Most of Marty's family lives out west. He has only been able to see two of his sister's since his stroke, Laurie who drove here from Houston while he was still in the hospital and Susie who met us in Kansas during our K-State visit.  He hasn't been able to see any of his brother's other than via Skype or Facetime.


Last week Marty received a text from his brother Andy that they were going to be in Missouri this week for spring break.  Andy's wife is from Springfield, about two hours away.  We decided to meet them in Joplin (about half way) for dinner on Tuesday.  I have never met their son Zac and all of them were new to Marty.  Unfortunately it was a short visit as we couldn't meet until after school/work and we had to get back home in time to get to bed for school/work.


The entire visit was bitter-sweet.  It was fun for the girls and I to visit with Andy & Debbie.  To Marty it was visiting with a stranger.  Andy told many stories about their childhood and growing up.  None were familiar.  Marty tried to be cordial and polite during the visit.  


On the way home he broke down.  He said he feels like he has stepped into someone else's life.  He occasionally has small glimpses of memories, but often times just enough to really confuse him.  For him right now, that is the most frustrating thing he is dealing with.  He knows he had a life for 40 years, but doesn't know anything about it.  People are all strangers.  Stories of his life are all fairy tales.  He isn't looking forward to building new memories.  He wants all his old memories back.  He wants to tell the stories.


Now, to top things off, he has a terrible cold.  You can tell to look at him he doesn't feel good.  He has so much pressure built up in his head.  This is accompanied by coughing and sneezing which are both quite painful.  We keep trying different medications but can't seem to find one that is giving him relief.  I suggested we take him to the doctor to see if he has an infection.  He doesn't want to go.  He's very anti-doctor right now.  He saw too many doctors in too short of a period of time.  Now he only wants to see them for the absolute necessities and he doesn't view this as that.


Last night he said he wishes he could just have one good week.  One week without a cold, flu, headache, fatigue, etc.  Just one week to enjoy life.  I pray relief comes soon for him.  He is wearing down.  


This is one of my favorite Michael McLean songs.  The message is so true right now.