It’s the weekend of Thanksgiving and it seems a rather appropriate time to post our closing journal entry. 

 

21 years ago, we met Eric for the first time on Thanksgiving Day in Santiago, Chile. Each year on this holiday we say a special prayer of Thanksgiving for the gift of Eric’s life and his presence in our family. This year we have said an extra special prayer of Thanksgiving for his return to health and for his life.  He is at home with us for another few months as he works towards independence again. He has strengthening exercises to work on and a continuation of improving endurance through cardiovascular work (walking primarily). All sternal precautions will be lifted December 1 which will allow him to be more rigorous in his exercise. 

 

Due to damage to the cranial nerve that serves his left vocal cord, he continues to have a very hoarse voice. Therefore he will have a procedure December 3 to help this problem. No other procedures are planned at this point.

 

We thank all of you for your continued prayers of support.  We look back on the past 5 months (and especially the 8 weeks he was in the hospital) and are extremely aware of how much those prayers helped us.  The food provided, the cards, the gift cards to restaurants, the hospital visits, the phone calls and texts, the help with Louie walks, the many many prayers and Caring bridge messages and so much more, provided the hope and encouragement we needed to get through each day.  Please know we will be eternally grateful for all of you for many years to come.

- Paul and Terri