Newsletter No. 8: January-February 2006
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
NEWS OF A PERSONAL CHALLENGE
It was a beautiful crisp December morning when Sandy (my golden retriever) and I set off on our morning walk. Five minutes into our walk, however, I suddenly realized that my life had changed. I called Sandy and told her I couldn’t continue and that we had to return to the house. She looked at me for a moment and then came running back to return home together.A week later I had a stress test in Williams Lake that resulted in an appointment for an angiogram at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on January 11th. My angiogram confirmed a severe blockage in a highly critical location and on Friday the 13th I had triple by-pass open-heart surgery. My post-op recovery was delayed by a series of three complications, the last of which definitely led to some anxiety and digging deep within. But on Friday the 17th, the last problem was diagnosed and quickly addressed. Within five minutes I felt the change, and with Rita at my side, oxygen returned and my spirit soared. As my doctors felt I should stay in hospital for several more days of observation, my relatives with whom we were staying left for a weekend of skiing. But on that same Friday evening the doctor dropped by for a chat and within minutes he sensed the change. He told me I could leave the next morning. With a huge "Yahoo" I knew I was on my way.
As is usually the case with me, it seems there is always an adventure connected with every story. This was no exception! With nowhere to stay, where would we go? We decided on downtown with all its shops and museum, but how was I to get around? Thus the story of the "Wheelchair Heist"! We left my hospital room in a wheelchair and instead of stopping at the front door, we just kept our heads up and kept on going as if we owned it. Next we flagged a cab only to discover the wheelchair was non-collapsible. As Rita and the cab driver struggled to fit it into the trunk I looked up at the thousand-plus windows and wondered if anyone was watching us. By this time the taxi driver was also suspicious but we reassured him we had it on loan for two days and that it would be returned Sunday evening. Eventually we sped off and checked into the International Hostel in downtown Victoria. Rita and I went on to enjoy a fantastic two days of window shopping, eating out in funky restaurants, and visiting the Royal BC Museum where I had always wanted to see how my most famous Royal Hudson image was used in their Climate Change Exhibit. All the time, of course, we felt we were in the movies and were sure the Victoria police would recognize the bright blue Royal Jubilee wheelchair and arrest us! Eventually we reconnected with my relatives and the famous wheelchair was returned!
A HUGE THANK YOU
Before any of the operations I had told Rita not to tell anyone but my closest friends. I thought I would just have my surgery, heal quickly and be out in the field again without much ado. Apparently this is not how it works! Word quickly spread and dozens upon dozens of people from every corner sent their thoughts, energies and prayers. It was amazing. Believe me, I felt your support – especially during my toughest times.
On the home front, Rita was also looking after our daughter Teresa’s newly-broken ankle and the organization of a social event at the Gallery. The outpouring of day-to-day assistance which she received as well as moral and emotional support from friends was so appreciated. A special thanks to Nicole (who runs the office) for filling in the breach in spite of having her own arm in a cast. We are both deeply grateful and humbled.
I also want to thank my incredible doctors and their wonderful nursing staff, Rita and my sister in Ireland who were in touch daily, and all my friends & family for their amazing support. I am now at home and I feel my strength returning quickly. This operation is life-changing. I feel like a completely new person with an opportunity to live a life far richer than ever before. I feel a new creative energy and I am so looking forward to getting back to the Grasslands Awareness Project. By the time the first flowers appear, I’ll be ready.
THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT