At the moment, I am so tired, and my heart so heavy, that I find it difficult to communicate.
My lady awaits another day, but the days grow short.
I'll tell you all, just not now....but very soon.
Let me close with some special words from our friends, Tom and Cottie Volle :
"Although we did not have the opportunity to be togther frequently, we came to love you both. What a bright, talented, caring, full of life, magnet of a woman you married, John. Such a tragic accident"!
Ditto!
John
P.S. Sleep tight Baby. You're with me in my dreams.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Florine's Condition
Life can turn on a dime! However, it's what you make of it when you have it that counts, and my lady makes every second count.
She is at a grave juncture in her journey, and I have been with her every step of the way, from Connecticut to Africa, for 37 years, and my choice would be to be with her through eternity.
I would like t0 share a letter from a Japanese lady from Tokyo who, seven years ago, lived with us for six months as an english student (please ignore gramatical errors, but don't ignore her heart). As you can see, Florine touched her too!
"John,
Now,I cheaked email for send a picture to Florine and you...
I was so shocked to hear the news.
I love her very much.I have respect for her and I want to be like her person.
John, Stay strong. I and my family pray for her everyday and everymoment.
I will send a picture with lots of Love,
Mika"
Oh, the power of my Babe! Love for Florine has no borders.
Sleep tight Baby Doll,
See ya in the morning,
John
She is at a grave juncture in her journey, and I have been with her every step of the way, from Connecticut to Africa, for 37 years, and my choice would be to be with her through eternity.
I would like t0 share a letter from a Japanese lady from Tokyo who, seven years ago, lived with us for six months as an english student (please ignore gramatical errors, but don't ignore her heart). As you can see, Florine touched her too!
"John,
Now,I cheaked email for send a picture to Florine and you...
I was so shocked to hear the news.
I love her very much.I have respect for her and I want to be like her person.
John, Stay strong. I and my family pray for her everyday and everymoment.
I will send a picture with lots of Love,
Mika"
Oh, the power of my Babe! Love for Florine has no borders.
Sleep tight Baby Doll,
See ya in the morning,
John
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Today was day seven for Florine, and eventful in a major way; two thirds of people with this type of brain injury fail to see tomorrow. She now has a chance.
There are many complications, pneumonia being one of them, that haunt my Sweetie. I am hoping for additional information tomorrow when they get the results of tonights MRI.
For now, I would like to share with you a letter from my friend and neighbor JJ Knightly. It is so beautiful to me because it expresses the true beauty of Florine and the power of friendship.....
"I cannot begin to tell you how much love there is in this neighborhood for you and Florine.
Neighbors have come out of the woodwork to express so many kind experiences and qualities of Florine.
Many of them (including myself) are so touched by how beautifully and naturally your love for Florine comes across in the Blog. You are a special couple with an incredible bond and chemistry. Your love is beautiful to witness.
The quality most frequently expressed to me about Florine in the neighborhood is what a warm energy Florine has around her. This seems to be universal whether it’s a neighbor that knows her well or one that has only met her briefly.
She is such a special woman. Her grace and warmth has not gone unnoticed in those she touches.
I am updating many of the neighbors with emails. I have also forwarded the neighbors your blog link. The list continues to grow as new neighbors stop by, call or email me to be added.
The older neighbors I have been keeping in touch by stopping by (because most of them are not online). Ruth (who runs the ladies luncheon) has also been assisting with updates.
All of the women at the ladies luncheon universally are thinking of Florine with kind thoughts.
I don’t want to bother you with anything but I did want to let you know that several of the neighbors really want to drop off food.
This seems to be a universal symbol of love for many of them. In fact, many are insistent that I weigh you in regularly (or at least keep a very close eye on your weight and health).
In the email below I tell them to please only drop disposable containers of food off (so that you don’t have to return anything). And that you most likely will be unavailable as you are often out of pocket.
I don’t want you to be burdened in any way. If you don’t want the food you don’t need to eat it. But perhaps it will make for a good meal in a pinch and/or good for left over’s? It may also help them feel like they are helping in some way because so many want to do something/anything to ease your pain.
Neighbors have come out of the woodwork to express so many kind experiences and qualities of Florine.
Many of them (including myself) are so touched by how beautifully and naturally your love for Florine comes across in the Blog. You are a special couple with an incredible bond and chemistry. Your love is beautiful to witness.
The quality most frequently expressed to me about Florine in the neighborhood is what a warm energy Florine has around her. This seems to be universal whether it’s a neighbor that knows her well or one that has only met her briefly.
She is such a special woman. Her grace and warmth has not gone unnoticed in those she touches.
I am updating many of the neighbors with emails. I have also forwarded the neighbors your blog link. The list continues to grow as new neighbors stop by, call or email me to be added.
The older neighbors I have been keeping in touch by stopping by (because most of them are not online). Ruth (who runs the ladies luncheon) has also been assisting with updates.
All of the women at the ladies luncheon universally are thinking of Florine with kind thoughts.
I don’t want to bother you with anything but I did want to let you know that several of the neighbors really want to drop off food.
