We saw the primary care doctor last week and she was very pleased with how well Nate was doing. She even noticed that his color has started to return and that he was walking better. She is a really great doctor and see spends as much time with us as we need. She said his blood work looked good and that the iron pills are doing their job. We have noticed a huge improvement with his coloring and his energy levels. Home health is still coming to check his INR levels in his blood to make sure the coumadin is working how it should. His levels are were they need to be and everything looks good with that. The blood clot is still causing some major swelling in his right leg. It gets very bad sometimes but the pain seems to not be as bad. They expect him to be on the coumadin for at least 6 months. They want him to start physical therapy to work on getting his strength back. He still has a hard time walking around and gets very tired. We have left the house a few times but he has to use his walker which is equipped with tennis balls :)
Hopefully after a month of PT, he will be able to go back to work. I think he is getting anxious to get back there. I know he misses it alot.
Thank you all for your continued support. We appreciate it and love you all. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Success at Sammy's
Hi everyone. It's Nate. I started this post the night after the Sammy's fundraiser/delicious dinner night. I was feeling really emotionally overwhelmed and was having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. I wish I could blame it on what we've come to joking call a "brain thing," (i.e. a slip of the brain caused from the aneurysm... a sign of damage) but the truth is that I wasn't able to translate my emotions, and that's it. I wish to apologize to you all for not getting back to this post. Here we go...
Last night was the fundraiser at Sammy's. I have to say that I think (hope?) it was a pretty big success. After hitting a pretty bumpy point in the afternoon, we managed to make it there right around 6. The staff was super welcoming to us and we got sat right away. It was weird showing up and explaining to the host that the fundraiser they were doing that night was for me. I felt strange that an event like the fundraiser was being put on for just me. I was less than thrilled about feeling like I was the center of attention and the reason for an event like that, but grateful that it was put together.
My mind was put at ease once I saw a couple people I recognized. I think I was apprehensive about not knowing who all heard about the event. By sending the fliers around via email and facebook, it was hard to know who and how many people would make it. I was happy to be there and put a face to many of the names I know. Being as new as I am to Henderson, I recognize many names but haven't had the chance to meet those names. I was happy to meet so many people. I was very grateful that so many people would come to the event to support our family. I realized last night as I sat there, talking with so many people, how very happy I was that something like this fundraiser was put together just for me and my family. It was done without my knowing, it was already set up and planned by the time I heard about it, and it was organized by a few who I had yet to meet. They did it out of kindness. It is my understanding that Officers Jon Montisano, Norm Halliday, others (unnamed) of the HPOA, and Kevin Murphy played an important part in getting this organized. I would like to thank them especially for their efforts in putting this together. If there is anyone else who was crucial to this event, I apologize for not being able to recognize you, but thank you as well. Thank you to Sammy's also, you were a wonderful location and host for this event. We will be back to eat again in the future, for sure.
I also had a chance to meet (and re-meet) several coworkers that work with my parents. I thank all of you for coming and for your kind words and support. This is another example of the humbling support our little family has received. For many people, last night was the first time we'd met, yet several of you have already sent support our way and you still showed up to Sammy's where more would make its way to us. Your generosity is overwhelming and I can't thank you enough.
And then there are many people I can't categorise as anything else than just friends. Awesome, good friends. I use friends in the truest sense of the word. That was great. I feel like I have been blessed in my life to have many great friendships; close relationships that neither time nor distance has affected, friends who stick by me regardless of my situation(s), friends that I can still laugh with and laugh at, and just plain great friends. I am blessed to have them in my life.
I would feel guilty if I wrapped up this post without thanking my family. I honestly have the best family I could ask for! We have fun together, no matter what. I have found out that even while I was in surgery, there was quite the Garrard Family party happening in the waiting room, fueled by nervousness and anxiety, I'm sure. I am so thankful and happy for the support and love shown by my family. Mom, Dad, Sarah, Erin, Dave, and Mike, I love you. And then I also had my newer family with me: my wife has been at my side every day and has really been my pillar of strength and hope throughout this. I was so happy to have a date night with her. It wasn't a normal date night (fundraiser and all), but I was excited to go out with her for the first time since my aneurysm. Stacy, I love you and hope some day you will understand how much I have loved and appreciated having you at my side for this. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I couldn't be where I am right now if I didn't have you in my life.
I wish I had more to say about the fundraiser itself, but I have been feeling just absolutely humbled by the love and support so many of you have shown us. I don't feel like we're deserving of so much. It is an amazing feeling to see so much unwarranted support to help our little family. So thank you. Thank you to everyone who was there.
~Nate
Last night was the fundraiser at Sammy's. I have to say that I think (hope?) it was a pretty big success. After hitting a pretty bumpy point in the afternoon, we managed to make it there right around 6. The staff was super welcoming to us and we got sat right away. It was weird showing up and explaining to the host that the fundraiser they were doing that night was for me. I felt strange that an event like the fundraiser was being put on for just me. I was less than thrilled about feeling like I was the center of attention and the reason for an event like that, but grateful that it was put together.
