Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

A few weeks have gone by since the last update and we're truly thankful to our
Lord for all of the good news He has blessed us with since then.  Theresa has
called almost daily to chat and provide updates on her progress.  She's started
to walk/jog in the pool recently and finds that to be less tiring than walking
on the treadmill.  Theresa says she would much rather be swimming in the warm
waters off the Kohala Coast, however that will follow in due time.  I do sense a
note of frustration in Theresa's voice on occasion but who among us wouldn't
feel the same after spending over eight months in hospitals and rehab facilities
far away from home.  That she is able to maintain her positive outlook and
encourage others since before she could even remember doing so (because of her
post traumatic amnesia) is a testimony to the healing powers of our Lord.

Bakersfield was in a prolonged heatwave for the last few weeks with temperatures
soaring as high as 109F (43C) so it greatly limited Theresa's outdoor activity
time.  Her therapies at the rehab clinic continue to improve her strength,
endurance, dexterity and cognition, and when she is back at the residence,
Theresa tries to stay cool by reading, writing to friends, and even coming up
with new cooking ideas.  A few days ago, she called to say the recipe for a
Moroccan-style chicken dish turned out so well, she froze some for me to enjoy.
Over the Independence Day weekend, the CNS residence held an afternoon potluck
dinner and one of Theresa's contributions was a tray of cupcakes with
alternating red/white/blue frosting.  For whatever reason, only the blue
cupcakes were taken so Theresa in her own inimitable way, rearranged the red &
white ones to form a stylized flag of Canada.  Since there's no celebrating
Canada Day down here, I think that was Theresa's way to do so; always creative
and a little mischevous at the same time, that's what I love about her.

In early July, my return trip to see Theresa took a different tack as this was
the first time using the Priceline.com service to bid for a ticket.  With the
next treatment conference scheduled for the upcoming week and quoted airfares
stubbornly staying in the $1200 range, I figured what harm could there be since
Priceline guarantees a 1-stop connection and layovers of 3 hours or less.  Well,
after bidding and winning a $580 ticket, the itinerary turned out fine with one
caveat -- the puddle jumper to Bakersfield wasn't scheduled to arrive until
2359h, but the car rental desk closed at 2330h.  While waiting for the late
connection at LAX, I phoned the car rental agency and explained the situation.
The nice lady said not to worry as they're familiar with that late arriving
flight and would wait until 0015h.  Praise the Lord, the flight came in on time
and I made it to the rental counter by 10 after midnight.  In my luggage was a
bag of chocolate macadamia nuts intended for the rehab clinic staff that I
gratefully offered to the rental agent.  With both of us happy, it was off
to the hotel for a few hours rest before the busy day ahead.

Fighting off the jet lag, I arrived at the CNS clinic early the next morning to
find Theresa in the dark, literally.  She was attending occupational therapy in
the darkened Dynavision room, being retested for her peripheral vision and
ability to read numbers flashed for less than 1/4th of a second.  These
results showed some improvement in Theresa's recognition and reaction times
compared to two months ago.  At PT, Theresa walked on the treadmill up to 30
minutes at 1.5mph, almost twice the speed and endurance from a month ago.
However when free walking with a cane, Theresa seems somewhat tentative and takes steps more deliberately and thus slower.  Following the group counseling session (that I
didn't attend), we wheeled over to the nearby shopping center and enjoyed lunch
at El Pollo Loco, a Mexican fast food chain known for their chicken.  Aside from
a street vendor in Tulum, this is the tastiest citrus grilled chicken we've ever
had.  While foodies may deem it the Mexican equivalent of KFC, our motto is if
it tastes good and is semi-healthy, what's not to like?

The afternoon rehab sessions went quickly, which was good because it was plain
to see Theresa was tiring out and about ready to call it a week.  Plus, CNS
planned for Theresa to spend the upcoming weekend with me at the hotel so I
could assess her abilities and let them know which areas to concentrate on over
her remaining time here.  But before our romantic rendezvous could start,
Theresa had previously booked the Friday evening dinner outing to Red Lobster.
Now those of our friends that know us well are aware that I'm seriously allergic
to certain shellfish (and beer & wine) so dining at RL is akin to someone with a
nut allergy taking a tour of Planters.  I judiciously chose tilapia, the safest
seafood item on the menu while Theresa went all out and ordered a dozen raw
oysters for the more daring among us.  Some of the rehab aides have never tried this
delicacy so it was a surprise when several of them indulged, leaving just a
couple to whet Theresa's appetite as she waited for her main course.  When the
whole Maine lobster platter arrived, it was a sight to behold as Theresa dove
in methodically, doing her occupational therapist proud with her improved hand
dexterity.  It brought back the memory of our first road trip together in 1992,
when at the Sooke Harbour House on Vancouver Island, I learned that when it
comes to eating whole lobster, Theresa has few equals.

The next morning, Theresa met me for her weekly grocery outing at Trader Joe's where the improvement from our first outing in April was entirely evident.  This Saturday, Theresa was focused and determined and knew the store intimately well, wheeling herself directly to the aisles and shelves to get what she needed, plus a coffee and food sample as a reward for a shopping experience well-handled.  It's too bad there isn't a TJ's back home but I'm sure the vendors at the Waimea Farmers' Market will welcome Theresa back with their own special Aloha.  Dropping off the groceries at her apartment, Theresa organized and packed a weekend bag by herself before we headed off to my hotel room.  On the way, she wanted to stop at Target for a few toiletries and while there, we checked the registry for an upcoming wedding to which we're invited.  This is the wedding of the oldest child of the family that readopted our daughter Rylie Ai-Lin and because it is being held only three hours from here, we fully intend to be there to celebrate their happiness.  That our Lord has blessed us with this wondrous opportunity on our healing journey is yet another miracle for which we offer our praise and gratitude.

After arriving at the hotel room, I helped Theresa to unpack as she checked out the bathroom.  Women (at least ones I've known) seem to do that often, never really concerned about the bed, the TV or even the view as long as the bathroom suits their needs.  Apparently, it met with her approval because following a light dinner, Theresa announced that she wanted to take a bath.  I didn't think much of it until I fully appreciated what she was asking.  Instead of sitting on a bath chair and using a handheld showerhead, she wanted to soak in the tub up to her neck.  After considering the logistics for a bit, I helped Theresa sit down in the tub and then added foaming soap as the water level rose.  She luxuriated in the warm bubbly bathwater and the look of satisfaction on her face brought tears to my eyes.  It was only then I realized the importance of this day, the first time Theresa has enjoyed a soaking bath in over eight months.  Getting out of the tub took a little more ingenuity on both our parts but in the end, it was worth all we've been through to get to this point.

