Back in Seattle - What the Kids' Think

SoJo

I am happy to be back in Seattle, but I really miss Argentina.  Now that we have moved back into our house, it feels like we never went to Argentina in the first place. Everything is back to normal except for Mom’s scar on her head.

As we unpacked and got settled, our house was like a zoo.  My room was a monkey’s cage.  It was super messy!  I found a broken wine glass in my closet; my curtains were stained; there was a rainbow of paint colors all over my desk; there were forks and spoons in the drawers and under the bed; there was a Native American Halloween costume on the floor, and a cigarette.  There were a few awesome things.  I found pennies and change all over the house.  I went on a scavenger hunt, and when I was done, I had a whole cup full of pennies!


A few days ago, Mom dropped a battery, and it rolled under her bed, so she looked under her bed for the battery.  She found more than the battery, so we took the bed apart to get under it and see what was down there.  We found a fork, a spoon, a lightsaber chopstick, dental floss, a mini tube of toothpaste, food coloring, two dirty socks, a nickel, and a pencil.  The most amazing thing that we found under the bed was a Nintendo DS that was still working!!  I do not want to give it back to the renters, but Mom says I have to.  Right now I am going to ask my mom if I can play on it.  She said no.  

Caleb Antonio 

The best part of coming back to Seattle is my friends.  Now we get to go to the pool a lot with Carey.  I went to a parade and played legos with Finn and Aiden and Nora.  I went to Clive’s mom and dad’s houses, and Clive made me a new deck of Pokemon cards and taught me how to play the game.  We do not need to go to school because it is summer.

The worst part was leaving Argentina.  I really miss my friends Simon, Salva, Tomy Semino and Leo.  They were my best friends.  We had a huge pretend family.  I was the kid.  Salva was my dad.  Simon was my brother.  Tomy was my uncle.  They were the best.

Carmela

Coming home was great of course, but it was also hard.  It was terrible to leave Argentina, and it was hard work to return.  The house was a mess!  It was like a tornado has spun through leaving stains, splotches, dirt, dust, and disorder.  The shower curtain alone told the story.  Don’t even start me going on the walls.  I might add that gum goes in the trash can when you are done with it. Basically the entire house was a mess. 

Once we settled in it was a lot better though.  I even got my own room back.  That was really nice because I was tired of sharing a room with SoJo and Caleb.  They seemed to love it though.  Caleb is still sleeping with SoJo in her bed. 

I am happy to have more music freedom too.  I have Dad’s old iPod Touch, and some speakers from his lab, so I can listen to all the music I want in my room and not have to turn it off.  In fact, I am listening to music right now!  Any music recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 

It was totally awesome to see my friends again.  It was like the weekend after a long week of school.  I have been spending a lot of time with some amazing people including Lila, Mandi, Grace, Sofia, and Nina.  I am telling you, they are awesome people!  I hope I can see all my friends again soon!

I know I am not going to see any of the kids from Argentina soon, but using WhatsApp, I am keeping in touch.  I do video calls, texting, and photos every chance I get.  I miss them, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy life and see them again.  

Here things are almost back to normal.  At least normal to the standards of an abnormal family.  For example, I went to mass on Sunday dressed as Madonna.  

Even in our normal life, there is still a small pain in the back of our heads because we miss the people and life in Argentina.  We love them and always will.  

I 💝 Argentina and Puerto Madryn.

Mom's Surgery

SoJo 

Mom’s surgery was very scary.  Before she went to the surgery, I was scared she was going to die.  That was the bad part.  The good part was her hospital food.  It was all good except for the custard.  The custard was super disgusting.  I think I liked the milkshake, the jello cubes, and the lemon drops the best.  Mom ordered a huge breakfast, but she didn’t want that much because she had been throwing up all night, so Carmela, Caleb, and I got to eat it all. Yeah!!

The Chain-Gang that was
starring at Mom.

One time Mom was walking to the store with me and Caleb, but when we got there we realized that she forgot her bandana because everyone was staring at her!  Once we left the store we saw what my mom and dad call a “Chain Gang.”  It is a bunch of preschool kids in a line attached to a rope. Some of them were crying, but when they saw Mom’s shaved head and scar they all turned and stared at her.  It was really funny.  Mom tried to take a picture of them, but by the time she got her phone out, they already started walking away.  Every once in a while they would turn around and stare.  

