A momentous week in the making!

This past weekend, my nephew and his family came to Seattle for a visit. The last time I saw them was earlier this year, in February, during a snowstorm in Chicago. The family bravely drove from Ohio to Illinois, amid swirls of snow and howling wind, to gave me the support I so greatly needed as I was in Chicago taking care of my sister Toni.

The above photo simply says “COLD”. February in Chicago

 

February snowstorm in Chicago, earlier this year.

 

Playful Yoga, Winter in Chicago 2021

This past weekend, I was filled with the magic of childhood. I could watch the girls play for hours, fully delighted by them. I kept saying to myself, “My heart is FULL.” Aren’t those wonderful words to hear?

Pike Place Market and Flying Fish · Paddle Boats on Green Lake · Wading Pools (who would think that mid-shinbone-high water could offer hours of entertainment?) · Yoga at Auntie Franny’s Yoga Studio · Home-Cooked Sicilian Meals · Golden Gardens Swimming and Splashing · An Outdoor Concert and Impromptu Dancing on the Lawn · Playgrounds, Jungle Gyms, and Monkey Bars · Hanging upside down on Auntie Franny’s Yoga Sling · Houseboat Visit · Picnics and Watermelon · Admiring Rick Rocks with Uncle Ricky ·

Just before they left, we sat on the bench outside, on our condo’s balcony overlooking Green Lake, one girl cuddled on either side of me. I asked them, “What did you love the most about this visit?” In unison, they replied, “This!  This right now!”

Oh YEAH, my heart is full.

And I am back in Chicago. I just arrived today.

Tomorrow is a really big day!  Nora and I are donating one of Toni’s paintings to Chicago’s RML Specialty Hospital. It is our way of expressing our gratitude to the RML doctors, the Patient Ambassador, and Toni’s team of respiratory therapists, nurses, PCTs (Personal Care Technicians), and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. This medical team cared for Toni in a deeply professional and compassionate manner. Nora will be meeting this remarkable medical care team for the first time in person, as I was the only person granted permission to be with Toni on a daily basis this past winter during Chicago’s strict hospital lock down.

It is overwhelming to think that medical teams around the world have not had a break from treating COVID-19 patients for a year and a half now. They must be absolutely exhausted.

Initially, I had requested that the painting, which Toni created while at the hospital, be placed on the first floor reception area.  However, the nurses who took care of Toni, have requested that Toni’s painting have a permanent home on “Toni’s Floor”!

Lungs of the earth

Here is what I wrote under the painting, as part of the framed work of art:
When doctors from two hospitals in Indiana gave up on Toni Gallo’s life, RML Specialty Hospital welcomed her as a patient. Dr. R. Iyengar, Dr. Brofman, Dr. N. Ali Khan, Dr. Goode, and many others, believed in Toni’s ability to heal and wean off the ventilator. Toni sustained severe lung damage from COVID-19 on November 7, 2020. “Toni needs time.” These are the words we heard repeatedly from the outstanding medical team at RML. Toni was successfully vent-weaned in March 2021 at RML after four and a half months of being on life support.
Toni’s developmental disabilities seem to enhance her ability to be artistic, affectionate, and kind. This work of art by Toni Gallo is titled Trees: Lungs of the Earth. It is a gift of gratitude to the valued medical team and staff at RML, with a special thank you to RML’s Respiratory Therapists.
Toni painted this during her stay at RML, where she turned her hospital room into an artist’s studio.
We will never forget the kindness and compassion showered on Toni. Our hearts are full of gratitude for all that the fine staff at RML have done and continue to do for their patients.
A great big thank you from Toni Gallo and her family.
March 25, 2021
Unfortunately, Toni passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart, Indiana on April 6, 2021, soon after I dropped off the painting at the framing shop.  I picked up the framed work of art after her funeral and decided to deliver the gift in person when time permitted.  Yes, tomorrow will be a big day!

Mandala: Toni’s gift to Dr. Iyengar. Room 230. Art by Toni Love.

And lastly, I am competing in a duathlon with my nephew Chuck on Saturday, September 11.

RUN · BIKE · RUN

It’s a Sprint Duathlon which includes a 2.5 K run, a 20 K bike ride, and a 5 k run.  Chuck lives north of Chicago and the race is in Peru, Indiana.  I specifically wanted a September race because in 2018 we did a duathlon in August and it was so terribly hot and humid. But looking ahead at the weather, it is going to be 84 degrees on the day of the race.  Hot.

My family will be there to cheer us on!  And Chuck and I are running for #ToniLove #ToniStrong.  Training has not been easy and training alone has been tougher yet, but whenever I felt I wanted to call this whole crazy duathlon off, I thought about #ToniStrong and how brave she was to fight the devastating damage COVID-19 did to her lungs. And I just pushed onward.

I’m ready to face this crazy world!

Chuck and Fran during their August 2018 Chicago duathlon.

 

Hands. My running and cycling mate, Chuck. He actually stayed with me during the whole race!