Paul will be discharged from RIO soon and moved into a transitional living center.  He may stay in Portland.  He may move back east to be with his family.  It is hard to predict the future but he has a long road ahead.  The major damage to his head involves the right lobe of his brain.  In cases of right lobe damage, the patient has difficulty with attention, memory, organization, is unable to recognize social cues and often unaware of his limitations and deficits.  Paul sounds like himself and to those that do not know him well he may seem like he is recovering and back to his old self.  He is a brilliant man and is very adept at covering up his deficits.  His clinical caretakers are very concerned about him being safe therefore he requires 24/7 care for at least the short term.  Despite what some of you believe, we have been doing our best to support him.  Every day there are new piles of legal documents and insurance forms to complete and phone calls to make.  Witnessing his decline has taken its toll and emotions are raw.  It is now time to bid adieu to Caring Bridge and the pressure of always trying to post something positive and uplifting.  Thank you for all the hearts and well wishes.  Life isn't always meant to be easy--sometimes happy and othertimes rough.  We are all just trying to live and sometimes we need to find a new journey.  To all of our true friends please know that you have meant a lot with your words of support and encouragement.  I am sure we will cross paths again soon.  And with that I will leave you with a poem sent to me and Paul by close friends:

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me,
an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me,
an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me,
an invincible calm.

I realized, through it all, that...

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me,
an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy.  For it says that no matter how hard
the world pushes against me, within me, there's something
stronger--something better, pushing right back.

-Albert Camus