Caleb Antonio

At the parade with Finn, Aiden and Nora
while Dad picked up Mom.  

At the day of Mom's surgery when we dropped her off at the surgery, we got to meet one of her nurses.  The nurse was really nice.  

When Dad picked Mom up from the hospital, I was at a playdate with my friends, and after that one of my friends came over, and we got to see Mommy.  Mom’s scar is really awesome. 

I really want to fight Mommy. When we fight, we are wrestling in the living room on the rug.  It has been at least a year since we wrestled.  I bet I can beat Mom first.  My mommy thinks she is going to beat me, but it is not going to happen.

Carmela

Mom’s surgery was a trip to Disneyland.  At least at the end it was.  The beginning was more uptight.  Not as fun.  

When Mom was going into surgery, I wasn’t that scared.  I mean, what was there that I should be scared of, minus the fact that they were cutting open her head.  I figured that if the doctors in Argentina could do it, the doctors here should be able to as well.  I knew it most likely wouldn’t be worse, and if anything it would be better.  I guess I was mentally prepared for anything, even the bad.  I knew that the biggest problem we would have would be Mom herself after surgery.  

I was prepared to see Mom after her surgery, the big scar, the bandages, and the IV.  What surprised me most was how tired she was.  Last time in Buenos Aires, she had said she wanted to get up and out.  This time I guess she was more prepared.  She was super sleepy when we first saw her.  When we visited, we ordered more breakfast food.  When it came, Mom had a little bit, and we ate the rest of her lemon drops, milkshake, custard, Jello, crackers, and a lot more I don’t remember.  

Watching TV after we ate all Mom's breakfast!

While Mom slept, we watched TV. The only kids’show playing was Una Kitty, so we watched that, and left soon after.  The thing that scared me most was when we found out Mom’s temperature was a bit too high.  She was fine though.  When she got home, she was back to giving out homework and all of that.  We hoped she would forget about Mom homework, but she didn’t.  Oh well.  Without homework I never would have written this!  

Carinos a Todos, 

Carmela

Zombies, the Exorcist, and Brain Surgery....

Hoping Mom was pregnant...

Surgery day arrived, and I was ready to go.  No food, no water, no pasa nada.  I rolled into the hospital with the whole family, and we whooped it up as I stripped down and dressed in my wispy gown.  The kids were so excited when I took the mandatory preanesthesia pregnancy test.  They were all hoping for a positive result and twins.  Fortunately we dogged that bullet!  That would have been a hilarious complication.

Eventually the family got kicked out as the IV was started and blood samples were taken.  I was wheeled down to meet the anesthesiologist, Bobby, and we busted up laughing as he introduced me to the nurses, Hannah and Montana. No joke.  We were all cracking up, and ready to go.  Only problem was that no one could find the neurosurgeon, Dr. Lee.  The operating room was ready, the crew was ready, the piece was ready... but where was Dr. Lee?  Stuck in clinic.  By the time he showed up 45 minutes later, Bobby and I had bro-ed down and were comparing life stories.

Dr. Lee
I am pretty sure
he is not a Zombie.

Knowing Dr. Lee worked all morning and rushed over, I was thinking that he was not properly nourished to handle the 4 hours of surgery for which he had booked the room.  I asked if he had eaten, and he laughed, saying food wasn't important.  Dude, you better not be a zombie waiting to get into my skull and eat my brains.  He was more concerned about how to cut my hair.  I told him to go for a mohawk.

He disappeared and scrubbed up as Dr. Bobby wheeled me into the gigantic operating room.  With a smile, he told me to get myself onto the operating table, and within two minutes he and Hannah and Montana had me knocked out.

An hour and a half later, they were done, waking me up and preping for a CatScan.  The potential of four hours of surgery was minimized thanks to the incredible job the Buenos Aires surgeon did in leaving a synthetic film between the skin and the dura which kept the membranes from sticking together.  Lucky for me, it also meant that Dr. Lee never had to see my delicious brain.

43 sweet stitches.  One for every year of my life.  

