Making a Mark from an 11 year old

Ceil is continuing to recover.  She sounds 100% like her old self with complete memory back and not saying things that come from left field with no ryhme nor reason.  It's great to hear her back to normal.  I've been pushing her to rely less on the walker which she is doing now.  While still a little wobbly, she is definitely getting her strength back and her legs are starting to look like they have muscle again.

I wanted to share something with you that Olivia wrote for school.  When I picked it up, I had no idea what I was about to read.  The perspective of an 11 year old can be pretty powerful.  With all the talk about being positive, please read what an 11 year old's perspective is after having a Mom that was diagnosed with cancer. 

I am going to make my mark at McGee by making everyone smile.  I hate to see people sad because it brings back flooding memories of when I was nine and found out my mom had cancer.  All I really needed was a laugh or a smile, so I’m not going to let people just be sad and lonely.  I’m going to make someone’s day because all you need is a smile.  No more pain or sadness.  You just forget for a while and feel happy.  So happy it will warm your heart on a freezing, cold day.

 

-        Olivia Biscoglio

I hope this made it a better day for you and gave you some prospective that there is a silver lining with all that life throws at you.

Return to Home Set

The day we have been waiting for exactly one month is tomorrow.  Ceil will be checking out of HSC tomorrow at 11 and I will be bringing her directly home.  She will continue with therapy at home for PT/OT/ST through Salute Home Health Care.  We picked Salute as it is the very same Italian word we say when we clink wine glasses while we are making the Simeone Vino in September. 

Kidding of course, Salute is a company owned by a friend of mine that handles exactly what Ceil will need for home care.  It's great to know someone I can count on to put this all together...Crea, that is an official plug - kickback...

Ceil is looking forward to coming home to be with the kids and to be in her home which I hope will give her the ability to recuperate quickly.  The road to recovery may be long but it will make it even sweeter when she gets there. 

The kids continue to do well under the circumstances of having their mom away for so long.  Something I wish no child would ever have to endure.  But the kids did show maturity understanding everything she is going through is to make her well again. 

While I know everyone wants Ceil to be back to the way she was a month and 1 day ago, please understand that this recovery will take time as she went through some very serious surgery.  It's things you don't know or understand until you have got to live through it.  As amazing as you could ever think the brain or the body is, you go through what we just did and you realize what a complete miracle the human body is.  Just to know what it takes for a human to do the daily, taken for granted tasks we all do (like type what I just typed), it truly is a miracle.  Something we should never take for granted.

My Uncle John text me when this all first started telling me to stay strong, BiscStrong.  I have received hundreds of emails, texts and people telling me to stay strong which I think I have pretty much held it all together under the circumstances. 

Through this journey I realize where that strength has come from for me.  It comes from the tanacity of my beautiful wife who inspires me to know you can get through anything with the right attitude and you can get through it with grace.  I learned this two years ago, and she just showed me again. Truly the toughest woman I know!

I also get my strength from my mother.  The one I called to say I needed her help when this all started.  Without skipping a beat, she uprooted her and Ed's life to move into the house and take care of the kids...and pretty much everything else...for me so I could do what I needed to with Ceil without needing to worry about where the kids would be.  She also has been here anytime I needed to talk and doesn't wince anymore when the occasional F-bomb comes from my lips.  I know I don't tell her nearly enough but I love you Mom and I can't imagine going through this without your support.  Thanks for showing me how to be tough and it means the world to me that you are here. 

Thanks to Ceil's Mom, Dad, siblings and in-laws for your help through this all as well.  You guys are a close knit family that has remained close and there for each other through thick and thin.  You are a testament to what a family is all about.  For all the kidding I do about never leaving the nest on Edgewood Road, in reflection, I don't know why anyone ever would. 

I also want to thank everyone that has helped with the support, getting the kids places, and lending an ear, etc... While this isn't over, we appreciate it and appreciate it in the future. 

So tomorrow Ceil comes back to us at home.  We'll start that next chapter of our lives with big smiles on our face that she is back where she belongs.  We'll stay positive and we'll appreciate every single day.  I hope you do the same!

Good News on a Tuesday

I met with the case worker at HSC this morning to discuss how Ceil is coming along.  While she is getting better, she still needs some therapy both physical and occupational.  The great news is they feel as though she will be able to come home on Friday!!!  She will need 24 hour supervision which I along with my dedicated staff at Devonshire Rehab will be glad to do.  She also is having a little short term memory loss which is typical for the type of serious procedure she had done.

So there is the good news to make your Tuesday a heck of a lot brighter.

The kids and I are looking forward to getting her home on Friday!!  Feel free to load up Devonshire Way with signs and banners welcoming her home.

