food, and other musings: You've come a long way, baby

I realized that it's probably time for an update on Mr. Food Musings. After all, I've made you suffer through rants, rants and more rants during his long recovery from the multiple skull fractures and resulting "severe brain trauma," so it's only fair to give you the good news, too.

Here's an example of a conversation I used to have a lot.

Friend: So, How's J***?
Me: He's good, but you know, I mean, he's not good. He's still pretty light-headed all the time, and the nausea is mostly gone but it still bothers him, especially when he's in the car for more than 20 minutes. And his legs are cold and numb and he just plain doesn't feel good.
Friend: Oh...

And here's an example of that same conversation, as of about a week ago.

Friend: So, How's J***?
Me: He's...good! He's really, really good!
Friend: Oh. OH! Oh my God!!! [cue sounds of screams, cheers, hollers and woops]

That's right: Mr. FM finally turned a really big fat brick corner sometime last week!

1) Two separate specialists confirmed that they expect him to make a full recovery -- always good to hear! -- and that his recovery so far is astoundingly fast -- my little overachiever! (It's hard to fathom that a 7-months-and-counting recovery is fast, and I pity the poor soul who has it worse than we have.)

2) One of the specialists told us that one of the nastier symptoms that really had us worried, namely these crazy, all consuming twitches that would overtake him througout the day, are not conscious but they are voluntary. (Figure that one out.) And then the doctor basically said, "Quit it." And he did. Just like that. Crazy, isn't it? As of about 3 weeks ago, he no longer looks like a dancing Elaine on crank.

3) His physical therapist is cutting him down to once a week, and he's started running again, outside on his own. He can run up to 2 miles in a row -- something the specialist we like to call "Dr. Kevorkian" said he'd probably never be able to do again. Idiot.

4) On certain days he can actually say, when asked how he feels, that he feels good. No qualifiers. Just good. Not great, not perfect, but good. I mean, shit -- we'll take good around here!

5) He's working again, nearly full-time, and really enjoying it.

6) A lot of the things in our lives that have been on hold for seven long, dreary, scary, horrible months are now starting to move again. Maybe we can't hang out hats on 'em quite yet, but they're close enough that if we threw some hats their way, one out of four might hit the hook.

Most importantly, there is a lot of joy in our house. Finally. Living in the present is really, really important when things suck. It's a skill that you are forced to learn during dark days if you want to survive intact. But once things get good again, it's nice to be able to look forward -- and see good things. Better things. Bigger things.

Comments

Yay!!!! And more Yay!!!! Love you guys!

Posted by: Joy | September 08, 2006 at 07:14 PM

Catherine -that's awesome news. I'm so glad for you both! Onward!

Posted by: catherine | September 08, 2006 at 07:41 PM

You guys have been to the doors of hell & have stormed right on through them with perseverance & dignity. The true measure of a person is NOT how he/she deals with life when things are going well; it is how he/she rises to meet those difficult challenges that test every fiber of your being. I have never been prouder of you two than I have been during these last 7 months!Go for the gusto & enjoy the ride!! We love you!

Posted by: Mom | September 09, 2006 at 03:38 AM