Internet Thank You

Hello Friends and Family,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am not meaning to neglect anyone who has been so generous to us with gifts. The truth is that I have not yet gotten a list of those who have given because The Chalmers (who have been so gracious to set everything up for us) have been out of town and busy trying to catch up with their own lives since Harry's fall (Jimmy and Harry are partners so they were also greatly affected) and we've been so busy with therapies and adjusting to day to day life.

We plan to exchange some info as soon as it becomes possible and I assure you that cards full of sincere thanks are on their way. Some of you who sent gifts directly to us (instead of through the church) probably have received cards already.

We have been so grateful for the prayers, checks, food, words of encouragement, flowers, emails, cards, "babysitting", school teaching, errand running, van borrowing, even getting our son to ball practices, etc. You have no idea how God has used EVERY offer to bless us and meet our need right as we had it. So, until your card arrives, please know that we are thinking of you and are asking God to bless you for your generosity ---- whatever it's form.

Sincerely,
Kristie and Family

PS: And there are a few of you, and you know who you are, who keep doing nice things for us and are making it really hard to finish the card because I have to keep adding things to your list before I can get it to you. j/k That's not a bad problem for us to have.

12:17 a.m. April 1st -- No April Fool's

12:17 am

Harry is doing well and I think his spirits are continuing to rise as his abilities increase. He was able to visit a job site (actually, the site where he fell) on Sunday after church. I think it was good for him to see his clients, Mr. and Mrs. Cook. They are a lovely couple and seem to really care about him and his recovery. He's been able to get out of the house some, too. When the pain eases and he feels pretty good he likes to fit as much in as he can but he still tries not to overdo. He's made that mistake before and he never feels good after he pushes too hard.

His therapy schedule right now is PT twice a week and OT twice a week. He's really, really sore afterward but then by the following day he's usually got more mobility and that makes him feel energetic.

We can tell when he's restless and just has to "get his hands" on something. He starts recruiting us....usually when we are right in the middle of something else. He's so funny. On Easter, while I was cooking and preparing for friends, he decided to make Turkish Delight. And by that I mean, he had McKenzie make it while he supervised from a small stool and occasionally moved, though way too slow in a bustling galley-style kitchen. We all got a few good laughs...including him. About 3/4 of the way through he admitted that perhaps he had been over zealous. But, ever-faithful, he finished his task. It was heartbreaking when, hours later, we finally got to taste the Turkish Delight....and nearly spit it out. It was AWFUL. We all decided that it was not his fault and if the recipe has called for a different flavor it would have been wonderful. And although we all agreed we should try it again using a different flavor, honestly, we probably never will. But, it did make us feel better to keep the recipe anyway.

I've been able to take on more hours tutoring and even working with a friend of mine who is also a business owner (but she really makes money at it:) ) Between homeschooling, planning our daughters upcoming ceremony, keeping the house, driving and caring for Harry I'm finding it a little difficult to find the time to work more.

My mother, Nan, is absolutely wonderful and is practically running Curves on her own. I help when I can and do what I can from home. Our members, though are asking when I'll come back and some are asking why I'm never there anymore. I feel badly and want to get back to see them. I love being in the circuit and training and helping them reach goals and feel empowered. The truth is I just have to bring in more money right now and that requires part-time work elsewhere in addition. Please pray that God will continue to provide creative job opportunities for me so I'll be able to continue to care for my family right now...and over this next year.

I want to thank everyone again. Cards, notes, phone calls and gifts keep trickling in and we are so grateful. Please keep praying-we've got a long way to go.

I'll end on a really happy note: Last Friday I received an invitation to a Girl's Night with some friends. It was a wild girl's night (at her mother's home) - not the kind that is conducive to deep philosophical discussions. (I usually love those but I just couldn't take another one) This was more like loud music and women being silly. Lots of laughing and really bad singing...to go along with the poor dancing. Anyway, I didn't expect to go just because so much needed to be done. But it worked out and I had a wonderful time. It was just what I needed. Honestly, it felt great that I had no one to take care of for a few hours.....no dishes, laundry, children struggling in reading, or a dear husband. Everyone was satisfied and I felt like Cinderella getting to go to the ball. So, thanks girls for the invite. Loved it! Thanks, McKenzie for sitting with Daddy so I could go. Love ya, son. And thanks, Harry for encouraging me to and have some well-deserved fun. What a great family!

