This vacation was a dual celebration. We were not only celebrating the continued progress Becky is making in returning to her former self, but we were also celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. We spent three full days (plus travel days) in Colorado Springs. We visited Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods, and Paint Mines park.
Our last vacation was pretty much exactly three years ago. We went to South Dakota to visit Mt Rushmore, took a drive over to Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower, and had several other excursions planned. Devil’s Tower was effectively the end of our vacation as Becky fell and cracked a rib while trying to get the perfect picture. So, put a pin in this. Our last vacation included a trip to Devil’s Tower and led to an Emergency Room visit.
Soon after that vacation we started to prepare for another move. Early the next year, I had a new job back in Austin and we were selling our home in Illinois. Becky did an amazing job packing up that house. She was a warrior, spending countless hours packing boxes, donating, selling, cleaning, and everything else. At that time we had no idea that her non-alcoholic fatty liver issues would turn into complete liver failure and a dual organ transplant within the next year or so.
Now it’s three years later (from the Devil’s Tower vacation). Although I won’t be so bold as to predict this marks a complete end to Emergency Room visits, this vacation does symbolize an end of sorts to what has seemed to be an almost endless stream of doctor and ER visits over the last year. Enough so that we felt like we could plan and take this vacation. And as another mark of progress, Becky was able to do her traditional pre-vacation housecleaning without feeling completely exhausted. Ironically, or symbolically, or whatever term seems to fit, this vacation included a visit to the Garden of the Gods. And even though we both only believe in one God, it still feels like a fitting bookend for the two vacations and the last three years. Devil's Tower. Garden of the Gods. Get it? Ok, I'm just about done.
So, here we are. Becky's getting stronger. We're figuring out what her limitations are. We're starting to recognize signs of things being a bit off - so we can try to avoid ER visits. And most importantly, we're moving on with life and enjoying time with the kids and grandkids. Thankful and grateful that she's come this far when some days it seemed like we might not ever get here.
The two biggest takeaways from this whole trip were first, Becky has been consistently feeling good enough for us to plan a vacation, and second, we made it through the entire vacation with no medical issues to report!
And here's a link to the pictures!
For those keeping track at home, we are about 2-1/2 months away from Becky’s one year transplant anniversary. What a journey it has been. Thank you for joining us on the ride.
