Andre Xavier's Blog, page 3

ABC 8News interview with Charlie

Just over a year after Charlottesville resident Charlie Xavier was given a 3% chance of survival following a devastating fire, the mother of two is back home, continuing the long road to recovery.

ABC 8News - WRIC reporter Olivia Jaquith sat with Xavier for an extensive interview earlier this week. Watch the clip below where Xavier talks about her recovery process in the hospital.

Read the rest of Xavier's story here: https://bit.ly/3V7aQoH

https://www.facebook.com/8News/videos/525449406072632

Day 390 | OCTOBER 05, 2022

Good evening, friends. Today is 10/5/2022 in our new and grateful life.

I have missed sharing my journal with you daily, but with how busy we are, it is best to keep the current format.

I am sure you are anxiously waiting to hear about Charlie and her progress; I have some updates for you.

Since my last entry, Charlie has continued to work hard with PT, OT, and her entire medical team.

Charlie has been back on her biological RA Medicine, and you know we were cautiously and optimistic about their effect on her; well, it has been three weeks since she started, and we have noticed some improvement in her hands and a little on her knees, she still can't bend her knees.

Still, there has been a little movement that was not there before; we remain optimistic yet without too much expectation, Combined with PT, it is clear that Charlie is starting to regain some of her strength; she is now beginning to work with a personal trainer to work on her power, and she can now pick up Julien from the floor up to her lap in the wheelchair!

As you may have seen in today's news story, she is taking a few steps on her own; she makes it look easy, but I can assure you it takes much strength and overcoming pain; I am just amazed every time she walks, all I can think is when her doctor told me she would never be able to walk! For God, nothing is impossible.

We are continuing to work towards getting Charlie upstairs; the lift cost is high and not possible at this time; there is hope that Charlie will be able to go upstairs on her own! That will be beyond amazing!

Bluey, our cat, is doing so well; he is now officially part of the family; he is loving, fun, and obedient, and yes, he listens to commands ; he acts like a dog sometimes, and he is slowly winning our hearts.

I am so grateful for your support of the book, but I kindly ask you to purchase your copy. You haven’t done so; by now, you have seen the reviews, and I hope you are encouraged to get your copy.

I am continuing to work on my role as an Advocate, and soon I will be helping more and more people to find their voice and speak up on behalf of their loved ones.

Please continue to pray for us; the road to recovery is not easy; there are good days, and there are difficult days; we keep asking God for strength and courage.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

May God Bless You!

André

Day 382 | SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

Good evening. Today is 9/27/2022 of our new and grateful life.

I have missed writing my journal daily; it is amazing the energy I receive from you when I post it; while in Brazil, it was incredible the number of friends and family members that shared with me how much they enjoyed and appreciated the updates, and how much they miss it.

I am writing this entry during my flight from Bogota to Washington DC, and as I reflect on this past week, I just have one word, gratitude, this trip was memorable in so many ways, first by Charlie’s selfless act when she demanded that London and I attended the wedding, to the opportunity to travel alone with my first born son London, I took this trip as a opportunity to get closer to him, to be present and see how amazing he is, the warm and genuine welcome from my family, my mother, my sisters, my brother’s in law and friends, it was wonderful to reconnect with my cousins from Natal, the last time I saw them was over 4 years ago, it really made me appreciate family in a whole new level, London experienced Brazil like never before, he was able to communicate and engage his cousins and new friends, he shared the hardships of daily life in a large city, he enjoyed fantastic food, and discovered new flavors, he even had his own daily café com leite , he experienced what freshly baked French bread taste like from the bakery around the corner, he rode the bus and the subway and saw how millions of people get to work/ school in São Paulo, he learned to watch his step as he walked in the uneven and dangerous side walls of the city, he also experienced first-hand, the love and generosity of his extended family, the kindness of strangers in the street, he now know what being Brazilian really means, and I am so grateful for that.

We became much closer on this trip; I now can see how sweet, funny, kind, curious, and intelligent London is, and I love every aspect of his personality; I have learned to be more patient with him; this trip has been a fantastic gift.

Now, my sister Marianna and my brother-in-law Giuliano were beyond anything I had ever expected; it was not a traditional ceremony with a Priest, but it was one of the most intimate ceremonies I had ever witnessed; the celebrant read their incredible story, using the facts collected from the family members and the couple ahead of time, the story took us from how they meet on Tinder, to Marianna canceling their second date five times in a row, they were vulnerable when they shared that when they met, they both were in a shallow part of their lives and how they lifted each other, there was not a single dry eye during this dynamic profession of love, they even had a sign brought down the aisle with the names of their loved ones that have passed away, including my dad, to the sound of “here to the ones that we loved,” I could not hold back my tears, one thing that I could notice on this trip, how much more vulnerable with their emotions Brazilians can be, just beautiful.

