’t walk on his own and can’t swallow pureed food that is not loaded with butter or salt.

I am very eager to see him home in about 2 weeks at which time outpatient rehab would begin 3 times a week.

I will figure out a way to keep you all updated as I try to manage our house and resume work. Alas, the blog will have to wait; David cannot. Please know that my number one priority is rehabilitating your dear friend, your favorite uncle, your beloved brother and son, and my best friend, lover, partner and now husband. In a California marriage, I shared the happiest day of my life with David a couple of weeks ago and now I realize that the happiest the day of my life is each day I have with him . . . in sickness and in health indeed.

All my love, Brian