The remainder of the weekend was also a revelation as Theresa pretty much cared for herself, bathing, dressing, taking her meds on time, getting breakfast in the lobby, and making it through the night uninterrupted.  We also took in the movie Super 8 and Theresa stayed alert and engaged throughout, thoroughly enjoying the show.  This is a big improvement compared to when we viewed X-Men a couple of months ago where she felt the need to leave halfway through due to fatigue & overstimulation.  Returning to the CNS residence on Sunday evening on the heel of this successful trial, we kissed good night and looked ahead to the update conference the next day.

At the treatment conference, Theresa's various rehab therapists presented updates on her progress with no real surprises.  There is marked improvement in some areas with deficits still noted in others and although Theresa has benefited much from the specialized treatment at CNS these past four months, it's time for her rehab to take the next step.  That will mean progressing back home to a truly independent living environment so with this goal in mind, a tentative discharge date was set for the end of July (is that cheering I hear from our Ohana?)  In preparation for her long anticipated return home (where there are far fewer brain injury rehab services), the discharge planning will involve contacting resources in Hawaii as well as seeing a number of neuro specialists in the Los Angeles area over the next two weeks.  CNS highly recommended that I accompany Theresa to these appointments in case there were questions she or her aide couldn't answer, so what was originally a short 4-day kiss & fly trip grew into an extended 2-week whirlwind of further testing & specialist consultations.

Over the next 10 days, we drove to Valencia, Northridge and other points on the compass to see a neuro-optometrist, a neuro-psychiatrist, an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist, a neuro-psychologist, a neuro-neurologist (just kidding) and even a few imaging facilities for CT angiography, MRI and plain old x-rays.  In cases such as with the neuro-optometrist, the diagnosis was very pertinent to Theresa's complaints.  It was mentioned previously that Theresa walks well on the treadmill but not so freestyle.  After testing her eyes and adding prisms to her glasses, Theresa was able to better converge the views from both eyes, improving her vision and balance.  It really is amazing how the interaction between our eyes and brain are so important to walking and we are truly thankful to our Lord for guiding us towards these healers.

The next day, another two hour slog on the Los Angeles freeway system led to 
a visit with a neuro-psychiatrist who prescribed a change in medication,
schedule, and dosage to combat Theresa's mid-morning fatigue.  Later on at the orthopod,
it was discovered that the ongoing pain in the left knee is due to a previously
undiagnosed meniscal tear, which will require a followup consult and
arthroscopic surgery back home.  This was also Theresa's first opportunity to
see detailed images of the wide assortment of rods, pins, plates and screws in
her neck and other extremities.  Her off-the-cuff comment was "no wonder I ache
all over after PT!"  On a positive note, the orthopod noted that the majority of
the fractures are healing well and perhaps in 6-12 months, we should consider
having some of the supporting hardware removed.  With additional appointments
scheduled following my return to Kona, I pray a solution will be found for
Theresa's continued inability to flex the toes on her right foot along with the
sensation there of constant tingling.  Up until the day I had to leave, Theresa was
still undergoing intensive neuropsychological testing, which will provide a good
baseline measurement when she is reassessed in a year or so.

With all of this going on, I still needed to return home to make arrangements for Theresa's eventual care in Hawaii.  My return ticket was pretty much useless as the change fees and fare differential would have amounted to over $800.  Then inspiration struck and I found a $238 one-way flight from San Jose to Kona on Alaska Airlines.  Bidding Theresa farewell and promising to return during the week of her expected discharge, I began the four hour drive leaving Bakersfield at roughly 0200h.  At that time of night, the roads are mostly quiet except for the occasional convoy of trucks, possibly driven by vampires according to my wandering thoughts (have to stop watching True Blood in the hotel room.)  Being the middle of the night, the temperature had dropped sufficiently that I could drive with the windows open.  This not only kept me more alert but it also let in the varied smell of the counties.  Moving from the petroleum odor of Bakersfield, to the lush greenery of the Central Valley's agriculture and onto the cow manure of the California dairy industry, it was an olfactory delight that kept me going until the harrowing mountain pass between I-5 and Hwy 101.  Descents through fog-shrouded winding roads can be full of dangers but not to fear, even in the wee hours this day my guardian angel kept up and I made it safely and on time to the San Jose airport.  Having never flown Alaska Airlines before, it was a pleasant surprise when they served a Kona coffee cookie upon departure and a mac nut sampler nearing arrival.  I was greeted by our dear friend Betty who Theresa first met over Konaweb.com even before moving here.  She, along with a few others have generously provided me with rides to/from the airport since this began and I am truly grateful to them and to our Lord for sending these angels in our time of need.

Back home for the past week, I was able to confirm the services of not one but two homecare providers to support Theresa.   A month ago, I had no leads and with the help of friends and associates at work, everything is quickly coming together in preparation for Theresa's homecoming.  For this among all of the other miracles and blessings our Lord has graced us with, please join me in giving thanks.

Mahalo,

David

http://www.hulaterri.blogspot.com

P.S.  With a tentative discharge date now in place, my plan is to bring Theresa home on the United flight from LAX arriving in Kona at noon on Saturday July 30.  It would be a wonderful show of support if some of our Ohana could be there to welcome Theresa home following our 8-month journey of healing grace.

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

The last update ended with our becoming lost while looking for Lake Isabella however the Good Shepherd was watching over us as always.  He ensured our safe passage while traversing a narrow, winding mountain pass and when we stopped at a turnaround to do just that, the distant view of the lake was revealed in all its glory.  On the way back through town, Theresa needed a restroom break (and I needed to just plain rest) so we stopped at that ubiquitous Scottish chain restaurant that has a presence in most American towns.  While McDonalds is not usually on our frequented dining list, their restrooms are handicap-accessible and mostly clean, mostly.  So feeling somewhat guilty for having used their facilities, Theresa ordered a frozen strawberry lemonade which she promptly handed to me after only a few slurps.  For our Wisconsin ohana, Culvers has nothing to worry about as this artificially sweetened concoction is hardly a match for their lemon ice cooler.

 

The return drive through the mountains was just as beautiful with the raging river on Theresa's side.  She appeared mesmerized by the sheer force of the water and just stared as it dove and cut its way through the canyon.  I was kept busy concentrating on driving the right line through the twisting road and at one point definitely made use of the rental Kia's entire 102HP arsenal to overtake a slow-moving propane tanker.  Just as we safely completed the pass, I noticed two sheriff cars parked at the bottom of the hill.  If their radar/laser was aimed this way they would have had easy pickings that afternoon.  Instead, both of the deputies were out of their cars just shooting the sh*t and enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.  For that serendipitous moment, both I and my insurance premiums continue to be thankful for our Lord's grace.

