Last weekend, with our friend Meg (who was fresh off an overnight flight from Alaska), we made the trip to Whistler with Aven in our ‘new to us’ sprinter van.  Thanks to the generosity of friends, we have the most talked about ‘wheelchair accessible’ van in the parking lot at GF Strong, and Aven loves it. So last Saturday with a new Braun lift installed, we made Aven’s first trip back to Whistler since the accident. The significance of this moment was exciting for Aven and gave him a small glimpse into our summer to come. Andy and I were in the middle of building a house in Whistler when Aven was hurt, and we were super excited about a life split between Anchorage and Whistler, and had designed a place to accommodate many bikes, and skis, muddy teenagers and out of town guests.  It has been a daunting process amid Aven’s recovery to redesign around a contrasting theme of accessibility, the need for caregivers and a gathering place for friends to come to us since most homes in Whistler are not accessible.  Though the house is not finished yet, it’s close and I feel thankful we will have a place to bring Aven home to. We see too many quadriplegics leaving GF headed to care facilities and I’m thankful Aven can feel the excitement of starting over in a beautiful place.

What made the day trip most memorable was the last-minute gathering of a few of Aven’s friends. We did not stay long and just got a glimpse of our new life and home on discharge. Aven’s discharge date has tentatively been set for May 1st and I feel confident we will get him home sometime in that first week or two of May.  Aven is medically stable, he is consistently making all his rehab appointments, and his nausea is greatly reduced and seems to be resolving.  Aven is eating more but gets satiated quickly. 

This week there is a planned surgery at VGH to put in a suprapubic catheter, and a procedure to help Aven build strength. A planned stay at VGH feels easier to swallow than an emergent one, it gives me time to process my worry ahead of time (smile). Though three days back in hospital isn’t ideal, we hope this will be Aven’s last visit there for a while. We have been interviewing caregivers for Whistler and are excited with the pool we have met. GF Strong nursing staff have been gracious enough to let these caregivers come shadow and learn.  We still have many friends making us food and offering to help, reminding us that we are not alone as we start this next chapter.