I heart Nike

Did I tell you that I love Nike?  Yes, I've always like their shoes.  I have kind of....resented Chris' devotion to the company over the last 4 years, but most people don't realize that this started a long time ago.  I remember going to buy shoes as newlyweds and trying on reeboks.  Chris told me that his Nikes last him forever and the only pair of reeboks that he had fell apart within a month.  That is where it all began.  

Fast forward to now.  Nike has been an amazing company to work for. (Yes, I don't work for them, but when Chris is happy, I feel like they have been amazing to me)  With the family friendly environment that they foster, Chris has been more involved in our day to day activities while working at Nike.  He babysits for all of my doctor appointments, sometimes taking the kids himself.  He takes the girls to piano every Monday morning, which has been a bonding time for them and a great stress taken off of my shoulders.  None of these things would have been ok with his past employers.  So they are great, but why the increased love of all things with a swoosh?    It all started on September 15th.  The day after Chris' stroke.

As soon as the word was out, we were surrounded by their support.  Yes, it was the people, not the company, that showed us so much love.  But I just don't know how to separate the two.  All of the lunchtime visits from coworkers.  All of the phone calls and support from Human Resources.  The flowers, the gift baskets, the cards.  But then the biggies.  The things that are amazing friends, amazing people and just an amazing company.  The month of dinners from Dream Dinners blew me over. (which are so delicious, by the way!)  Now Nike has done it again.  These amazing friends and this amazing company are putting together this amazing (have I used the word amazing enough yet?) landscaping project in our backyard on November 15th.  Being in a new house, our backyard is clay nothingness.  Not so great for kids that want to play, not so great for our HOA's deadlines for installation and not so great for Chris to be walking in, much less landscaping. 

Some friends from work came to us with a few ideas to coordinate the kindness overflowing from Nike.  When they mentioned landscaping, I told them that grass would be great just because it would fulfill the HOA requirements and we could add stuff later.  Next thing I know, we are hearing things like port-a-potties, slate patio, trees and other things that make me feel very grateful, but very overwhelmed with that gratitude.  They are talking food tents and lots of people working in the rain.  Wow.  Did I say amazing yet?   When they do something, they do it big.  I just am so grateful that not only does Chris work for a company that is supporting him through this recovery and VERY emotionally trying time, but that he works for a company that is full of compassionate people.   So this is one of the many things that makes me heart nike.  

What goes down must come up

Okay, it is a little backwards, but tonight Chris was able to lift his ankle.  He can move it down and move it right back up.  So very important for walking.  Yeah!  

Can I just tell you how much respect I have for Chris?  The guy just doesn't give up.  We have decided to have Chris eat one meal a day with his right hand. (Thanks, Betsy!)  He was able to grip a spoon yesterday and was already to try this out at breakfast time.  He was hungry.  We got out the big handled spoon and the handy bowl that won't slide around.  (Which Elise was positive was HER bowl)  For some reason, he couldn't get his hand to make a fist this morning.  I am a little new at this, but we tried a few different positions, yet there was still not enough of a fist to hold onto the spoon.  After a few tries and him reminding me that he was quite hungry, I reminded him that we could do the right handed meal for lunch or dinner.  Maybe the grip would come back later in the day, right?  Nope.  This would not do for Chris.  The same guy that sat on the couch for an hour trying to lift his ankle would not give up.  Once Lilly woke up, I went to the other room to get her.  I could hear him say "Two bites!"  Every five minutes or so I would hear him add another tally.  It took him an hour to eat his breakfast with his right hand, but he conquered.  I would have switched to my other hand 10 minutes into it.  Not Chris.  And this is why his neurologist is wrong.  He doesn't realized that Chris isn't going to accept a 95% recovery.  He will spend every waking minute working until he is 100%.  Just wait and see, Doc.  This guy has determination.

How time flies

It has now been a month since this whole saga begin.  Today a month since we brought Chris into the hospital and tomorrow a month since he had the full on stroke.  The way I can remember this and not remember any appointments we make?  Tomorrow, Lilly is 6 months old.  Wow!  And I remember being in the hospital as this was all taking place, with everyone asking me how old she was, and saying, "Oh! She is 5 months old today!  Chris, you shouldn't be having a stroke when your daughter is 5 months old!"  So, a month later.  Where are we now?

