Healing, Health And Happiness

Arriving in Vancouver after a 42 hour travel day.

It has now been exactly one month since Paige’s canyoning accident in Vietnam.  She is slowly on her way to health and healing.

Paige got excellent care at both Squamish General and Lions Gate Hospitals.

The more I learn about her injury, the more amazed I am at how she made that arduous journey home from Southeast Asia all by herself.  The more I think about it, the more proud I become.  I just shake my head in wonder at her bravery.  I don't know if I could do what she did.

Daisy, the therapy cat, doing her thing.

Joe took her to see her surgeon 10 days ago for a post-op check-up and at that appointment Paige learned not only had she broken her tibia, dislocated her ankle and chipped her heel bone in her fall, but she also tore a ligament off of one of her ankle bones!  In addition to bolting her foot and ankle back together, her surgeon re-attached the torn ligament with a wire which she has to have surgically removed in a month or so.  She wasn’t keen to hear that news.

If you need us, you know where to find us.

She has recently been getting out for a few ‘field trips’ around town.  A friend pushed her in her wheelchair to our local coffee shop around the corner one afternoon, Joe brought her to my classroom for a 20 minute visit with my students, another friend took her to Walmart to buy beauty products, I took her to get her hair cut one evening, and she even made it upstairs on her crutches to have happy hour with us on Friday night!

Daisy watches over Paige as she sleeps.

Not only has Paige’s life been impacted, but ours have as well.  Joe is cooking up a storm to have a constant supply of food available for her.  I leave for school in the morning at the last possible moment, come home at noon to fix her some lunch, and leave my classroom at 3:30pm so I can be home to keep her company for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  Paige's health is our number one priority. 

Daisy, one of the surliest cats I've ever known, has not left Paige's side throughout her ordeal.

I have spent an inordinate amount of time on a couch since Paige returned from Vietnam, sleeping on it for the first week she was home.  We have been spending lots of time in the basement watching Netflix together.  (Send us the names of your favourite shows!  We need new titles to keep us going.)

Liz and Hazel wheeled Paige to our local coffee shop one afternoon.

Grandma Marg snuggled in on the couch for a visit.

My students were so happy to see Paige.

Her spirits are getting brighter by the day.  Hopefully she will be able to get around better and soon be upstairs full-time.  I’m sure she is looking forward to sleeping in a real bed instead of on a couch. 

Daisy just loves catching up on Facebook.

Paige's temporary digs.

Being one of Paige’s caregivers has made me reflect on how fragile life is and how everything can change in the blink of an eye.  Paige’s accident could have been much worse and we are thankful it was just a bunch of broken bones.  Yes, her solo trip around Southeast Asia was interrupted. Yes, her rehabilitation is going to be long and painful.  But she will heal and be healthy at the end of it.  For that we are very grateful.

Upstairs for the first time!

We are also grateful for the outpouring of love that family and friends have shown us.  The visits, the phone calls, the e-mail and facebook messages, the food, the cards, the flowers and gifts continue to surround and support us through a tough time.  It means a lot to the three of us.  We appreciate it all. Thank you.

She should be walking in a month!