May 3, 2020

This is the face of a person who perseveres in difficult situations, and finds creative ways to deal with it. Shannon has always used the phrase "It's a struggle" or "the struggle really is real", but it's usually about things that aren't truly difficult. These days when she says it, it really is a struggle. Most of the time, Shannon takes it in stride, with a smile and a sarcastic remark! So when she isn't smiling, everyone knows that whatever it is, it's too much for her right now.

Shannon is very well loved at Magee. All of her health care workers tell us that she is wonderful and most of them are fiercely protective of her. She doesn't advocate for herself very well, and the workers who know her make sure there are detailed instructions for the workers who don't know her. I love knowing that she's being well cared for.

She is getting to the point where this is all becoming a lot to take in and deal with. She isn't aware of the first 2.5 weeks after the accident, but she remembers a lot of the time since then. Today we are 7 weeks after her accident, and to Shannon, it feels like years.

When everything is a struggle, basic things we normally do without even thinking-- like coughing; life is really difficult. The failure to produce a productive cough is what is keeping Shannon's trach in place. She hates that the trach is keeping her in her room. It's hard to be in the same exact room for so long!

But.....Shannon is making the best of it. She's finding ways to be entertained, she's staying positive most days. It's so funny watching her interact with the workers around her. Tonight while we were FaceTiming her, a nurse walked in and said "Did you eat anything?? Shannon listed all the food she had picked at for dinner. "Are you sure?" says the nurse. Shannon responds-  "I swear on my death hospital bed! I am eating food!"

It's been a really relaxing day for Shannon today, OT, which was basically stretching because her blood pressure was too low. Then art therapy, which is apparently a surprise.

At home we've been relaxing. Tomorrow we are back to work with a full week ahead. Rachael and I get to pick out tile early tomorrow morning, and figure out where we want outlets and fixtures in the bedroom. Lancer is braving Home Depot first thing. Then it's cement, walls, electrical, blah blah blah. I get to go to see Shannon twice this week! That's exciting!

It's been a harder week than most, and Shannon is doing the best she can. She needs prayers for mental and physical strength, patience with herself and her caretakers, that her coughing will be productive so she can have her trach removed, that her blood pressure will be higher and that she will have the energy to take on her therapies this week. Thank you for your love and your support. We cannot express well enough how much you are all buoying us up.

Finding Nemo is a favorite for staying positive when things get tough-

"Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills"....

I'm only joking--

"Just keep swimming!"