February 10, 2012

I saw Suzie today - I ran into her and her caregiver at the grocery store. It's the first time I've seen her since August.

She looked very well. And from talking to her and her caregiver it sounds like she has a new doctor (thankfully) and is back in some therapy. This caregiver, who is amazing, said Suzie can now get herself up and move a few steps from the chair with a cane. Suzie's also been working with a computer on her speech and I noticed some improvement, more vocabulary than the last time I saw her.

But the best thing was that Suzie seemed excited about it all, about 'working' - about being alive. She had a drive and a purpose that was missing last summer. The last few times I'd seen her she seemed tired and sad - she seemed content to spend her days watching TV and was very focused on going to lunch. Her most repeated refrain at the time was "Too hard."

Today I saw a very different Suzie. She was very bright-eyed and aware and seemed excited about what she's been doing - the work she's been doing. It was a really great change to see. I think a lot of it has to do with this caregiver, who I think has been a daily and very positive influence / advocate. But whatever the reason, Suzie seemed really well today, and it was great to see.

kevin