OK-maybe “Home Again, Home Again, Shuffle, Shuffle” might be more accurate, but the Big Guy is home and we are so happy for it!
Layton came home Tuesday afternoon, 31 days after the accident. He got all his “tubes” taken out, including the the cute “thing” all the nurses had to see, aka a unique GI insert; he got to practise walking up stairs with the physio, and while we got organized at home, he had a lovely visit with our friend, Janet Longmate, from Grande Prairie.
I actually had an appointmet about a potential contract (YEAH!) so once we got him in the vehicle, Carson and my brother, Wayne, got him home and safely up the stairs. I was really comfortable with that-the two most qualified with First Aid, Carson being almost big enough to catch Layton if he needed to and my belief that Wayne missed his calling and should have been a nurse.
Layton is loving his big chair, reigning over the family room and just being home. Night 1, he only woke up once and last night, he decided to forego the Tylenol 3 as the side effects were not worth it and he had a comfortable eight consecutive hours of sleep. I kept waking up to make sure he was asleep and denied myself the delight of doing the nighttime “maintenance” he has become so accustomed to. “I need to wake you to give you this pill.” “The x-ray people will be here at 5:00 am, let’s get you bathed.” “We need a sample of your blood.” “Let’s re-do your dressings.” I preferred to sleep next to my honey. It is now about 8:30 so he is snoozing again, pretending he is the Lone (note, if you are interested, I had typoed this as “Long”-he has lost so much weight, he looks like he is 6’6″ tall!) Ranger, wearing an eye mask so he can keep sleeping! How sweet it is!
The hospital didn’t tell us but yesterday we got a call and a visit from a nurse who will come by 2-3 times per week to change dressings and check on him. We may also have a physio call to get his arm more mobile. That is nice and much, much better than being in the hospital. Dorothy, his mom, caught a ride to Kelowna with long-time family friend, Donna Johnson, and they too had a nice visit.
Layton has been trying to type something for the blog but between the emotion and the weak left arm, it is still not quite ready. Carson has football try-outs for the Okanagan Sun this weekend so we are going to try to get out to see some of that. Meals are getting made, laundry is being done, I started bootcamp again, tick-tock, tick-tock, we are getting back into our routine. We had a chat last night about how this event will change our lives…and we are unsure. We have had no “bolt of lightning” revelations, but on the other hand, I think we can just ease into change with new consciousness, taking note of what is important and what actions we take that will lead us to what is important.
I continue to be so appreciative to have such an essentially unchanged version of Layton in my life. Someone asked me this weekend how long it took to get to the appreciative part, after processing the injury and all that it implied. The question so puzzled me because I had gone there instantly. At least I think I did. I don’t know if that is the “red” (results-oriented) part of me (“Bottom line is he will be himself again so I don’t even consider how we get there.”) or just the trusting I have developed that every experience brings an opportunity to learn and the learning may not be in the moment, in the thick of it, but it is there. And I have an innate curiosity as to what the learning will be.
This is Myrna, signing off again…getting my honey a high protein shake so he can re-build his muscle and give Carson and Liam a run for their money in the physique department!
Back Road Scholar 
That is FABULOUS news Myrna. Give the old boy a hug from us here in GP – we are riding for him this weekend!
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Thanks as always. I am still not getting in a full day but each day is stronger. Will be some months yet before I get to GP but am looking forward to your visit here. Hopefully you are still doing well.
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Thanks again Myrna for keeping us updated…. and give Layton a good ol, but gentle hug for how far he has come…Irene
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Finally I am able to type well enough to thank those who took the time to send me get well messages. Hopefully you will be this way again as it will be some time before I am back in Alberta.
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I don’t know how this journey truly affected anyone else but I can say that it has touched my life..I well up with tears of pride thinking about the strength of your relationship and the love of your family and friends…both yours and Layton’s strong character has inspired me more than I can express – I feel that I am better prepared for obstacles that come my way because of the strength and inspiration that I have gained by seeing you two come through this.
Thank you for sharing your life with me this past month.
xo Karna
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Finally I am able to begin catching up with my messages and looking forward seeing you again. Keep up your good work.
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Hi Myrna,
Hopefully,I am still your favorite sister-in-law (or still one of them)…but to correct you…by the time Wayne had gotten all the stuff out of the vehicle, Layton had shuffled to the house and Carson already had him up the stairs and headin’ for his chair…And apparently Layton couldn’t get much sleep because your brother (ha-ha) decided your couch was very comfortable and proceded to snore so loud Layton couldn’t even have a nap. Some of us other people got to enjoy the pool and your friendly neighbors cherry tree. (Thanks for everything!)
As far as the weak left arm Layton, I have confidence it will rule the right one soon!
Take Care,
Lottie
Wayne, Bryce and Carmen too!
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I am so glad to hear that you are home with Layton and that things are going well.
My son rides and your experience has definitely created a new awareness for his safety.
Continue to heal and when you are back in Phoenix please let me know.
Be well,
Deby HArper
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Thanks for your support it meant a lot to Myrna and I am looking forward to meeting you in Phoenix possibly this winter.
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Hi Myrna and Layton,
Was so excited to hear Layton is back in his home and with his family. I read between the lines that there is a bit of competition going on with the boys!! It’s been quite an adventure for you all but I know all is well and will continue to be so.
Am certainly enjoying Layton’s book “Get Out of Your Way” and it is renewing and reinforcing things I know and forget to do. Will get to the CD soon!
Meanwhile, Circle’s Edge is getting ready to move to a new location. We feel this is a great move which will give us more visibility and no more food smells coming from next door!! Or steep steps or rickety elevator!
Look forward to keeping up on your adventures stool samples and all!!!!!
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Hope you enjoyed both the book and CD. My arm is working well enough I can finally type enough to thank everyone for either support. I know it especially meant a lot to Myrna.
Layton
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July 19/09
Hi Layton & Myrna
Hopefully you will get this, as I am new at all this internet stuff.
Anyway, Layton good to hear that you are coming along. Just take one day at a time, this is just another bump in the road.REMEMBER–our old bodies don’t heal as fast as they used to, so don’t be too independent. We all need help sometime along the way.
Lots of people up here are wishing you
a speedy recovery. Bye for now, and take care. Wishing you all the best.
Marietta Dickison
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I can finally type well enough to begin thanking all those who gave me support. You are right about the old body taking some time to heal but it is coming. Thanks.
Layton
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Myrna,
So good to hear that Layton is home. I think of you often.
Aren
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We are home and I can finally work the left arm well enough to type and thank you for your support.
Layton
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