Three hundred and sixty six days after a rainy day in San Francisco, it is a new beginning. In case I am the only person of the Jewish faith in your life, it is also a brand new year followed by a day of atonement. The past falls away as leaves from the world that breathes us in order to embrace a sweet and life giving future. There is a brand new journal by Constanceapos;s bed side and she would smiling tell me to write in it that Walt Whitman would agree with her that I am no poet. We will share quite the chortle over this tomorrow as she will read this journal entry with the help of her glasses and some slick magnification devices.
So, it sure has been an interesting interlude. I look forward to the film production version, and am quivering with anticipation as to how close to reality it actually will be. I will try not to give too many spoilers in the forthcoming theatrical trailer. I realize that our consumption of luxury theater visits might have to be cut back due to the fiscal crisis brought about by Joe the Plumber, so I pray the following update will quell the thirst for entertaining and wonderful developments on local events.
Constance has completed her therapy at Braintree Rehabilitation and has happily returned to her home, Scenic Newport. Scenic Newport, as seen in such novels as
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and such films as
The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford. Scenic Newport, which retreats into the mists and fog of Aquidneck Island as the ancient island of Avalon. Scenic Newport, as seen in Family Guy. Scenic Newport... Actually, Constance is at the The Grand Islander in Middletown, but at least she is in Newport County. This lovely, wonderful, and quite amazing long term care facility (i.e. Nursing Home) is providing more and better care than anyone close to Constance could have ever expected. Even Constance herself. She has acclimated quite well to her new digs, and has risen to Most Popular Blonde in residence.
Constanceapos;s therapy regiment has not been slackened with her transition out of acute rehab. Though her treatment has been modified, it is more focused on building core strength and basic control. She is maintaining an average of three hours of therapy a day, five days a week. Her new physical and occupational therapists are an amazing team. Kevin and Todd, I must give you both the proverbial "shout out" as I am conscious of your presences in my thought. I canapos;t possibly leave out Anne. ::Waves:: This fabulous team is making astounding progress with Constance in some basic fundamentals that will prepare Constance for the journey into the community (more on this to follow). She is building her trunk control to combat her exaggerated movements (ataxia) and can now pull herself up and down on the parallel bars without assistance. Her control of walking with a walker (I just need to interject and say I cannot stand the redundancy of that phrase and yet cannot escape it) is continually improving, and she is down to one skilled person assisting her most of the time. This is very large progress and Constance has worked incredibly hard to get this far in just a few months. And the physical aspect is one of the hardest parts.
Constanceapos;s mouth is getting bigger, however, and better. Hehehe, get the joke? With a recent injection of the Botox, Consey is wrinkle-free and has more open jaws of steel. In fact, they are so open that she is eating her three square meals a day. Oh yes, she is a Ravenous Bugblatter beast Of Traal. (We are currently reading
The Hitchhikerapos;s Guide to the Galaxy as well.) Constance has moved far beyond Godiva therapy and feeding tubes. We also hope the tube itself will be coming out soon. Now, when I say Consey is eating I mean that she is feeding herself. She has these bad-ass handlebar utensils that would be deadly with a ginsu attachment She also handles her own cup with beverage of choice and can both acquire and eat her cake.
Constance and I, along with some friends play Wii on many occasions. Constance has just started
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and has hit over four home runs in the new Mario baseball game. Oh, and she can stand on the Wii Fit solo. We have begun having many sing-a longs, and she can even snap. Her memory is amazing, as she remembers words to songs she hasnapos;t heard in over a year, quotes from movies, and specific details that are lost to me. She is also quite gabby on the telephone. (I will post again with the contact/ mail info at a later time.)
It has been a remarkable improvement to Constanceapos;s entire being to have returned to her home. She is seeing many more people that she knows and loves, as well as has access to little Rhodyapos;s salty air. Not to mention, this facility allows Miaka to visit in the room That is correct, Constance can even have her baby snuggle in bed with her. Unfortunately, Miaka rarely sits still long enough for Consey to squeeze.
Lastly, Constance is much more aware of herself and the work she is doing. It is hard and painful, but she is determined. She has a burning fire lighting her progress towards getting into her own home. She wants to be free and is propelling herself towards that light as fast as her body, mind, and soul will allow. And that trinity is allowing quite a lot. I feel blessed to be in the presence of such a continuing miracle, and she fuels my faith and love to her every day.
Thank you,
Matthew
(P.S. Constance is registered to vote and will have a Rhode Island official come to her on election day to help her fill out her absentee ballot. She is an Obama Mama, and is very excited to be such an active participant in a process manifesting freedom. She is actualizing what progress towards freedom is, and I can only appreciate the beauty in such an observation.)
frank tiller, frank tillapaugh, frank till, frank tiggelaar.