The party was equally impressive; every detail was well thought out, the food was delicious and plentiful, the drinks cold and abundant, and the band didn’t stop! They played for over 6 hours, and there were more people on the dance floor than at the tables during the entire party, which is quite normal for Brazilian weddings; they even had entertainment for the children with excellent nannies for kids and London’s delight, they spoke English:)

It is not a secret that Marianna loves MacDonalds, so for her midnight snack, carts full of Quarter Pounder’s double cheeseburgers and apple pies from McDonald’s were served to the over 150 guests; unlike in the US, McDonald’s is a beloved and expensive treat in Brazil, you should see the excitement over this surprise treat.

The groom's family is lovely, so kind and welcoming; it was lovely to meet them for the first time; Giuliano’s parents cooked us a fantastic meal a day before the wedding. Our families are a perfect match!

The wedding was the highlight of this trip, but every day was memorable. Every encounter enriched me; at every outing, we learned something; I am comfortable saying that I have become a better person after this trip, and so is London.

Now that we are about to land back in the US, I am wondering what changes I am making to ensure that I can bring our family's love, kindness, and affection to my family at home.

I missed Charlie and Julien so much during this trip, but it is comforting to know they also had a great time with each other, and they have grown closer as well, so this trip was a win-win for all of us, and for that, I am grateful!

Please continue to pray, to continue to support us by purchasing a copy of the book and sharing it with a friend, and please write your honest review of the book on Amazon; it helps the reader show up for more people.

Charlie is continuing to heal; she is maintaining the progress that she has made, and we are so grateful for her team of doctors, PT, OT, Psychologist, RNs, and aids; they are a massive part of her continued healing.

I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took while in Brazil.

May God bless you!

André

Day 375 | SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Good evening, friends. Today is 9/20/22 in our new and grateful life.

We are having a fantastic time! London and I have safely arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Charlie stayed home with Julien.

Charlie is taking this time to reinforce her bond with baby Julien, and since London and I are away, he has all his attention on his mommy.

I have the opportunity to bond and show London his Brazilian heritage, and we are having a good time!

It is great to be back with my family; it has been over two years since I visited Brazil.

Charlie is enjoying her time with her friends, and they are helping us with childcare when our nanny is off.

Her first laser appointment went very well; Charlie said the pain was mild. She described it as a rubber band sting! No doubt about her pain tolerance

We are hopeful that in 5 or 6 applications, she will improve her neck range of motion.

Charlie continues to work hard with PT and OT; we are waiting for her RA biological meds to take effect.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in Brazil with my family; it is so good to thank them in person for all their support.

It is priceless to see London experience all that Brazil has to offer, the fantastic food, fruit varieties, the kindness and authenticity of our people, and the insane traffic of São Paulo; he sees firsthand the need to be Street smart in a big city.

He is practicing his Portuguese and can carry on a basic conversation with strangers; I am so proud of him!

He enjoys daily café com leite, fresh pão francês from the bakery, rice and beans, and twice-a-day showers.

Life in the tropics is very different from life in the US; I believe it is vital for our boys to experience life in Brazil; that way, they can appreciate and understand how blessed we are.

I want to thank you for your support of my book, and I kindly ask you to post your review of the book on Amazon.

We are continuing to be grateful; please continue to pray for us, Charlie still has a very long road ahead in her recovery, and we need your prayers and support.

May God Bless You.

André

Day 369 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 369 of our new and grateful life.

Today I woke up with my phone ringing; it was Charlie. Wake up, André! It is 8 am!

Ops, I missed my alarm, and none of the boys were awake, so I jumped out of bed and woke up in London.

We managed to get downstairs and breakfast on time, and our nanny was back today !

As I prepared for my trip to Brazil, I had a busy day at work.

Charlie today, with the help of our nanny, packed London’s bag and played with Julien.

She was supposed to go to her OT appointment, but her transportation was a no-show, so she had to cancel it!

The highlight of our day was the Bingo event; our incredible Craft Beer Family showed their love and support to our family today! We are so grateful for their generosity; it was great to see old and new friends.

Julien is still getting over whatever virus he has, and London is doing well; he is so excited about our trip!

Tonight at Bingo, London got to call the numbers out, and he loved it. Thank you, Jon, for taking him with you.

Tonight Is my last daily post; it feels weird to say it out loud.

I am grateful for your kindness, support, and generosity for over a year!

