Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Jon takes over the blog

I have hijacked the blog from Brenda, so please bear with me. I can promise that this edition will not be as clever or well-written as most. But I will do my best to get you up-to-date.

We've made it through five days at home and I think we've adjusted pretty well. There haven't been any major problems, although I do feel a little lazy since I am not currently in therapy. That all changes next Monday when we go to Scott & White for my outpatient evaluations. A series of follow-up doctors appointments will follow in rapid succession as we continue to search for a cause for the stroke and check my progress from it.

We have spent a lot of time being a family again over the past week: We've watched a bunch of movies, played a bunch of games and just been together. That has been very nice, but the kids are going back to camp and Brenda goes back to work tomorrow, so another shot of reality is on the way.

We've also made a couple of forays out into the "real world" and those have gone well. We've been to a couple of my favorite restaurants in an effort to keep Brenda from having to do so much around the house. I am afraid I can only use the stroke as an excuse to get out of housework for a limited time.

I mainly took over the blog tonight because I wanted to say a few things about Brenda and she won't ever type them when I ask her to. She has been so amazing and so strong over the past 48 or 49 days. She's always been there for me, spent as much time as possible with me in therapy, has returned to work, organized someone to be with the kids when she couldn't be here, cooked dinners, cleaned the house, and so many more things that I know I am forgetting. But she has also faithfully kept this blog and has done an amazing job even when she typed through tears. I appreciate that more than I can ever tell her. I could never have made it through this without her and her reaction to our successes was the major inspiration for me to reach new highs. I definitely married up and feel so blessed to have her in my life.

I also hope to return to work on a limited basis next week, so there will be another step on our return to our new "normal."

Thank you for letting me take over for tonight and hopefully we will return to my ghostwriter soon. I apologize for any typos and for any rambling. I also want to express my thanks to all of you for following this blog and for your prayers, support and encouragement.

4 comments:

  1. Dear sweet Jon....the reason you feel compelled to praise Brenda is because she is, indeed, very special. All of this proves the love you have for each other--love is wonderfully strong and healing, which you already know.

    I am so proud that you are returning to work on a part-time basis. Your work is part of who you are and being there will help you to move forward.

    Keep up the good work when you go back to therapy. I hope they can tell you what actually happened to you, although knowing can't change what occurred--maybe it will help others somehow.

    Take care of yourselves and remember that God has his healing hand on you and your family.

    Love,
    Ellen

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  2. I knew you would finally step in on the blogs Jon! LOL Good to hear of your progression.

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  3. Jon,
    You and Brenda and all of your family are amazing people...that's why you are all together...the Wallin Team! There are no words appropriate enough to express the inspiration that you and your entire family are. I look forward to seeing you up here when you are ready. Continued prayers and good thoughts are always headed your way.
    Mickey Kerr

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  4. Very well written, Jon!
    You certainly continue to have a way with words.
    You are definitely blessed to have someone as positive and encouraging as Brenda in your corner.
    However, don't underestimate your own faith and determination.
    I will continue to pray for you and your family as you continue to transition to your new "normal" at home and at work.

    -Sue W.

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