“Social” Pathology
February 6, 2009
It is 7:45 pm now, and Mariah and I just came back from the AFIP building where she works hours in gross pathology and histopathology Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. However, we were actually in the medical museum section of the building this evening for a social with various members of Pathology and infectious disease labs from locations all over (including local, regional, and out of country). The function was extremely casual, which means Mariah and I felt perfectly comfortable casually eating about two plates full of those little turkey and ham rolls and then I tested how long we could keep them down while perusing the exhibits which consisted of amputated legs in jars and plaster remakes of facial reconstruction processes from post-war eras! Most of the people at the gathering we did not recognize, although those who know Mariah from various phases of her professional life approached to say hello and conversate (yep, it’s a real word when it’s on this blog!). Thank you to those who are there and who reach out as Mariah reemerges in the social realm. It is certainly not the most comfortable realm for either of us, but being present with Mariah when she does things like sit up in bed and tell me which sweater and earrings she wants to wear to go to a social event is, I believe, to observe the mark of true emergence. Therapy is one thing, and Mariah continues to kick butt growing in strength and physical capabilities, but to see the efforts in social connection and reemergence is probably one of, if not the most difficult action to take in this process. Our days are filled with the usual: lots of therapy, keeping each other laughing with readers digest jokes read off the computer during breakfast in our room in the mornings, comedy central stand-up TV, and gym time in the evenings. Keep thinking positive for us and sending your prayers. Not all our days are super productive, and some we both just struggle through at the bare-minimum, but over-all we continue to move forward. Thank you for your love!
Clay
Mariah's Reemergence 
Thanks Clay. Mariah is fantastic and I’m glad to hear that you all “enjoyed” some preserved limbs. Every day doesn’t have to be a Mariacle, or great, or even good, it just has to be. Good is coming, I know it.
Hi Mariah and Clay,
Thanks for the blog message. Sounds like you are both moving forward. Keep the faith.
Cousin Wayne
Wow. I glossed over the site and waht a amazing miracle god has granted Mariah. I am the owenr of Sergeant’s and I do not know Mariah well. But we shared the love for fitness and helping others. In the busy-ness of life I wish I could say that I kept the commitment that I made to travel to see Mariah. I did not. My daughter katelyn is 8 and for several weeks we would include Mariah in our prayers. Then my Stepdad was struck with fatal cancer and my focus shifted to him and my family. Katelyn has a sensitive heart and believe it or not asked about Mariah last night. I am blessed to have a wonderful daughter (all dads are).
I am so happy that Maria is home and improving. Can you tell me how visits are arranged?
Thanks for the blog and thanks for being there.
Patrick Avon and of course Katelyn
Patrick, you an arrange a visit by calling her brother, Clay, at 919-696-0671. – Mark (Dad)
Hello Mariah!!
This is Haynes. I’m so sorry to be out of touch. I’m glad you continue to make good progress on your path to full recovery. I’m doing well and have thought about you. And then I forget to write. And then I feel terrible. 😦 So here I am. I hope we can have a good conversation one of these days and listen to some more music together. But you get to pick the artists this time. Plus, you can tell me to shut up if I start singing badly. 🙂 Glad Clay, your parents, and everyone else is so involved. Talk soon. Love. ~Haynes
Dear Mariah, ( and Clay who I have not met )
You have remained in my thoughts & prayers so I am thankful you have continued with your progress reports. Having gone through extensive brain rehab with my nephew I know how challenging it is sometimes to face what seems like insurmountable obstacles. What always kept me grounded was this scripture from Romans 5:3-5 “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, becasue God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Mariah, your perseverance is an inspiration. Obviously you have much to offer to this world. Make your dreams come true!!! You can do it. I hope I have the privelege of meeting you again some day. With admiration & respect, Holly Leonard
P.S. I visited that medical museum after I saw you at Walter Reed. As a nurse, I found it fascinating.