The First Ride To Work

While he has been riding for a while now, today Michael rode all the way to work for the first time since the accident.

Starting out way too early for me!!

An incredible milestone, even more quickly than I thought possible. And let’s face it, I was unnaturally optimistic about this recovery!!

I have gone back and read that initial post I wrote, just two days into this journey, and can see in hindsight that I was WILLING him to be okay. I actually have laughed at myself a little for being so sure about things, and then amazed at how right I actually was. I wrote:

We are SO lucky......

as always, he was wearing his helmet and it no doubt saved his life.

the 150+ miles of riding every week for the last 7 years is going to make his ability to recover from this devestation possible.  I am convinced of it, even if the doctors don't seem so sure.

his bull headed stubborness and obsession with riding will make this recovery possible.  The doctors just don't know who they are dealing with yet.

we have the most amazing friends, family & work-family who are literally holding us up through this time.

The doctors just don't know who they are dealing with yet.

I do know my man.

I honestly didn’t even feel a twinge of worry as he walked out the door this morning.  Granted, it was painfully early and I was only half awake, but the truth is, I was happy to see him on his way. I prayed for safety, and prayed he would feel good as he took on this challenge, but knew in my heart of hearts, this is EXACTLY what he is supposed to be doing.

"Lucy" (short for Lucinda from Don Quixote), sitting exactly where she should be this morning

 May is National Bike Month, and this week is "Bike to Work" week. You can read more about it here......http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

The Value of Nurses

This is National Nurse’s Week and I could not allow it to pass without saying a few words about the nurses in our life.

While the vast majority of the population has fleeting encounters with those in nursing, my sanity quite literally depends on the nurses that are in my life. I just glanced at the calendar to confirm that, indeed, a nurse has played a part in every single week as far back as I was willing to look. On the rare week we are not seeing one, I am most assuredly on the phone or emailing with one or more of them, attempting to deal with one thing or another.

The truth is, our nurses are almost more important than our doctors. Minimally, they are the ones I depend on the most.

No disrespect intended to the amazing doctors we have on our team….I value their expertise and knowledge more than I can say…..but without THEIR team to back them up, even the best doctor is less than.

I always say that the nurses are on the front lines. They are the face and the voice on the other end of the line that I need to depend on. I am regularly amazed at the effort they put in to taking care of my family, and cannot imagine this journey without them.

Before last summer, I was already a fan of nurses. What I saw in the ICU though, that convinced me that these amazing people really are angels walking among us.

A big thank you to all our nurses, for all you do.

Another Milestone (of the Bikey kind)

Saturday, thanks to some very special people, Michael’s new bike was handed over to start its new life in the McNair household. She is oh so pretty.

Some of those special people met the family at Dallas Bike Works to surprise the old man, and we did. In an awesome, amazing kind of way!!

A quick ride around the parking lot brought a BIG smile.

After formalities were taken care of, we were all off to the house for a little celebratory cook out!!  As I shared on FB, this here…..

THIS is how a backyard should look!!

It was a lovely evening that included a few jaunts out on the new wheels with friends….there is nothing better!!!

Sunday, a quick run to the store for some last minute things needed for the second party of the weekend (I had a Lia Sophia jewelry party), became another excuse to get out on the new wheels. He is a happy man!!

Another example of how amazing the Dallas cycling community really is. We are so blessed to know them and be a part of this group of people.