Little Apartment on the Garden

On Sunday, I returned to Atlanta for my longest stretch since David first came down here on February 23. First order of business? Moving all of the crap we’ve each accumulated since February (SO MUCH STUFF) and consolidating it into one apartment.  

But first? Tacos and hanging out with one of David’s oldest friends Alex - who stopped off in Atlanta to hang out with David for the weekend on the way back from Morocco to his house in New Orleans. Over the weekend, they FaceTimed with another old friend who lives in Nairobi. (Tell me you grew up in Chevy Chase without…) 

On Monday, May 18, David graduated from inpatient care. The team threw him a fun little ceremony where he got to pick the music (He’s Gone by Grateful Dead). I’m not quite sure how one gets to do this but many of the ceiling tiles in the therapy gym are painted by individual patients - this quote comes from He’s Gone. 

The staff has another great tradition of everyone from his team writing out some of their favorite memories/experiences from their time with patients. David's included: “always willing to try!” “hardest worker,” “best Dad jokes,” “jam band connoisseur,” “biggest Nats fan,” “most supportive wife (hell yeah!),” and “barbecue sauce” (the phrase that David was supposed to say to his PT if he thought he was about to pass out from low blood pressure).

Lots of good pictures with his team from the last 12 weeks who have built him back from virtually no function to some important life skills & tricks.

We’ve gotten to know (and love!) Alex, a friend of our friend Mary. Alex works at Shepherd as the director of Volunteer Services and Internal Engagement. She has been with us through some of the hardest parts of our time in Atlanta and we’re so thankful she got to celebrate this joyous occasion. And now onto Day Program! 

Shepherd generously provides an apartment on campus (the inpatient building is 2 blocks away) for patients & their caregivers enrolled in the Day Program. On Sunday, I moved my stuff in; on Monday, I moved David’s stuff in. The best way to describe moving two blocks from the apartment in which David’s visitors stayed and then moving all of David’s stuff in to our little home for the next few weeks is moving from one dorm room into another in undergrad - but without the benefit of my mom’s minivan (or now mine for that matter). We’ve set it up, figured out where to put things, and are working to figure out a routine. Won’ lie - it feels a bit like we’re playing house. 

Our little apartment overlooks a big garden, which is lovely and so much better than looking at the hospital next door. We have a kitchenette - the star features of which are the coffee pot and the dishwasher. Theoretically, I will start cooking again although I’m working hard to avoid it. And starting tomorrow, David will roll over through the parking garage, across a bridge, and up to the 3rd floor for his therapy. I got a desk via Facebook marketplace and I’ll be working from Atlanta as long as we are down here. 

More updates are forthcoming - on Wednesday (yesterday), we went to the Atlanta airport to practice getting on and off planes, and on Saturday - we head to Truist Park to see our beloved Nats play the Barves (misspelling intentional). That will be our first big adventure - go big or go home!! We’re also starting to meet other couples and families enrolled in Day Program, which is both fun and helpful. 

I will fly back to Maryland next week for the May 29 event at Babycat in Kensington. Hope to see many of you there! Thank you for your continued support and well-wishes. 

And now…a message from David: 

“Well, Erika and I have finally shacked up together again. I’m now in Shepherd’s intensive out patient program called “Day Program.” Everyone says it’s hard work, M-F, 9-4, focused on efforts to support such my individual goals such as adaptive rock climbing, putting on a shirt, and skills necessary for me to successfully return to work. We intend to be here through mid-June before heading home to put the family back together again. Thanks to everyone for your incredible support.”

Much love from Atlanta - and thank you. 

Erika & David