From Andy:

It’s hard to try to come up with the right words for this but here goes. Shannon has been updating and thanking for a few months and now it’s my turn. I need to say thank you to so many people- from the ER doctors, neurologists, nurses, counselors, physical therapists, family, friends, our employers and fellow employees, my neighbors and especially my wife Shannon.

I’ve never been through anything like this and didn’t quite understand at first how I was going to. I learned a lot about myself and even more about others. 

Somehow, and I don’t know how, but early on I put myself in a place where I wasn’t upset and worked to get better. Learning to do many things all over again, including how to walk, was not something I had planned but was determined to do it. Think about all of the things you do in the first hour after getting up in the morning. Then think about having somebody assist you or just plain do every one of them for you. In my case that someone was Shannon and I know I would not have gotten through this ordeal so quickly without her.

Shannon was there morning and night helping me get through the long days. When she wasn’t there, she was getting stuff to make my hospital stay more comfortable, bringing treats for the nurses and of course updating CaringBridge all while balancing work and home! The nights were long.

I said I learned more about others. I am almost to the point where I can talk about the generosity of people without tearing up. I knew people are generous but until you’re the one on the receiving end you have no idea and there’s no way to ever pay you all back. 

All the prayers, well wishes, meals, gifts, offers of help and just plain support from our friends and this community can’t be paid back and will never be forgotten. Shannon and I will forever be grateful and will do our best to try and pay it forward.

I’ve been working half days for a couple of weeks now and I’m starting full-time on Tuesday, and I can’t wait to get back at it. I'm doing outpatient physical therapy as I still have some pain in my legs and feet yet and my balance is a little off but that’s manageable. 

I look forward to thanking as many of you as I can in person.
Sincerely,
Andy