Climbing the Mountain
Today marked one month post-op. Chester and I took some time to just reflect on these four weeks, and the tremendous amount of life-affirming energy that has been generated by ALL of us in that time. We remembered many moments from the past month and saw so clearly how each day has brought More Life, More Health, and More Joy. We measured the re-awakening of his body. He recalled the day when he realized that he didn't know the ABC's, and then he sat and wrote an eloquent three page letter. We remembered the stillness in his right leg and Dr. Tang telling us not to expect any movement to return. And then Chester climbed 16 stairs! We sat and talked about his journey over the past three months, and found a big fountain of gratitude and joy for being ALIVE and Thriving! This past month has been truly magical, not only in the unfolding of Chester's recovery but in the unwavering love and support that is generated each and every day by this circle of friends, family, and allies. Many thanks to you all for staying with Chester through this incredible month!
And we continue!
Chester is beginning to look into his immediate future and is feeling full of hope, brewing up all sorts of plans for continued teaching and exploration. Today he spoke excitedly about the prospect of teaching Deep Tissue Massage in November as scheduled. He knows that it may look different than before, and is inspired to bring his new lessons and depths to a classroom circle. We are also discussing the possibility of teaching the Breath Intensive as well. As he said today, he has "never been so aware of the preciousness of each breath".
Tomorrow morning the core rehab team, Jacci and Herb, will be coming to Forest Lane to do an in-home assesment, making any suggestions that would ease Chester's transition. Chester will be coming with them, and is excited to try out his new stair-climbing skills here at home. I expect there will be a brief session of dog-therapy as well, if Auggie has anything to say about it!
Chester is scheduled for "discharge" next Tuesday, Oct. 4. HIs homecoming will be both beautiful and challenging, and we are all prepared to make the transition as easy, elegant, and efficient as possible.
Radiation and chemotherapy are underway, and so far the side effects have been much less than Chester expected. The "post-radiation fuzziness" that Chester reports is mild, and he persists in focusing on his rehabilitaiton exercises. I sense that his body has enough resources to deal with the detoxification and the rehabilitation both, with plenty of energy to spare. Laughter is a medicine we are all taking in BIG doses!
After several days at home last week tending my injured ankle, it is pure delight to be back in daily contact with Chester. Indeed, the days of rest were a beautiful chance to really integrate all of the teachings I have taken in this month, and I emerged with an even deeper sense of awe and respect of the process he is moving through. Today, as I began putting both feet back on the ground, I was overhwelmed with the simple joy of walking. Each step, each contact with the earth, is pure pleasure. I know that this is a joy I am sharing with Chester, and a feeling that I intend to remember.
One of Chester's teachings is that "We are of this earth". We belong here, in all of the wacky and diverse embodiments of our humanity. Looking around the dining room today, at all the beautiful humanity that was present, I started to weep. The elders recovering from strokes, folks coming out of amputations, nurses helping folks sip through straws, families gathered around their loved ones. . . So much Human-ness. So much Life.
May you all enjoy each step of the Way,
Chrys
And we continue!
Chester is beginning to look into his immediate future and is feeling full of hope, brewing up all sorts of plans for continued teaching and exploration. Today he spoke excitedly about the prospect of teaching Deep Tissue Massage in November as scheduled. He knows that it may look different than before, and is inspired to bring his new lessons and depths to a classroom circle. We are also discussing the possibility of teaching the Breath Intensive as well. As he said today, he has "never been so aware of the preciousness of each breath".
Tomorrow morning the core rehab team, Jacci and Herb, will be coming to Forest Lane to do an in-home assesment, making any suggestions that would ease Chester's transition. Chester will be coming with them, and is excited to try out his new stair-climbing skills here at home. I expect there will be a brief session of dog-therapy as well, if Auggie has anything to say about it!
Chester is scheduled for "discharge" next Tuesday, Oct. 4. HIs homecoming will be both beautiful and challenging, and we are all prepared to make the transition as easy, elegant, and efficient as possible.
Radiation and chemotherapy are underway, and so far the side effects have been much less than Chester expected. The "post-radiation fuzziness" that Chester reports is mild, and he persists in focusing on his rehabilitaiton exercises. I sense that his body has enough resources to deal with the detoxification and the rehabilitation both, with plenty of energy to spare. Laughter is a medicine we are all taking in BIG doses!
After several days at home last week tending my injured ankle, it is pure delight to be back in daily contact with Chester. Indeed, the days of rest were a beautiful chance to really integrate all of the teachings I have taken in this month, and I emerged with an even deeper sense of awe and respect of the process he is moving through. Today, as I began putting both feet back on the ground, I was overhwelmed with the simple joy of walking. Each step, each contact with the earth, is pure pleasure. I know that this is a joy I am sharing with Chester, and a feeling that I intend to remember.
One of Chester's teachings is that "We are of this earth". We belong here, in all of the wacky and diverse embodiments of our humanity. Looking around the dining room today, at all the beautiful humanity that was present, I started to weep. The elders recovering from strokes, folks coming out of amputations, nurses helping folks sip through straws, families gathered around their loved ones. . . So much Human-ness. So much Life.
May you all enjoy each step of the Way,
Chrys
posted by Chrys Curtis-Fawley at 8:48 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home