This Journal became part of me; it is part of my therapy, and you are part of my support system; I will miss my daily posts but rest assured, I am continuing to write my daily Journal, and I will be posting at least once a week.

I kindly ask you to continue praying for Charlie, support my book, and keep the reviews coming!

If you haven’t done so, you can still do it; please subscribe to our blog at cheeringoncharlie.com.

Have a good night, and May God Bless You.

André

Day 368 | SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 368 of our new and grateful life!

I will start by saying that God blesses all parents.

Last night, London was coughing all night long, even after giving him cough medicine, and around 1:50 am, he stormed into my bedroom, and for a second, I thought I had a heart attack!

Poor London had a nightmare, so I comforted him, and he slept by my side.

In the morning, baby Julien was still asleep; by the time I got out of the shower, I went to check on him, and baby Julien had a fever! Poor baby, he was so miserable all day; he had no other symptoms besides the frenzy and wanting to be held all day.

Today I had one of the most challenging days as a parent, day two of no child care puts much stress on my plate since I am not able to get much work done since the boys need to be cared for; Charlie had a busy day with her medical appointments, so I had to sacrifice my work today, it hurts, but I am grateful to have the ability to do so.

Julien felt so bad that all day long, he was either sleeping on my or Charlie’s arms or crying; he was medicated but still didn’t feel well.

Fast forward to dinner, Julien feels a little better, and London has been fine all day.

I had the boys tonight, Charlie went to have dinner with her friends, and I am so happy for her; she deserves and needs her social interaction; she was robbed of her time for so long!

Tomorrow we will be attending the Bingo for the benefit of our family; we are so grateful for the incredible Craft Beer community and the Do Good Cville; thank you for your generosity!

I would love to see you at Random Row brewery at 5:30 pm.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

May God Bless You!

André

Day 367 | SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 367 of our new and grateful life.I was up early, 4:45am to be precise, and I decided I would not try to go back to sleep. Instead, I did something that I hadn't done in a while; I listened to an audiobook, and I landed on a Ray Dalio book about world economics; I know most people will think of it as highly dull, but not me; I love learning, and now that I am no longer required to learn about medical procedures and infection, my mind is craving new knowledge.By 7:00am, London was awake, and by 7:15a, Julien was up, and we were downstairs by 7:40a.Breakfast was just the boys and me; Charlie was not feeling too well; last night, we started the subsequent reduction in her opioids, and overnight she experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, and by the wee hours in the morning, she couldn't deal with the withdrawal. She asked for her prn dose of morphine; I am sharing this with Charlie's permission; it is not easy to come off opioids; it requires a powerful support system and incredible will to overcome the withdrawals; some people describe withdrawal as the feeling of dying; it is painful.Charlie had to take a step back on her reduction, which is ok; there is no shame or discouragement.Charlie has reduced her doses by almost 40 % since coming home this second time, which is a huge accomplishment! I do not doubt that in her own time, she will be opioid-free.This part of our journey has made me look at the opioid crisis from a different perspective, with more compassion.By lunchtime, Charlie was feeling better, and we had lunch together.I had a hectic day, and especially tricky with no child care, our nanny took a personal day, so I had to find a way to work and take care of the boys. Still, with Charlie's help, we managed to make it work, and we even had a little fun with the boys outside in the late afternoon when the temperature was a little cooler.Tomorrow I will start packing for my trip to Brazil; it is an extraordinary trip, I was not sure if I was going to be able to go, but Charlie urged me to go; I will be walking my youngest sister down the aisle since my dad passed away a few years ago, I am so grateful to be able to take the trip with London.Thank you for the reviews; please keep them coming; I also appreciate your words of encouragement and prayers.Thank you, and may God bless You.André

Day 366 | SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 366 of our new and grateful life!

Today we decided to take a day off, meaning we didn’t do anything besides the basic things we usually do.

After breakfast, we played a board game with the boys and watched a movie afterward.

I took advantage of the movie and made a quick trip to the store to grab some items we needed to take to London School tomorrow.

After lunch, Charlie took a well-deserved nap, so Julien, London, and I just hung out until they woke up.

I finished reading my book . I read it from beginning to end; this was the first time I did not look for spelling errors or mistakes. I enjoyed the book, and for a moment, I almost forgot that it was my story.

We played outside once the rain stopped, just for a short time; it was a little too humid for Charlie.

Today I will ask that we pray for all the lives lost during 9/11; no matter how many years go by, the pain of a permanent loss will always be there.

I continue to be so grateful for your book purchases and reviews; they are so important; please keep them coming.

