Welcome to Bill’s CaringBridge Site
Sign In to Show Your SupportDear 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:
Throughout the process, my milestones have been:
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.
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