New Years Eve, 2002 9 pm
Let's see. We caught you up to the Charity Show. Needless to say it was so
wonderful to see so many friends and the show was just amazing. Arcadia has
a great dance program and all the other groups were phenomenal too. I was so
touched by the response of everyone...and I held it together during the power
point photos until the picture of Albany Medical Center came on the
screen...then I lost it. I sat down and just hugged Daniel and cried. He
was smiling and laughing, remembering all the good times he had with the
people flashing on the screen. What an evening.
We spent the following Saturday evening with some musical family friends.
The Myer family has been getting together with other musicians for 25 years
and playing Christmas Carols in Hastings Ranch. Since Daniel and Kelly Myer
are good friends and compadres from the French Horn section, we were invited.
They played the toy piano together (loudly, if not with finesse), and joined
with all the other musicians for spirited (and sometimes bizarre) renditions
of holiday classics. You haven't experienced true artistry until you have
heard Mr. Danielson's version of Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella (is that
the real name?) sung as the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz. It defies
description. Due to the rain the first carols were played via telephone
calls...some might have been confused with crank calls. The weather improved
and most took off for Hastings Ranch to set up on the lawn of a friend, but
Daniel was tired so we decided to go home, pick up Emily and Madison and do a
quick drive by the musicians. We were invited to "honk" along and we did to
Good King Wenceslas (sp?) Such fun!
Christmas was wonderfully calm, relaxing and low key. Christmas Eve we broke
out a new game called, Apples to Apples, sent by Edith Leet. It is hard to
describe but suffice it to say we laughed so hard that Daniel started
coughing and threw up. Christmas morning we all helped make breakfast,
opened stockings, and cards. We apparently are pretty predictable with our
stocking stuffers since Emily, Betsy and Daniel all find the same wrapped
item and "guess" what it is..."This has to be the comb...toothbrush...camera
film...tylenol...nail clippers etc. (Santa is pretty practical at our
house). I did fool them with silly string but that was about it. We finished
the day with phone calls to relatives, naps and a video.
Since Christmas Emily and Madison have returned to work on Catalina Island
and have five gallons of paint to make improvements. Betsy has made the
backhouse much cuter with her decorating zeal and is now on the quest for a
little puppy (think lap dog) to keep her company. The biggest challenge will
be to keep Ollie (our very unique dog) from eating the new addition.
We also saw The Emperor's Club, a movie Daniel and I wanted to see in Albany
but an unscheduled stay at Albany Med derailed our plans. Very uplifting and
Kevin Kline is definitely on my list of five. Daniel has also been able to
visit with friends, has regained his appetite (and ability to keep food
down), and has gained six pounds!
Mr. Farr, one of Daniel's music teachers from Arcadia High, had heart surgery
before Christmas. He had a triple by-pass and some scary moments. Daniel
could really relate to the sobering circumstances and we all kept him in our
prayers. We were able to stop by briefly to wish him well and pass on the
Albany Med heart pillow. He looked wonderful and it did our hearts good to
see him.
Monday was doctor day. Melinda Jean (the friend formerly known as Mindy) was
our very patient chauffeur. 9:00 - the dentist. Dr. Canzoneri said Daniel's
teeth looked good for not having seen a dentist in two years and they
expected far more damage from the accident. He will be working with Daniel
to restore the tooth that was broken. 11:00 - Dr. Browne, pulmonary. He
said Daniel's lungs sounded good, encouraged Daniel to keep eating, and he'll
check on Daniel in a month. 1:00 - Physical Therapy. Ron Milich, the girls
swim coach from when they were little, did a complete work-up. Stretching is
the order of EVERY day and strengthening will come in time. The most
critical area of concern remains Daniel's left foot, ankle and toes. We're hoping
Daniel will regain full use, or develop muscles to compensate for any
permanent damage. He'll be going three times a week.
Today was Daniel's last day on the antibiotic and, of course, this evening he
is coughing up a lung (Daniel's description) and feeling not so hot. We are
crossing our fingers for a "regular" cold. We have planned an exciting
evening of pajamas, In N Out, and a DVD...Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Daniel has never seen it and Jim and I can't wait for his reaction to the
inventive costumes.
Jim and I have also entered the twentieth century (Daniel maintains we are
almost to the nineties), by purchasing cell phones for the three of us on the
family plan. We've found since I can't drive we have a need to phone for
rides often. When I return to work, on January 6th, it will be a way to keep
in close contact (providing I can figure out how to use the thing).
We are looking forward to a visit from KC (a week from Thursday) and figuring
out what will be our new "normal". I am personally looking forward to being
castless and driving...using a walker is a big improvement from hopping, but
I miss my leg.
We are more than ready for a new beginning as we bid goodbye to 2002.
We send our best wishes for a year filled with the kindness and
caring that we have experienced these past months from all of you. Our
hearts are full and we have so many to thank. May 2003 bring you joy and the
knowledge that you have made a difference in our lives. Happy New Year!