 

Returning to Theresa's residence, we shared the remainder of a lovely day together.  As she showered by herself (a seemingly simple task that we take for granted until we no longer can,), I prepared a dinner of wild Alaskan salmon using what was available in her refrigerator.  A chef friend once told me that fine cooking is nothing more than the application of heat and spices to good quality ingredients and that was certainly the case here.  Back home, the TV is usually off and especially during meals however here it's just the opposite -- I suspect its purpose is to keep the rehab aides awake 8^).  We still enjoyed dinner despite having The Simpsons as a distraction and besides, that show has jumped the shark so many times, you'd think the shark would have died of starvation already.  Still, we are grateful to our Lord for providing these precious moments together and know that some day soon, they will be more plentiful.

 

Monday was our final day together on this go-around and it would be dominated by the treatment update conference.  Before that, Theresa had PT in the morning and she bested her previous treadmill record by walking 25 minutes non-stop.  Towards the end, I could tell she was in some pain however she soldiered through anyway.  With a few minutes remaining in the session, the physical therapist wanted Theresa to work on getting up from a prone position but that was not to be as her aching joints cried out for mercy.  Continuing on to the cognitive rehab and education session, Theresa completed the sorting and written comprehension exercises cleanly.  That led to the lunch break where Theresa and I sat with Wade, her alumnus from Craig Hospital and his wife.  Comparing notes, both patients have similar opinions of their stays so far -- the rehab therapy at the clinic is top-notch however the residential followup is lacking.  That was the message we brought to the conference and the management assured us it would be addressed.

 

From the therapists' viewpoint, Theresa has been initiating well at the residential facility, especially since moving to the single apartment unit.  Without roommates, Theresa has to do all of the cleaning and she has it down to a T.  Watching her run the vacuum from a standing or seated position is a sight to behold.  CR reports that Theresa's episodic memory is improving (what she had for lunch; what's on her to-do list?) which is an important step towards rebuilding the executive functions of logic and problem solving.  PT testing shows Theresa is making good improvement in strength and flexibility although stairs are still her nemesis, sometimes leading with the weaker leg which results in unsteady ascents.  Vestibular balancing is also an issue when her feet are lined up heel-to-toe (likely related to her cerebellum and/or brain stem injury) so it's good that Theresa isn't driving yet as she'd be unable to pass a field sobriety test.  From an educational measure, Theresa's reading comprehension is at 87% which is equivalent to a grade 14 level; given her prior accomplishments, she should be at the top level of grade 18 so there is still some work to do.  And from a counseling perspective, Theresa maintains a good attitude, taking bad news in stride, encouraging other patients and having good self-worth and esteem.  For me, it's good to hear of Theresa's progress and also be reminded of her current limitations.  Of utmost importance is her positive attitude and determination which really comes through in the photos and for that I continue to praise our Lord for His Gift of Healing Grace.

 

The first week after I returned home, Theresa phoned to let me know of her continued healing and progress.  She was now walking up to one mph on the treadmill and her endurance was steady at 25 minutes.  There were also stories of the weekend outing to the movies and eateries, one of which really touched me.  This night, the plan was for the group to go to the Noriega Hotel & Restaurant for a Basque family dinner (like the one we went to in the last update) however no one bothered to phone ahead.  Upon arrival, it was discovered that there was a private function so the restaurant was closed to the public.  With a bunch of hungry patients getting restless, Theresa recalled from her list of Basque restaurants that Benji's French Basque eatery was nearby so off they went.  While Benji's had room, a glitch arose with the rehab aides' presence.  At Noriega's, the management would allow the aides to sit with and assist the patients with their dining but at Benji's the rule was that each occupied seat had to place an order.  So with the aides unwilling to order, it seemed like the group would return home hungry until Theresa decided to pay for the all-you-can-eat soup, salad, appetizer, and dessert portion of the meal for the aides.  The restaurant agreed that would be sufficient and dinner was on.  All went well and everyone in the group enjoyed themselves, some sampling Basque cuisine for the first time despite having lived in the area all their lives.  I later asked Theresa how she came up with the money to pay for all of the aides' meals and she said it came out of her pen sales and savings from the unspent grocery and outing money.  Once again, Theresa's generosity and loving attitude come through and even for the non-believers among us, it's hard to argue against this sign of the healing power of God.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

A swarm of dark eagles was swooping down as I futilely looked around for any kind of shelter.  Just as they flew close enough to reveal their menacing faces clearly, my early morning wake-up call arrived 15 minutes sooner than anticipated.  As I awoke from the slumber and forced myself to focus on the alarm clock, it gradually became evident to my sleep-shrouded mind that 0445h is way too early to get up, especially following a late evening meal that ended not seven hours before.  It was our last night together on this visit and although the clock had struck 1900h, Theresa did not want the evening to end -- and certainly not with a slice of Costco pizza.  Since we had such a good time at our first Basque dining experience a few weeks ago, that was her intention for tonight.  Theresa pulled from her planner a handwritten list of Basque restaurant names with stars beside those that she heard were good (this should no longer amaze me given her improving memory and cognition but it still does and I am ever so thankful to our Lord for these not-so-small signs of healing.)

 

After driving crosstown to reach Old Town Kern, created in 1874 when the Southern Pacific railway bypassed Bakersfield due to a dispute over how much right-of-way to cede, it's where two of the more famous Basque restaurants are located.  Although we didn't have reservations, that shouldn't have been a problem given the half-empty parking lot that greeted us.  Theresa was so looking forward to dinner that upon exiting the car, she told me not to bother with setting up the wheelchair and just hand over her cane.  But upon entering the James Beard award winning Noriega Hotel & Restaurant, the nice hostess told us that dinner had started at 1900h and they were already serving the third course.  With only one seating per evening, you have to be there on time; we didn't know this but will for our next visit.  At Wool Growers Restaurant, the other Basque establishment a couple of blocks away, the story was different but the end result was the same -- they're closed on Sunday.

 

Rather than be upset, all of this driving and walking was building up an appetite so I suggested to Theresa as we headed back towards her residence that she should keep an eye out for any eatery that appeals to her as long as it isn't Mexican food.  I don't have anything against the people but having sampled their style of cooking in Texas, California, New Mexico and even Tijuana, Cancun and Tulum, I must conclude that Mexican cuisine just won't make it onto my list of "last five meals to enjoy before departing this world."  Besides, it's kind of an unwritten rule that when we do have Mexican food, it must be early enough to allow for a few hours to digest before bedtime.  With 2000h fast approaching and our dining options acting like it was triple witching hour, Theresa scanned the restaurant district and dismissed Red Lobster, Marie Callender, In 'N' Out, El Pollo Loco and a few others.  Finally on California Ave., her eyes lit up when we passed a place called Pho Hut.  Now normally, any restaurant that takes the Pizza Hut logo and Photoshops in its own name would be questionable but we were getting desperate.  By now, Theresa was too tired to walk so we reverted to the wheelchair, which always draws stares of sympathy wherever she enters.  Not that we take advantage of the situation (except for the handicap parking pass) but probably in a month or so, I expect the wheelchair will be a remnant of our past and for that we continue to offer praise to God.  Theresa's instincts were right as usual and the food & service were wonderful at Pho Hut, a great first addition to our Bakersfield late night eateries.