As planned, I spent the next two nights in the hospital.  The first 12 hours were a vomit fest.  The zombies were out and the exorcist was in.  I am always amazed at how the body finds so much volume to spew without food or water intake.  It is impressive.  At three in the morning, I finally encountered a successful nausea medication, and the puking stopped.  From then on, I was all about enjoying the three hots and a cot.  Room service, breakfast in bed, the World Cup on the tele... it was good times.  I was even granted permission to wear my own clothes instead of the paper thin hospital sheet, when I convinced the nurses I would not try to escape.

On Saturday morning, Dr. Lee entered with a smile and discharge orders.  He gave me directions for getting the stitches removed, not showering, etc... and finally I asked, "Soooooo, when can I run again?"  The look on his face was priceless.

Still puffy and swollen, but hoping
that will pass soon.

He spun around and questioned, "Isn't that how you got in this mess in the first place, and you want to run again?  What about a sport with a helmet? Like biking?"

As a daily rider, I jumped on this, "Yes!  I love bike riding!  I ride to work; I ride to physical therapy; I ride everywhere; my bike is my car!  Yes!  When can I ride?"

His response was quick, "What? Don't ride your bike!  That is more dangerous than running!  Bike riding and horses are the worst.  Just because you have a helmet doesn't mean you are safe.  Stick to running, in the middle of a large group of people."

We'll see how long I can hold back my inner rabbit.  Less than a week out of surgery, and I am already bouncing out of my seat.  The good news is that I am encouraged to walk, and walk I do, up and down this town.

I am indescribably grateful for the prayers, love, food, playdates, and flowers.  Thank you.  And please keep praying.  If the incision gets infected or meningitis returns, the prosthetic piece has to be surgically removed followed by a long hospital stay filled with antibiotic cocktails, and I am back to square one.  Once in a lifetime was enough for that party!

Kid fun...

...and gorgeous treats!

A Humble Request 🙏

I am humbled and grateful for the generous offers and help during my recovery.   Since arriving in Seattle, we have been treated to fresh beds before moving back into our house, delicious meals, and entertaining activities for the kids.

In addition, people have told me over and over that they have been praying for us.  I cherish the prayers.  Please 🙏 Please 🙏 pray for me.  I am a stressor by nature.  When my kids are late coming home from school, my mind worries that they have been in an accident.  When I don't hear from my parents for a few days, I wonder if everything is OK.  Tens years ago, when I had a slightly elevated liver enzyme test, and the doctors prescribed a MRI, CatScan, and biopsy, I stressed that I had a fatal disease until the test results came back negative and normal.

But when I first opened my eyes in the hospital in Buenos Aires, I was at peace and unfazed.  That is not my instinct or personality.  Even though I was tied down to the bed, and I knew I was in a critical unit, I was free from anxiety.  I did try to undo the knots holding down my arms, but when I failed, I serenely went back to sleep.

Four reasons I am having this surgery... 💕

Adam credits this to the morphine.  I thank God.  I am quite sure the morphine helped in the first few days, but the pain killer quickly ended, and the harmony grew stronger and still continues seven months later.  Thank you for praying for me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers were answered, and I am deeply grateful.  I could not have lived this experience joyfully without the equanimity and love imbuing my heart.  It is a gift from God.  Thank you.

Again, I am humbly asking for your prayers.  On Thursday, July 12th, I am scheduled to have a cranioplasty to replace the missing section of my skull above my left ear.  The surgeon told me that he does not intend complications, but until he opens up my skin, he won't know how the previous doctors left the area and what it will require to secure the prosthetic plate.

Carmela - a day after turning 12.  WOW!

Planning for surgery is a bizarre experience since I feel healthy and strong and normal.  I dripped sweat during my 50 minute cardio workout this morning doing burpees and jumping jack squats, then I went for a 30 minute jog spontaneously meeting a friend on the trail and chatting together as we ran up hills.  A few hours later, I rode 8 miles round trip to meet my new principal and tour my new school.  I am smiling, active, and energetic.  Life is good!

