Lots to write about. I will try to focus on David and how he is doing and keep the travel related stuff to a minimum except as it relates to David’s progress.
At last report we were pretty high on the stress-o-meter leading up to Christmas at the store and leaving for our trip. Some times David gives me a hard time for over-planning things but with perfect organization we managed to finish up the Christmas season, go to mass on Christmas eve, drive the rented car at 2 in the morning up to SFO to get on our 6 am flight with all the luggage, carry-on, the wheelchair, etc. David did great on the flight(s) and the rushing from gate to gate in both Chicago and Washington, DC. Great exercise for me too! We are lucky to have the opportunity to use miles for our trip and not have to fly Economy since otherwise I think it would really have been horrible!
A big scare on the airplane though, since the menu said the soup for dinner was artichoke bisque and instead they served seafood bisque. Luckily I had David’s antidote with me and we avoided a real disaster. United already has an earful from me by email. Other than that the trip went without a hitch and we arrived at the apartment around 8 am on Saturday just as planned. Whew!
Starting with the good news, David walked from the apartment to our favorite Italian restaurant (about 4 blocks in the rain) and back tonight. No wheelchair. It was not really fast, but it was a nice night out. This is especially good news since night before last we were in the emergency room all night after David’s first (and hopefully last ever) seizure. The doctors told me he may be susceptible to seizures after the stroke, but he had never had one. It was SCARY watching him flop around in the chair unconscious and foaming at the mouth. One minute everything was fine and then it was as though he was being electrocuted. I was here with him by myself and there he was unresponsive and stiff as a board. And in case you need to know, 9-1-1 is not that in Paris, its 1-5! The emergency doctors that came to the house were great and the hospital staff was too (with a few exceptions but one has to remember that the actual staff is on strike this week and these were the stand-ins, how very French).
For those of you that have been to our little apartment in Paris, you know it barely is big enough for the two of us, think of it with one doctor, two nurses, four firemen, Jean, and myself.
David is still resting most of the time while I take advantage of the time to get my work done online to my office in New York. He is really happy to be back in Paris, since he thought he may never get back here ever again.
More in a few days after New Years!
Drew
Thanks so much for this update. I was wondering about y’all. Maybe these little incidents are now out of the way and you can really enjoy your trip.
Hi David, hi Drew. It’s Cathy (Babcock) Miller. I don’t know if you guys are still in Paris or back home by now but David, I hope you’re doing well again. I’m sorry to hear about the seizure as well as the near mishap on the plane. How close was that?! I’m thankful you’re so organized and prepared Drew.
Thank you again for your call on my birthday! What a WONDERFUL present! You sounded great! I hope, when you can, you’ll keep in touch; sounds like you’ll have a lot to tell.
I hope you had a great Christmas. We sure did. Right now we’re sitting with about 5″ of snow and wind chills of between 10 to 20 degrees below zero tonight. I hope you’re a lot warmer.
I went to your website for the first time tonight. Very, very nice! I signed up for the newsletter; anxious to get my first issue!! I’m really thankful for the picture of you on the site. I haven’t seen you for eons but I surely would have known you anywhere!! Mom and Dad surely rave about the store. Mom says I’d never want to leave. Maybe one of these days after we retire we’ll be out to see you. It’s only been 35 years since I’ve been to Monterey.
Thank you Drew for the updates. We surely appreciate it. It’s a nice bridge between the miles. I look forward to meeting you.
Have a wonderful and prosperous new year. I hope to hear from you. Please email when you can.
Cathy
Hi guys,
Just caught up on the Blog. Missing you and hoping all is well in Paris or wherever else you are. Will call you soon.
Barbara