Journal entry by Elizabeth Lamar —
MY FIRST ENTRY- BY HOWARD LAMAR
I HIGHJACKED ELIZABETH'S CARING BRIDGE:
So, seven weeks have passed (only 5 of which I participate in) and I am overwhelmed by the generosity of so many friends for their time, interest and caring. My circumstance is truly a MIRACLE and I am so grateful to all of those in the chain that carried me from the floor of the workout room on March 10 through Saint Thomas for 36 days and home therapy thereafter. Each responder and caregiver (it took a village) was integral to my successful recovery and good fortune of maintaining my cognitive ability (not that there was that much before hand!). Next is Cardiac Rehab at St. Thomas and I am looking forward to it and to getting stronger and increasing my stamina. I dropped 22 lbs. after the dust settled, and I think I may have gained 1 or 2 back....slow progress there! Last time I was in the 160s was High School, I think, and 185-190 lbs. seems a long way from here.....however, I am just fine with 169 when compared to the alternative. In addition, I am available to Scarecrow your summer gardens as needed.
You have all been AMAZING (as my friend David Rue likes to say) and your prayers for me, my family and ALL my caretakers is truly humbling. I lost count of the significant number of amazing doctors and nurses and therapist that have nurtured me back to health. The cards, emails, notes, letters, texts, calls, food, visits and repeat visits, flowers, etc.etc. have been overwhelming and each so personal and awesome. As Tom Stumb earlier made reference to George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life", I have experienced my George Bailey Moment and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the love and care of so many and from so many facets of my life, it is truly daunting to seek to comprehend the love I have felt from all of you.
Each week is an improvement, not always day over day, but week over week is definitely linear. The Happy Hour concept has been fabulous as each evening Elizabeth and I have been blessed to see and visit with so many, all of whom took time for us- UNBELIEVABLE! However, our Glass Recycling folks think there is one hell of a party going on over here!
Speaking of Elizabeth- What a Rock. I can't fathom someone to be so calm, filled with grace under pressure, thoughtful, smart, loving and caring. She has selflessly given up every need of hers for the last 53 days to totally take care of me..... truth is, if she walks out I can't even figure out my next Medicine dose! She is Amazing and I am so impressed with her determination and kindness- once again I am reminded that I "way out kicked my coverage" on the wife front! Elizabeth I love you and feel lucky to wake up next to you each day. "Thank you" is amazingly inadequate but truly heart felt...... and yes, I am aware that trips and jewelry are not to be forgotten :-). In addition, I am very proud of my three boys. A lot was asked of then under most difficult circumstances, you guys had to grow up fast- I am proud to be your Father. Exceptionally well done in each of your unique approach.
Tom Stumb, I must give you a unique shout out for this Caring Bridge site. I read it (comments and all) for the first time this past weekend. Wow- hard to emotionally do! I am so grateful to you, and Elizabeth, for sharing the updates and status but most importantly for your relentless call for targeted prayers in support of my healing. Truly spectacular and again daunting to think about people praying for me, my family and my many caregivers. Furthermore, who knew Stumb was such a softy? :-)
So, May has arrived. I hope to continue my wonderful recovery and begin some normal tasks. I assume my partners are about ready for me to get to work (or clean out my office as I an dead space if not engaged). My partners, all the lawyers , and our amazing staff at BB&S have done a phenomenal job of covering for me (so much so I need to get back and be "relevant"!)-they may like my absence. :-)
Last Sunday at Church, Donovan Drake articulated that as he awakes each day he reminds himself "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GALD IN IT." I have heard it for years....... yet it now impacts in ways that before March 10 (shame on me) I couldn't truly appreciate.
I won the lottery for Family and Friends in so many ways and I am so grateful to you all. You stood for me when I was incapable of standing for myself. "Thank you", again that seems so inadequate, but I say it with all my heart and soul. I wish for all of you to truly know my love and appreciation, but mostly I wish for each of you to be fully aware that "Each day is a day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it." Amen.
P.S. - THINK ABOUT A CPR CLASS IF NOT TRAINED....IT SAVED MY LIVE AND YOU MAY SAVE ONE DOWN THE ROAD. THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS FOR THE CLASS. OUR OFFICE IS CURRENTLY USING CINTAS THROUGH KIRK MYER AT MyerK@Cintas.com/cell is 615-594-8393. He has gotten good reviews and is highly recommended.