 

The return flight to Kona was uneventful although it involved another mad dash between gates, except this time I made it, but just barely.  The reward was that as the last one to board, there was no room for my carry-on so it was gate checked at no additional cost.  The pleasantries continued as my row of three was open, allowing me to stretch out for the six hour flight to follow.  Upon landing and catching the Air Taxi straight to the hotel, I picked up a text from Theresa thanking me for the visit, grateful to our Lord for choosing me as her husband, and wishing that she could have come home with me.  I know in my heart that Theresa will be returning to Hawai'i and with God's Grace, it will be sooner than anyone expects.

 

For the next couple of weeks, Theresa kept in touch with me by phone, voicemail and text.  The good news is that the intensive rehab therapy schedule continues to produce marked improvements both physically and cognitively.  The day after I left, the PT put Theresa on the treadmill but she could not keep up at even the slowest speed of 0.8mph.  By the second week, Theresa reports that she is able to walk on the treadmill for 2 x 10 minute sessions and the next goal is to slowly increase the speed up to 2.5mph which is considered normal walking pace when outside.  OT is working with Theresa to improve her arm reach, strength and dexterity, and the cognitive and educational therapists are challenging her with ever more difficult and distracting puzzles, math and reading assignments.  Theresa said one assignment involves balancing a mock checking account and it took a few tries but she got it right.  Pretty impressive considering she hasn't had to balance a checkbook in real life since about 1999 when I joined her in Wisconsin.  In some ways, this new improved version of Theresa reminds me of the Bionic Woman -- better, stronger, faster.

 

On the residential front, Unit #412, a 1-bedroom apartment became available recently and Theresa gladly participated in the move, personally ensuring her orchids were successfully transplanted and decorating the empty living room wall with the Get Well Aunty Theresa poster made by our church's keiki (children).  Although the relocation was exhausting, the new unit allows more privacy and better rest at night as Theresa is no longer awakened every few hours by a roommate heading outside to smoke.  With the quieter surroundings, Theresa is reading books, magazines and even some medical journals I brought last time.  She's also writing thank-you cards to those that sent greetings so don't be surprised if you receive one soon.  The other week, Theresa told me of a new patient who only speaks Mandarin Chinese.  During clinic hours, there is a translator to assist with the communication but back at the residence, the rehab aides are pretty much left to figure out how to talk to the new patient, or as a last resort to use the telephone translation service.  One of the aides noticed Theresa speaking to the new arrival so now they ask Theresa to translate when they can't get through.  Theresa's comment to me was that she'd be happy to translate and would only charge half of what the AT&T operator does.  I don't know if she's kidding or it's a sign that Theresa's entrepreneurial spirit has returned but I'll praise our Lord either way.

 

At CNS, the daily living therapy includes managing the weekly grocery budget plus a separate fund for outings like movies, salons, restaurants, take-out, etc.  But once that outing budget is spent, the patient has to wait until the next week to receive additional funds.  Theresa's first attempt at increasing her outing budget was to buy a box of cheap pens and sell them at a small profit to the rehab aides, who are always looking for a pen to document the patient activities.  At $0.17 profit per pen, it was taking a long time to save up even the $6 for a movie so Theresa has taken on a new tack.  There are nicer pens equipped with cushion grips at the clinic so when she sees one, she compliments the staff member and asks if it's okay to keep it.  They invariably say yes and by the end of the day, Theresa has accumulated a few of these nicer pens.  She then takes them back to the residence and sells them for up to $1 each.  When I mentioned that this wasn't entirely ethical, her reply was that she does give the occasional pen away for free, probably to increase her sales with more exposure.  Perhaps I just need to remind Theresa about her experience with the Valentine's Day chocolate giveaway since that took place during her post traumatic amnesia phase.  The Lord always provides so whatever you give away, you will be blessed to receive many times over.

 

In early June, I found it necessary to return to Bakersfield as the health insurer was once again balking at extending coverage for Theresa's ongoing rehab at CNS.  This time, their tactic was to imply that she could receive comparable treatment in Honolulu or even on an out-patient basis in Kona.  Having experienced both in & out-patient rehab therapy during Theresa's prior recovery in 2009, we have intimate knowledge of the difference between CNS and what's available in Hawai'i, and both have their purposes.  For now, Theresa can still benefit from CNS (& Craig Hospital's) intensive rehab therapy which is so important in the first few months post-traumatic brain injury and when that phase of healing is completed, she can continue with out-patient rehab back home.  This is not a difficult concept to grasp but it seems to elude the health insurer.  If Theresa were not making the progress that she has, I could understand not wasting valuable resources and just sending her to a nursing home to live out her days, but she is improving steadily day by day and cutting us off at this critical time of healing clearly sends a message of valuing finances over proper healthcare.  Again, it is out of our hands however the health insurer decides but it does not weaken our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

On a more positive note, this unexpected visit allowed Theresa and me to see each other sooner than planned and we spent another wonderful long weekend together.  This time we did get to dine at Noriega's and the wait was well worth the lifetime experience of sharing a 50' long table with 100 other patrons.  Not only was the endless food and wine beyond our expectations, but we learned a lot from the couple sitting across who've been coming for dinner regularly for the past 20 years.  Other Basque restaurants may have more exposure or better PR but their verdict is that Noriega's has the best food and true family service.  We are in complete agreement and will definitely return as each day of the week has different food & wine pairings.

 

Last Sunday, we took advantage of the first clear day that week and headed out to nearby Lake Isabella.  It was a beautiful drive along the curving canyon road and the raging river with the late spring runoff was a site to behold.  Upon arriving at the town near the lake, we took a wrong turn and ended up climbing a mountain pass rather than going to the lakeside.  So instead of getting a photo by the lake, the view we had was from a narrow winding road atop the nearby mountain.  Beautiful in its own right and another sign that God is indeed Great!

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

It's been a couple of weeks since the last update and I appreciate your patience and dedication in following our healing journey of grace.  There's much to share so it's best to continue from where we left off at the afternoon of Lu'au fun.  Following the round of golf where Theresa amazed us by walking and playing three holes, the next activity was cognitive therapy disguised as a game of memory.  For the eight patients playing, the first would name an item they would bring to a lu'au starting with the letter 'A.'  The next one would repeat the first item, then add their own starting with the next letter in the alphabet.  This would go on until all 26 letters and their corresponding items were used.  By the letter 'N' everyone had made at least one mistake except for Theresa.  In fact, the therapist had to remind her numerous times not to give hints to the others as everyone was being graded on their working memory abilities.  In the end, Theresa won the game by recalling all 26 of the items correctly.  That this part of her cognition is coming back is a wonderful blessing and another sign of our Lord's incredible healing powers.

