July 28th, 2007
Wow I don’t even know where to place my emotions today. One year ago today I got the call that Bryan had been injured. That phone call still resonates in my ears. I can hear it like I am hearing it again for the first time. I was so happy to wake up in his arms today. We still don’t know exactly what is going to happen in our lives but we have a direction. Bryan is doing so well walking and getting around. He is still in pain and we were hoping he would be off the narcotics by now but I guess it will come later. I am so thankful that he is alive and after being here a year we are so thankful that he has his legs. I have a vast array of feelings today from happiness, to sadness, to an overwhelming urge to cry, to relieved that there is an end in sight. We have been so much in the past year that most days I am not sure how we got through it. Today is about celebration, today is about love, and today is one of the best days of my life. I had a painting made for Bryan from the girl who lived upstairs. It came yesterday and it exceeded my expectations. She did an excellent job of capturing the flag and the Purple Heart medal. In an artistic sense it somewhat explains what we have been through and the sacrifice that he has made. It is beautiful and he loved it as well.
Our cousins sent Bryan a bonsai tree for his Alive Day. They have been so kind and generous to us through this. They were always sending packages to Bryan in Iraq. They would spend their own money and time to send a few comforts of home. They are so lovable.
L and P and the triplets sent Bryan a calla Lilly for his alive day. It was so sweet of them to send that as P was there in the first few hours after Bryan’s injury. He reassured me that he would be ok and it was such a blessing that he was there. They said that the flower represented life and now Bryan has a new life. Not necessarily a worse life just a different adapted life.
My parents and Bryan’s parents flew in for this day so it has made it even more special. We had a cookout here at the house. Bryan’s soldier N and his wife were not able to make it as they were home on leave but D and H came. These two people have been huge influences on our time here. D has been a great friend and we are so happy to have met him and been through this journey with him. H is an occupational therapist that does all the trips that has changed our lives at Walter Reed. He has given Bryan the chance to get back a piece of his life that he thought he would never get back. He took us to Key West so that Bryan could ride a bike again and he took us skiing as well. I know he has been an influential part of Bryan’s recovery.
Today has been a great day and Bryan has shown me how he appreciates me and I appreciate him as well. We both have gratefulness in our hearts.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Highs
July 27th, 2007
Today Bryan showed up after his appointments at the hospital with flowers for me and cards for my mom and his parents. It was so kind of him to think of us for his alive day. My card said “I am unbelievably lucky to have you in my life. I think the sweetest thing that can happen to anyone is to meet that one special person who makes you feel like you’re living a dream come true. That’s what this is like for me. It’s like that with every smile every touch, every memory we make. When almost every day we have together is the kind you don’t want to end…that’s when you know. That’s when love is real, and it’s when you realize what a treasure you’re holding on to. Every time we’re together, just doing all the things that lovers and best friends and dreamers do, I keep falling in love with you…over and over again. I could spend forever doing this…and I hope you know how thankful I am for all the incredibly precious things…you bring to my life. I love you so much. Even through the hard times I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love you and could not have made it through this without you. Love Bryan”
Today Bryan showed up after his appointments at the hospital with flowers for me and cards for my mom and his parents. It was so kind of him to think of us for his alive day. My card said “I am unbelievably lucky to have you in my life. I think the sweetest thing that can happen to anyone is to meet that one special person who makes you feel like you’re living a dream come true. That’s what this is like for me. It’s like that with every smile every touch, every memory we make. When almost every day we have together is the kind you don’t want to end…that’s when you know. That’s when love is real, and it’s when you realize what a treasure you’re holding on to. Every time we’re together, just doing all the things that lovers and best friends and dreamers do, I keep falling in love with you…over and over again. I could spend forever doing this…and I hope you know how thankful I am for all the incredibly precious things…you bring to my life. I love you so much. Even through the hard times I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love you and could not have made it through this without you. Love Bryan”
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Hitch in the Plan
July 25, 2007
Today Bryan found out that his case manager was trying not to sign off on his convalescent leave form. He kept giving him excuses as to why he wouldn’t sign it and Bryan got the feeling that he wasn’t going to sign it because he didn’t feel it was right. Therefore Bryan being the strong advocator for his case that he is went to see the commander and explained the situation. He was totally on board with Bryan taking leave and working his other job. As long as he was able to come to Walter Reed within 24 hours he didn’t see a problem with it. He said he would be more than willing to sign it when the other signatures are there. Apparently the case manager only explained part of the situation with the commander so the commander said he would not sign it. Since Bryan was also on a roll he decided to tell him about our non-medical situation. He was appalled and said he would take care of if he brought him the documentation that we have gathered thus far. I am so tired of fighting the government. They promised me that they would not only take care of my husband but also take care of me. I did have to quit my job and they were supposed to make up for the difference since I had to move our family to D.C. They have yet to take care of me like they said just because we were assigned here.
