[Dialogue] (no subject)

[pschrijnen at aol.com]

Dear Ruth and Ken,

we celebrate your gratitude with you. It lifts my day.

Paul


-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth H. Gilbert <ruth4ica at gmail.com>
To: dialogue at wedgeblade.net; oe at wedgeblade.net; Alex Kerr 
<cheshirecat at gmail.com>; 'Amara Oden' <odens at drizzle.com>; Art Durfee 
<adurfee2 at gmail.com>; Brad Logosz <cwboy at u.washington.edu>; Chris Kerr 
<kerrs at mindspring.com>; Claire Picard <clairedeloon3 at yahoo.com>; Connie 
Marion <cdmarion at twcny.rr.com>; Jessica Coulson 
<rubytwostep at gmail.com>; Julie Logosz <julielogosz at comcast.net>; Ken 
Gilbert <kgg at volomail.net>; 'Kris Marion' <kristijm78 at yahoo.com>; Leif 
Oden <Leif_oden at yahoo.com>; Luke Gilbert <lituna at verizon.net>; Marj 
Marion <marjmarion at comcast.net>; Mike Marion <michael.marion at jax.org>; 
Mike Marion <Michael_Marion at nps.gov>; Pat Gilbert 
<pgilbert22 at verizon.net>; Phil Coulson <philco at seanet.com>; Renate and 
Phil Coulson <renateco at seanet.com>; Roland Marion 
<rmarion at twcny.rr.com>; 'Ruth H. Gilbert' <ruthhgilbert at gmail.com>; 
Ryan Gilbert <ibesalty at gmail.com>; Samatra Doyle 
<sammysue78 at yahoo.com>; Scott Marion <smarion at vims.edu>; Wayne Marion 
<waynemarion at comcast.net>
CC: 'K. Elise Packard' <kelisepackard at rcn.com>; 'Michael Watson' 
<mwatson at ica-international.org>; StoverN at BellSouth.net
Sent: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:31
Subject: [Dialogue] (no subject)



November 26, 2009
Re: a final Ken Gilbert update:
 
Dear Friends and Family - near and far
 
Thanksgiving abounds within us!
 
Ken had a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage). All statistics suggest 
that he should be dead. But he isn’t. And he didn’t appear to have any 
physical or mental “residue” from the event. Astounding!
 
Ken had a second stroke during the last diagnostic test that was 
conducted. This happens to about 1% of people undergoing such a test. 
He landed in that 1%. The residue from this stroke was in his occipital 
lobe and produced a “cut in his right field of vision.”
 
This means that Ken can’t see from his nose to his right ear. His eyes 
work fine but his brain can’t interpret the information that is 
delivered to it. We are sorry about this. We also realize that this 
stroke could have had a much worse outcome. We are resilient people and 
are standing thankful for what we do have.
 
Ken was “too well” to be accepted into in-patient rehab. That is good 
news. It means that we were discharged and returned home on Sunday. 
This week has been about nesting, resting and recuperating.
 
We are in the process of referral for follow up to a neuro-surgeon in 
Chicago, a neuro-opthamalogist in Champaign, a physical evaluation for 
physical therapy, a checkup from his primary physician and dialogue 
with his professional work situation.
 
Ken is learning to live with his new self. This will take some time but 
we move steadily toward normalization of our lives. He is eager to 
regain his strength and energy but we can live into the time frame of 
several months suggested by his doctor. Ken is eager to get back to 
work but we wait for that future to unfold itself in its due time.
 
We send abundant thanks to all who supported us during this time. This 
thanks goes to all who sent cards, photos and messages, to close 
friends and neighbors who delivered concrete acts of care, to strangers 
in our extended network who offered a car, a computer, a cell phone, 
daily lunches and evening dinners, transportation support and other. 
The list is extensive. We have been overwhelmed by it all.
 
Thanksgiving abounds within us! We wish that it encircles your life as 
well.
Ruth and Ken Gilbert
 


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