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| Susan Vandenberg Reynar |
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| Hello classmates, Life continues to be full of SURPRISES - both difficult and pleasant. it was a surprise when... - My mom completed a medical assessment and could not return to our home where she had been living for just over a year. She has Lewy Bodies Dementia. She moved into Tobia's home for three months while she waited for a long term care. (Feb - Apr). Tobia and her family lived across the park from us. - Dad died within a week after developing pneumonia (Feb 21) - one of the hardest weeks of my life! I was so glad that Tobia and her family were in Olds for a one year home leave. They returned to Macau Sept 1. - Monica (John's wife) and her fiance flew my sister's family of 5 and my 2 girls and I to Toronto for her wedding (April 2). What a BLAST! her husband is a wonderful addition to the family! - Rod's spinal cord stimulator quit a SECOND time due to a malfunction in the receiver implant in his hip (April 19). Unbelievable - even for the company who made the system!! - His doctor in Denver Colorado could not see him for two months even with high doses of morphine - MS contin - 4,000 mg/day Rod could not get out of bed!! (April 19 - June 16). Required high endurance. - My mom was admitted into a long term care facility one hour away from us and she ended up in the room where my dad had lived for 3 months (April 20). It was so hard to let her go. - My Tante Tobia offered to fly my sister and I to Holland for a rejuvenating break (May 27 - June 4). What a dream come true !! - Rod and I flew to Denver Colorado to see his doctor and ended up staying in a hotel one block away from Larry Garlick's house. I never thought we would be neighbours again, Larry !! It was great to reconnect !! (June 15 - 28) But I consider the following a MIRACLE... We went to Denver expecting that Rod's surgery would replace the technology he had been using for 5 years - knowing it's limitations. But 24 hours after we had the initial doctor's consultation, Rod's doctor called us at the hotel to say that they had : 1) secured FDA approval on a research basis to implant new technology that he would otherwise have to wait for 2 years for,, 2) they had approval from Alberta government health insurance, and 3) they had approval from the company and a technician was flying out from LA to be present at Rod's surgery on Monday. THAT IS MIRACULOUS -- beyond human arrangement. We were stunned. The surgery went well - beyond their expectations. Rod became the first person in the world to have the two superior compopnents from two different companies linked up in his body. The result was astounding to everyone. Rod now has the freedom to participate in more family actitivities, pursue personal interests again like reading, writing and cooking gourmet meals. He can walk more around the house and travel longer in the car without his pain levels escalating out of control. The boundaries on his life have changed dramatically. He is not cured, but his pain is managed/masked more effectively. He is still learning how to respect these new boundaries. But as a result of this technology, we have had opportunities to be a family in ways we have not experienced for 7 years. The company even came up from LA to film Rod for a documentary. After the last 7 years, I could say that nothing surprises me anymore...but that would take the gift out of life... So I delight in being surprised... One insight that has helped me tremendously is to see every event and interactional as a GIFT rather than being attached to an EXPECTATION. When I run in the morning - it is a gift to myself rather than an expectation on myself. When Rod cooks a meal for us it is a gift for us rather than an expectation of him... When my kids give us hugs, it is a gift. When someone comes to the front door to visit, it is a gift...etc. And life continues to be full of SURPRISES: - My Mom moved back to Olds Care Centre on June 19 and is now only a 2 minute drive from our home. - I got the job as administrative assistant at our church - 10 hours/week (started in July). - Joya, our 8 year old, started violin lessons and is actually doing very well. - Anika, our 11 year old, is excelling in school and leadership opportunities. - Rod suggested we save up for a trip to Holland. A year ago, he said he would not travel again. - Max, an umbrella cockatoo joined our menagerie of pets and is quite like having a pet monkey!! - Our kids can see and talk via web cam with their cousins in Macau who they miss very much. My wish for you is that GIFT of LIFE itself will hold pleasasnt surprises - even MIRACLES!! I am looking forward to reading your letters!! Susan |
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