March 14th Update

Today was Harry's second Sunday at church. It was nice to see all of our friends there. I'm glad for Harry, too, that he got to see everyone so excited to see him again and tell him how good he's looking, etc. He is looking good. His recovery is coming along but he's still in so much pain. I wish I could take that away for him. He's got good pain meds but the pain never stops so it just goes from strong to dull. Then, as soon as the dose wears off, it's strong again.

Right now, he's got tiny pins trying to come through his skin. The really bizarre thing is that the doctors just said if they poke all the way through we need to put neosporin on it. That's too weird to be normal in my opinion....but I'm not a doctor. Anyway, it's no wonder he's in so much pain. He's also being very careful NOT to take the medicine anytime he can....he doesn't want to become addicted. (so much to worry about).

Harry's Mom, Sally, has been here with us for the past week. She just left this morning. She was a great blessing: taking Harry to his doctor appointments, physical therapy appointments, helping to run errands and get caught up on stuff in the house. She was also able to help out financially. I think, now that she's gone, things are really beginning to set in for me - emotionally.

Since the beginning (Feb 21), I've been so focused on comforting the kids and Harry. And, now, the reality is sinking in that, practically speaking, the things we shared before will fall on me. I'm not sure how I'll become all things to all people but I'm sure God will get me through that, too. Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. In fact, I'm already liking my new found courage. I'm just also feeling the weight of what this situation will really require. I've been making a few changes around the house/yard to make it easier for the kids and I to do the necessary chores, etc. I've cut down some tree branches, handled some tools and parts (or whatever) that Harry had been going through from his shed, cleaned up some of the yard stuff and construction debris that he had on the side of the house. It was heavy and Ta'Ray and I were tired but we were also proud of the work we had done.

Hopefully, I'll have lots of other success stories to tell over the next several months. Right now I'm gonna go spend some time with the kiddos.....sorry for the abrupt ending but they are waiting for me.

Thanks again for all of the help and support. Sincerely, Kristie (and Family)

Harry's Doctors Appointment

Harry's Mom, Sally, flew in on Sunday afternoon to see her son and to help out with his recovery and allow me to get back to work. He had his first follow up doctor visit at Duke on Monday. They took the casts off of his wrists - it turns out regardless of the weight and the plaster, they weren't "casts" after all. They were splints. Well, whatever they were, they are gone now. I got to see his arm unwrapped for the first time since Feb. 21. I know this sounds completely dumb but I never thought about scars on his arms. I did on his leg - but not his hands and arms. I only saw his right hand/arm. He has about a 2" long scar down the center of his hand - picture closing your hand like a sandwhich parellel with your forearm...that crease in the middle of his hand is where they made an incision. He has another larger one down the forearm. They just removed his stitches so right now it has that "Frankenstein" look of a center line and holes on either side. The marker the surgeon's used is still on his skin, too. They've wrapped both arms in gauze and now he wears black supportive braces that velcro up the forearm and cover most of his hands. It's so much lighter and easier to manuever. I'm sure that will assist him in getting his balance back as he continues practicing to walk.

More good news....I think earlier I reported that he would have to have surgery on both wrists in a couple of months. I just found out that he'll only need surgery on his left wrist. Evidently, the metal plate in his right wrist stays in. I did not know that.

He has therapy exercises that he can do now for his hands and arms...they are different for each arm because his injuries are different. He tried some last night and I could see how stiff and painful both hand/wrists were. It's amazing how quickly the body accepts it's current circumstances. That can be a great blessing but then when you are ready to rehabilitate it also can be a rough beginning until it recognizes that you are changing it's state once again.

He can get his arms damp now which means he can begin to take showers...no more freezing while I bathe him and rinse him with a cloth as he sits in a chair in the middle of a room. I'm sure he'll really miss that.

Tuesday, he goes to PT for his leg and Wednesday he goes to his post-op doctor appointment back at Duke. It's nice to have Sally to help with all of these appointments.

The kids and I are catching up on homeschool and I'm able to get back to work. I don't think I ever posted it but while Harry and I were at Duke I received a phone message (at Midnight) from the Oxford Police Dept. saying that there was an emergency having to do with my gym there and to please return the call right away. Well, I had my phone ringer off, so it didn't wake Harry, and I didn't get the message until early the next morning. I called Diane (my partner) right away to see if she had already spoken with them. She had and she was able to tell me the details.

