Tús Nua
Unless you live on the Aran Islands, the few gaeltacht regions of the country or attend Coláiste Lurgan, chances are you don't speak (or sing) Irish. As English can be difficult enough on most days, Bob and Christine definitely do not. Nonetheless, one little term in Irish has become a bit of a family catch phrase over the years: Tús Nua.
Pronounced /thoos/ /noo/ /uh/, these two words mean "new beginning." Starting out as a wedding day surprise tattoo and remains as a daily reminder of the blessings of each new beginning, "tús nua" is now an Ellis family motto.
Two weeks ago, after what could be called a six month long new beginning in the making, Brady came HOME. Home to his graying but energetic pup Glennamaddy who has been wondering where his little guy has been. Home to his gaggle of cousins who run in wild chaotic circles around him but always stop to sweetly share a book or toy and a gentle kiss on his cheek. Home to where he and his Mama and Daddy can be under the same roof altogether again, the way it was always meant to be. Brady now too is able to embrace the family phrase "tús nua."
Although Brady's main goal of being decannulated was not met while inpatient, the feeling of being HOME cannot be marred by anything. Cranking up the tunes for a family dance party drowns out the loud compressor of the suction machine. The freedom of hitting the road for an errand or adventure whenever the spirit moves you trumps the tedious task of packing all the necessary medical supplies in the car. Curling up in your own room, in your own bed, ALTOGETHER is well worth being the ones to handle the overnight respiratory issues that come with Brady still having a trach.
In the last two weeks Brady has already experienced many of the ups and downs of life at home. He has had new people come into his home to meet him and learn about his needs. He has reconnected with an old friend who he knew as his primary Spaulding nurse and will now continue to care for him once a week at home. He has made personal pan pizzas with some of his cousins and celebrated at a Minnie & Goofy themed birthday party with others. He has had a tight schedule going to a variety of appointments, but thanks to the family willing to travel with him and mom to make sure he has the medical attention he needs in the backseat, he is getting all the care he needs. He has traveled to West Point, NY to have an adventure in a one of a kind mansion, was able to toast to his uncle's graduation and experienced how tricky life in a wheelchair may get.
Brady began outpatient PT and OT with the hopeful anticipation of progress and is now patiently exercising at home while he waits to see if the insurance denial is reversed. He has had fevers and pneumonia at home, which doesn't come with the benefit of a doctor at your bedside but does allow for cozy couch snuggles with extra TLC and the comfort of knowing your dog is right there for company.
Brady and his family are so thankful for everyone's thoughts, prayers and support while he was inpatient at MGH and Spaulding. As he continues through his new beginning he still has much to accomplish but he knows that so many of you will continue to cheer him along his way. He and his family are so excited to continue his progress from home and can't wait to see what this "tús nua" brings. **
(** Brady would like to add that he takes no responsibility for any mispronunciation or linguistic misuse of this Irish phrase as he is embarrassed to say that foreign languages are really not his parents' forte. He has an amazing great uncle who once demonstrated through a toast at a family wedding that there are precious few who can differentiate between Irish and Swahili when listening to it spoken. There are also not many in Brady's social circle on Boston's north shore skilled enough to give pointers on the finer nuances of the language.)
