So how is life now?

Dear FutureMe, This is the anniversary of the day your husband had the worst headache of his life--a burst aneurism caused a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Remember the trip to the hospital on Saturday, the stroke he had on Sunday, the Monday that you thought you were a widow for sure. The trip to Emory, the craniotomy, the coma. The day the doctor told you that he would never hold a conversation with you again, never live outside a nursing home. You planned his funeral, called a Unitarian minister you did not even know, just because you could not see letting your dear husband go without some ceremony. You ordered clothes for both of you. Then, just before Christmas, hope! Dr. Samuels said, "We do everything or we do nothing." Naturally, you chose everything, and remember how happy you were, just that he had a chance? He had improved a bit, and the doctor told you, "The only way you pull the plug now is if you think he would not accept less than a 100 percent recovery." Remember the gradual awakening from the coma, the month you spent sleeping on a foldout chair in the NICU waiting room. Remember the families you met, the bond you shared with them. Remember how badly you wanted him to go to a rehab hospital in your home town, and how the human resources person at your work made it work for you. Remember the first days at that rehab hospital. Remember how Sam and Susan and Ava and Valerie were there for both of you in such a big way. As you write this, he has been weaned off the ventilator. He has a Passy-Muir speaking tube in his trach, but is not saying much. He lifted his arm today. You think he is depressed. So how is life now, a year later? Is he alive? Is he at home? Can he walk, talk, teach? Is he happy? And how about you, dear one? Have you taken care of yourself? I hope so. You found courage in yourself you did not know you had. You were brave, you were there, you accepted the support of your friends and you made what, at this point, seem to be the right decisions. Future me, I hope this finds you both well. I love you, Me