Michael and his parents Pat and Phyllis
Michael (isn't he handsome!??)
Michael and Elta (Karen's Mom)
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
July 25th - married 18 days
I just received this picture from Denys. I'm waiting for our official wedding pictures and will post more soon.
Click picture for larger view
Meanwhile.......Wow! 18 days already? We've been home a week and a half now. Routine has settled in. Michael returned to work immediately upon arrival back to WA. This left me to manage the house and chores, including unpacking, laundry and resting.
So much happened during the past few weeks, traveling, wedding, honeymoon, more traveling etc... which took the focus off my disability and limitations. But then at the same time, it highlighted them.
It wasn't until we were in Cozumel, and Michael touched my left arm I noticed things had changed. It was the first time I was able to pinpoint where he touched me. Since the signals from my brain were mixed up after my stroke, actually they weren't getting through, he could touch my knee for example and either I couldn't feel it or depending on how hard he touched me, I might have thought he touched my shin. But for the first time, I was able to close my eyes and tell where he touched me. I still can't feel the "touch" but I can tell the sensation and location a little better. So I am healing slowly but surely.
I've also noticed myself using my left hand more. I'm getting more fine motor skills back. Funny, I can't feel my hand but I can use it more and more little by little. I have more strength and control than I did. For example, I can hold my hairdryer in my left hand while I use a brush in my right hand. I can remember when Denys was here in March I tried to blow-dry my hair. I was just amazed then that I was able to stand up doing it back then, one-handed. Back then, I had to use my right hand to hold the hairdryer, turn it off, put it down, then brush my hair, and then repeat the process until my hair was dry.
I've also been pushing myself to drive again. Small steps. I've driven into town 4 miles away and back. I'm pushing myself to get back into society by myself again. I went to get my nails done by myself the other day, stopped by the grocery store for a few things, and then pumped my own gas in my truck. I haven't done that for almost 5 months! Awe, the taste of freedom!
I've also kept busy with all of this medical insurance mumbo-jumbo. Now that it's been a few months, the statements have either been paid by my insurance or things not paid need to be cleaned up. So it seems like I am on the phone with either my insurance company or one or two hospitals, or ambulance company etc...trying to clean things up. It is a full time job! It doesn't pay well, but if it keeps me from paying this $100K+ tab, then ok.
Click picture for larger view
Meanwhile.......Wow! 18 days already? We've been home a week and a half now. Routine has settled in. Michael returned to work immediately upon arrival back to WA. This left me to manage the house and chores, including unpacking, laundry and resting.
So much happened during the past few weeks, traveling, wedding, honeymoon, more traveling etc... which took the focus off my disability and limitations. But then at the same time, it highlighted them.
It wasn't until we were in Cozumel, and Michael touched my left arm I noticed things had changed. It was the first time I was able to pinpoint where he touched me. Since the signals from my brain were mixed up after my stroke, actually they weren't getting through, he could touch my knee for example and either I couldn't feel it or depending on how hard he touched me, I might have thought he touched my shin. But for the first time, I was able to close my eyes and tell where he touched me. I still can't feel the "touch" but I can tell the sensation and location a little better. So I am healing slowly but surely.
I've also noticed myself using my left hand more. I'm getting more fine motor skills back. Funny, I can't feel my hand but I can use it more and more little by little. I have more strength and control than I did. For example, I can hold my hairdryer in my left hand while I use a brush in my right hand. I can remember when Denys was here in March I tried to blow-dry my hair. I was just amazed then that I was able to stand up doing it back then, one-handed. Back then, I had to use my right hand to hold the hairdryer, turn it off, put it down, then brush my hair, and then repeat the process until my hair was dry.
I've also been pushing myself to drive again. Small steps. I've driven into town 4 miles away and back. I'm pushing myself to get back into society by myself again. I went to get my nails done by myself the other day, stopped by the grocery store for a few things, and then pumped my own gas in my truck. I haven't done that for almost 5 months! Awe, the taste of freedom!
I've also kept busy with all of this medical insurance mumbo-jumbo. Now that it's been a few months, the statements have either been paid by my insurance or things not paid need to be cleaned up. So it seems like I am on the phone with either my insurance company or one or two hospitals, or ambulance company etc...trying to clean things up. It is a full time job! It doesn't pay well, but if it keeps me from paying this $100K+ tab, then ok.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Anonymous Said...
Beautiful pics, very sorry I couldn't attend. What a stunning bride!!!!! But I have a question????? What happened to Michael's hair? It used to be a beautiful shade of gray! LOL Lots of love to both of you from Nor Cal!!!!! Kevin & Mike!
Monday, July 16, 2007
We're back from our honeymoon!!!!
We finally made it home last night after a very long, tiring, full of a lot of fun and exciting wedding in California and honeymoon in Cozumel, Mexico.
For those of you who didn't know this our honeymoon destination was a surprise for me. I was told we were going to Antarctica and that was it.
We left Ontario Airport in CA at 12:55am on Monday morning and had a connecting flight in Houston, TX. At this point I still had no idea where we were going. We were at the gate in Houston waiting to board our flight to Cozumel and had dozed off. The lady at the counter came on the speaker to make an announcement. "For those of you traveling to Cozumel, please have your passports checked prior to boarding." I woke up Michael and said, "honey, is that where we're going?" So that is how I found out. But he had kept it from me up until then. We had a blast even due to my limitations. All I was able to do physically was hang out in the pool (only because it was shallow enough so I could walk the pool, not "swim"), and we went on a dolphin encounter where we got to be in the water with them, pet them and kiss them. We stood on a platform in the water up to our chest. I wasn't able to do the other advanced encounter with the dolphins that would have included being able to hold onto their fins while they pull you around or they carry you through the water on your feet. We decided to work on therapy more for next year in case we returned for our anniversary. I just wasn't ready for that this trip.
