Life's Obstacles

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

Christopher Reeve

I'd like to share with you something scary that happened to my brother, P, over the Christmas holidays. Let's just say that this was not a restful holiday season for our family. First, let me tell you a little bit about my brother. We are only 11 months apart and we are very close.  P is one of the most devoted and loving fathers I know, he's super smart and extremely funny. He is a runner. 

Here he is last July on a training run.

Here he is with my Super-SIL after they both completed their first marathon.

September 2010

Only three months later, on December 24th, 2010,  my brother was admitted to the hospital with a swollen and painful knee, fever, and dizziness. The diagnosis: Flesh Eating Bacteria!

On December 25th, I went to see P and when I walked into his room, I took his hand, and with tears in his eyes, he looked at me and said, "I'm scared" and then pointed to the photos of his three kids.  

He spent Christmas in the ICU and New Year's on ward 6A. The first week, he was operated on four times and by the second operation they had made a cut all the way from his groin to his ankle (sparing the knee) deep enough to see the muscle. They do this because these bacteria do not survive well in oxygen and they wanted to save his leg. Thank goodness, he did not lose his leg. The last operation he had was on December 31st when they sewed him back up.

My brother, P, is a runner and like most of us runners, he is very determined and likes to do what he can to heal quickly. Some people would use this as a very legitimate excuse to take it easy for a while. Not P. On January 1st, the day after his last operation to sew up his whole leg, he was walking and making jokes. My SIL (J) called on the phone and P was with his BIL (D).
J, "How is he doing?"
D, "We're walking in the hall."
J, "What!"
P, "We're doing our laps in 5.04 mins." laughs
D, "We're doing 10/1."
P, "Walk ten steps and stop for a minute; then start again."
J, laughs

I was in awe...instead of staying in bed and complaining because his leg was all cut up, my brother was taking that one step.

He came home on January 6th after two whole weeks in the hospital. Within two days, he was training on the bike and walking on the treadmill.

On January 24th, exactly one month after entering the hospital, my brother called me, "I ran today!" He was so excited and I was so proud of him. He ran a little less than 1K, but the next day, it was a little more than 1Km. He's on his way. His goal: "I just want to be able to run for the rest of my life." I have a feeling he'll have no problems reaching his goal. I love you P and I am impressed by your determination and strength. I know how hard this had been for you, both physically and psychologically. Yet, you refused to let this obstacle push you down. Your perseverence has surpassed all expectations (especially those of your doctors)!

It is impossible to tell you about my brother, without telling you about my SIL, J, his wife. Throughout all this, she has been an absolute rock for her kids and especially for my brother. Thank you J, for being who you are.

Taken in September, carbo loading dinner with J & P before the Montreal Marathon!

I love you both very much.

Cheers!

Pour ceux qui lisent le français, on parle de moi sur l'excellent blogue de Maman Marathonienne.