A Wonderful Day to remember!

Yesterday was a beautiful day to remember! Not only did Dave's good friends George and Paige get married, Dave also got to attend the day with them! This was Dave's first day out other than, going out for Drs appt's. When going out for a Dr appt's Dave is transferred by an ambulance. Today with much going back and forth-a van is what was used for this transport as well as Dave sitting up in a wheel chair.


I was honored not only not only being able to attend this special Day, but I also got to spend a very special day with Dave. To be able to be an outsider looking in, it was wonderful to see the joy in Dave's face when he was 'SPRUNG' as Sharon put it! It was also special to see him greet friends that mean so much to him. Many times I was moved to tears to see Dave just be apart of the day. It was a mark of achievement. George and Paige are such good friends and missing this Day was NEVER an option!


The weather held off on the rain, that was unfortunately on its way, not only for the ceremony, and cocktail hour, but having it also hold off for Dave to actually be there for it. The 'boys' had to take the wheelchair stoppers off so that the wheelchair could easily move across the lawn. Which worked GREAT--I enjoyed handing them in to his nurse at the end of the day with a 'we took them off to move in the grass--but look the screws are right there to put them back on!' .


My job at the wedding was to take pictures for Dave, as he too is a picture person-his hands inspite of now being able to hold a fork and feed himself, just are still working towards gaining back his fine motor skills! Dave laughed at me when I said to him "Dave, see how much I Love you?! I charge most people to photograph a wedding!" He watched the wedding, yet, Boy was he on me at the same time! lol! "AMY-take pictures" he said to me, numerous times. These pictures I snapped on my cell phone, the others were on his camera.


Just as the sun came out perfectly, almost as a sign, only for the wedding ceremony, the rain held off till Sharon and I were just about back to the Nursing home. The timing on Sharon's end was perfect. Dave attended only the wedding and cocktail hour. As Sharon was thinking that it might be time to head back, Dave began to show us signs he was done. Even though he enjoyed the conversations with all AND the yummy egg rolls, his legs were beginning to hurt, and his body was exhausted from sitting and enduring a big day out. We loaded him up and on the way back is when the rain began. Sharon, had a hard time leaving Dave at his nursing home, because he SOOOO wanted to go back to the wedding too. I stayed behind with Dave, fed him, and helped his nurse getting his ready for his shower. As I took Daves shoes off, his nurse said that it was ok she could do it she knew I had a long ride home, to which I replied under my breath, "Dave is worth 5 more minutes to me!" and Dave added ever so softly "I love you Amy"


May 23, 2010 is truely a day to remember. A beautiful blessed day for George and Paige. A fantastic day of achievement for Dave. He wanted to be at this wedding and he now has proof that he really can do it. His journey however is not over and will still continue to be One day at a time. I didn't speak with Sharon, but I can almost bet today Dave was wiped. George and Paige, not only was your wedding day a day of your lives changing, it also marks Dave's and Sharon's lives changing too. In a few weeks Dave will be going home. And my heart is so happy for everyone!


I want to share a quick story with you all and Dave too! I showed my son Daniel this picture of me and Dave. I still smile as I remember his happy shout out "MOMMY! Uncle Dave is all better? That means he WILL be able to go to Long Beach Island with us!". You see Dave everyone is still praying and pulling for you--even the little people in your life who just love their Uncle Dave! The positive things like getting out for George and Paige's wedding, sharing a beautiful day with all your friends who love you so, your nieces and nephews helping you see postive when sometimes all you see is what you can see in front of you, Sharon encouraging you to "Keep that head up" and "straighten those arms"---THATS what will keep you motivated to keep getting better!! Keep seeing the positive Dave, everyday you are one step closer. And everyone is 100% behind you. Sharon, Keep up the hard work, and know how everyone who loves you and Dave, are behind you too and with you 100% of the way and are ready to help you with WHATEVER you guys need! Its a new chapter for you and Dave and we look forward to helping you write it and get through it!

To all, please keep the positve encouraging thoughts and messages coming! and Thanks to all who are helping getting the house ready for Dave to come home! It is appreciated by all.

My daughter is

my HERO. I never knew Sharon had such incredible strength. I have been in on this journey since the very beginning, what started out as a possible case of Lyme's disease, to maybe MS,then it seemed to take on a life of it's own. As the more common ailments were discussed then ruled out, thru the different hospitals, different doctors, the whole time watching Dave get worse & not having any answers, she has been a tower of strength for Dave. I've held her when she cried, seen her handle insurance problems & administrators, gotten called at 5:30 in the morning when he was moved to ICU with pneumonia. But every time she walked into Dave's room, she dried her eyes, put her chin up & never, ever let him see how worried she was. I'm so proud of her, anyone would be lucky to have her in their corner.



Now onto Dave, I haven't seen him in awhile, but he had a good report from the eye doctor, and this is huge, he held a utensil & raised it to his mouth 3 times before he tired out, TRUE PROGRESS!! His upper body seems to be coming back pretty well, lower body a little slower, but everyday seems to bring some positive progress. Everyone is busy trying to get the house ready for his return, which takes lots of money & hard work. The insurance says they won't pay for him to stay at Lake Aeriel, & the doctors won't sign his discharge unless the house is in order. Talk about being stuck between a rock & a hard place.



So PLEASE, PLEASE keep your encouraging posts coming to both Dave & Sharon, the response to Matt's last post was great & I know it helps them keep going.

And so...

... with the quickness I'll try to explain. Dave's insurance says, "You must go." So, home is the only option. I hope anyone reading this never has to actually understand what goes on with insurance companies and the care that you hope your loved ones get, but, probably you will at some point.

With ten-ish days left in skilled care, Sharon has been scrambling to prepare their house for a homecoming. Sharon's dad Dave has been dutifully renovating the first floor of the D Bizzle-DeBerdizzle residence to be handi-capable. Sharon needs a ramp built to her (& his) front porch, "durable equipment" (meaning lifts, beds, wheelchair... etc), & also General Support.

You may wonder, "General Support"?

Yes indeed. Your glad tidings always lift their spirits & make it possible to carry on. Without the constant feedback Dave probably wouldn't be in touch with half the people he hears from today.

If you read this & think your response isn't important, you're stupid. Respond in the "comments" section of this blog. Do it. Do it.

Dave, Sharon, & all can't wait to hear from everyone!!