BUMP IN THE ROAD

BUMP IN THE ROAD

I use traveling as a metaphor, and a reality, for my life and the plethora of experiences that built this life that is always changing. Sometimes the change is by design and exercising creative choices; At other times the decisions are more influenced by external events and conditions. Speed bumps in Mexico are called Topes, an integral part of the Mexican transportation landscape and associated culture. With the exception of very few stretches of road, and toll roads, they are ubiquitous and a great low-tech way to get drivers to slow down without costly traffic lights.

Some people say take your last sentence and make it the first and write from that perspective. Although this is not the first sentence, it’s where I am as both past and prologue. Such is my life, and yours, when we look carefully at where we are and how we got here. I have been immobile for the past month. It is now January 11 , and I am writing from Room #119 at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus - Henderson, NV, “From Both Sides Now.” Interesting that hospitals have become campuses with numerous buildings where specialists are dedicated to treating different diseases.

I arrived here via air ambulance (Lear Jet 35C) January 3, having left Queretaro (QRO), about 2 hours from our home in San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Mexico. The issues that were uncovered in 2018 - diagnosis and treatment- for progressive heart disease began at INTEGRIS Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City and followed me to Arizona where more good work was done at Tucson Medical Center, a community hospital. That included the insertion of a third mitral clip and the addition of a Watchman, all of which were designed to slow the progress of this somewhat inconvenient and debilitating disease. Medical technology and highly skilled cardiologists have changed the landscape in this branch of medicine, similar to what has happened in other specialties. The progressive heart disease is a chronic condition and the recent illness was exacerbated by pneumonia which is being treated and resolved.

Two of our seven children and their families live here while others are in Boston, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and the Bay Area. All things considered, including altitude and support, we chose Henderson. We are learning how to deal with adapting to a disease that threatens to curtail our active lifestyle. This is a challenge for someone who prefers an active lifestyle that included extensive travel, time with friends and family and widespread interests in the arts, philosophy, theology and social changes. Add to those a little creative cooking and limited gardening and you can see the outlines of a full life.

How much recovery is possible remains to be seen. We begin more active rehab today. One thing we know is that as we get older, getting back on track takes longer.

https://garygruber.substack.com/p/getting-back-on-track

I say ‘’we” as S. has been right here with me, step by step, and for her presence and help, I am fortunate and grateful. All 7 of our kids and their families have weighed in, lightening our burden in numerous ways. Others traveled to visit, be here and help,

The events of the past month included the long road trip, picking up the new pup, 3 different hospital stays, and staying in 10 different places. This is testing our abilities to respond in planning next steps and making sure there’s a good treatment plan in place that increases the chances for a better quality of life. That’s what takes center stage in the last stages of anyone’s life. For a good reference for this experience, see “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.” (Atul Gawande, 2014)

Thank you for your continuing interest and support, as a reader/subscriber, fellow writer, friend and willing learner. I just completed my first year on Substack. It has been a good journey. I may shift the posts from weekly to monthly and may also try some different formats. Let me know if you have a preference and if there are any topics I have touched on previously that you might enjoy seeing in more detail. And, if you know me and something of my 4 careers, there’s anything in those years that interests you, let me know.Thanks, again. Hoping for healthier new year and positive changes, planning for some to begin soon. 🙏🏼