Home sweet Home

Dear ones,

Marty is home. We left Kentfield on Tuesday via ambulance on a smooth ride home...no rain, just about perfect. The sunny day between storms.

 When Marty got home and realized he was home at last, I gave him his medicinal tea and in 15 minutes he was smiling like a cheshire cat. Marty Jr, Christine, Savannah, Mitch, Paul and I were all there to witness the glorious moment. There were tears and a few of us wept openly from relief, joy and the realization of what had been accomplished for this wonderful man.

Marty sleeps when he wants to sleep for as long as he wants. If he needs anything we attend right away. Whether it's meds, repositioning, getting him up, handing him something holding his hand...anything. (No more catheters, no more waiting for nurses or walking the halls searching for assistance.)

He is doing better a little bit every day.

His doctor came to our house and spent a good deal of time. One thing she did was order a reclining wheelchair, which we used today. Marty went outside, down the gentle ramp my cousin Nick Mitchell built and on to the back patio. We sat in the sun and there was laughter and there were many smiles.

First day outside in the reclining chair

His friend Paul Stapleton Smith flew in from Arizona and was essential in the transition, I can't thank him enough for holding my hand through some very dark hours.  

My brother, Mitch, flew in from Canada for the second time since the nightmare began. He helped get the house ready and led the charge with hard work by a loving and willing crew: Mitch Sakolsky, Jean Doyle, Hayne Bendick , Nick Mitchell, Sharon Allen, Celina Guitierez, Sheri Wrachford, Charlie Brown and many more.

During Marty's last week in the hospital old friends who work with Marty came by to share stories.  Here is a photo of Paul with Andy Olsen.

Paul Stapleton Smith and Andy Olsen

My brother Mitch came from Canada for the second time since this all began. We were preparing to bring Marty home with dire predictions from his doctors. They said if there was any chance that he could recover it was only at home. Clearly now we know that home is restorative in and of itself. Here is a photo of my brother talking about the Kindle he bought as a present for his wife. Marty was curious about the technology.

Mitch showing Marty the Kindle

Only one day after Marty got home he sat at the side of the bed for the first time in a very long while ...here is a photo of that precious moment:

Sitting bedside for the first time in a month, first day home

Thank you one and all for your support. After only two weeks of 24/7 care our funds will be extremely low. Our wish is to get him off the vent and back to eating. I will be cutting back on the 24/7 care and getting help in the hours only necessary/ Hopefully he will be stronger by then and we will have less need for hourly care.

If you would care to help us defray costs Here is a site, even a tiny bit helps...So many have given and it has allowed us to get Marty the care he needs. We thank you from our grateful hearts, he is doing very well at home and it's only possible because of your generosity. Here is that site:
http://www.giveforward.com/musicformarty

If you'd like to help with other things then feel free to email me and I can add you to the list of helpers.
ginny@digitalmediafactory.com

Many of you have been kind to ask me to tea or to a show. I am not really able to leave home right now. The help we do have are not nurses, but CNA's. Some know the vent and the feeding tube, some do not. Many of the tasks take two people. If Marty Jr. is here or another able person , then I am able to leave. Otherwise I am the one who assists.That will change as Marty gets stronger. So stay tuned.

We feel truly blessed. And I am beyond happy to be home with Marty. There is no place I would rather be. When I can take a break, like tonight...I walk to the top of the property, sit on the deck and look out over the treetops to the ocean. I am in heaven to be here with him and the friends and family who surround us. We have had friends drop by with food and gifts, or just a hug and a kind word.

Tracy Parker's sister Carol made him a beautiful quilt made with prayers and love ( and many dollars pinned as well :-) Tracy brought it today, a sweet visit...thanks Tracy! And thank you Carol!

Carol's blanket of love

 Marty lies beneath a blanket of love safe and sound and most of all...

Resting and healing.

Blessed be