This weekend is ending, and we have had time to look back on this past year; only God knows what it took to be where we are today, and we are so grateful for all of you, your prayers, words, donations, and support.

We also realize that we have so much more work ahead, and the healing is just starting; our journey is a lifelong journey, and we continue to pray for strength.

Thank you for all your kind words towards Charlie’s speech; she truly spoke from her heart, and yesterday was a special day for her; she was so humbled by meeting her rescuers!

Have a good night, and May God Bless You!

André

Day 365 | SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 365 of our new and grateful life!

It is hard to believe that we have arrived at the first anniversary of the accident that changed our lives!

Today I was up early; I wanted to have a few minutes alone before the boys woke up to give myself 15 to 20 minutes of “what if” thoughts.

I knew they would be coming into my mind today, so I wanted to get it out of the way; yes, there are so many small decisions that, if we could change, would have avoided this accident, but guess what, no one can change the past, so after the negative session, I refocus on the present, and I have so much to be grateful for!

I was so grateful to have a beautiful family to make delicious pancakes for this morning.

We were so grateful to have the opportunity to get ready for a fun event and a unique opportunity to give thanks.

I was so grateful for the dozens of people who came to us at the fair and said hello and talked about the book.

I am so grateful to have Charlie alive and by my side today.

I am so grateful for Charlie’s first public speech; she did terrifically.

I am so grateful that our boys have their mom to love and comfort them.

I am grateful to our friends who showed up today to support us at the fair.

I am so grateful to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to recognize her rescuers in public.

I am so grateful for every single person participating in Charlie’s rescue, hospital stay, and rehab; you are a massive part of why Charlie is here with us today.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to write; I would never imagine that I would be writing a journal every single day for an entire year; I have written around 191,000 words to date ( not including the book); on average, I write for about 25 minutes, so I have spent 152 hours writing, and I am living proof that you can get better by practicing anything you put your mind into it.

I am grateful for your incredible support, prayers, and donations; you have significantly impacted Charlie’s recovery.

I am so grateful to God; my faith has been my rock during the most challenging moments of my life!

I am so grateful to my family for being beyond helpful.

I could write 500 other things I am grateful for ( I have them written down).

Today we chose to be grateful! It made this day less difficult.

Tonight, I will thank God in my prayers for his miracle and think about how blessed we are to have been given the gift of Charlie’s life!

Have a good night, and May God bless You!

André

Day 364 | SEPTEMBER 09, 2022

Good evening, Friends. Today is day 364 of our new and fantastic life!

I finally had a restful night of sleep, and I woke up at my regular time of 6:30a, got the boys ready for school, and made breakfast.

Charlie took London to School, and the day started like every other day in this new life.

Mornings like this make me appreciate the gift we have received from God!

It is also a reminder that one year ago, the morning before the accident day, it was just as usual, and without warning, life as we knew it was taken.

That thought can make me feel grateful, but it also can make me wonder what if; I have made a conscious effort not to think what if because it is a scary thought at this moment.

Today Charlie had a good day; she met her friends at a coffee shop and enjoyed catching up with her “tribe,” as she says.

I had a hectic day at work, but many hours were spent on the phone, securing Charlie’s RA medicine from a specialty pharmacy. I was highly frustrated with the process, but I have learned during this journey that honey attracts more bees than vinegar, so as frustrated as I was, I didn’t lose my patience, and I was very grateful for the agent's help. After hours with no resolution, she did call me back at 6 pm and fixed the prescription issue, and her medication will be shipped. The agent said, Mr. Xavier, how you handled this very frustrating situation made me want to help you, so I made some calls and was able to fix the issue; sometimes, the best approach is kindness.

I just shared this story with you to illustrate the daily tasks of an Advocate/ Caregiver; it is a full-time job by itself!

We end up our day hanging out outside with our neighbors.

Tomorrow will be a big day for us; we will be attending the Orange County Street Festival, Charlie will meet her rescuers for the first time, and she will be on stage at 11:45 am, recognizing them for their heroic actions. I invite you to join us at the festival, a great family event in Downtown Orange, VA.

I also kindly ask for your prayers; God knows how difficult tomorrow will be for us. I will ask God for strength and gratitude and to keep away all negative thoughts and emotions; we have chosen to have a day of appreciation tomorrow, so we can keep the “what if” away.

Thank you for your continued support of the book; I am so grateful for the few reviews we have got; I will ask you one more time to post a review after you read the book, I know there is someone out there that is needed to hear a story of Hope, a story of Love and Faith, and this is what I hope my book coveys.

I hope to see many of your familiar faces tomorrow.

Have a good night, and may God bless You!

André