In therapy. That is the short of it.  I have to say that today I feel more in control of everything than I have before.  We met with a good friend whose daughter has cerebral palsy and worked on a different type of therapy (Conductive Education) that basically works your brain more than the muscles.  Making a long story short, she is helping us do exercises that work Chris' right hand instead of teaching him how to do things with his left hand.  

With it being a month since all of this craziness began, I want to thank all of you for your help.  Thank you for visiting Chris and for keeping his spirits up.  Thank you for supporting us and the family, in matters practical and spiritual.  Thank you for reminding me that we are surrounded by such wonderful, caring people who have good hearts.  I would definitely be in a nut house if I didn't have all of you out there helping us through this.  The last month has been a month of growth for our whole family, but it is really just the beginning.  We have a long road ahead of us, but I really feel like all of you are just carrying us down the road.  Or...giving us a ride in a cushy car.  Thank you for all that you have done.  You Oregonians rock. (And those of you outside of Oregon, I guess!)

Chris' first day of school

The first day of "school" for Chris. :)  Each day, he has speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. 

 The speech therapist was very encouraging, telling him that she sees him getting back to normal with his speech.  She said we will probably see a big difference just in the next week.  He can say all of his sounds, but he has to talk slowly right now.  

The occupational therapist teaches him how to do those things like getting dressed, brushing his teeth, typing....daily tasks.  He said that as much as it is important for him to learn how to do everyday tasks, the real benefit is that it is normally through doing these tasks that your brain reconnects.  He said that Chris has the ability to move his arm and his leg, but his brain's wiring is messed up from the stroke.

The physical therapist helped Chris walk and they worked on his arm a little.  She said that he will only stay there for about 7-10 days because they basically get them to a point where they can go home safely so he can do the rest of his rehab from home.  She suggested getting our room downstairs ready for him, which will keep us busy for....7-10 days. :)  Move craft stuff upstairs, get a mattress for him....

Overall, it was a very exciting day because the therapists at the rehab center are quite informative and we feel like we are getting some more answers.  I think Chris' darkest day was when they weren't telling him what to expect with regaining use of his arm.  When you are in bed all day, your mind starts imagining all of the things that could go wrong.  Not good. :)

Making life interesting

I have decided to try to do our Chris updates via blog because it will be easier and then I won't have to worry about missing people when I send out my e-mails.  (And you can opt out if you don't want to hear every detail, right?)

Today was....interesting.  We found out that as long as the cardiology side goes ok, Chris will be discharged on Friday or Saturday.  Hopefully, he will be sent to a inpatient rehabilitation clinic in Portland. (Not everything is settled, but this is what will most likely happen.)  This will allow him to work, work, work and get better quickly.  Once again, this is good and bad.  He will be further away and a little bit less accessible for the girls and me.  BUT he will be working hard and getting better!

Autumn got her braces put on and came to hang out with Chris a little.  She was a cheerful spirit to have around.  She gave him some good cuddling and then had some thumb wars with him.  Chris enjoyed seeing Autumn's pink and blue braces....and really just being part of one of those everyday things that don't seem so exciting until you are missing them all.

Chris is being put through all sorts of tests to figure out why he has such high blood pressure at age 32.  They are looking at his kidneys for some of those answers, so keep your fingers crossed.   Until then, the nagging wife is ruining Chris' life with a low cholesterol  and low sodium diet.

Today was a little frustrating for Chris, since he does have a little bit of an impatient streak in him.  He has never been one to wait, which is why he is very frustrated that things aren't getting better already.  His right arm is the most discouraging since he feels as if it isn't responding to anything he does.  He can move his arm, but his shoulder is doing all of the work.  I have been trying to remind him that we are only three days into our recovery!  

He was able to walk (with his geriatric walker, as he calls it) into the hall today.  This was done, of course, sporting the swoosh and a brace on his right leg.  The funniest part of the day?  When the physical therapist suggested he buy "any cheap shoe" in a larger size for therapy.  I kindly let her know just who she was talking to and within a few hours, Jake had brought over some bigger Nikes for his afternoon therapy.   

Today has been full of people visiting Chris, helping with the homefront, sending well wishes and flowers and just being great friends.  Thank you everyone for your thoughts and friendship.  Chris loves hearing all of the messages as I pass them on.  Thank you!  I'll try to have some pictures for the next post. :)