My mind was put at ease once I saw a couple people I recognized. I think I was apprehensive about not knowing who all heard about the event. By sending the fliers around via email and facebook, it was hard to know who and how many people would make it. I was happy to be there and put a face to many of the names I know. Being as new as I am to Henderson, I recognize many names but haven't had the chance to meet those names. I was happy to meet so many people. I was very grateful that so many people would come to the event to support our family. I realized last night as I sat there, talking with so many people, how very happy I was that something like this fundraiser was put together just for me and my family. It was done without my knowing, it was already set up and planned by the time I heard about it, and it was organized by a few who I had yet to meet. They did it out of kindness. It is my understanding that Officers Jon Montisano, Norm Halliday, others (unnamed) of the HPOA, and Kevin Murphy played an important part in getting this organized. I would like to thank them especially for their efforts in putting this together. If there is anyone else who was crucial to this event, I apologize for not being able to recognize you, but thank you as well. Thank you to Sammy's also, you were a wonderful location and host for this event. We will be back to eat again in the future, for sure.
I also had a chance to meet (and re-meet) several coworkers that work with my parents. I thank all of you for coming and for your kind words and support. This is another example of the humbling support our little family has received. For many people, last night was the first time we'd met, yet several of you have already sent support our way and you still showed up to Sammy's where more would make its way to us. Your generosity is overwhelming and I can't thank you enough.
And then there are many people I can't categorise as anything else than just friends. Awesome, good friends. I use friends in the truest sense of the word. That was great. I feel like I have been blessed in my life to have many great friendships; close relationships that neither time nor distance has affected, friends who stick by me regardless of my situation(s), friends that I can still laugh with and laugh at, and just plain great friends. I am blessed to have them in my life.
I would feel guilty if I wrapped up this post without thanking my family. I honestly have the best family I could ask for! We have fun together, no matter what. I have found out that even while I was in surgery, there was quite the Garrard Family party happening in the waiting room, fueled by nervousness and anxiety, I'm sure. I am so thankful and happy for the support and love shown by my family. Mom, Dad, Sarah, Erin, Dave, and Mike, I love you. And then I also had my newer family with me: my wife has been at my side every day and has really been my pillar of strength and hope throughout this. I was so happy to have a date night with her. It wasn't a normal date night (fundraiser and all), but I was excited to go out with her for the first time since my aneurysm. Stacy, I love you and hope some day you will understand how much I have loved and appreciated having you at my side for this. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I couldn't be where I am right now if I didn't have you in my life.
I wish I had more to say about the fundraiser itself, but I have been feeling just absolutely humbled by the love and support so many of you have shown us. I don't feel like we're deserving of so much. It is an amazing feeling to see so much unwarranted support to help our little family. So thank you. Thank you to everyone who was there.
~Nate
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sammy's Fundraiser
I want to thank EVERYONE in advance for helping and supporting our little family. This has been a tough challenge and all of you have helped to soften the blow. I'm still working on recovery, still not out of the woods yet, but things are considerably improved. Friday will be 2 months from the night I had my aneurysm and saturday marks 2 months from the day I had my brain surgery. The incredible support we have received in such a short period of time, and on short notice, has been absolutely overwhelming! I cannot thank everyone enough for helping us, especially during this Christmas season when I know there are many other places you could be using your time/money/efforts. It means so much to us. I am most grateful to all of you for your generosity because it has meant my family has been taken care of. I do not care about myself, but I do not want my wife and children to suffer any more than they have because of me. And for that I thank you.
Thank you ALL.
~Nate
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Nate's noodle fundraiser
Hello everyone,
I know we have not blogged for awhile and I am so sorry! We were so busy with the bake sale and this time of year is just hectic for everyone so I promise to get back on track once things settle down. Henderson PD has put together another fundraiser for Nate. It will be this coming Thursday, (the 15th) and will be held at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in Henderson. It will go from 6-9pm and 20% of your bill will go towards Nate's bill's. We appreciate the police union putting this together and look forward to spend the evening with some of Nate's co-workers. Nate will be there for awhile and hopes to see his friends.
If you are interested in coming, please leave your email in the comments and I will forward you the flier that you will need to bring in with you and give to your server. I tried to upload it to the blog but could not get it to work so I will just have to send it in an email. Please let me know if you need a hard copy and I can print some out and get them to you. Or you can email me at stac3031@yahoo.com or Nate at natertot1982@gmail.com Come visit and have some delicious food!
Thank you all for your love and support. We continue to be amazed by all of you and are so grateful for the many blessings in our life.
I know we have not blogged for awhile and I am so sorry! We were so busy with the bake sale and this time of year is just hectic for everyone so I promise to get back on track once things settle down. Henderson PD has put together another fundraiser for Nate. It will be this coming Thursday, (the 15th) and will be held at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in Henderson. It will go from 6-9pm and 20% of your bill will go towards Nate's bill's. We appreciate the police union putting this together and look forward to spend the evening with some of Nate's co-workers. Nate will be there for awhile and hopes to see his friends.
If you are interested in coming, please leave your email in the comments and I will forward you the flier that you will need to bring in with you and give to your server. I tried to upload it to the blog but could not get it to work so I will just have to send it in an email. Please let me know if you need a hard copy and I can print some out and get them to you. Or you can email me at stac3031@yahoo.com or Nate at natertot1982@gmail.com Come visit and have some delicious food!
Thank you all for your love and support. We continue to be amazed by all of you and are so grateful for the many blessings in our life.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
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