Evidently, a car was speeding down the main road right in front of my store and the driver decided to pass the car it was quickly approaching. When it did, the speeding car lost control and ran into a large, metal city trash can hurling it into my (floor to ceiling) glass windows. It then proceeded into the tree directly in front of my store....and it hit the next tree a couple of store fronts down. Wow! (Okay, God....you have my complete and undivided attention.) Whoever said when it rains it pours was a genius and we should have really listened better to his warning!

Anyway, Diane had actually gone to the scene that night and was able (with my Grandy's help) to get some plywood covering the windows. We have insurance and all of that but I feel like I need a secretary just to deal with all the paperwork we are generating...between medical, prescription and business insurances I'm beginning to feel just a wee bit overwhelmed. But I must say that God has also put such wonderful people in my life and they are all helping in so many ways.

Still, every so often I find myself wanting to shout..."Calgon, Take me away"......

What's Up With Harry on March 9th

Well, Harry's been home for about a day and half. He's been sitting in his (a borrowed) recliner a lot and I think likes being back where the action is. I found a special table a lot like the rolling tray table at the hospital and a couple of bins to hold all of his medicines and other things he needs to have near him. He's got quite a set up.

Last week he set a goal to be in church this Sunday and he made it. We took a cake that said "Welcome Home Harry" to include our Sunday school class in his victories - they've been so supportive. Another dear friend brought a wheel chair over on Saturday for him to use at church. McKenzie did most of the driving since Harry can't use his hands. I think we only ran into 1 or 2 doorways :) Pretty good for a new driver.

It was good for Harry to see his friends at church and remember that life is being lived outside of medical facilities.

The Big Day

Today was the day we've been waiting for. HARRY CAME HOME!!! We borrowed a van from our sweet neighbors so Harry wouldn't have to jump up into our Suburban or bend too low to get into my Mom's Saturn. The van fit all 6 of us and his big customized walker perfectly. We were quite a sight picking him up but the smile on his face when he saw me, Braelyn, McKenzie, Ta'Ray, and Nan walk-in was worth it. (Wait 'til he sees the "Team Polk" shirts we've made for us to wear to church on Sunday!)

He's moving well. He's very sore, the pain is kicking in (we're still waiting for the prescriptions to get ready) and he says it's colder here than at the hospital but even so, he's really happy to be home. It's so nice, as the mom I guess, to have all of my family back under the same roof. I'm able to relax in a way that I couldn't when I felt we were all spread out and anchored to different places. Now, life is beginning to feel like "normal" - of course at the Polk house we're not real sure what that means.

We picked up some cheap, but warm, clothes for Harry. We have to cut the sleeves off of the hoodies to make room for his casts. He stays cold because of the blood thinner that he has to take (to prevent blood clots). Also, soft, loose house pants are a must because one of his incisions are right where the waist band of pants would fall. Plus they help keep him warm. Who knows...maybe his progressive fashion will catch on and we'll see this style being sported all over town.

Well, it's time to go out again and get that pain med for Harry. He'll be even happier when I get back. I'll try to fill you in on the rest sometime today....Harry keeps me running and now that we're home there's so much to catch up on between the kids, work and the house so if you don't hear from me right away you'll know why. Love to you all, Kristie

Update on Harry March 5th

Such Big News and yet I'm too tired to go into great detail...just wanted everyone to know that Harry walked today WITHOUT his walker! So proud of him...he's like superman (obviously without the cape or we wouldn't be in this situation...lol) But nothing keeps him down long. Incredibly strong in body and mind....no wonder I married him....and I'd do it again. Thanks to all you for your huge support and encouraging words to and about him. No doubt that was part of his motivation - doesn't want to let his great friends down. We love ya'll so much and so appreciate all you do. Ya know how scripture describes the "body of Christ" and how each of us is like a different part of the body but when we work together we act as whole? Well, that's what this has been like for us. Each of you has filled a different but very specific need and it's been amazing. As soon as I can get home and back on track...even just a little, I'm mailing out thank you cards to all of you. You're just wonderful.

More good news ...
A recliner and a wheelchair have been provided. Thanks to all of you who offered.