Update 8/31

Tonight Chris was looking well when I went to visit him.  He had been to several different therapy sessions today, but did not look tired.  I am glad he is busy now during the day, I am hopeful that this will help him sleep at night. 
  Tomorrow the doctors/therapists will meet to discuss his case and set a discharge date and other goals for his rehab.  I hope to know by Wednesday what those goals are. 
I am encouraged that each time I see Chris he is looking better and better.  We had some really great conversations tonight which helped me see great progress.   Thank all of you for your prayers. 

Update 8/30

I took the kids to see Chris today after church, and he is looking better than even yesterday.  I can tell his body is recovering slowly.  He stills tires easily, and he needs lots of rest.  However, he is asking about different projects at work, and scores to football/baseball games, so I know he is getting back to my normal Chris.  He told me the nurse had been walking him down the hallway today, and he had a physical therapy session at 4 this afternoon.  Tomorrow he starts early. 
To all of you who have asked if he can have visitors: He can not have visitors other than family at this time.  I am grateful to so many of you who have asked, and will let you know when they change that policy.
 Thanks again to all of you who have offered help.  Please know that I am truly blessed by you who are offerring help, even if I never have a chance to ask you for something specific.  Just knowing that there are people who know of the circumstance, and have offered to help gives me a peace of mind.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Update 8/29

Today was a good day.  I saw Chris twice- in the morning and evening.  He is looking better and better each time I see him.  He was moved to the rehab unit today, and will have intensive therapy for the time being.  He is off all monitors and is able to wear street clothes.  He's thrilled to be rid of the gown!  Monday will be a day of assessments, and a plan will be formed from there.  Thanks to all of you for your calls, emails and prayers. 

Update 8/28

I went to see Chris this morning, and he is looking well.  They finally got him out of bed after six days, and he was happy to be sitting in a chair.  He looks really tired, and I can't blame him after what he's been through this past week. 
It looks like they will be scheduling various therapies such as occupational, physical and such to help get him back on his feet.  I haven't spoken to the doctor yet, I'm hoping to get in touch with him today. 
Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.  Although it looks like the worst case scenario has not come to pass, he will still have some recovery ahead and your support and prayers mean a lot.  Thank you.

The Day I've Been Waiting For

The day I've been waiting for is here.  The doctor called this afternoon and let me know that there is no tumor in Chris' head, it seems to be blood and inflammation.  Because Chris  could not say if he hit his head or not, they are still a bit puzzled.  They are proceeding as if  this is a consequence of the fall.  He was also moved from ICU to a private room. 
I am just so relieved!  Honestly, yesterday was a pretty low day for me.  Chris wasn't looking very well.  Tonight when I went he seemed a lot more like himself, he just looks tired.  I know that this is not the end.  They have to get him up and moving and make sure things are good. 
I believe in the power of prayer.  I thank God for this miracle.

Wednesday update

Today I went to the hospital around mid-morning. He was alert, and doing well. He still has a breathing tube, and is sedated. But by afternoon, he could communicate that he did not like the tube and wanted it out. They are going to try to remove it tomorrow. The neurologist on rounds today confirmed that the biopsy went well, and we're just waiting now.
I learned a lesson today about expectations. They can cause a lot of hurt and pain. The nurses idea of Chris doing well and my idea were two totally different ideas. At one point I thought, how can she even say that. Then I realized she's seen it all as an ICU nurse, and I should take her at her word that he is doing well.
I can't find the words to tell all of you how much I appreciate you. The kind emails and offers of support have humbled me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

How did we get here?

Hi there. My family has been blessed with so many friends, colleagues and family that I wanted a central place to disperse information. I don't want to leave anyone out, and this seemed like the best solution. This does not mean I no longer want emails or phone calls, I'm just having a hard time retelling things all the time. I hope you understand.
Let me start at the beginning. Last Wednesday, while on a sales call, Chris fell. This is how he recounted the story to me. They were walking up a lot of stairs and he was sweating, and slightly winded. When they got to where they were going, he sat in a chair with a fan blowing on him. He remembers feeling a little clammy, then realized he was falling off the chair. Medics from the company were called and they checked him out and released him. When he came home, he had a headache. This continued for two more days before I was able to convince him to go get it checked out.
While at Sutter Delta hospital, Chris had a CT scan which showed something abnormal. They then did a dye contrasting CT which did not clarify the problem all that much. Chris cannot have MRI because of his pacemaker, so the doctors decided to transfer him to John Muir where there is a Neurologist on staff. The doctor at John Muir agreed that whatever was going on in his head needed to be looked at, and expressed that the situation is made more difficult because he cannot have MRI. His feeling was that a biopsy was the best starting point.
The biopsy was done yesterday and the doctor said that it went very well. The results from the lab will take 2-3 days. Chris is doing well physically, and neurologically after the procedure and is resting the best he can.
Right now he is in ICU and is on the brain injury protocol which means no TV or radio, no telephone. He's not thrilled with that at all. On Sunday he complained that no one would tell him the score to the Giant's game. They just want to limit his brain stimulation right now.
I want to thank everyone who has sent their well-wishes and let me know that you are praying. Our hope is not in a hospital, doctor or medical procedure. Our hope is in God. God has already answered so many prayers. Please continue to pray for not just Chris, but also the kids and me. They are holding up well. Nicholas barely seems to notice that his dad is gone. I see the concern on Courtney and Tyler's faces, and I try to reassure them.
I have always known that my husband was admired and well thought of in each area of his life. Thank you to those of you who have confirmed that through your emails.
My hope is to post updates daily. If you know someone who would be interested, please pass this along.