We landed back into Ontario, CA at 7:30pm on Saturday night, rented a car, drove to my Mom's to load the rental car with gifts and my two cats, say goodbye to Mom and we drove home to Graham, WA. 1,130 miles one way.
I'm tired and a little sore and my left foot is swollen (not sure why). But we had both decided a couple of months ago (especially after my stroke) that life was too short not to live it and too long not to be happy. So even though I'm not 100%, it was all worth it.
Thank you to everyone for all your help with the bridal showers, preparations for the wedding including but not limited to the set up, decorations, food, flowers, photographs, music and tear down. There was so much effort and love in so many different ways that was put it by our family and friends and we just can't say thank you enough. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but having a stroke 4 months prior to the wedding has been difficult for both of us physically, emotionally and financially. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making it a day for both of us to enjoy and remember.
Love, Mrs. Karen Dionne <-- looks cute ;-) and Michael
For those of you who didn't know this our honeymoon destination was a surprise for me. I was told we were going to Antarctica and that was it.
We left Ontario Airport in CA at 12:55am on Monday morning and had a connecting flight in Houston, TX. At this point I still had no idea where we were going. We were at the gate in Houston waiting to board our flight to Cozumel and had dozed off. The lady at the counter came on the speaker to make an announcement. "For those of you traveling to Cozumel, please have your passports checked prior to boarding." I woke up Michael and said, "honey, is that where we're going?" So that is how I found out. But he had kept it from me up until then. We had a blast even due to my limitations. All I was able to do physically was hang out in the pool (only because it was shallow enough so I could walk the pool, not "swim"), and we went on a dolphin encounter where we got to be in the water with them, pet them and kiss them. We stood on a platform in the water up to our chest. I wasn't able to do the other advanced encounter with the dolphins that would have included being able to hold onto their fins while they pull you around or they carry you through the water on your feet. We decided to work on therapy more for next year in case we returned for our anniversary. I just wasn't ready for that this trip.
We landed back into Ontario, CA at 7:30pm on Saturday night, rented a car, drove to my Mom's to load the rental car with gifts and my two cats, say goodbye to Mom and we drove home to Graham, WA. 1,130 miles one way.
I'm tired and a little sore and my left foot is swollen (not sure why). But we had both decided a couple of months ago (especially after my stroke) that life was too short not to live it and too long not to be happy. So even though I'm not 100%, it was all worth it.
Thank you to everyone for all your help with the bridal showers, preparations for the wedding including but not limited to the set up, decorations, food, flowers, photographs, music and tear down. There was so much effort and love in so many different ways that was put it by our family and friends and we just can't say thank you enough. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but having a stroke 4 months prior to the wedding has been difficult for both of us physically, emotionally and financially. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making it a day for both of us to enjoy and remember.
Love, Mrs. Karen Dionne <-- looks cute ;-) and Michael
Photos from our honeymoon
Click pictures for larger view
Taken on the balcony of our suite in Cozumel, Mexico
Taken at Chankanaab ~ where we swam with the dolphins
Sunset dinner overlooking the ocean
Taken on the balcony of our suite in Cozumel, Mexico
Taken at Chankanaab ~ where we swam with the dolphins
Sunset dinner overlooking the ocean
Photos from the wedding
Click pictures for larger view
The bridal party ~
Josette, Danielle, Karen, Denys, Emily and Alanna
The groomsmen ~
David, Karen, Curtis, Gary
The happy couple ~
Michael and Karen
Michael and a few of the girls ~
Denys, Alanna and Josette
Siblings with Mom
Cindy, Randy, Karen, Lori, Curtis and Mom
Left to right
Gary, Randy, David, Curtis, Karen, Michael, Denys, Danielle, Emily, Josette and Alanna in the front
The bridal party ~
Josette, Danielle, Karen, Denys, Emily and Alanna
The groomsmen ~
David, Karen, Curtis, Gary
The happy couple ~
Michael and Karen
Michael and a few of the girls ~
Denys, Alanna and Josette
Siblings with Mom
Cindy, Randy, Karen, Lori, Curtis and Mom
Left to right
Gary, Randy, David, Curtis, Karen, Michael, Denys, Danielle, Emily, Josette and Alanna in the front
Monday, July 9, 2007
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dionne
Click for a bigger picture.
After Michael and Karen get back from "Antarctica", they will post another update.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
July 3, 2007 - 3 1/2 days and counting
Michael and I are here in CA finalizing details for our wedding. We've been here since last Wed night.
Thank you Sylvia, Mary and Corliss for throwing me a shower. And thank you to all who attended. It was great to see everyone again.
And thank you to Denys, Lori and Cindy for the personal shower. And thank you Heather for letting us use your house! I had a great time seeing friends I've known for almost 20 years.
Here are a couple of pictures taken at the personal bridal shower thrown by Denys at Heather's house.
Click on pictures for larger view.
Lori, Karen, Mom and Cindy
Denys, Alanna and Karen
And thank you Curtis and Brad for not killing Michael with too much alcohol.
Happy 4th of July to everyone. We will post pictures soon!
Karen (Skippy) and Michael
Thank you Sylvia, Mary and Corliss for throwing me a shower. And thank you to all who attended. It was great to see everyone again.
And thank you to Denys, Lori and Cindy for the personal shower. And thank you Heather for letting us use your house! I had a great time seeing friends I've known for almost 20 years.
Here are a couple of pictures taken at the personal bridal shower thrown by Denys at Heather's house.
Click on pictures for larger view.
Lori, Karen, Mom and Cindy
Denys, Alanna and Karen
And thank you Curtis and Brad for not killing Michael with too much alcohol.
Happy 4th of July to everyone. We will post pictures soon!
Karen (Skippy) and Michael
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