This seems to be a universal symbol of love for many of them. In fact, many are insistent that I weigh you in regularly (or at least keep a very close eye on your weight and health).
In the email below I tell them to please only drop disposable containers of food off (so that you don’t have to return anything). And that you most likely will be unavailable as you are often out of pocket.
I don’t want you to be burdened in any way. If you don’t want the food you don’t need to eat it. But perhaps it will make for a good meal in a pinch and/or good for left over’s? It may also help them feel like they are helping in some way because so many want to do something/anything to ease your pain.
Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I love you and I love Florine.
You really do have the type of love and relationship that Tom and I strive for. You are both such passionate, warm and individual people. You live your own lives and yet you come together in such a beautiful way to make such a dynamic couple.
I am thinking of you both all the time.
I think all the love and good Karma floating around for both of you can only send positive healing energy towards Florine. Many folks are describing it as prayer. I don’t know what God’s name is (Buddha, Allah, Jesus, Mother Earth, etc..)…but I do believe there is some sort of higher power and universal energy/love in this universe and at this moment in time a whole lot of it is flowing towards Florine."
You really do have the type of love and relationship that Tom and I strive for. You are both such passionate, warm and individual people. You live your own lives and yet you come together in such a beautiful way to make such a dynamic couple.
I am thinking of you both all the time.
I think all the love and good Karma floating around for both of you can only send positive healing energy towards Florine. Many folks are describing it as prayer. I don’t know what God’s name is (Buddha, Allah, Jesus, Mother Earth, etc..)…but I do believe there is some sort of higher power and universal energy/love in this universe and at this moment in time a whole lot of it is flowing towards Florine."
Thank you JJ for your positive energy , and thanks to all for your generosity and friendship..
Please forgive me if I fail to return a call. For now, my letters are my voice.
Sleep tight Babe. Come back to us when you're ready.
John
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Update- Florine's Condition
Another challenging day for my Babe. She sleeps between worlds, oblivious to the orchestrated chaos that surrounds her.
All I could do was tape some pictures of her on the wall so strangers could see her as a person and not a patient, one whose smile could light up a room.
I would like to share with you the words of my friend and neighbor, Tom Knightly, who explains things to me in a way that I can understand. Maybe they will benefit you as well.
"By looking at Florine's MRI's you can see that there are several areas of her brain that sustained injuries from her accident. The seperate areas of damage are not always caused by seperate impacts. One blow can lead to damage in several different areas of the brain. This happens due to movement of the brain within the skull. An analogy for this would be a car moving at high speed that comes to a sudden stop by hitting a wall. The car will come to a stop,
but the objects inside the car will continue to move forward until they strike something and then rebound back, possibly impacting several more times. The brain responds in the same way by striking the inside of the skull at the area of impact and then rebounding back and striking the interior of the skull in other places. In Florine's case,this explains why there are contusions in the brain in areas that show no damage on the exterior.
When you see all of the medical efforts and expertise that are being used to help Florine it is easy to forget that it is actually the human body that does all the healing. If you cut a non-living tissue (like a piece of steak) it will never heal no matter what bandages, sutures, or medications you try to employ. These medical interventions are invaluable in helping her body overcome these obstacles but in the big picture these are addressing the problem from the outside. Healing occurs from the inside, from the cellular level. As the tissues begin to heal the organs can function normally and her body can be restored to health. This is a long slow process and there are no shortcuts. The good news is that Florine's body knows how to heal itself. Our bodies can perform thousands of chemical reactions and convert the food that we eat into living tissue all while we are blissfully ignorant of the processes going on within us. Her body is able to do things that no medical expert can. Every medical miracle that you have ever heard of has been the result of the body's innate intelligence to heal itself.
Florine is a strong woman with a passion for life. She is facing a huge challenge and she has the love and support of her family and friends. She needs time. Time for her to heal."
Can't add to that.
Goodnight,
John
All I could do was tape some pictures of her on the wall so strangers could see her as a person and not a patient, one whose smile could light up a room.
I would like to share with you the words of my friend and neighbor, Tom Knightly, who explains things to me in a way that I can understand. Maybe they will benefit you as well.
"By looking at Florine's MRI's you can see that there are several areas of her brain that sustained injuries from her accident. The seperate areas of damage are not always caused by seperate impacts. One blow can lead to damage in several different areas of the brain. This happens due to movement of the brain within the skull. An analogy for this would be a car moving at high speed that comes to a sudden stop by hitting a wall. The car will come to a stop,
but the objects inside the car will continue to move forward until they strike something and then rebound back, possibly impacting several more times. The brain responds in the same way by striking the inside of the skull at the area of impact and then rebounding back and striking the interior of the skull in other places. In Florine's case,this explains why there are contusions in the brain in areas that show no damage on the exterior.