 

With all of the exertion and activities that afternoon, I expected that Theresa would want to return to the CNS residential facility to rest and relax before calling it a night.  That was not the case as the last thing Theresa wanted to do was spend an evening sitting alongside her roommates or the rehab aide while being tortured by yet another disease of the week movie on the LMN channel.  As an aside, we rarely watch TV at home, having cut the cable TV line over two years ago and replaced it with a $50 Radio Shack antenna.  The loss of  80+ channels wasn't missed and it allowed us more time to talk, take evening walks, and fully enjoy more of each other's company; another of God's little pleasures that I look forward to soon.  And with savings of $1000/yr on the cable bill, if former HGTV junkies like us could do it, so could many of our Ohana!

 

When I arrived at Theresa's apartment, she was just finishing her shower and getting dressed, not for bed but to go out again.  Joining her in the bathroom, I continued to marvel at her progress as she prepared two towels for drying: one draped over the wheelchair and the other on her head and upper body.  Once her hair was wrapped, just using the grab bar on the wall, Theresa stood up from the shower chair and carefully pivoted until she sat down in the wheelchair.  She then proceeded to dry herself and headed over to the vanity to brush her hair.  Watching her do this with both her arms overhead brought joy to my heart as it was not so long ago that she had that frozen shoulder syndrome.  After dressing almost completely by herself (I helped with the socks as her sock-aide was in the wash) Theresa saw the look of puzzlement in my eyes and then stated rather plainly, "Oh, we're going out tonight so choose a movie."  Somewhat stunned into compliance, I wheeled her out the door bidding farewell to the roommates and aide, and off we went to the local megaplex cinema.

 

Bakersfield is so spread out that even the local cinema isn't so close.  Just driving from the airport to the clinic to the residence and then returning to the hotel easily puts 60 miles (100km) on the car.  The Maya Cineplex was a good 15-20 minutes away however traffic was decidedly light for a Friday evening and we arrived in time to choose from the 1900h selections.  Since Theresa has already seen many of the recent releases including Soul Surfer, Thor, Bridesmaids and a few others, I chose "Water for Elephants" not knowing much about it.  The film's story is along the lines of The Notebook or Titanic in that the elderly narrator is describing life changing events from their past.  Other than taking a bathroom break about halfway through (where Theresa showed off her improved standing and walking ability) we became engrossed in the simple yet sweet love story.  What really surprised me was that Theresa stayed alert and engaged and even asked some pertinent questions throughout.  She did mention that the circus ringmaster gave her the creeps but that just means he played his part well.  About the only glitch in that long day and night was when Theresa tried to get out of the theater chair after the show.  It's the type that's low to the ground and the seat bottom slides forward as it reclines.  Despite her efforts, the seat would slide as soon as she tried to get up causing her to fall back into it.  After a couple more attempts that ended  in laughter (she started and then I joined in) I stood in front and just told her to lean forward into me rather than try to stand.  Once she did so and was free of the carnival chair, all I had to do was hold her hips while she stood herself up.  I am so grateful to our Lord for the time spent with Theresa, to be able to witness her progress as His healing powers make her whole again.

 

The next morning was the weekly grocery outing so Theresa called to say she would be on the CNS shuttle and to meet her at Trader Joe's at 1100h.  The hour came and went as I waited until finally Theresa phoned to say that with so many patients and their unique mobility challenges, some delay was inevitable; thus the caravan didn't arrive until after 1200h.  We hurriedly made our purchases although Theresa took her time to leisurely sample some food and coffee and then went back for seconds.  The reason for the rush was that I had received a call from my Aunts Helen & Margaret from San Diego and L.A. and they were already on their way to Bakersfield to meet us for a late lunch.  Along was my mother, Shirley, who just happened to be visiting them that week from Edmonton, Alberta.  After rushing back to Theresa's apartment to unload the groceries, we headed to the Grand View Chinese restaurant where sure enough, my Mom and her sisters were already waiting and had placed an order for various Dim Sum dishes.  As we sat down and caught up, my Mom and her sisters were surprised at Theresa's improving condition and how she was so alert and engaging in conversation.  The food then started to arrive and of all people, Theresa led us in an eloquent and heartfelt prayer of grace and thanksgiving.  The highlight of the meal was when Theresa emptied the steamer basket of shrimp dumplings onto her plate.  I was about to suggest we should share but thought better of it.  Theresa later told me that after being subjected to microwaved Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choices lunches for the past two months, she deserved to enjoy one of her favorite dishes by herself.

 

Following lunch, we bid farewell to my relatives as they prepared for their 3-hr return drive to L.A.  They'd also brought a gift of orchid flowers that Theresa just adored so rather than return to the residence right away, she wanted to shop for a watering pitcher and a pot.  This entailed a multi-stop trip to Target, Home Depot, Albertsons and others to find just the right equipment.  By late afternoon, we finally returned to the apartment where Theresa immediately found a sheltered spot to put the orchids.  Even I was bushed and looking forward to a quiet evening but that was not in the cards.  Not half an hour later, the fire alarm went off and everyone had to evacuate the complex.  I still don't know if it was a false alarm or not but as we were waiting across the street at the designated gathering area, Theresa asked for the second time in two nights which movie I'd like to see -- so much for the relaxing evening together.  This movie outing had been previously scheduled and Theresa had signed herself up, not knowing at the time that I would be there.  In the end, it wasn't as tiring as I thought and we enjoyed each others company while laughing and cringing at the silly gal pal flick, Bridesmaids.

 

Sunday would be our final time together on this visit and the day was already looking to be packed.  Following church tv, there was a planned outing to the Knotty Pine Cafe, located north of town near the airport.  Known for its heaping plates of food (the chicken-fried steak is a two plate affair) the line-up outside the door promised good things to come.  When our turn came, Theresa had the quesadilla omelet and I bravely ordered the CF steak, thinking it could be shared with others in our group.  Her omelet seemed to be missing a key ingredient (tomatoes and/or salsa) and yes, the CF steak was as large as a plate but also about as tasty as one.  This didn't even merit comparison to the famous CF steak at Hickory Hollow in Houston let alone that truck stop restaurant in Nagodoches Texas that served the best CF steak in our memories.  Still, it was nice to sit with some of the other CNS patients and their families and share the sacrifices we have all made for our loved ones.  One devoted daughter swapped her aspiring career in Boston for a Starbucks barista job here just so she could be near and support her brain-injured mother during this critical phase of healing.  In times like these, we must do what we feel is right, and praying for guidance from God is an important step in that process.

