Back to work

Well, it's been a while since I had much to report. But the biggest new is that I'm back to work, at least for light duty. I haven't been given the full green light, but I am working on light duty for now and am in my 3rd week of being back to work. I feel bad that I haven't posted this before now, mostly because it's a pretty big step from before.
I found out on the thursday before president's day and was told to report for work tuesday morning. Yet I had no idea what I would be doing. All weekend I couldn't help but wonder what I was going to be doing. I told my Lt. that I felt like I'd just gotten a new job but didn't know what it was! I'm working in Professional Standards and helping with the department's accreditation. It's hard to explain what the overall project is, but it'll suffice to say that I've got plenty to work on, and the stuff we do affects every aspect of the HPD. It's not super exciting, and it's a little out of my comfort zone, but I'm in a little office with some really good people. They're fun and have been really nice to work with. They even went so far as to get me my own little cubicle even though my help will only be temporary (I hope!)
I'm supposed to have another dr appt. before the end of this month. I'm really hoping I'll get a green light to be back in the jail. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I think that's it for now.

1-19-12 Dr. Visit

Hey all, Nate here.

So today was another visit with the dr. Here's a short version of what happened in our hour long visit:

My bloodwork is showing that my anemia has been taken care of. I'm not anemic anymore. So she said I can stop taking the iron pills. When she started with that right off the bat, I couldn't help but be hopeful that the good news would keep coming. That was about the end of the good news.  But I was glad to hear it.

I asked about my legs still(!) swelling every day. She said she'd have another ultrasound ordered to see if there are still clot problems in there, or something else causing it. But it is good that they aren't causing me much pain on a regular basis too.

We talked about getting back to work too. She says that she would be okay with me heading back soon but would prefer that I have the ability/option to leave if/when work becomes too much for me. [My concern is whether or not I would be able to supplement what time I may need to take off with the donated time (from what I'm being paid with now), or if that's not allowed. She wants me to have the option so I don't feel pressured to stay if it's too much on me. If I am not allowed to do that, I would prefer that I just use the remaining time in the donated bank and work even more on physical therapy for a few more weeks; I feel like it has been helping.] Not knowing what my body will do to me during a 12 hour shift makes me a little nervous. So she told us to check with HR and see what my options are regarding the paid leave and let her know.

Haven't really had a headache since this all went down; except for... maybe 5 or 6 REALLY small, minor aches. I think it has been really strange, but I've slowly realized that my headaches, for maybe about the last year or so, were probably being caused by this aneurysm in my brain. I'm not complaining about this, but it kinda creeps me out to think that so many (probably not all) of my headaches were being caused by this blood bubble inside my head- lieing silently waiting to attack. I think I've had this aneurysm for longer than I'd like to think. It's a scary thought.

Next appt will be in about a month. More bloodwork and hopefully more good news then.


CHRISTMAS

For those who are still keeping up with this blog, I want to thank you. We are mucho behind on our blog posts. We haven't forgotten that we need to post about the bake sale/fundraiser and Christmas. Which is huge. I feel bad that we haven't posted any pictures about the HUGE load Santa dropped off at our house (and how he managed to get it all in the house considering we don't have a chimney...) The kids loved it all and were so happy with everything they got. We were just happy that they were happy and taken care of. I can think of a joy no greater than seeing such happiness in my children. When they're happy, I am honestly happy for them. I am so SO grateful for everyone who made this Christmas happen for our family, because without so many anonymous Santa's helpers, we would have had a very sparse Christmas this year. So thank you to all of you for your generosity and donations to us.

quick update

Nate is doing well. He has started physically therapy and has been going 2-3 times a week. He is tired when he gets home but seems to like it ok. He is slowly getting better and has more and more energy each day. His legs are still having issues with the clots. They are pretty swollen by the end of the day and I think that is what bothers him most of the time. He is still on blood thinners and has to have his blood check 1-2 times a week to make sure the levels are correct. The doctor called today to say his blood came back perfect last time and everything looks great. He sees the doctor again on the 19th and she will decide on that point about when he can go back to work. I think he would love to get back. I think he sometimes gets tired of being at home and feels restless and anxious to get back to "normal."

Everything is going good though. We have not updated the blog nearly as much as I would like but there just really isn't much news going on with him right now. I still want to post about he bake sales and Christmas so hopefully I can do that soon.

Hope everything is going well with everyone.

Sammys pictures

I tried to get pictures of everyone at Sammys but it was so hard to know who was there for Nate and who wasn't. I felt a little weird going up to a table and asking me if I could take a picture of them eating. I wanted to make sure they were there for Nate so they didn't think I was a total nut case. I tried really hard to get around to meet everyone that was there but I just couldn't make it to every table. The manager at Sammys was so good to help me know who was has brought the fliers in so that I could go meet them. I feel awful that I don't know the names of everyone in these pictures but I am so thankful for everyone and their support.

Update

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!

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

Sammy's Fundraiser

Sorry for the short notice, but we finally figured out how to get this posted. I don't think it'll print from the blog here, so IF YOU NEED THIS FLIER, please email either of us:  stac3031@yahoo.com OR natertot1982@gmail.com.

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