March Madness Indeed

The setbacks we didn’t have in Baltimore found us in Atlanta.

After David’s surgery, the medical team worked to grow the cultures to figure out what infection was responsible for opening up his wound. But in the short-term, the IV antibiotic the infectious disease doctor gave him was the nuclear option. While necessary at the time, it resulted in a secondary infection that led to David being confined in his room and his bed.

On Tuesday, David conferenced me in with the doctor who took a fresh look at where David was and decided to switch some of the antibiotics around. Thankfully, David’s symptoms started to improve and we’re hoping that today, he is cleared to resume full PT and OT in the gym. The delay and the impact likely mean he’s deconditioned and his timeline will likely be impacted. We just don’t know by how much yet. Definitely falls into the piles of shit category. 

David also switched rooms, which means his address has changed! Please reply to this email if you’d like the updated addy! Not only do your kind (and funny) words boost him up, they are also a powerful reminder of how much support he has from all of you.

Two of our gang flew down to be with him this weekend in Atlanta. They provided much needed emotional & comic relief, basketball watching companionship, and helped get all of the cards rehung. 

Just like the Olympics were a great distraction when we were in Baltimore, March Madness has been a great thing for him these last few days while he’s otherwise confined to his room. David submitted brackets for two different pools and has been watching the games. In one, after day 1, he’d only missed one game and was in the top 10 of a pool that had over 500 brackets entered; he’s still in the top 20 as of Sunday morning. In the second pool that we’re both in, I was beating him earlier today (now not so much - boo). No, we’re not competitive at all.

Meanwhile in Maryland, the boys, London, Happy Cat, and I hanging in there. I’m so thankful for the beautiful forsythia, the magnolia, and the cherry trees that are blooming - it helps my outlook & mood so much.

Overall, some days are better than others and I know all of us are feeling this - London’s been a bit more clingy the past few days and Happy Cat is refusing to eat her regular food. The boys and I definitely exhibit similar symptoms. Thankfully, London always feels better when she goes to play with one of her besties, Manolo (pictured here) and Manolo’s family has been very generous in having London over. Maybe Happy Cat needs a play date too? (Eek) 

I’ve been working with a couple friends to set the stage for the purging of our garage and other first floor so we can be ready to go for the renovation. The first of the “Help the Swards Purge Their Stuff” days has been scheduled for Saturday, April 18.  We need about 10 people across 2 time periods so you can sign up for one or both shifts. We plan to tackle the garage, the furnace room, and probably some of the office. We will start at 11:00 and go through 3:00 so if you’re able to join us for 11:00-1:00, 1:00-3:00, or if you’re a gluten for punishment and want to come the whole time, that would be amazing. If you are up for a couple of hours for clean out and organizing at Casa de Sward, please reply to this email (instead of texting) with what time you can join. Gratitude! 

There will definitely be more days of this fun - from purging to packing, both here and at the house one of our friends is generously lending us while renovations are done. Her house is accessible and will be perfect for the four of us to re-group and be together again while we wait to move back into our house. More and more gratitude! 

We remain in deep gratitude to each of you for your support. Thank you!

Erika and David