 

The afternoon was spent back at the residence, assisting Theresa with her assigned chore of bathroom cleaning.  She did a good job on the vanity, toilet, floors and shower compartment but even while standing, Theresa had trouble reaching high enough to wipe down the counter-to-ceiling mirror.  Partly due to her height and partly because of the limited over the head reach in her arms, I cleaned and polished it but she still received the credit.  Later on, we made a run to Costco for another box of Depends and a few other supplies.  She doesn't even need it most nights but sometimes it's easier to have on just-in-case, or if the aide has moved her wheelchair out of reach.  While leaving, Theresa had a craving for pizza so I was about to get her a slice when she asked if we could order a whole pie.  Having visions of indigestion haunting us in the middle of the night, I asked if she needed that much food and the reply was it's not for us, it's for the rehab aides!  This one is always thinking of others and her actions were certainly appreciated by the hungry staff that night.  In the end, what started out as a trepiditious arrival due to the health insurer's questioning of the need for continuing care, turned out to be a very rewarding visit with my wife.  While it is in the health insurer's nature to choose profit over the patient's needs, their decisions will not derail the faith we have in the healing powers of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

After returning from Bakersfield a couple of weeks ago, my plan until the next scheduled visit in June was to remain in Hawai'i and catch up on office work and home duties.  Of course, our best-laid plans don't always mesh with those of our Lord and sure enough after about ten days back, a message arrived from the Center for Neuro Skills.  They were having issues with renewing the approval for Theresa's continued stay so the possibility of a coverage gap existed.  In order to cover all bases, it would be best for me to return to Bakersfield in case Theresa had to be discharged.  So for the second time in less than three weeks, I made flight arrangements for yet another Trans-Pacific crossing; again not knowing how long I would need to stay but trusting in God that this was part of His plan.

 

Thankfully with the passing of Easter, the airfare has dropped back to the $800 range compared to at least $1200 beforehand; plus there are plenty of seats to choose from.  Not an hour after the flight was booked, Theresa called to give me her nightly update.  In addition to her walking, arm movements and cognition progress, Theresa was fixated on the primary care physician labelling her as diabetic from a single fasting blood glucose test of 119 mg/dl (101 to 140 is considered pre-diabetic) and then putting her on Metformin, a drug to control blood sugar levels.  Theresa told the nurse the proper way to diagnose diabetes is with the hemoglobin A1C test and anyone that relied solely on the blood sugar test was practicing medicine from the last millenium.  Because Metformin has several uncomfortable side effects including diarrhea, nausea, gas, weakness, indigestion, and headache, Theresa would not consider putting her patients on it without a positive set of tests.  That said, because Theresa is playing the role of patient this time, she will reluctantly take the Metformin but has warned the staff to prepare for sudden and urgent bathroom sorties.

 

Theresa's mood brightened considerably when I let her know of my upcoming trip back.  She said it was actually perfect timing because CNS was holding a Lu'au themed picnic that Friday afternoon, partly in honor of the three patients currently there from Hawai'i.  So if I could pack her paʻu or hula skirt and also bring a lei, she would be properly dressed for the occasion; and it wouldn't hurt to pick up some local treats to share with the CNS staff and patients.  Time was a luxury I didn't have that evening as I rushed home to repack (keeping a packed carry-on bag ready to go has become a habit these past six months.)  In anticipation of the next trip, I had started to collect some treats to bring so mac nut kisses and wasabi-flavored tortilla chips would have to suffice this time.  Besides, with the bulky paʻu my carry-on was already stuffed beyond its design limits.  Again, Pastor Al and Lynda were kind enough to provide the ride and comforting faith on the way to the airport and for that I am truly thankful to our Lord.

 

The flight to SFO was relatively smooth and for the first time since starting these ocean hops in January, I had the blessing of a row of three seats to myself.  The horizontal position is definitely more conducive to sleeping however in times like this, I do envy Theresa's ability to lay across a row of three and not have her feet dangle into the aisle.  Still, laying down and curling up has its advantages, not the least of which is to block the glare from the overhead monitor.  It may be the fantasy of some but this night, Jennifer Aniston would not be keeping me awake.  Getting a couple of hours more rest on the layover before the shuttle flight to Bakersfield, I arrived at the CNS Clinic and ran into Wade, a compatriot from Theresa's time at Craig Hospital.  In his unique way, he said there must be a mistake because he saw Theresa roaming the clinic hallways using a 4-prong cane and in search of her wheelchair.  Turns out her first session of the morning was PT and the therapist took away her wheelchair and gave her the cane to get around with for the remainder of the day.

 

When I finally caught up with Theresa in cognitive rehab (CR), we were so happy to see each other that it distracted her from completing her sorting box task accurately.  She was working on multitasking by listening to a nature story while answering questions, sorting out objects and then switching tasks every few minutes.  Between tasks, Theresa recalled with relish the toppings and sides on her evening outing to Juicy Burger that included chipotle ketchup, assorted veggies and sweet potato fries.  As I listened and marveled at Theresa sitting on a regular chair and not her wheelchair, there was something else different about her.  She was wearing pajamas and in fact, so were most of the staff and patients.  Turns out Thursday was PJ day and thankfully, the attire of choice leaned towards Cotton Ginny rather than Victoria's Secret.

 

Theresa's next class was occupational therapy(OT) which she stood up and walked to slowly and surely without any struggle.  It was a pleasure to watch as she prepared an omelet from scratch, scrambling eggs, chopping up peppers, onions, etc. and even walking to the cupboard and reaching up for spices.  For safety from oil splatter, the therapist assisted with the flipping but it came out so poorly that I'm sure Theresa could have done a cleaner job.  That afternoon, Theresa walked so well with the cane to the rest of her sessions that the PT assigned the cane as homework.  To celebrate this milestone, we went to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with the rehab aide along just in case.  I don't have the words to describe my joy watching Theresa get in and out of the car without needing a sliding board, and then doing the same to sit in the restaurant booth next to me instead of at the end in a wheelchair.  All I can do is thank our Lord for his gift of grace and healing powers.

 

Friday was Lu'au Day at CNS and sure enough, most everyone was decked out in aloha wear, plastic leis and grass skirts and even coconut shell tops.  Theresa looked lovely in her paʻu and blue fringe lei and in addition to the Hawaiian wear, she also sported some kinesiology tape on her elbow and knees; too bad I forgot to take a photo of its colorful and intricate pattern.  This tape has been used in Asia for decades to relax overused muscles and facilitate underused muscles and for Theresa, it has certainly reduced the soreness from all of the walking, stairclimbing, pedaling and reaching.  Kinesiotape was seen most prominently on the shoulder of Kerry Walsh, the U.S. beach volleyball player at the Beijing Olympics.  Not to be left out, I also joined in with my standard office attire aloha shirt topped with a kukui nut lei.  One of the patients, Gary, seemed fascinated by the style so we switched leis on a whim.  Later that morning, he gave me a salmon-motif bracelet he had made from a piece of ceramic found on the beach.  It's said a good negotiation is when both sides go away happy and that was certainly the case here.

