One Year Ago....

I came back to Kristi's blog today thinking that it would be my last. This is the one year anniversary of her illness. It was a beautiful sunny fall day and I went for a nice bike ride to enjoy it. I spent most of the ride reflecting on what I have learned about myself, my daughter, my family and my friends.

First an update on Kristi. She is doing great - a few minor unresolved issues but nothing that she won't work through. She still has very little feeling in her right foot and cannot lift her toes. As the body is a system, this is causing some issues that need attending to. We had an appointment to have the nerve tested to see if was still viable. We had been to two other doctors who were recommending surgery and who referred us to yet another doctor. Doctor #3 told us that he believed that the nerve was coming back, reminded Kristi of what a slow process it was, and told her in no uncertain terms "to get her fanny back to work". Too soon to talk about the surgery - wait at least another 6 months. YAHOO! With that said, he did not see any reason that she wouldn't ski this year. Huge smile on her face and a renewed commitment on her part. While the nerves do regenerate, the process is very slow - patience!

She is enrolled in school and is taking a full load. She is happy and enjoying being around her peers. She has made numerous new and fun friends. (Good thing because she was definitely sick of me) She also works at the winery a few days a week. Basically, just getting back to life.

Mark said to me today that I should write a final blog and close the and close the chapter on what has clearly been a very difficult year. With any hardship - survival is what we do - we learn and we become stronger as is clearly the case with me and my family.

So here is what I have learned; the power of the human spirit is immeasurable and in Kristi's case that is one of the reasons that she is still here. She defied all odds with amazing determination and positive energy and has proven herself as a force to reckon with. The power of prayer - there are not enough heartfelt thank yous to all that prayed for us and then for asking people who didn't even know us to pray for us. I know that Kristi's prayer chain must have circled the earth. I BELIEVE in the power of prayer and know that without it, Kristi may not be here. The power of love and friendship: I felt it every day and it filled me up so that I could face whatever challenge came my way. Thank you to our very dear (and thankfully, large) family who made sure that I was never alone and all of the wonderful friends who did the same. We are so blessed and touched. I know that I speak for Kristi, and all of her family when I say that we are changed forever - FOR THE BETTER!

Love to all of you and thank you for standing with us! Maybe one more blog - I think a family photo from the top of Sun Valley (our traditional Christmas trek) would be an appropriate last blog!



Thursday, August 19, 2010

I came back to Kristi's blog today thinking that it would be my last. This is the one year anniversary of her illness. It was a beautiful sunny fall day and I went for a nice bike ride to enjoy it. I spent most of the ride reflecting on what I have learned about myself, my daughter, my family and my friends.

First an update on Kristi. She is doing great - a few minor unresolved issues but nothing that she won't work through. She still has very little feeling in her right foot and cannot lift her toes. As the body is a system, this is causing some issues that need attending to. We had an appointment to have the nerve tested to see if was still viable. We had been to two other doctors who were recommending surgery and who referred us to yet another doctor. Doctor #3 told us that he believed that the nerve was coming back, reminded Kristi of what a slow process it was, and told her in no uncertain terms "to get her fanny back to work". To soon to talk about the surgery - wait at least another 6 months. YAHOO! With that said, he did not see any reason that she wouldn't ski this year. Huge smile on her face and a renewed commitment on her part. While the nerves do regenerate, the process is very slow - patience!

She is enrolled in school and is taking a full load. She is happy and enjoying being around her peers. She has made numerous new and fun friends. (Good thing because she was definitely sick of me) She also works at the winery a few days a week. Basically, just getting back to life.

Mark said to me today that I should write a final blog and close the chapter on what has clearly been a very difficult year. With any hardship - survival is what we do - we learn and we become stronger as is clearly the case with me and my family.

So here is what I have learned; The power of the human spirit is immeasurable and in Kristi's case that is one of the reasons that she is still here. She defied all odds with amazing determination and positive energy and has proven herself as a force to