My memory is normal, and I am back to nagging my kids when they put their dirty feet on furniture, forget to flush the toilet, or leave their pajamas laying on the floor.  I prepare the meals, do the grocery shopping, manage the schedules and household, clean clean clean, and am excited about my return to the classroom in August.  Yet, in a week, I will be back in the ICU with a half shaved head, a huge horseshoe shaped scar, and under doctor's orders to avoid cardiovascular activities for a month.

Hair Today, Gone Thursday

Please pray that the surgery is straightforward and successful. 🙏

Please pray that meningitis or infection does not return. 🙏

Please pray that I do not suffer a stroke, blindness, death, seizures, or paralysis. 🙏

Please pray that I am at peace and accept, without resistance, the following month of relaxation.  That is so hard for my rabbit spirit. 🙏

AND Thank you.  

Your prayers are the finest gifts.  

THANK YOU!

And we still own a car... in ARGENTINA!

Merida Espectacular!

Last I heard, we are still the owners of our Chevy Meriva in Puerto Madryn.  We had a fantastic deal worked out with the used car salesman. We bought the car for $8500 in September, and he agreed to buy the car back in June for 20% less.  Fabulous.  We'll take it.  We asked to get the deal in writing, but we were told by our friends that is not how things are done in Argentina, and it wouldn't matter if we did.  We were informed that the señor was very trustworthy, and a man's word was more important than a written agreement.

Gracias Mariana!!

We did everything the dealer said with the help of Mariana and Luciano.  We got the car maintenance.  We paid for insurance.  We obtained blue cards, so we could legally drive the car.  Everything. 

We have had a few experiences with car salesmen in the US who meet the slimy stereotype, so we were always a little apprehensive.  Two weeks before our departure, our Mariana called the dealer, and he confirmed that that he would buy the car back for $6000.  He took a little more than the original agreement of 20%, but we always expected an extra cut (taxes and fees or whatever), so we didn't make a fuss.  

On the day of our flight at the arranged time, Adam took the car into the shop to finalize the details.  The dealer sat him down and told him that the economy was different now, and he could only pay half the price for the car.  WHAT THE CHE BOLUDO?  Adam heard a saga...  Our friend Luciano seemed unfazed.  "This is Argentina," he said, "What do we expect?  Things are really bad now."  It was hard for us to understand how things changed so quickly in two weeks.  We looked at the numbers, and they told a different story.  

Thank you Mariana y Luciano!  We couldn't
do any of this without you!

Every Argentinian with whom we shared the story told us the same thing.  "That's Argentina!!"

Well...  the car is in the process of being sold back to the trustworthy car salesman for less than 50% of what we paid, and we have no idea where the title is.  AHHH!!  If I remember correctly, it is in an envelope, high out of reach, on top of a kitchen cabinet in our first home that Adam evacuated in haste due to the bird mite infestation less than a month after my accident while I was still being treated for meningitis in Buenos Aires.  WHEW!  It is probably still there.  Geez Adam, how could you have missed it?  Maybe the mites ate it?  

The good news is ...  It is Argentina.  I am sure someone can make a "new" title for a few pesos.  Sometimes the system can help you, and sometimes it can hurt.  You have to take advantage while you can!  Now THAT is Argentina!

And we love Argentina!!  Antonio y yo con nuestras
camisas de ARENTINA!  MESSI!!
Mundial!  World Cup!
We were up early to watch France vs. Argentina
Saturday morning, and we were all crying at the end!

Home... One year later...

We don't have a huge house by American standards, but it feels enormous.  I miss our little two bedroom, one bath, backyard cottage in Puerto Madryn.  The kids and I could clean the whole place in 30 minutes, and our possessions were minimal.

Our Seattle renter moved to his new location last week, and we were able to move back in early.  The house required extensive cleaning, and even with the help of professionals, it has been exhausting.  It is the exact reason I was dreading the return to Seattle life.  Seeing friends is awesome.  Taking care of a 2400 sq. ft., five bedroom, three bath house is too much.   The amount of work required to keep everything clean, organized, and running efficiently is no joke.

Six months before we left on sabbatical, we parted ways with our weekly house cleaners after they took the kids' Halloween candy several weeks in a row and then tried to raise the rates.  I was slightly annoyed.  It came at an insanely busy time in our lives, but I taught the kids how to clean every part of the house, and for two hours on Friday afternoons, we busted it out and got it done.  It was satisfying and somehow fun, and it felt really good when it was finished, and we had a sparkly-clean home.  The kids learned responsibility and skills.

