Happy New Year

Hi all: Just wanted to update you like I said I would. Therapy went well last week. I worked on standing (with the aid of parellel bars) and on strength building for my legs. They were going to start some electrical stimulus on the nerves/muscles, but decided that I'm not quite ready for that yet. On Christmas Day, I surprised my family (and myself) by standing up in front of the chair using just a sawhorse for support!! It was great being in the upright position, but sure did tire me out--the muscles have a long way to go before they are strong enough to bear weight without tiring.
During the week, I've gotten out and helped Dad some--I have a power chair that gets around the farm pretty good so that I'm not stuck in the house. (my regular wheelchair doesn't do well in mud and snow). I also went bowling with the family--that was an experience. I only bowled a few frames--sure is different from a chair.
This week brings more therapy. I'm hopeful that the doctors will clear me to go to work shortly--NO, I won't be driving the bus, but I will be working at the school in some capacity.
I am looking forward to the improvements I will make this coming year, and want to wish everyone a Wonderful New Year and thank you for your support. Jer

Merry Christmas to All

Hi All:
Sorry that we didn't post on Sunday-too busy finishing up our Christmas buying I guess! Today was a great day for our family! We are so thankful that we are all together. Last night we spent the evening with the Pangallo family as is our tradition--again, we were very thankful to be together.
Today started as usual, the nieces and nephews and grandmother (Lois)and John and Aunt Di, Lauren and my sisters came together for Breakfast and Mom's sticky buns--ummmm! When we were done opening presents, I got to thinking that maybe I could give the family the best Christmas present ever, so I put a sawhorse (one of dad's gifts) in front of me, and hoisted my happy a-- out of the chair and I stood--only assisted by the sawhorse for a few seconds--I was by no means stable, but hey I was in an upright position and I felt good and my family was VERY EXCITED! Now, that doesn't mean that I'll be walking next week, but it sure is a start.
Lets go back a bit--my appointments with the doctors in Syracuse have been going good--the knee doctor released my weight restriction on the right knee, so that opened me up to go to work on my therapy. The orthopedic doc, released me for weight before I left the hospital, so I can bear any weight that feels good on either leg. In therapy, Ben is working with me to get some strength back into my legs--he has me standing with the aid of paralell bars, and doing a modified rowing thing with my legs.
I'm so glad to be back home with my family and friends. I "loved" my nurses, but they just aren't like being home. Take care, and I'll update again next weekend.

Merry Christmas to all! And Happy New Year too! Jer

Our time lately

Sorry for not posting lately, but things have been crazy with appointments and just getting ready for the holidays. Things are moving along good--we finally will get started with out-patient rehab today. Jer is going to Syracuse this morning to have his knee checked and then this afternoon he will be doing the fist of many rehabs! We will do our best to update everyone once a week or so from here on in--maybe Sunday nights will be a good time to do that!! Again, our family would like to say a HUGH THANK YOU for all the support you have given to not only Jeremy, but to the girls and Ron & I too.--The Bus garage has been wonderful filling in for Ron when he had to be with Jeremy, and the Town has been GREAT to me--allowing me to take the time I need to provide care--and to my Chamber of Commerce Friends--thanks for excusing me from some of the many meetings that have happened this past 2 months. It's not been a easy time for anyone, and we do appreciate everything people have offered!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!! Carm

The first weekend home

HI all:
Just wanted to let you know that Jer survived his first weekend home after 7 weeks in the hospital. It was a busy weekend, he went and got a Christmas tree with his dad, saw a LOT of people and got to celebrate his niece's 5th birthday! Sure made her day!! He is doing okay with getting around the house with the wheelchair (today he even decorated the Christmas tree for me). He will be staying with us for a while yet--not sure when he will feel the need to go "home" but he is welcome to stay here for as long as he likes--his house is still going to be there when he decides to move back into it. We are open for visitors, but it is best to call before you come up as we are out and about doing Doctors appointments almost every day right now. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we have to go back to Syracuse for an appointment, then Wednesday he has an appointment and Friday he has another one. He is supposed to have one on Thursday, bue we are going to see if we can cancel that one! Again, we would like to THANK EVERYONE for the support, whether spiritual, financial or just plain being here for us! We truly feel blessed to live in a small county like Schuyler!! Love to you all--Carm

the day has come!

Well, I have finally reached the end of my stay at universuty hospital in wonderful syracuse!
I will officially be discharged from here in the morning (fri. 11/7) and after a couple appointments at the VA center up the street I will finally be returning home and hopefully be making an appearance at buisch's bullpen for at least a little while. it will all depend on how i'm feeling after the day.
I guess I should update you on my condition so I don't get any hopes too high.
I have regained some motion in my legs, and yesterday I had my picture taken standing with the use of a walker. I was up and putting weight on my left leg for the first time since the accident so the muscle's in my legs are extremely weak so I will be using a wheelchair for quite awhile while I build some new muscle, but it's cool I have been learning to have a little bit of fun in the chair so i'm not too worried about it.
Well, thats about all I have for you now, I can't wait to be re-released into general population and see you all in the coming days!
see you soo,
~Jer

progress, progress, progress

well, good evening all! to say the least this has been an amazing week since my last post. as you remember tuesday I was trying to put pants on and I was being cleared to get into and out of bed. well wednesday morning I awoke to my therapist standing at the end of my bed saying "here's your clothes, put them on" so with a bit of struggling and a small amount of help I was able to get dressed by thursday morning it was a struggle but I did it on my own, and friday morning I was dressing with relative ease so I guess you could say that there was significant improvement! other things this week were some of the same stuff in therapy, stretching, light weight lifting etc... friday afternoon zach came by so the therapist had me wheel myself into the parking garage where we practiced transferring into and out of a car and of course it also went well,which prompted the therapist to say..."well I guess we need to think about getting you home now"
that being said, we are setting up a meeting wth mom, dad, myself and the therapist's, to discuss what it will take for me to finally leave the hospital and return home to all of you!
well thats what I can tell you for now and when I find out more I will let you know. again I want to thank all of you for your support during these past six weeks it has been more difficult than I ever thought I could undertake but you have made the all the difference!
take care,
~Jer