Love, Jim, Toni, Emily, Betsy and Daniel
Monday, January 6th, 2002
Since last week we have been pretty quiet. Daniel's cough is still with him
but we think he is gaining on it. Jim called Dr. Browne today and he said we
can watch it for awhile since there is no fever or breathing problem
connected. He feels it is probably a virus.
In the meantime Daniel has been going to PT three times a week which is
really a good workout. Today he managed 5 miles on the exercycle. This is
great since he hasn't had the range of motion to actually use it until
recently. Tonight he is out on a walk with his Dad. He wanted to go alone
but we just don't think he is quite ready...
He took Dial-a-Ride to PT and it worked out just fine. However, when he
called a little after 3:00 for a ride home they told him they were booked
until 6:30. Wow! We figure all the school kids in Arcadia must keep them
pretty busy. So, we prevailed on Ryan Fiske, our neighbor, to come to the
rescue. Not only did he pick Daniel up but he stayed to visit and caught us
up on much of AHS news. (By the way, if any of you are college admissions
personnel, grab Ryan...he is a great kid and you will be the better for it.)
Betsy started a new class today for her Master's...something to do with
Special Ed. It means she goes from 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, but
she has a professor she really likes and a small class of fifteen students.
It also means she won't have to take a class in the summer. All very good
things.
Today was supposed to be my first day back at AHS but I woke up with the flu
yesterday, throwing up, headache, achy body...the usual. (It has been
suggested it might be a psychological reaction to returning to work...but I
deny it). However, by this afternoon I felt much better so I will try again
tomorrow. We have had strong wind storms and apparently there is no power at
the high school and may not be for a few days. It should be interesting.
Jim was our nurse yesterday, so I'm pretty sure it was a relief for him to go
back to work today. He also spent the afternoon yesterday taking down
Christmas lights outside. The Christmas tree remains up and it may turn into
a Valentine's tree...(it could catch on).
Emily and Madison are on Catalina Island and since we haven't heard much from
them I'm going on the "no news is good news" theory. I am going try and
reach them tonight but phone reception is sketchy at best.
Just a quick note for all our friends in New York. It has been in the mid
80's here the past few days and we've had to turn on the air conditioning.
So, how is the weather back there?
Take care, The Foxes
Thursday, January 9th, 2003
This is strange. This is Mary Ann sitting at the computer composing a "Daniel's Update". The funny thing is that
Daniel is sitting behind me on the couch in our family room. Life is good! Today, Daniel's friend from Bard
came for a visit and they happened to come by when we were just finishing our chicken tacos. They both seemed to
enjoy them and it felt so good to be feeding Daniel once again here in the Laun dining room. Daniel looks good (he
has gained a few more pounds since his last doctor's appointment but still has a way to go. By the way, Daniel reports
that Toni got her cast off today! What a relief that must be!!
It has been an incredible year hasn't it? As I think back on 2002, and the very challenging events, it all seems a bit
far away now, especially since Daniel is sitting right behind me. And the gathering of angels...all of you who prayed and sent
such positive thoughts for his recovery...amazing! Well, since I didn't get my Christmas cards in the mail again this year, may I
now wish you a wonderful new year. Mary Ann Laun
Thursday, January 23rd, 2003
I realize that it's been a rather long time since a last update, but when
there's so little bad news, nothing much seems worth writing about. But,
some pretty fantastic things have happened recently so I'll recount them
now.
Two weekends ago (beginning January ninth), my friend KC from Bard College
came to visit. While he was here, we did much of the San Gabriel Valley:
Beantown in Sierra Madre, Old Town Pasadena, Paseo Colorado (which I'd never
been to before), and the Los Angeles County Arboretum in good old Arcadia.
Although I quickly became tuckered out at Old Town, I was able to hold my own
in the Arboretum and walked all around that expansive park (all the way down
to the citrus garden!) and felt good afterward.
If KC comes to visit again, hopefully I'll be able to drive so that we can
venture beyond that South Pasadena/Sunland border into "real" LA. Even
though I believe Arcadia is really a part of Los Angeles, people from the
West Side tend to equate the San Gabriel Valley with New Jersey.
After KC left, I had a whole week free. Of course I decided to go back and
visit my old favorite teachers at Arcadia High. 'Twas fun. I went Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday and only had to take an in-school nap one of those
days. On my first day back, Dr. Sutro came by my mom's office to welcome me
back. After lunch, he dropped in while I was talking to the principal and
dragged me (very willingly) to his psychology class. He informed his class
that instead of learning about drugs (I could have helped him by talking
about Celexa and Trazadone [did I spell that correctly?]) they were going to
have me as a guest speaker. I told them the basics of my accident and then
answered student questions.
After talking, Dr. Sutro invited me and any friends I wished to bring along
to dinner on Thursday night. I agreed and was very very excited.
