Hello Family and Friends,

Six weeks after Steven’s cardiac arrest, our family continues to be amazed and gratified by the progress that he is making as he walks this path of recovery.  Catherine walks faithfully beside him. This time is not without challenges, but it seems the good vibes of the present outweigh fears for the future. 

During the last two weeks, Steven began his neurological rehab therapy at Sheltering Arms. His assessment, overall, was positive. His therapist sees progress from one visit to the next. Catherine received concrete actions that she can present to Steven in everyday life: shopping lists to negotiate, cooking tasks, and personal care — all the business of living day-to-day.  All of these things are designed to assess and heal Steven’s brain. 

Sheltering Arms also recommended Steven be evaluated by a neuropsychologist, but cautioned it may take months to get an appointment. Catherine, who is Steven’s fiercest recovery advocate, lobbied hard with all the health care providers who could make this happen sooner, and an appointment is already on the books for September! (Even though now, there is a question on whether he will really need this — progress is happening that fast!) 

On the physical side, they returned to the scene of crisis care — the hospital — for a follow-up visit with the surgeon who installed Steven’s defibrillator (his tuna can!). The doc greeted Catherine with, “Well, there’s our Rock Star!”, remembering the life-saving CPR she performed during the eternity of waiting for help to arrive. Steven was cleared for a year. Physical recovery will be complete. He is young, healthy, and life can now stretch out before him.  A follow-up visit with his cardiologist is scheduled in the coming month, as this long-term relationship is just beginning. 

Along with managing the tasks of everyday life, Catherine juggles viewing overwhelming medical statements, contradictory information from the sources of those statements, and the steps to get these things sorted out. She’s learning to take a breath, and understand this part is a process also, along with Steven’s recovery. It all takes a great deal of time and energy. She is strong and resilient. We love her so. 

Catherine is fast approaching the time when she will return to work from her extended leave of absence. This will be another transition. She’s been so bolstered by all the support they have received, she knows they will weather this transition as well. There is every reason to believe also, that one day Steven will return to work.  

Friends, while we must remember that all we have in this world is today, we are grateful that the future is possible and is becoming clearer for Steven and Catherine.  We hold them close in our hearts, and we thank you for holding them also in yours.