Day 17 In Boston - Post Surgery Update

Today is post surgery "day 7".  The past 7 days have been very hard and we are wiped out.

India has been in a lot of pain. They are doing all they can to control it but nonethless, she's hurting. 

My little girl has also been battling a fever that hit 103 yesterday. We had to pack her body in ice, in an emergency effort to bring her temperature down; it was frightening. They believe it's a result of a "UTI". India is on a broad spectrum antibiotic to fight off this infection. This Infection has taken a huge toll on India and set back her recovery; she looks bad.

As of now, we will remain in the hospital for at least another week. After that, we will be transferred to a skilled care rehab facility here in Boston for a few more weeks.

India keeps asking me to put her in her wheelchair and take her to her boyfriend "Daniel". She says "please daddy, please".

Day 16 In Boston - Needed Break - Gut Wrenching Return

My pal who flew in from Alaska to help me with India took me out to dinner tonight after the nurses told me I needed a break.

We went to the Union Oyster House and it was absolutely incredible food.

We ate and laughed and then ate more. I think we had a total of 7 courses.

I returned to the hospital feeling human again. It was a great break for me. And I returned with some yummy dinner for India. But when I entered her room I felt every ounce of energy leave my body with what I saw.

India was in so much pain that she couldn't call out for help so nobody knew as she lay there helpless experiencing a hurt I can't begin to imagine. I had to emergency call for help while I held her. India sobbed in my arms quietly saying "owie daddy help me please". 

We got her pain under control and I held her until she fell asleep.  I just can't leave her for any extended period again until she's recovered.

Day 15 In Boston - A Note Written By A Good Friend Who Came To Boston To Help And Witnessed The Intensity First Hand

Erin Solari and Allen M. Tonkin aka "III" September 1982 @ the "La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club".

Erin Solari: Just back from Boston and I know Donnie Brainard will send an update when he can but the recovery and healing process is moment to moment and day to day and sometimes there is just no way to describe that day. And on top of that, being at the hospital around the clock just wears one out so badly that there is no energy for anything else. It is not my place to forward another's info but I will say that by observation the staff at Boston Children's Hospital are some of the best I have seen and all are working together to help India in every way possible.

Also Donnie gets almost zero breaks because he is the only one sometimes who can assess what India is asking for and often the moment he tries to step out briefly to quickly eat or grab clothes from the hotel... He will be instantly called back to the hospital. In a perfect world Donnie would have more support there with him and I know my cousin Allen is there now trying to help but this is a long process and thus if there are other family or friends out there who are able to provide support there or even at home that would surely help. I also realized that while he is there for these months he is not working and that can surely generate its own stresses and challenges. Plus he is away from his wife and other 3 children which I imagine is hard as well. Again this is just my observation and thoughts from my short time there and looking at all the parts of life affected by this delicate situation and trying time for all his family. This after many challenging years before this - I pray for all involved and hope that the clouds of such strain and grimness may clear for all.

I also want to acknowledge all the family members & friends who HAVE already been supporting and helping for many years now. My golly - I admire all parents and all it takes to do it well and how much a parent gives of themselves and then with a disabled child or more than one I can't even fathom how the parents do it so my deepest respect to all the parents and families in this position and the super abundance of love, persistence and patience they all have to muster daily. — with Erin Solari at Boston Children's Hospital.

As a Post Script, Erin Solari is the girl who saved my life on October 3, 1982: http://moomock.blogspot.com/2010/05/global-grande.html

Day 6 In Boston - Pushed It A Little Too Hard

Allen  M. "Moose-Knuckle" Tonkin AKA "III"

So my good friend Allen Tonkin "III" became very ill this week  after flying from Alaska to Boston to help me with India. He is now in the Beth Israel Medical Center for an undetermined timeframe.

Allen was supposed to fly back to Anchorage, Alaska last Friday to host a fundraiser for his film "An Adaptive Backcountry Project".  This after helping me for the past week with India here in Boston.

Allen is in GREAT hands and has a cute nurse which I'm sure he doesn't mind.  

The view from his room looks right down onto our hotel and Harvard Boston Children's Hospital. I do believe I can "moon" him from my hotel room (yes I've tried).

Allen M. Tonkin "III" is stuck here in Boston with India and myself for awhile and I'm "OK" with it. Not only does he get to have the best medical care in the United States but he also gets to continue to bring big smiles to India as he did the other night (long story, involves Allen almost throwing up and India laughing until she turned blue).

I'm grateful beyond words for Allen and all the other people who have stepped up to help us during this painful time.

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The beginning of adaptive ski mountaineering!

This is a video of great friend of mine who I adore. Please take a moment to look at what Allen Tonkin is up to; you'll not regret it. While you watch this video, keep in mind, after his parachuting accident, Allen not only didn't give up but he's now doing things most of us who still have the use of our limbs don't. And this is what makes Allen (III) Tonkin one of my heroes.