Wednesday night I went (on invitation of course) to Ms. Ashley Novak's Silver
Lake house to help prepare and partake in dinner with her, her boyfriend
Josh, and her sister Megan (who makes KILLER purses). I helped prepare
vegetables for soup, and she chopped up asparagus for the pasta she served.
All in all, it was fun and provided me with a full release from the week's
worth of school visiting and physical therapy.
Thursday I went with my sister Betsy to Crescenta Valley High School to sit
in on her Spanish classes. Some of her classes took vocabulary quizzes, and
some some were free to ask me questions the whole period. They had all heard
about me through my sister and had some pretty intelligent questions to ask.
During lunch the two of us headed out to The Puppy Playhouse to select a
cute, small dog for her. She decided (with my approval) on an eight week old
female shitzu. Her name is Lola. My friend Mindy and I always sing "Lola"
by the Kinks when we see her.
Unfortunately, the traffic on the way back to Arcadia was bad so time was
tight for me to get dressed nicely (suit and tie) for dinner with Dr. Sutro.
Mindy picked up Kelly and then me, and we zoomed off to Caltech in Pasadena
to eat with Dr. Sutro at the Athenaeum. I know I butchered the spelling on
that, but it will have to do for now. We ate the best food ever. I started
with prosciutto and melon, ate onaga, tried venison for the first time, and
finished the meal off with creme brulee. It was fabulous! And Mindy and
Kelly enjoyed their steak. Before leaving, Dr. Sutro handed me three to-go
containers with desserts in them and gave me orders not to let my head touch
a pillow until I had devoured them all. Well, with the help of my mother
(she couldn't resist creme brulee) I met his challenge.
Well, my dad needs to go to bed now and I'm keeping him up by using the
computer. Tomorrow I go to the dentist to get the tooth that was broken in
the accident capped temporarily. But for now, goodnight.
posted Monday, January 27, 2003
Well, we seem to go in spurts. No updates for awhile and then Daniel and I
both get the bug. I checked the last date I wrote anything and realized it
was the last day before I returned to work. Gee, do you think there's any
connection?
It is great to be back at work, seeing everyone and catching up on all I've
missed. However, I realized my computer skills were a bit rusty. To begin
with I couldn't remember any of my passwords and it took about an hour to
actually get access. Then I optimistically called in a student to make a
schedule change and couldn't figure out how to add or delete anything. I hit
delete for the class the student was dropping and nothing happened.
Innocently the student asked, "Do you think you did it right?" "Apparently
not", was my reply. I quickly excused myself and stood over Kathy Rapkin's
shoulder so I could remember how to find things. I think I managed to see
two students the entire day and mostly floated around in a sort of cloud,
rediscovering my office. At one point Kathy was showing me a folder with all
kinds of lists and notes and things to do and I was aware that I had good
comprehension of about every third word. I remember thinking, "This looks
like a lot of work and pretty important stuff...is it really mine?"
Since it was the first day I'd left Daniel alone in months I called him about
9:30 to see how he was doing.
"How's it going Daniel?"
"Fine."
"Is it lonely?"
"Not really."
"Do you need
me to come home and bring you anything?"
"What?? Mom, are YOU okay?"
(What can I say? Daniel was doing great but I was having separation
anxiety).
I found I had to re-program my mind from medications, doctor appointments,
physical therapy schedules and make room for 2nd semester programming
requests, class changes, parent appointments, D/F grade conferences and staff
meetings.
Now that I'm almost up to speed at the high school I'm getting ready to
return to private practice. Tomorrow I spend all day at a workshop to finish
my 36 hours of Continuing Education so I can re-activate my license. By the
beginning of February I should be back in business and I'm eager to see
everyone. Sometimes I find myself physically at Arcadia High School but
mentally back in Albany.
What do I notice?
1. My perspective has changed. There are very few
things that need urgent attention. It is okay to turn off my computer and go
home at 4:00 instead of staying late, because things still get done within a
day or two. I know not getting the class you hoped for, the teacher you
really wanted, not being able to afford the vacation you dreamed of, or being
able to walk without a limp is not the end of the world. We are all so much
more resilient than we know. Learning that about ourselves is a gift.
2. I see people differently. Everyone struggles with some hardship in their
life. I may not know what it is, but I can admire that they have shown up
for class, for work, for the day, in spite of what they are privately coping
with at the moment.
3. Sometimes I find myself physically in California but mentally and
emotionally back in Albany...
4. Humor is essential. If I can find the absurd, the comical, the bizarre,
and laugh I feel better. I have started "walking" (limping) at the high
school track with my friends and we are definitely not the fastest, not the
most fashionable, and certainly not the most fit, but we do think we are
hysterically funny...and it helps.
5. I was hoping I would have been transformed by my experience and suddenly
be incredibly patient, terribly organized, amazingly focused, and think only
pure thoughts about everyone and everything...alas, I am still me.
6. BUT, most of all, we are a family of FIVE...and nothing is better than
that!
Love to all, Toni