 

The good karma continued later that day during the conference call with the health insurer.  It seems the reason they were reluctant to extend further coverage for Theresa's stay was because an initial discharge planning report had not yet been prepared.  Apparently, it is standard procedure to begin planning for a patient's discharge from the moment of their admission so everyone involved has a timeline to follow.  Because CNS had not presented this report yet, the health insurer had no idea how long Theresa might stay here other than the initial estimate of 3-6 months.  And with Theresa exceeding most benchmarks of healing after seven weeks, it's becoming more certain that her length of stay will be in the lower range of that timespan.  So with an agreement to extend coverage for a few more weeks in place, Theresa can continue with her intensive rehab therapy and look forward to returning to Hawai'i by late June if not sooner.

 

Following the morning therapy sessions, the staff and patients transferred to the site of the lu'au picnic, the nearby Yokuts Park located alongside the Kern River.  Yokuts (also called the Mariposa Indians) is the name of the indigenous population that inhabited the Central Valley and they numbered as high as 70,000 before the arrival of the European settlers.  Today, there are fewer than 2000 Yokuts and they mostly live on reservations in the outlying areas.  The lu'au festivities were well organized and the catered food was delicious with kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, sweetbread, homemade pineapple ice cream and an orange/cranberry salad (OK, maybe not so much that last one.)  Theresa and I enjoyed the meal together although she did miss her favorite lu'au dishes, Poké and poi.  One of the afternoon activities was mini golf and despite Theresa's soreness in her taped up legs, she still managed to play three holes before retiring.  Given all of the exertion of the past week, Theresa has done so well and made such progress along her healing journey.  Despite all we've gone through, she continues to keep a positive attitude as do I and we know in our hearts it would not be possible without the support of our Ohana and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

http://www.hulaterri.blogspot.com

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

The early morning drive to the airport went by quickly as I reminisced over the wonderful birthday and Easter weekend spent with the lovely Theresa, and how I am so thankful to our Lord for that precious time together.  My return trip to Kona started on schedule now that I am aware the Bakersfield airport is not located off the Airport Rd exit but rather, Merle Haggard Drive.  Turns out this hall-of-fame country singer known for his most famous song  "Okie from Muskogee" was actually born in Oildale, a hardscrabble suburb of Bakersfield, and the home to thousands of economic refugees from Oklahoma and surrounding states during the Great Depression.  Having resolved that link, I boarded the 0600h puddle jumper flight to San Francisco -- because pond hopper is too grand a descriptor for this propeller plane with chrome engines from the de Havilland era.

 

All went smoothly until the delayed landing due to low cloud cover in the Bay Area.  Recall that on the last trip, it was all I could do to sprint like O.J. to make the 37 minute connection.  This time, United Airlines in their infinite wisdom had adjusted the schedule and shortened it to 30 min, meaning there's only 20 min to deplane, rush between terminals, and board the Kona flight before the door closes 10 min before departure.  So even with the flight attendant asking all other passengers to remain seated until the three of us with tight connections to Baltimore, Seattle and Kona could get out first, it was not to be.  Maybe if I had O.J.'s ability to fly through the terminal as he did in the later Hertz commercials, I could have made it.  But then that begs the question, why does one even need to be at the airport if they can fly?

 

Showing up at the outbound gate five min. after the last call, the agent offered me two options: reroute through LAX and HNL to arrive in Kona at 1700h (compared to the missed flight that would arrive at 1100h) or wait 8 hours and take the next direct flight to Kona, arriving at 1900h.  Choosing the more sensible option, I found a spot to settle in and break out the laptop and phone to stay connected with the office 2500 miles away.  Besides having to occasionally share the power plug with other travelers, the time went remarkably fast and I got a fair bit of catch-up work done.  There were even humorous moments like when I called the Dept. of Water Supply in Hilo and our conversation was interrupted by the overhead warning to report any suspicious person or unattended baggage to the SFO airport authority.

 

The later flight was uneventful and sadly for Hawai'i tourism, there were 65 empty seats.  But even with the reduced numbers on board, I still could not manage to win the Halfway to Hawai'i game -- maybe it's God's way of telling me to stop overcalculating and just take a wild guess!  Upon landing, there was a stored message from Theresa describing her day and that she was going out for sushi, sashimi and/or teppanyaki in the evening.  That girl is getting out much more with the rehab facility than she ever did back home, not that I'm jealous (or maybe just feeling a little left out.)  And text messages later that week confirmed her busy social calendar, with planned outings for meals, movies and even a local theatrical performance.

 

On the rehab front, Theresa provided updates through the week on her own progress, notably that she's doing leg lifts using the EVO walker to build up strength and relearn stairclimbing, and that she is walking longer distances using only the 4-prong cane to steady herself.  All of this exercise is resulting in sore quads, knees, ankles, etc. yet Theresa only takes Tylenol instead of the hard stuff (as she likes to call Oxycodone.)  She even keeps a secret stash of Tylenol around because sometimes it takes too long for the rehab aides to order it through the proper channels.  Cognitively, Theresa is also progressing as she improves her math, problem solving and reading comprehension skills, all while dealing with outside distractions from the therapist and other patients.  The educational testing scale ranges from grade 1-18 and with her prior education, she should have scored near the top pre-injury.  Post-injury, Theresa is making good progress and well on her way back.  And for those questions she doesn't answer correctly immediately, she's able to talk (maybe BS?) her way to the right answer.  For these signs of constant healing, I am in awe and offer praise to our Lord.

 

Last Sunday, the car wash fundraiser was held by Theresa's clinic associates in conjunction with our friend, Chef Edwin, who supplied and grilled the delicious local ingredients that go into his famous Village Burger recipes.  It was a huge success and with everyone's combined efforts, I estimate over 100 vehicles were washed that day.  That a couple of "cut" guys wearing board shorts were out front holding signs certainly didn't hurt as there seemed a steady stream of lady and some gentlemen drivers getting their not-so-dirty cars washed.  Mauna Lani's own Chef Al supplied the tunes to keep the energy high while a dozen others from work also showed up for our cause.  Theresa had intended to phone in and thank everyone during the event however the timing just didn't mesh and she ended up calling while Richard, the clinic director, and I were in his office reviewing some healing music chants.  At least Theresa and Richard spoke at length and he was able to pass that message along to the hard working, fun loving group outside.  The weather cooperated, everybody had fun, and we are most grateful for having so many friends that have truly adopted us into their ohana.