Friday update

Ceil's being doing well.  She's got her marbles all together and they have cut down her speech therapy from two sessions to one a day cause like you would expect, her talking has come back faster than expected.  I'd imagine that it's due to her 42 years of heavy exercise over the phone and in person.

As far as her recovery with PT and OT, it is and will be longer than I think we both anticipated.  Last time we went through a major ordeal with her breast cancer, the most Ceil was gone from the house was about a week.  As of today, she has not been home since August 12th.  Way too long! 

Ceil is doing well and pushing herself, but the amount of strength you lose in such a short time is unbeleivable and is taking time to recover.  She is doing 4 OT and PT sessiona 6 days a week.  Her strength is getting better, but there is a lot of work ahead.

The kids continue to do well with what is going on.  With the support system we have had in the past and with whats going on, it makes it all possible.

Guys, just know this - your support is extremely appreciated and its why Ceil made a recovery through her last battle.  While I would never ever wish it on anyone, it gave Ceil and I our eye opening moment that life is fragile and you need to appreciate every single day.  You need to take what life gives you and figure out what is truly important.  You need to get rid of the negative bullshit in your life and truly decide that you will live as a positive person that will make your time on earth a betterment for the people you know and surround you. 

If you realize and understand this from following along, maybe, just maybe, this all will make sense to you.

As I have been typing this, I got an email from our sister-in-law Carla that went out to a distribution list.  I want to share it because I think it is absolutely awesome and know Ceil will appreciate it.  I have been asked by so many of you what ever you can do to help...this may be it - please read and make this happen for Ceil.

Hello Family and Friends, I have a project in mind, and I’m asking for your craftiness! This project is for Ceil. During her stay at Hospital for Special Care, her very favorite blanket has gone missing. From what I hear it was very special to her and helped comfort her during treatments for Breast Cancer. It would be impossible to replace! So the idea I had was to create a new blanket, one that will also give her strength and let her know how many people care and are rooting for her quick recovery.

I have employed my Grandmother, aka Big Nonni, to help me, and I’d like your help too. The idea is to have as many friends and family knit squares that can then be knitted together to make her one big blanket. Each square can be as unique as your relationship with Ceil.

I know there may be people that don’t know how to knit, like me J , but would still like to contribute, so there are a few options: You can pick out the yarn you would like to see used, send it to me and Big Nonni can knit the square for you, OR you can send a silk ribbon that can be added to the blanket as an embellishment. Any unused materials that you send will be returned to you.

Just a few more things:

· Please make your square 6” X 6 “ ( feel free to make more than one)

· When you make your squares, please leave your name, a message (optional) and an extra piece of material on the side so I can put the yarn with the name/ message all together in a book or folder when we give it to Ceil.

· I will have a box at Simeone’s Mobil, 21 Chamberlain Hwy, behind the counter to collect all squares and ribbons. Please have your materials in a bag to keep it clean and all together. The employees will be aware that the materials will be coming in

· I would be happy to pick up any materials as well!

· Now we all know how strong Ceil is, but when you’re picking yarn, think soft and cozy. Any and All colors too!

· Here are some links of Soft yarn ideas.

http://www.joann.com/bernat-soft-boucle-yarn/prd27703/

http://www.joann.com/martha-stewart-crafts-extra-soft-wool-blend-yarn/zprd_11116258a/

http://www.michaels.com/Bernat-Baby-Blanket/nw0976,default,pd.html?cgid=products-yarnandneedlecrafts-yarn-bernat

· My email is simeonecarla@sbcglobal.net, cell860.967.9031, home 860.284.4242 for any questions, pick-ups etc.

· I’d like to collect everything by September 20, and have the blanket ready for her as soon as possible after that.

· If you’d like a photo of the finished product, leave your email or home address and I can forward it along when it’s done.

I've added as many family and friends that I could think of, but PLEASE FORWARD to others that may want to contribute too! Oh, and try to keep it a secret!, Shhh!

Thanks for helping out! I can’t wait to see what it’s going to look like and present it to her! Feel free to call with any questions! Carla

Tuesday 9/2

Happy September!  Unreal how fast time flies.

After our Saturday, Ceil had a couple of good days with no therapy due to Sunday and the holiday yesterday.  Today she's got a lot of therapy scheduled so she will be tired throughout the day I am sure.

Yesterday I brought up Great Taste (its on the way) and both of us agree, Wa-Wah in Berlin is much better tasting chinese. 

Everyone in the house is counting down the days until Ceil is able to come home.

The lack of news to give you is welcomed on our end.

Slow and steady recovery is what we'd like to continue.

Have a great day and thanks for following along.