Several people have asked for an update on Laurent. He is doing well. We saw the cardiologist last week. His heart is in rhythm, and so we are grateful for the medications that make it possible. He has a pocket size little gadget that syncs with his phone to take a short EKG periodically when we are concerned about his heart rhythm. (By the way it's quite ironic to think of Laurent -the-singer not being in rhythm.) Again we are amazed at modern technology and the peace of mind it can offer us. The doctor did encourage Laurent to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose some weight. So far he has lost 10 lbs and we have challenged each other in steps competitions. He does not have to return to the cardiologist for 6th months, so hopefully he will continue doing well. |
As to the soap-opera kind of episode of amnesia for 2 days, we hope that it is indeed an episode that does not return. Laurent saw the neurologist a week after being discharged from the hospital and he was cleared to drive once more. Furthermore the doctor did not have anything else to say about the incident. They do not believe it was a seizure and there wasn't any new damage to his brain that would indicate a stroke. Furthermore, Laurent seems to be back at his baseline before the amnesia. He can rattle off his name and birthday without a thought. As near as we can figure out, his body reacted to the A Fib by reducing blood flow to non-critical parts of the brain to keep his heart beating and lungs breathing... you know little things like that. For other people the reduced blood flow would probably not cause such serious impairments. However, for Laurent with his brain injury damaging key sections of his brain, it meant that probably all of his learning post-accident took place in peripheral zones of his brain. When the body went into red alert, it "rerouted all power from auxiliary functions to the main engines" until he was stabilized. (I'm pretty sure Scotty was in there declaring in his Scottish brogue, "Aye, Captain. I'm givin' her all I got!") We have not seen any lasting effects since the episode and are extremely grateful for that.
Laurent went back to work within a week and was back to choir that Sunday. He has been shaken up a bit and is determined to be healthier. If you need a walking partner or have some yummy healthy recipes to share, we are on the hunt. Other than that, we are so grateful not to be starting Book 2 in such a declined state. We spoke and sang at a fireside shortly afterward and are grateful that his story turned out much differently this time.
We wish to express an immense thank you to so many of you who shared your faith, prayers, and positive thoughts in our behalf. We know it made a difference. We also are grateful once more for the healing power of music. Laurent's favorite t-shirt says "Music saved my life". Once more this has proven to be true. All day Thursday we played music and Friday he "woke up". Combining prayer and music so far has proven to be a life-changing combination for us and we hope to continue to share our music with others in the future. Thank you once more for your love.
Our sincerest gratitude to all.
Love,
Laurent and Kerrie
Laurent went back to work within a week and was back to choir that Sunday. He has been shaken up a bit and is determined to be healthier. If you need a walking partner or have some yummy healthy recipes to share, we are on the hunt. Other than that, we are so grateful not to be starting Book 2 in such a declined state. We spoke and sang at a fireside shortly afterward and are grateful that his story turned out much differently this time.
We wish to express an immense thank you to so many of you who shared your faith, prayers, and positive thoughts in our behalf. We know it made a difference. We also are grateful once more for the healing power of music. Laurent's favorite t-shirt says "Music saved my life". Once more this has proven to be true. All day Thursday we played music and Friday he "woke up". Combining prayer and music so far has proven to be a life-changing combination for us and we hope to continue to share our music with others in the future. Thank you once more for your love.
Our sincerest gratitude to all.
Love,
Laurent and Kerrie