I HIGHJACKED ELIZABETH'S CARING BRIDGE:
So, seven weeks have passed (only 5 of which I participate in) and I am overwhelmed by the generosity of so many friends for their time, interest and caring. My circumstance is truly a MIRACLE and I am so grateful to all of those in the chain that carried me from the floor of the workout room on March 10 through Saint Thomas for 36 days and home therapy thereafter. Each responder and caregiver (it took a village) was integral to my successful recovery and good fortune of maintaining my cognitive ability (not that there was that much before hand!). Next is Cardiac Rehab at St. Thomas and I am looking forward to it and to getting stronger and increasing my stamina. I dropped 22 lbs. after the dust settled, and I think I may have gained 1 or 2 back....slow progress there! Last time I was in the 160s was High School, I think, and 185-190 lbs. seems a long way from here.....however, I am just fine with 169 when compared to the alternative. In addition, I am available to Scarecrow your summer gardens as needed.
You have all been AMAZING (as my friend David Rue likes to say) and your prayers for me, my family and ALL my caretakers is truly humbling. I lost count of the significant number of amazing doctors and nurses and therapist that have nurtured me back to health. The cards, emails, notes, letters, texts, calls, food, visits and repeat visits, flowers, etc.etc. have been overwhelming and each so personal and awesome. As Tom Stumb earlier made reference to George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life", I have experienced my George Bailey Moment and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the love and care of so many and from so many facets of my life, it is truly daunting to seek to comprehend the love I have felt from all of you.
Each week is an improvement, not always day over day, but week over week is definitely linear. The Happy Hour concept has been fabulous as each evening Elizabeth and I have been blessed to see and visit with so many, all of whom took time for us- UNBELIEVABLE! However, our Glass Recycling folks think there is one hell of a party going on over here!
Speaking of Elizabeth- What a Rock. I can't fathom someone to be so calm, filled with grace under pressure, thoughtful, smart, loving and caring. She has selflessly given up every need of hers for the last 53 days to totally take care of me..... truth is, if she walks out I can't even figure out my next Medicine dose! She is Amazing and I am so impressed with her determination and kindness- once again I am reminded that I "way out kicked my coverage" on the wife front! Elizabeth I love you and feel lucky to wake up next to you each day. "Thank you" is amazingly inadequate but truly heart felt...... and yes, I am aware that trips and jewelry are not to be forgotten :-). In addition, I am very proud of my three boys. A lot was asked of then under most difficult circumstances, you guys had to grow up fast- I am proud to be your Father. Exceptionally well done in each of your unique approach.
Tom Stumb, I must give you a unique shout out for this Caring Bridge site. I read it (comments and all) for the first time this past weekend. Wow- hard to emotionally do! I am so grateful to you, and Elizabeth, for sharing the updates and status but most importantly for your relentless call for targeted prayers in support of my healing. Truly spectacular and again daunting to think about people praying for me, my family and my many caregivers. Furthermore, who knew Stumb was such a softy? :-)
So, May has arrived. I hope to continue my wonderful recovery and begin some normal tasks. I assume my partners are about ready for me to get to work (or clean out my office as I an dead space if not engaged). My partners, all the lawyers , and our amazing staff at BB&S have done a phenomenal job of covering for me (so much so I need to get back and be "relevant"!)-they may like my absence. :-)
Last Sunday at Church, Donovan Drake articulated that as he awakes each day he reminds himself "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GALD IN IT." I have heard it for years....... yet it now impacts in ways that before March 10 (shame on me) I couldn't truly appreciate.
I won the lottery for Family and Friends in so many ways and I am so grateful to you all. You stood for me when I was incapable of standing for myself. "Thank you", again that seems so inadequate, but I say it with all my heart and soul. I wish for all of you to truly know my love and appreciation, but mostly I wish for each of you to be fully aware that "Each day is a day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it." Amen.
P.S. - THINK ABOUT A CPR CLASS IF NOT TRAINED....IT SAVED MY LIVE AND YOU MAY SAVE ONE DOWN THE ROAD. THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS FOR THE CLASS. OUR OFFICE IS CURRENTLY USING CINTAS THROUGH KIRK MYER AT MyerK@Cintas.com/cell is 615-594-8393. He has gotten good reviews and is highly recommended.
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