October 31st, 2009

This is Bryce's Mom sending an update. We received an awesome package from Liz Toner, and Bryce loved all of the contents! Sonya's gorgeous wall hanging has been something that we gaze at each day. It is the tree of life, and I will take a picture of it and post it.

One hot item in the box for Bryce was a Pabst Blue Ribbon sweatshirt. Liz's favorite Kanga from when she was little was so touching! We will take care of it, Liz, and send it back with Mike when he visits in two weeks. We also received another box of gifts and cards from the Taft School. There is no way that we would get through this without our friends and the support of Taft.

Bryce's left arm is showing signs of improvement, and he has his old wit and sarcasm in place! I get most of it! Maybe that is one of the things that Moms are for...We look forward to Bryce's cousin, Cara, coming to visit on Monday. She will be followed by Grandma, Mike Arnsteen, Aunt Leslie and cousin Emily.

We have made some new friends, including an American quadraplegic rugby player named Tim, and two American who work for the research division of the Swiss Paraplegic Center. Dr. Aebli continues to visit Bryce on a regular basis (one of his surgeons), and today he brought delicious Swiss cookies from Basel - Basler Lackerli.

On Monday, I am going to see if I can get Sky TV for Bryce so that he can see some American football. My free time is spent walking and swimming, and these activities keep me from the early days of tears. Memories of Bryce's childhood flood in, but here he is....still the same man I love and feel so proud to have raised.

Bryce still thinks about CC, his friends, the lost semester in Geneva, his passions for skiing and guitar. He is getting acupuncture and art therapy, and soon will have music therapy with some computer composing. I can see him in a wheelchair in the future, but I also have a gut feeling that he will recover a great deal of movement. Perhaps that is a mother's faith. Cheers to my friends!