SupportNow must be lurking on my posts. I finally have an option to post multiple pictures! This, of course, happens after I get the perfect picture for today’s post. I have an insane amount of pictures that are not appropriate for today’s post, and even more that are not appropriate to post due to user agreements and laws and such. Stop using your imagination!

Yesterday was Christyna’s final hyperbaric chamber treatment. Yay! I would normally have her awake by now. Instead, Christyna’s tea is cooling beside her and her music is on. She did lots of driving yesterday, firstly to treatment, then to a client an hour plus away, and finally to a friend’s house who is moving to the PNW. Her back was sore after all that. Prior to this adventure, 4 hours of driving in a day was normal. With the surgery based on the front/top of her body, stretching and strengthening the back has been challenging. Healing comes first. Endurance comes with time. 

Speaking of healing, the wounds that the hyperbaric chamber treatment were prescribed for are healing brilliantly! The abdomen tunneling is tiny, relative to 6 weeks ago! The wound on her right breast is shrinking, too! Christyna’s skin is sensitive, as are her sensibilities, and there are blisters and sores that have developed with the adhesives. “Shucky darn!” is what I’d scream  if I screamed in frustration about the new sores. I don’t scream, though. I am staying focused on treating all of it. I’m far less grossed out by the wounds and sores. Progress. 

Christyna is healing and mending quite well! She went to the symphony this past Sunday (and I cooked stuffed butternut squash). Her symphony compatriot commented about how old scars were disappearing. Neither Christyna nor I had noticed. It took a pair of eyes that has been looking at Christyna for 30ish years to see the changes. Thank goodness for old friends!

Thank goodness for you! We are a week from Halloween, 18 weeks out of surgery, and still in the healing process. Thank you for being on this roller coaster with us. Christyna had been expecting to be doing physical therapy months ago. Healing has had other plans. Community is buoying us up. Thank you for your love and devotion on behalf of Christyna. She isn’t through this yet. With each person in her life, Christyna gains power and energy to keep going. Thank you for providing!

On a final note, today is the birthday of Christyna’s father, Ted. He passed many moons ago. Keep him and all the Rice girls (Shannon aka Mama, Christyna, and Mari) in your hearts and intentions. Ted was a special man and father. Leave a kind word so Christyna knows she’s held. It’s makes a difference for her. 

I gotta stir Christyna awake now. She has a board meeting in a couple hours. I get to kiss her forehead. Then she will swivel her head and I will get to kiss her lips. Soon I will pat her on the bottom and get her out the door. 

Make today count. 

With love,

Ryan