Wow-
I just now realized how long it has been since I last posted. It has definitely been a roller coaster for Jen and I since the last time I wrote. But I will begin with what is most important... Jen is doing great! I am sitting with her in the hospital back at Abbott/Northwestern. Jen just came out of the procedure to close the PFO hole in her heart. Everything went fantastic, however, the surgeon stated that it was the largest hole he had ever had to close. In fact the standard closure they normally use was too small, so they had to search the hospital for a larger 35mm device and they were lucky enough to find the last one. Other than that, the doctor said it went beautifully. Jen is now resting and aside from the area that they entered her body being a bit sore, she's doing fine. We should be able to go home tomorrow. Coaching at Stillwater is going well and she really enjoys being back around the girls, although last nights 6-0 loss to White Bear is a bit tough to swallow. For those who haven't heard, I am no longer coaching at Stillwater, but I get regular updates from Jen. The team finished regular season play with an 11-7 record and will find out their section seed on Sunday. I am staying busy working with some other schools as time permits. Also, Jen has taken the drivers test and passed with flying colors. You can only imagine how much easier this makes things for us and how Jennifer finally feels a sense of freedom again.
Jen continues her PT on a daily basis and has gotten much stronger. She jogged yesterday for the first time in PT. They are going to videotape her so that they can analyze her form better since it is difficult to watch while they are spotting her. She has also started working on juggling the soccer ball again and is up to 13! It's not her record of over two thousand, but what the heck, it's a start. =) She is constantly working with a ball as this is the most enjoyable type of PT that she can do. Jen can also now do two sets of ten standard pushups. Remarkable, considering that only three months ago, she couldn't even move her arm. (Yes, I am allowed to brag about her... I'm her husband after all, so I am a bit biased.) Jen is still in great shape as she has found alternative ways to get her heart rate up. Now that she has the PFO closed, the doctors are guessing that she will be able to come off the Coumadin in about 6 months at which time she will continue to take baby aspirin on a daily basis. Also, she no longer needs to wear the AFO on her ankle that supported her foot, however, she is still working to get more movement in her left ankle, foot and toes. It is definitely progressing, it will simply take time. It would appear, at this point, that a full recovery is inevitable and that she will have no problem returning to the game she loves.
With the hardest part behind us, Jen can focus on getting back her soccer form, and I can get back to completing the expansion at Corner Kick. Both are a long time coming. But like Jen's friend Gretchen said, "if it wasn't hard, everyone could do it! Hard is what makes it great!" We both will have a much larger appreciation for what we accomplish after everything that we have gone through. It has made us stronger and taught us so much. We obviously have not done it alone and are truly blessed to have so many friends and family that have been there for us throughout this entire process. We are working very hard to get out thank you cards, but please forgive us if we miss anyone. There was such an incredible outpouring of support, that it began to become difficult to keep up with everything that everyone had done for us. Just know that you are all appreciated. Jen will post her own update in a few days, but I wanted to make sure that everyone was back in the loop. Take care everyone.
-Love Ryan and Jen
P.S. Shout Out to Manning's Munchkins. You know who you are!
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