Day 367 | SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
Good evening, Friends. Today is day 367 of our new and grateful life. I was up early, 4:45am to be precise, and I decided I would not try to go back to sleep. Instead, I did something that I hadn't done in a while; I listened to an audiobook, and I landed on a Ray Dalio book about world economics; I know most people will think of it as highly dull, but not me; I love learning, and now that I am no longer required to learn about medical procedures and infection, my mind is craving new knowledge. By 7:00am, London was awake, and by 7:15a, Julien was up, and we were downstairs by 7:40a. Breakfast was just the boys and me; Charlie was not feeling too well; last night, we started the subsequent reduction in her opioids, and overnight she experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, and by the wee hours in the morning, she couldn't deal with the withdrawal. She asked for her prn dose of morphine; I am sharing this with Charlie's permission; it is not easy to come off opioids; it requires a powerful support system and incredible will to overcome the withdrawals; some people describe withdrawal as the feeling of dying; it is painful. Charlie had to take a step back on her reduction, which is ok; there is no shame or discouragement. Charlie has reduced her doses by almost 40 % since coming home this second time, which is a huge accomplishment! I do not doubt that in her own time, she will be opioid-free. This part of our journey has made me look at the opioid crisis from a different perspective, with more compassion. By lunchtime, Charlie was feeling better, and we had lunch together. I had a hectic day, and especially tricky with no child care, our nanny took a personal day, so I had to find a way to work and take care of the boys. Still, with Charlie's help, we managed to make it work, and we even had a little fun with the boys outside in the late afternoon when the temperature was a little cooler. Tomorrow I will start packing for my trip to Brazil; it is an extraordinary trip, I was not sure if I was going to be able to go, but Charlie urged me to go; I will be walking my youngest sister down the aisle since my dad passed away a few years ago, I am so grateful to be able to take the trip with London. Thank you for the reviews; please keep them coming; I also appreciate your words of encouragement and prayers. Thank you, and may God bless You. André
