Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a while since I last posted. I thought providing an update on the eighth month anniversary of my night of horror (August 11, 2021) seemed like a good time to bring this Caring Bridge timeline narrative to completion. 

Today, I am basking in the incredible joy of having my daughter Megan and her family from Canberra, Australia visiting us. They arrived last night exhausted after far too many hours on three planes, with a 3 yr old and 6 yr old, and far too time zones to count. 

I could never have imagined what extraordinary experiences were ahead for me (us) on that hot summer night back in August. I remember lying on a hospital gurney in the Loyola University Medical Center emergency trauma department, going in and out of consciousness and wondering what had happened and what was ahead. It wasn't until the next day that the reality began to sink in, and my shock receded into extreme pain and discomfort. 

I honestly have no memory of the actual accident and was questioning the paramedics if I was dead or alive. I remember "seeing" my deceased parents, Colleen's deceased parents, and my deceased maternal grandmother in the room. They all seemed to be encouraging me to fight for my life. I've often heard people claiming such a phenomenon of seeing deceased loved ones while under exceptional trauma or near-death experiences, but I never believed it until it happened. My dear cousin recently said that they were there to comfort me and inspire me to embrace life, which I did.

I remember the messages of support and the video tribute (thanks, Cara and Jack, for making the Tribute video happen) from so many of you. There was always positive energy, prayers, and strong  encouragement that "better days are coming." There is a song, "Better Days are Coming," by Dermot Kennedy, a young Irish singer, that comforted me when I was at my darkest moments. On the 11th of each month, I reflect on how much I've achieved each month and anticipate the next month's potential.

My sons Kyle and Alex both heard the song on the car radio after the first time seeing me at the hospital on different days. None of us had ever heard of the singer, but his song, which had just been released, grabbed us all. I often have said that the days dragged by, but the weeks and months have flown by quickly. And, truly better days have come!

I decided to recap my journey so far in terms of the following metrics:

• A 12-day hospital stay, with five days in Neurological Intensive Care because of a frontal brain bleed
• 54 days in an in-patient rehabilitation facility
• 25+  hours in a dentist's chair
• 35 doctor and dental appointments, with six more scheduled over the next two months
• Five surgeries (2 in the hospital; 3 outpatient) and one yet to go later this year
• 26 in-home PT, OT, and Home Care sessions
• 17 one-hour outpatient PT sessions, with 12  more to go
• Twelve assists from the River Forest Fire Department and EMS to carry me in my wheelchair up and down seven back steps and make quite an impression with our neighbors. They brought a fire truck and ambulance and several very strong and friendly firefighters and paramedics every time they came.
• 18 trips in a medical transport van, from rehab to doctor visits, medical tests, Covid tests, etc.

Throughout the process, my milestones have been:

• A reconstructed upper jaw with permanent titanium plates and screws, repaired nose and cheeks
• A complete right shoulder replacement (called a reverse shoulder replacement that involves metal, plastic, screws, and cement) and my left shoulder will be done later this year
• Repaired right knee MCL, ACL, and other related improvements along with an undiagnosed fracture that healed on its own before a delayed MRI identified it
• A  repaired thoracic spinal fracture courtesy of wearing a full torso  brace for eight weeks and neck brace for two weeks
• Two front teeth were extracted - one from the impact of the SUV and one surgically removed 
• Four root canals and repaired multiple chipped/cracked top and bottom teeth
• A permanent upper teeth denture with two new 'artificial' teeth, four crowns, and a bridge holding six teeth securely. However, my days of biting into an apple or eating corn on the cob are over!
• And, most importantly, a much greater appreciation for the disabled and their daily challenges. I am also so grateful for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, making my access to buildings possible.
• I enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner and my 66th birthday party upstairs with my family and friends because my four sons, nephew, and a family friend carried me up and downstairs in my wheelchair.

My gratitude extends to all of you who have faithfully tracked my journey, continued to encourage me, and always lifted me on my darkest days and nights. 

Recently, I asked Colleen to see the photos she took of me the night of the accident. I was shocked by what I saw. While I had seen them before, I don't think the horror of what she looked at that night fully registered with me. 

Today, I am walking 25 miles a week with no limp and a goal of 35 miles a week, where I was last August. I walked to and from PT three days a week and add a few more blocks each day.

So, while this is my last post, I want to thank everyone for all your love, support, good humor, financial donations, food, flowers, prayers, and positive energy expended on my behalf. 

None of this would have been possible without my son Jack setting this site up and my other three sons, Alex, James, and Kyle, contributing to it and being there for their mom in our darkest hours. And, of course, my daughter for her love and support from across the world.

Also, many thanks to our dear friends Tom and Maribeth Bauer for their daily encouragement, sumptuous cuisine, and plenty of good humor to help get me through each day after I returned home.  

Last but certainly not least is my rock, soulmate, love, and biggest cheerleader, Colleen! She never missed a day supporting me in the hospital or rehab, despite the pandemic, exceptional personal exhaustion from so many demands. She never complained, rolled her eyes, or gave up on encouraging me, laughing together, and trying to stay focused on my recovery. She also brought me cards, notes, and well wishes from so many, while making sure I had beautiful fresh autumn flowers in my dreary room to brighten my days. We celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary and her 65th birthday while I was in rehab.

May God bless you all as He has me (us).   I wish my Christian family and friends a very Happy Easter, my Jewish family and friends a Happy Passover, and everyone a joyous time of seasonal rebirth.

Love, Bill 

p.s. My new upper front teeth were installed last week. I'm thrilled it is a permanent denture since I was not a dental implant candidate because of extensive bone and gum loss.