When you see all of the medical efforts and expertise that are being used to help Florine it is easy to forget that it is actually the human body that does all the healing. If you cut a non-living tissue (like a piece of steak) it will never heal no matter what bandages, sutures, or medications you try to employ. These medical interventions are invaluable in helping her body overcome these obstacles but in the big picture these are addressing the problem from the outside. Healing occurs from the inside, from the cellular level. As the tissues begin to heal the organs can function normally and her body can be restored to health. This is a long slow process and there are no shortcuts. The good news is that Florine's body knows how to heal itself. Our bodies can perform thousands of chemical reactions and convert the food that we eat into living tissue all while we are blissfully ignorant of the processes going on within us. Her body is able to do things that no medical expert can. Every medical miracle that you have ever heard of has been the result of the body's innate intelligence to heal itself.
Florine is a strong woman with a passion for life. She is facing a huge challenge and she has the love and support of her family and friends. She needs time. Time for her to heal."
Can't add to that.
Goodnight,
John
Monday, June 25, 2007
Update-Florine's Condition
Florine had a brain scan today which indicated no change in her condition. She has a bacterial infection that will not be identified until the blood cultures get back. She is presently on some new antibiotics, but the source of the infection hasn't been identified yet.
With brain pressure levels fluctuating, the nurse wanted an environment with no outside stimulation (literally whispering) so Florine's body can focus on healing itself.
She actually asked the head doctor of the Trauma Center to step out of the room because his rather loud voice was causing Florine's heart rate to increase. In return, I gave her freshly picked peaches from my garden. I'm saving the tomatoes as my 'ace in the hole', only to be used in emergency situations.
All for now. My Sweetie Pie is resting now, but will fight the fight again tomorrow.
John
With brain pressure levels fluctuating, the nurse wanted an environment with no outside stimulation (literally whispering) so Florine's body can focus on healing itself.
She actually asked the head doctor of the Trauma Center to step out of the room because his rather loud voice was causing Florine's heart rate to increase. In return, I gave her freshly picked peaches from my garden. I'm saving the tomatoes as my 'ace in the hole', only to be used in emergency situations.
All for now. My Sweetie Pie is resting now, but will fight the fight again tomorrow.
John
Sunday, June 24, 2007
I have been told, on good authority, to expect swings, from good to bad, while Florine's body is working to heal itself. Time will tell, and my baby's journey will be long and challenging.
Her condition has not changed, and today was a struggle for her, but tomorrow could bring orchids to a barren garden.
John
Her condition has not changed, and today was a struggle for her, but tomorrow could bring orchids to a barren garden.
John
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Florine's Condition (6/23/07) Saturday
For those who don't know, on 6/20, Florine had a serious accident while riding her horse. She was rushed to the trauma unit at Sharp Memorial Hospital, and is being treated for severe brain trauma and a fracture at the elbow. Her neck and spine were not damaged, but she had multiple contusions on the brain.
That night, they performed an operation to reduce the extreme pressure and to remove some of the pressure that had been building up in the brain, along with removing the contusions they could address.. The operation was successful and the pressure got back to normal.
However, the next night the pressure levels increased, but have since been stablized.
Her MRI last night indicated that there has not been any signifcant change to her brain since being admitted. She remains in a coma.
I have been told to prepare for a long fight, and not to expect any quick changes and, as yet, have not been offered any rosy scenarios from the doctors.
But they don't know what I know, or that of anyone that has had the privilege to know her and be touched by her beauty, inside and out; she is strong of mind and heart, and will just treat this as challenge, an obstacle to overcome.
I have been overwhelmed by the generousity of friends and family, and deeply appreciate all the love and good Karma that is being sent our way. When the time is right, I will honor all the heartfelt offers, particularly from family that loves her and wants to be with her. I just need more time to focus on Florine, and to handle this in my own way. I will be asking for your help, when she and I need it most- just not now.
It is best not to call the hospital. This is the best way to keep updated. I'm usually at the hospital from arond 9:00 to 2:00 and the back around 6:00 to 8:00 or so. When I am not there, our friends watch over her.
Florine (Babe, to her family) is the love of my life; a piece of my soul.
Pray for her,
John
That night, they performed an operation to reduce the extreme pressure and to remove some of the pressure that had been building up in the brain, along with removing the contusions they could address.. The operation was successful and the pressure got back to normal.
However, the next night the pressure levels increased, but have since been stablized.
Her MRI last night indicated that there has not been any signifcant change to her brain since being admitted. She remains in a coma.
I have been told to prepare for a long fight, and not to expect any quick changes and, as yet, have not been offered any rosy scenarios from the doctors.
But they don't know what I know, or that of anyone that has had the privilege to know her and be touched by her beauty, inside and out; she is strong of mind and heart, and will just treat this as challenge, an obstacle to overcome.
I have been overwhelmed by the generousity of friends and family, and deeply appreciate all the love and good Karma that is being sent our way. When the time is right, I will honor all the heartfelt offers, particularly from family that loves her and wants to be with her. I just need more time to focus on Florine, and to handle this in my own way. I will be asking for your help, when she and I need it most- just not now.
It is best not to call the hospital. This is the best way to keep updated. I'm usually at the hospital from arond 9:00 to 2:00 and the back around 6:00 to 8:00 or so. When I am not there, our friends watch over her.
Florine (Babe, to her family) is the love of my life; a piece of my soul.
Pray for her,
John
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