Today Bryan found out that his case manager was trying not to sign off on his convalescent leave form. He kept giving him excuses as to why he wouldn’t sign it and Bryan got the feeling that he wasn’t going to sign it because he didn’t feel it was right. Therefore Bryan being the strong advocator for his case that he is went to see the commander and explained the situation. He was totally on board with Bryan taking leave and working his other job. As long as he was able to come to Walter Reed within 24 hours he didn’t see a problem with it. He said he would be more than willing to sign it when the other signatures are there. Apparently the case manager only explained part of the situation with the commander so the commander said he would not sign it. Since Bryan was also on a roll he decided to tell him about our non-medical situation. He was appalled and said he would take care of if he brought him the documentation that we have gathered thus far. I am so tired of fighting the government. They promised me that they would not only take care of my husband but also take care of me. I did have to quit my job and they were supposed to make up for the difference since I had to move our family to D.C. They have yet to take care of me like they said just because we were assigned here.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
New Job New Beginning?
July 1, 2007
Well this weekend has been interesting. We talked to my mom's friend on Friday and her son's boss wants to offer Bryan a job making really good money for the area after the 3 month probationary period. That is excellent news! He would also be working directly under my mom's friends son which is great since he is a family friend and can directly watch over Bryan. He needs a little watching over now and then with his TBI. However there is a catch (as always) he would have to start the job in 5 weeks and he would be working second shift from 2-10 p.m. This of course causes more stress because I don’t think there is any way that he can medically board in 5 weeks its almost impossible as he still have appointments scheduled until the first week of August.
Also I would have to tell the jobs I am at now that I would be leaving and I don’t really want to leave until Bryan comes with me. If he can’t medically board that soon then we would try to take continuous convalescent leave until he is medically boarded so that he can complete his last few appointments until he is done. I pray that this works out because it is a great opportunity and we love Knoxville. Bryan is very stressed out because he wants the job he is just worried about how to make it happen. This seems like God is on our side and looking out for us it’s just bad timing. I wish there was an easy way to get out of here.
Well this weekend has been interesting. We talked to my mom's friend on Friday and her son's boss wants to offer Bryan a job making really good money for the area after the 3 month probationary period. That is excellent news! He would also be working directly under my mom's friends son which is great since he is a family friend and can directly watch over Bryan. He needs a little watching over now and then with his TBI. However there is a catch (as always) he would have to start the job in 5 weeks and he would be working second shift from 2-10 p.m. This of course causes more stress because I don’t think there is any way that he can medically board in 5 weeks its almost impossible as he still have appointments scheduled until the first week of August.
Also I would have to tell the jobs I am at now that I would be leaving and I don’t really want to leave until Bryan comes with me. If he can’t medically board that soon then we would try to take continuous convalescent leave until he is medically boarded so that he can complete his last few appointments until he is done. I pray that this works out because it is a great opportunity and we love Knoxville. Bryan is very stressed out because he wants the job he is just worried about how to make it happen. This seems like God is on our side and looking out for us it’s just bad timing. I wish there was an easy way to get out of here.
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