 

Earlier this week, Theresa relayed the exciting news that she met a new patient from Hawai'i by the name of Jason, and that upon being introduced, he already knew of Theresa's story from the news updates back home.  The only thing that surprised him was Theresa's haircut, as she recently went back to an easy-to-maintain bob, as compared to the update photos that show her with longer hair.  Theresa also mentioned that with the guidance of the PT, she's tucking in her butt, straightening her back and the result is she's walking faster and with more confidence.  This culminated in yesterday's announcement that she spent the whole day at the clinic using only the 4-prong cane to move around between classes.  That is a huge achievement and one which we know is a direct result of our Lord's gift of grace and healing.  For this above all others, we give thanks for all He has done.

 

Mahalo,

 

David

Update from David

Aloha to our Ohana,

 

During the early 1900s, a wave of settlers from the mountains of the French and Spanish Pyrenees came to start a new life in Bakersfield.  These immigrants referred to themselves as coming from the Basque country, and with them they brought their farming and sheepherding skills.  To say their descendants have thrived in this agricultural paradise is an understatement.  The Basque have learned to perpetuate their culture, which is first the people, then their social events, the eating, drinking, laughing, dancing, singing and whatever God may have desired for the Basque and their friends to take pleasure in and enjoy.  And it was ensconsed in this spirit of joy that Theresa and I celebrated her birthday with dinner at Chalet Basque, one of close to a dozen such restaurants in the area.

 

Wheeling into the main dining area was an experience in itself.  The rehab aides at the Center for Neuro Skills told us the service was family-style and sure enough, many of the diners were in groups of 10 or more and they most certainly looked related.  With just the two of us, the hostess (who coincidentally was from Shanghai) asked us to wait a bit as they opened another section.  My suspicion is they usually seat parties of two in the booths but that wouldn't work with Theresa's wheelchair.  Once seated, we browsed through the menu and settled on some entrees, the braised lamb for Theresa and pork chops for me.  If anyone out there is disgusted by our choices, be reminded that if God didn't want us to eat meat, He wouldn't have made animals so tasty!

 

The best part of the Basque dining experience is that with the exception of the entree and drinks, everything else is included.  Not only is there endless bread, soup and salad, but even the appetizers and sides are generous.  The server hinted that some first-time diners are put off by the pickled tongue dish however Theresa delighted in it along with the delicious cabbage soup for which we enjoyed a second helping.  Sitting there just watching, listening to and enjoying dinner conversation with Theresa made for a wonderful evening that I will always remember.  And for the first time since before the accident, I noticed Theresa was using her knife and fork with both hands rather than just favoring her stronger side.  With this abundance of food & drink, it wasn't long before Theresa needed a bathroom break so off we went in search of the facilities.

 

Being with someone in a wheelchair has given me a new perspective on handicap-accessible bathrooms and how they can differ tremendously.  The most convenient are the ones where there is enough room next to the toilet to back in the wheelchair, allowing the occupant to slide over without too much effort.  Others are barely wider than public stalls with just enough room to get the wheelchair inside facing the toilet, so the user must stand and do a 180 degree pivot.  In Denver, we had some difficulty with this type of stall and sure enough, that was all Chalet Basque offered.  Once we were in and the door was closed, I was contemplating how to assist Theresa with her transfer in the tight quarters when she just stood up, grabbed the safety rails and slowly stepped and turned until she was ready to sit down.  All she asked of me was to pull down her pants and then she sat and let nature take its course.  To the casual observer, these may seem like small steps but to know how far Theresa has come, this really is just one more sign of our Lord blessing us with His healing grace.

 

The scheduled outing the next morning was the weekly grocery shopping trip and this time, the rehab aide suggested that it would be a good planning exercise for Theresa to see if she could stick to the $75 budget for food only.  That pretty much ruled out Trader Joe's for the most part as Theresa spent almost double the budget there the last time I was in town.  So we went into Albertson's instead and were doing pretty well with Theresa mostly selecting products on sale and keeping a rough tally on the back of her shopping list.  She even managed to squeeze in a strawberry tres-leche birthday cake, something we didn't have room for the night before and now she wanted to share it with her roommates and the rehab aides.  At the check-out, I watched the total purchase amount ring up and sure enough, it stopped at $73; that is until the cashier asked if there was anything else, which was Theresa's cue to reach up to the magazine rack and throw in a special wedding publication celebrating Prince William and Kate Middleton, which blew the budget completely.  This is an old trick she used to pull pre-aneurysm so in some ways, I am grateful for that side of her coming back too.  Still, the look of enjoyment and wonder as she read about the royals and shared cake with everyone made it worthwhile.

 

Easter Sunday arrived and following a beautiful Spanish mass service, we ventured to the local shopping center in search of stationery and thank-you cards.  Theresa has received close to if not more than a hundred get-well cards and her goal is to reply to each sender as her time and energy permits.  She chose a box of 24 at Target and then we decided to wheel through the mall for a look-see.  That turned out to be a mistake as the sound of muzak competing with loud conversations, music from other stores, echoes and the such conspired to give both of us headaches.  Taking refuge from the noise, we detoured into what appeared to be a department store but was Forever 21, a clothing and accessory outlet geared towards younger ladies and those still clinging to youthfulness.  We've heard of this store but up to now had never been inside one.  At first it was fascinating to see an entire department-size store devoted to the young miss set but soon enough, their music also took its toll and we headed for the nearest exit and returned to the CNS residence, just in time for Easter dinner.

 

To celebrate Easter, the CNS staff prepared a special meal consisting of beef tri-tip, salad, rice & beans, and assorted desserts for the residents and their visitors.  It was a nice surprise and a wonderful way to cap off a beautiful day celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection.  There also were baskets of easter eggs on each table with chocolates and other goodies inside.  Theresa's aide, Darlene, dined with us and I asked her half-jokingly why the eggs weren't hidden for everyone to find.  Her completely serious reply was that it was tried in the past however the results were unexpected as some of the residents became obsessed and looked into the wee hours of the night.  Sometimes, it's just simpler to hit the EASY button.

 

With dinner completed, it was fast approaching 8pm and I had a 4am wake-up call for my return flight to Kona on Monday.  Theresa and I spent a few more precious moments together as I wheeled her back to her apartment.  She thanked me for coming out and said that this weekend together was her best birthday gift ever.  I fully agree and continue to praise our Heavenly Father for all He has blessed us with.  Kissing Theresa farewell, I drove back towards the hotel but not five minutes later, her distinctive ring tone (the nose twitching sound from Bewitched) alerted me to who was calling.  Sure enough, Theresa was checking if I was safely back and that she was already missing me.  To heck with the hotel room, I turned around and returned to the apartment where Theresa and I spent more of our last evening together.  The simple acts of chatting, folding laundry and applying Maderna gel to some of her fast-disappearing scars brought loving joy to my heart, a feeling that remained long after I said farewell for the second time that night.

 

Mahalo,

 

David