Journal entry by Margo Anderson —
Today marks one year since Doug called me from the next room and told me to bring my phone, because he had a pain in his throat and was seeing stars.
Doug's heart healed well and he recovered from the stroke with no impairment. Sadly, his kidneys didn't survive him being on the bypass machine for 12 hours, so he's on dialysis three days a week. It's tedious, but we'll take it. He recently had a procedure that will, once it heals, allow him to move forward toward the goal of getting onto home dialysis, which will make his life much easier.
After spending four months in bed and several more in a wheelchair, he's still fairly weak. We've recently set up a home gym and he'll be working out. We're hoping that by next Spring we'll be able to explore Albuquerque and the surrounding countryside on foot.
As for me, I'm doing well. I needed to spend a couple of months on self care, but now I'm ready to get working again.
We owe thanks to so many people: To Doug's sister, Laurie Gordon, who was there to talk to his carers and post here when I was too overwhelmed to do it myself. To Laura Ulak, for keeping my business running. To my son Robert, for moving in with us. I don't think I could have done it without him. To my sister Sara Klotz de Aguilar and Maryann Jones, both of whom dropped everything and flew to Albuquerque to help in those first awful days. To Elizabeth Maxwell, who took a "side trip" to meet me, that turned out to be 700 miles out of her way. To the staff of Presbyterian Hospital, every one of whom, from the cafeteria cashiers and the reception staff to the nurses and doctors of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, made me feel as if they cared deeply for both of us. To Sandia Laboratories, whose HR department and employee benefits program meant we got through this without financial ruin. To every stranger who listened to me when I had to talk. To each and every one of you, for caring.
And, most importantly, to Doug, who fought his way back to be with me. Of all the outcomes we could have had, I would not have guessed that the greatest love story of my life woud happen to me at 65, in a hospital room, with someone who was so much more than I had ever known. I love you, sweetheart, and I'm so happy you're still here.
Doug's heart healed well and he recovered from the stroke with no impairment. Sadly, his kidneys didn't survive him being on the bypass machine for 12 hours, so he's on dialysis three days a week. It's tedious, but we'll take it. He recently had a procedure that will, once it heals, allow him to move forward toward the goal of getting onto home dialysis, which will make his life much easier.
After spending four months in bed and several more in a wheelchair, he's still fairly weak. We've recently set up a home gym and he'll be working out. We're hoping that by next Spring we'll be able to explore Albuquerque and the surrounding countryside on foot.
As for me, I'm doing well. I needed to spend a couple of months on self care, but now I'm ready to get working again.
We owe thanks to so many people: To Doug's sister, Laurie Gordon, who was there to talk to his carers and post here when I was too overwhelmed to do it myself. To Laura Ulak, for keeping my business running. To my son Robert, for moving in with us. I don't think I could have done it without him. To my sister Sara Klotz de Aguilar and Maryann Jones, both of whom dropped everything and flew to Albuquerque to help in those first awful days. To Elizabeth Maxwell, who took a "side trip" to meet me, that turned out to be 700 miles out of her way. To the staff of Presbyterian Hospital, every one of whom, from the cafeteria cashiers and the reception staff to the nurses and doctors of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, made me feel as if they cared deeply for both of us. To Sandia Laboratories, whose HR department and employee benefits program meant we got through this without financial ruin. To every stranger who listened to me when I had to talk. To each and every one of you, for caring.
And, most importantly, to Doug, who fought his way back to be with me. Of all the outcomes we could have had, I would not have guessed that the greatest love story of my life woud happen to me at 65, in a hospital room, with someone who was so much more than I had ever known. I love you, sweetheart, and I'm so happy you're still here.
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