Seeing is believing
Title: by Gilly himself.
Warning: Today's posting does have a happy ending!
Last night, I fell to the bottom of the bumpy roller coaster ride we seem to be on; you know that dip when your heart lands in your mouth? We've had our share of ups and downs, and we've all been strong, but last night I couldn't shake that churning sensation in my chest where my heart lies. I had an unsettled feeling that grew gradually into silent tears. I desperately tried to hold back so as not to upset this man who is being ever so brave and accepting of his lot. I broke the promise I made to myself; there's just so much one can contain before the pressure forces a crack in the foundation.
This happened late at night, after watching Gilly make his way up the stairs teetering from side to side. He had had a lonely day at home while the rest of us were at work. He was fed up with his eyes and revealed how difficult it was to walk up that flight of stairs with his right leg refusing to cooperate. I couldn't control myself any longer (I tend to be one of those 'alone' criers; closet cases). I began to weep. Gilly begged me not to cry, and assured me he'd be fine. I composed myself and lay quietly as he listened to the 11:00 o'clock news for awhile before drifting off to sleep. I listened to him breath and silently prayed for the treatments to start, so that his symptoms could perhaps be arrested; controlled somehow.
Gilly jumped out of bed promptly at 6:25, 5 minutes before the alarm. This had been Gilly's habit in yesteryear, but not of late. He made coffee and hurried me out the door by 7:30, calling Sheryl on the way to pick him up after his eye doctor appointment. He looked at me and innocently questioned me. "Why do you seem so tense?" I patiently (he may use a different adjective) explained to him that I have an 8:30 food lab this morning (I teach a class called Nutrition for Children) and was unaware of the 8:00 appointment on Sherbrooke near Green until I got home at dinner time. I did not have a chance to plan ahead for the latish (and by this I mean 'not early) arrival. I am not one of those teachers who likes to appear just as the class starts. I had groceries to unpack, a lab report assignment to photocopy...What can I tell you? My life is on wheels!
So we parted ways at 7:56 and we both managed to arrive at our destinations on time.
I called home after class to discover a new man, or in actuality, my Gilly (as I once knew him) back in town! He cheerfully explained that his eyes have improved and the prisms are no longer necessary. He was having trouble seeing because the prism overlay had to be removed. Once Dr. Wise peeled it off, he realized that his eyes had indeed adjusted somehow, due, I suppose, to the prisms. Now I wasn't there with my special book to take notes and share the pearls of wisdom that spewed from the doctor's mouth, but, as Gilly says, seeing is believing. He is flying high!!!
Then Gilly reported that Dr. Wise gave him the go ahead to drive. Well, this could be so. He's no longer on anti-seizure medication, and he says he can see straight. Thankfully, Gilly is being prudent, and has not yet demanded the keys. "We'll see how it goes," he said.
I could not wait to get home and squeeze him tight. What a wonderful development to the ongoing saga. We put on some Eagles, and danced as we cooked up a delicious dinner together, something we used to do every evening when we first got married. He made his famous "Seven Minutes Potatoes" a la Sema's recipe (I think), and he's calling me to the table now, so adios amigos. Enjoy your evening. Mine's a sure bet!!
Sight is worth a thousand words
Warning: Today's posting does have a happy ending!
Last night, I fell to the bottom of the bumpy roller coaster ride we seem to be on; you know that dip when your heart lands in your mouth? We've had our share of ups and downs, and we've all been strong, but last night I couldn't shake that churning sensation in my chest where my heart lies. I had an unsettled feeling that grew gradually into silent tears. I desperately tried to hold back so as not to upset this man who is being ever so brave and accepting of his lot. I broke the promise I made to myself; there's just so much one can contain before the pressure forces a crack in the foundation.
This happened late at night, after watching Gilly make his way up the stairs teetering from side to side. He had had a lonely day at home while the rest of us were at work. He was fed up with his eyes and revealed how difficult it was to walk up that flight of stairs with his right leg refusing to cooperate. I couldn't control myself any longer (I tend to be one of those 'alone' criers; closet cases). I began to weep. Gilly begged me not to cry, and assured me he'd be fine. I composed myself and lay quietly as he listened to the 11:00 o'clock news for awhile before drifting off to sleep. I listened to him breath and silently prayed for the treatments to start, so that his symptoms could perhaps be arrested; controlled somehow.
Gilly jumped out of bed promptly at 6:25, 5 minutes before the alarm. This had been Gilly's habit in yesteryear, but not of late. He made coffee and hurried me out the door by 7:30, calling Sheryl on the way to pick him up after his eye doctor appointment. He looked at me and innocently questioned me. "Why do you seem so tense?" I patiently (he may use a different adjective) explained to him that I have an 8:30 food lab this morning (I teach a class called Nutrition for Children) and was unaware of the 8:00 appointment on Sherbrooke near Green until I got home at dinner time. I did not have a chance to plan ahead for the latish (and by this I mean 'not early) arrival. I am not one of those teachers who likes to appear just as the class starts. I had groceries to unpack, a lab report assignment to photocopy...What can I tell you? My life is on wheels!
So we parted ways at 7:56 and we both managed to arrive at our destinations on time.
I called home after class to discover a new man, or in actuality, my Gilly (as I once knew him) back in town! He cheerfully explained that his eyes have improved and the prisms are no longer necessary. He was having trouble seeing because the prism overlay had to be removed. Once Dr. Wise peeled it off, he realized that his eyes had indeed adjusted somehow, due, I suppose, to the prisms. Now I wasn't there with my special book to take notes and share the pearls of wisdom that spewed from the doctor's mouth, but, as Gilly says, seeing is believing. He is flying high!!!
Then Gilly reported that Dr. Wise gave him the go ahead to drive. Well, this could be so. He's no longer on anti-seizure medication, and he says he can see straight. Thankfully, Gilly is being prudent, and has not yet demanded the keys. "We'll see how it goes," he said.
I could not wait to get home and squeeze him tight. What a wonderful development to the ongoing saga. We put on some Eagles, and danced as we cooked up a delicious dinner together, something we used to do every evening when we first got married. He made his famous "Seven Minutes Potatoes" a la Sema's recipe (I think), and he's calling me to the table now, so adios amigos. Enjoy your evening. Mine's a sure bet!!
Sight is worth a thousand words
posted by Gilly at 5:21 PM
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