Recovering feels some how quicker at home, at least more enjoyable, especially with living together with Tony and his family, we really are like one big happy family right now.
When Amber had returned the day after the BBQ, she expressed that was grateful to my Dad that he had picked her up, they went first thing in the morning to the garage to find out that no work had been done on her car at all, she was furious with that fact, I would be too think about it no work being done. We know that she needs her car to get to clients, like myself, that fact she had been told the day before with the tow truck driver present that she can pick up her car tomorrow morning, clearly that didn't happen.
Now not only had she paid the tow truck driver, she had used up a lot of money cabbing to each clients location, now with my Dad present as a witness who had picked her up so she could get her car, some employee mentioned it wasn't looked at because she didn't pay the fee for the assessment of what was wrong with the car, I feel like for me it's needless to say that my Dad was not pleased, that garage doesn't seem to have a clue on running a proper business, so right there and then he called his friend, came and got her car and had him bring it over to the house, "We'll get it working for you" he told her, so she came early, just before lunch.
Amber called her other clients and explained all her car troubles and needed to reschedule everything, even in the wheelchair it wasn't long before the 3 of us had that car sounding smooth, then we all had lunch and down to the home gym for some physio with light weights for leg presses. I mean reps for leg presses no real weights yet, I just didn't really want to admit that but hey your a journal who are you telling.
Over a few weeks Amber made it fun, some times we got in the hot tub and did some aqua fit with the warmth to help my muscles relax, other times in the gym, as I made progress she had me in the pool working on laps for both my arms and legs. Not by myself in the pool done safely even had to wear the life jacket at first to rebuild strength, yes it was annoying but at least I was back in the water swimming, I mainly had a shirt on with my swim trunks but I also had some wet suits that I liked to wear, still getting used to some of the scars, and I have been using the cream to help them fade.
I started to do laps every day after breakfast when she had mentioned she really liked seeing the progress I was making and so did I. Strong enough to swim alone, but I would have Dad or Tony supervise any way, the buddy system is best with pools any way.
September seemed quick compared to all the time that passed so slowly in the hospital maybe it had something to do with the girls going to school, helping with their home work. The swimming, working on cars, having something to do, instead of how board and useless I was feeling. Head way right?
Dad had applied for permits to build a green house over the pool so in the cooler weather I could still use it on physio work, we do live in area with warmer weather but still it is a good idea, well it turned out that it was granted and we all worked on it, ended up hiring some professionals by the middle of it. We needed help building the roof for it, we didn't have scaffolding to do it.
The professionals did seem impressed with the work we had done. We all enjoyed when we could still swim when it rained made a party out of it, it was two days after it was finished that it rained. That last week of September had a lot of rain, was very grateful for the decision. Noticed I wasn't the only one using it to get back in shape, felt like everyone was swimming more.
October saw more improvement, I was doing more laps and increased reps but not heavier weights, I was walking a little bit with some aids, my left leg was still weak so we started to focus more on it.
I was working towards being able to attend the banquet without the wheelchair, was even willing to have the walker if need be. Stubborn prefer reaching goal of walking no help, but at this point just want to get there.
I also started adding some core workouts to make sure I didn't lose any muscle. Ever lose powering steering in a race car? Strength is good to have as driver, even part of the crew.
Tony was able to find a job, My boss hired him, not as a driver though, engineering team, I could tell that he was enjoying being at work, girls still enjoyed school, Tony's wife was not having the best time without a new job how ever she ended up writing blogs, she's a good writer, in fact it was Vanessa that encouraged me to journal my road to recovery, it does seem soothing.
Thankfully October is uneventful and feels a bit faster the September, pleased with life, feeling closer to myself.
Finally November two weeks to the banquet, I am doing more laps, some cross training and my left leg seems to finally be strengthen, user walker more and wheelchair less, my attendance at the banquet confirmed as my doctor appointments have gone well and they approved I attend, it's funny Amber suggested I take her just in case, insists it's professional to make sure I don't undo all the work we have done, I am allowed a plus one, let's face it she is prettier then Dad. I told her we'll see. The conversation went kind of like this...
"I have a really beautiful dress and very little chances to wear it, please?"
"Are you worried I will misbehave?" I grin. Maybe even flirtatious.
"A little, I know how far you push yourself, it's like you always have something to prove."
"Amber, is that what I really come off as?" She could be right, but I will evaluate myself later. Although I feel I may have done some of that already in the coma.
"Yes Jonathan!" Ouch, those words seem to string, feeling wounded and not just because I am recovering from a car crash.
"You do come across like you always have to prove yourself, and from what I witness you have no reason to, you have a incredible family." I was thinking that I was ambitious, determined, not sure I understand were the desire fully came from to be a legend?
"Yeah, Tony and his family do make this house less empty" I never wanted to admit how big and empty this house felt after we lost Mom, more of a statement to myself I guess.
"Not just that, I see you and your Dad together, I figure you wanted to take him as a thank you for all he has done, I mean he has supported you right?" Not that she really left space to answer that. " I feel guilty for asking, but I am a lot like you, focused on career, I'm two years older then you, I am ready, maybe over due to live a little."
"Is it against the rules? of being a therapist and going on something date like?"
"No, not if I am making sure you don't undo all of the effort into your recovery, I'm there just in case."
"OK, I'll talk to dad, make sure it doesn't hurt his feelings, I will let you know tomorrow, any more exercises for today?"
"No, you're doing well, done for today. I have to push back tomorrow from lunch time to maybe before dinner, but I need to call, I have to take my mom into an appointment"
"OK, Amber no worries"
"Thank you" she finished gathering her stuff and left.
I talked with dad and he thinks it wouldn't be a bad idea, jokes that it could become a romantic affair." I ended up blushing, who knew a guy could do that, looks like I have a date with Amber.
Count down is on, I tell Amber at dinner before going on to our exercises, she has a week to change her mind, but the smile on her face makes that unlikely and before leaving when we finished up, she surprised me with a huge hug and the sweetest "Thank you" I've heard that wasn't from my nieces.