Cole’s gushers did not stop as they should have. And as a result we ended up having to take him to the ER Tuesday night where the ophthalmologist met us. The doctor pressure patched the worst offender, Cole’s best eye for vision, and I removed the patch this morning. So far so good…no geysers today! On top of that stressful scenario, I continue to suffer with a migraine, which is why I haven’t been able to write my promised post. The doctor told me I suffer from “emotional stress”.
…you think?
I will continue at another time. Your prayers for Cole and I are most welcome!
First you need to know that I must be absolutely the most crazy person I know. I mean, as if life isn’t difficult enough with just the every day reality in which I live, but to bring a dog along in the mix is just outrageously nuts!!! I have discussed more dog parks with strangers than I can count and keep track of. I am, in addition to assisting my son in his treatments and out, wrangling a ‘she wolf’. So much so that my other non-broken fingers are trembling with fear every time I have to put on and take off Piper’s chain collar–the culprit of my first broken appendage. But it is now Wednesday and I am happy to report that I, and my digits, are surviving. What, you want to talk about Cole? Cole who? Did you not come to this place to read only about me?! Isn’t this blog, after all, called “BentRivka”???
Ok, ok, I get it, Cole is the star of this story. So to him I turn my focus…
Cole is, hands down, one of the strongest people I know. He has a tolerance that puts me (and many others quite frankly) to shame. He is working out with needles all over his head, and sometimes face, for 3 hours straight. I have taken a photo of him today on the exercise bicycle. While on the bike he is working on coordination for his left leg, as well as his ability to balance. To work on balance, he puts his arms in different positions while cycling with his legs. This exercise is quite easy for me to do (and probably most of you), which just goes to show how much of Cole’s physical abilities have been robbed.
Now regarding what we are seeing with the acupuncture this week. Here is my analogy of the situation as a whole. Let’s imagine we are on a hike and our first leg of the trail involves a steep incline, this means we reach the top quickly. Then, while still ascending, our next hill is a more gradual incline thus the top is reached at a slower pace. You probably get the picture by now…the first week of treatment the results were phenomenal, immediate, and miraculous. This week, while Cole is most definitely still progressing & miracles still abound, the results are more gradual and therefore perceived more slowly. But be assured, progress is still the course. In this you can most definitely rely because it has been an exceptionally trying week for me (see first paragraph, and read between the lines), and if progress was not happening, I can promise you I would be sleeping in my own bed this very night instead of spending another night in our little dumpy hotel (though I love the staff).
One more thing…when I am struggling with a low disposition, I think on the Lord and His goodness. I focus on the MANY aspects of life for which I am grateful, AND I count the blessings of, not just my little world, but of the entire world. When I do this, my spirit soars. And when my spirit is soaring I can honestly say, “You’ve got me feeling so fly!”.
I am sitting here at my home computer. Yes, home. Cole and I have returned safely. And although Piper went for an accidental swim one night in our absence, and though I had to rush Buddy (our little chihuahua/terrier) to the Vet Clinic last night because Piper saw fit to take a bite out of his neck and ear, for the most part the house is in order. So here I sit in luxury with a portable heater to keep my feet and exposed ankles warm, coupled with ‘Rachmaninoff fan radio’ streaming from Pandora’s box. Brian is in his 7p.m. position on the couch (eyes closed), Cole is finishing his dinner, and Esther is off yonder-armed with a new driver’s license and a willing accomplice…her vehicle. And today I have decided it would be a blatant injustice to not return Cole to San Jose for another week of intensified treatment. Brian agrees. Cole is on the fence–for two reasons only.
He doesn’t want to be away from Piper for another week.
The treatment is a lot of work, and it’s exhausting.
I guess the treatment, for Cole, is akin to having hemorrhoids post childbirth. After birth, you have in your life a new bundle of joy, with hopes and promises for the future. Yet the whole process of bearing-down has left you with a sore anal sphincter. But does the memory of the pain override your biological nature, and keep you from further pro-creation? Of course not–at least not from the act of trying! 🙂 I know, I know…Cole wouldn’t describe his comprehensive acupuncture treatment using the same metaphorical approach as I have, but I’m sure the women reading this will get it!
The photos I am including in this post showcase more of the facility, as well as Dr. Moyee working alongside Cole by massaging and exercising the muscles in his face and eyes that have lay dormant these past 8 months. The fact that they are waking up and showing signs of new life are so exciting! He can feel his face, he can feel his foot, he can move his eye balls left and almost right. I cannot ignore this renaissance!! Nor can Brian (and in truth, nor can Cole). Even his physical therapist today said she noticed an improved coordination on his left side–the side effected by his stroke incident! There is also a photo of Dr. Moyee guiding Cole on his balance and gait. To not return to the same intensive, hands on, comprehensive care, I feel would NOT be a prudent decision. …one more week, Cole, one more week!
The photo of the ‘Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’ is just an added bonus–our prelude before the Grapevine. It kind of reminds me of what an actual hemorrhoid looks like, so its placement here is appropriate, though the reasoning not so much… What can I say, things in life seem to always point me toward some kind of hole! 🙂
"I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal."
-Jane Austin
"Me lo han quitado todo
-bueno, casi todo-
porque me queda la sonrisa
el orgullo de sentirme un hombre libre
y en el alma un jardín
de eterna florecitas."
-Armando Valladares 1981, La Mejor Tinta
My title is deceiving. It implies I am in the market for a new daughter. This is not the case…I assure you. And though this post has nothing to do with shopping for a child, it does involve the parent-child dynamic. Are you surprised? Have I not overused this topic already? I will answer for […]
living in loss and gratitude 
The Noise