An Update as of 8-30-13

One year ago today, Bob slept late – which is usual for him. The day before, he had been so tired that he fell asleep while we were stopped at a stoplight while driving home from a workshop we’d given. So I was glad he was getting a little extra sleep. By 9:00 AM, however, I began to worry a little and decided to check on him. So I made him some tea and grabbed the newspaper to take in to him. I found him already up and standing in the bathroom. I offered him his tea but he refused to take the cup, saying that he felt strange and unsteady and that was afraid he might drop it.  

Little did we realize the terrifying and mysterious adventure that was about to begin. How could we know that that cup of tea would play a starring role in saving his life. As Bob carried his tea and paper to the kitchen, he must have felt something coming on. He bent to set that cup gently on the floor just before he began to seize. Because he was already so low to the ground, he slid down those stairs, rather than tumbling down from a standing position which could resulted in much more serious injuries.  

We could not have anticipated, on that bright sunny morning, that just two days later Bob would pass a terrifying night in which his breathing and heart would stop five times. We would never have guessed that he would soon have to be put into a medically-induced coma, and that he would end up teetering for days on the brink between life and death for three long weeks. And certainly we could not have seen the mysterious power of God played out in small serendipities and amazing convergences that have surprised and delighted us throughout this year.

I find myself with a jumble of many emotions as I reflect on the past year. The most prominent emotion, of course, is gratitude: gratitude for the gift of life, gratitude that we have each other as well as our children, and gratitude for all the ways that we have been cared for and held in prayer by such a large and amazing circle of family and friends. We are grateful for the doctors and nurses whose knowledge and skill has directed the course of this healing journey, as well as for all of the medical technicians who have run respirators and MRI machines, checked blood work, and administered all of the myriad tasks it has taken to keep Bob alive. It is truly awe-inspiring to remember and to celebrate all of the people who have contributed to Bob’s progress back to health. For each of you, we give thanks.  

I also feel a measure of concern.  Ten weeks into our 12-week experiment of aggressive immune suppression from the Mayo Clinic, Bob’s progress is modest. Bob continues to have one or two small seizures almost every day. Yesterday, he had three. Although these seizures have mostly diminished in intensity, there are still occasional bouts when they become more severe, especially when Bob gets engaged in something he cares about and overdoes it. After a lifetime of pushing through feelings of fatigue to accomplish many amazing things, including running more than 40 marathons or writing his weekly newsletter, it is hard now for Bob to develop a regular pattern of rest and recovery or to pull back and rest when he’s feeling tired. 

We head back to the Mayo Clinic on September 15 and we would ask for your prayers for the wisdom for our doctors as they make the decisions that will continue to guide Bob on a path that will we hope will lead to a full recovery.

For now, we are ready to celebrate! We are throwing a “Happy to Be Alive” party at our house this Sunday afternoon, September 1, from 3-8 PM. If you are nearby, we’d love to have you stop in and say hello. We are truly happy to alive! 

-Megan