So many boogers on the walls.
I am not making this up!!

Too many to count.

A little Sharpie greeting on
the wall welcoming us home.
I can't get it off!!  Help!!

When we got back in the house last week, we worked together again.  We cleaned walls, chairs, rugs, floors, organized...  We dusted baseboards, scrubbed burners, and chased cobwebs.  The list went on and on.  The items I wish I had banned from entering the house includes: boogers, sharpies, boogers, hot glue guns, boogers, exploding ink pens, boogers, cat claws and litter (although that might have made a bigger mess 😝), and BOOGERS!!

Sofia so happy in her explosion. 

We are not finished, but our house is beginning to resemble our normal life.  Box after box is coming in from the garage.  The kids take the explosion approach in their rooms while Adam and I are methodical and finish one box before moving on to the next.

As each item is extracted, I wonder why I need it.  I survived a year full of joy and peace and happiness without it, but now I am putting it in a drawer or on a shelf or in a closet.  Why?

I dream of a simpler life, but I dream that dream on a super comfy, extra cozy, foam mattress with the twinkle of the Space Needle visible through the window as I snuggle under my down comforter.  UGH!!  WHY?!?!?!?

Carmela loves her chaos!

Doctors and Doctors and Doctors...

Adam and I arrived in Seattle on Tuesday night, and my chain of doctors’appointments began Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM.  First the knee doctor, who confirmed everything Claudio told me at CIK, gave me some ideas to continue to strengthen my legs for running, and done.  Easy! 

Swimming in Lake Union in the center of Seattle
Enjoying it while I can with the people I love!

Wednesday morning was the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders.  He was awesome.  He reviewed all of my x-rays before and after the accident and explained to me the severity of the break and shoulder damage.  The bone was snapped off below the ball, the blood supply cut off and part of the rotator cuff is missing.  He ordered an MRI for July 2 to see if there is anything left to surgically repair  or help grow new muscles back.  He encouraged me to continue my physical therapy.  He was so shocked to see my range of motion, even with the help of my right hand, that I got teary.  He did express concern that I may never be able to have normal usage with my shoulder if I truly lack some of the rotator cuff muscles.  The MRI will answer those questions.

After meeting with the orthopedic surgeon, I went across the hall and checked in with the neurosurgeon. That was a frustrating appointment. The CatScan I had in Puerto Madryn in April was done with the intention of having the prostetic implant made for my head in May, so I could have surgery in June.  Whew!  

Enjoying Summer Time!

Well, life doesn’t always work out as planned, and Kaiser sent an encrypted copy of the scan to the implant manufacturer. The company was unable to open the file and prepare the prostetic.  Sadly, no one followed up on this, and the piece was never made.  Only because I was in the doctor’s office, the neurosurgery team contacted the company and found out the news.  Now they have put the piece on special order and hope to have it here by July 12 – my newly scheduled day for surgery.

I am following up with Kaiser this week to ensure that the implant is being made, and unfortunately my emails and phone messages have been ignored.  So much for the 24 hour turn around time.  The good news is that I have a little extra time to enjoy summer and swim before I am sporting a half shaved head, huge worm shaped incision, and orders to keep out of the water.  

Finally on Thursday, I went to my first physical therapy appointment.  It was so different from how I was spoiled in Argentina.  I met the PT in a small cubicle with four austere walls, a computer, rolling stretcher, and no gym equipment.  I spent most of the hour answering questions and explaining my therapy and exercises in Puerto Madryn.  In the end, she surmised that the CIK plan was great; I should keep doing the exercises and come back in a few weeks.  

That was it, and all for the love price of $235.00.  What the ?*$?!  I have to cover the deductible and then it will only cost $50 a session - the same price that I paid for five days a week at CIK with 2.5 hours a day of therapy, contortion, exercises, structure, and a million blessings.  As Claudio just reminded me in an email this week, the moto is, “Y SIEMPRE SONRIENDO!”AND ALWAYS SMILING!  I would have it no other way!  

This is exactly how I feel - like an upside down monkey!