Feb. 24, 2008

Wow, finally we remembered to post on Sunday like we are supposed to! The past week has been one of progress again! Jeremy went to see his Neuro-surgeon and was cleared for everything. This time they even gave him his walking sticks (as he calls them). He is able to "do" stairs (somewhat) and walk around the house with the aid of these arm crutches. He finds that it really tires him out, but he's determined to continue to improve and gain more and more strength as each day passes! Because the VA isn't impressed with him going up and down the stairs on his butt, they have ordered him a "stair chair" that will be installed in his apartment in the next couple of weeks. This next week, he will start working on getting his hand controls on his truck--that will really give him his independence!! He has to go through the VA for that too, and as we all know, the government works at a different pace than most of us--although they have been really great to work with so far!
For Ron, things have also improved. He has been pain free for the past 3 days, and the message on the phone says his blood work came back good, so we are hoping that things are turning around for him. He will try going back to work this week--to drive bus anyway and then work slowly into milking cows again. Zach has been doing the milking and Josh Haller has been doing the other chores, and that has been a life saver for all of us. As usual, friends and family have come through for us again. We are truly blessed!
Have a good week! Carm

Good Morning

Wow--vacations from school get us all confused--I was thinking that today was Monday, and here it is Tuesday already!! We have had a good week. Jeremy has been working on the "walking" a little more this week. He actually walked into the Dentist office on Monday--they were very surprised! At therapy, he is walking more and more with the aide of the crutches. This week, we return to Syracuse to see the neurosurgeon who did the work in his spine. After that meeting, we are hoping that he gets clearance to get his hand controls for his vehicle--that will definitely give him more independence! (of course that makes mother nervous--but I know he will be careful)
As for Ron, he's feeling better--sort of! His blood count is going back down, which is a good thing. He is still out of work for this week, but will try to go back to at least driving bus next week. The milking is still iffy--it's a lot of up and down and twisting and turning, so he may leave that to Zach and Josh for a while longer.
Thanks again for the prayers and concerns voiced!
Love you all
Carm

Feb. 10, 2008

Hi All:
Thought I'd update you on Jer's progress this week as he doesn't have internet access. He has moved back to his apartment and seems to be doing well there by himself. He's an independant sort of person anyway, so I had no doubt he'd make out okay! In therapy on Thursday, he walked 26' with the use of the leg braces and the Canadian crutches. He was so pleased!! BUT, he was exhausted--that isn't a long distance to most of us, but when you haven't walked in over 3 months, it's a long ways. On Friday, he got his own walker, and strict instructions that he can't overdo it! Dr. Grier said that one can overdo and actually go backward, so he cautioned Jer about that.
This week will be more of the same--therapy! For a change, no Doctor's appointments though.
While I'm here, I will tell you that Ron is feeling okay--he's tired (we think it's the effects of the drugs) but he's doing what he can. He isn't going back to work just yet--some of the drugs don't allow him to drive--especially school bus. He has doctor's appointments during the week, so maybe by next weekend we will have some good news--or at least encouraging news.
Thanks for the new prayers and thoughts! It helps to know that we are supported by a whole realm of people. Love you all.
Carm

Hi Again

Ron and I decided that we needed to put another post on today to update some more information. On Monday, Ron was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. According the the websites I've been on, it is a disease that one can live with forever if properly treated. We have begun the treatment process (pills he will take at home) with hopes that it will put the leukemia in remission in a short time. He feels good, and has permission from the doctors to do whatever he feels like doing when it comes to work. He will take the rest of this week off, and then go back to bus driving next week, and working on the farm.
It was certainly a blow to our family again, but as we said after Jer's accident, we will survive and thrive with all the love and friendships we have. The family is strong and our faith will help us get through these hurdles that we have been handed. Once again, we ask that you keep us in your prayers. Thanks Carm

It's another week

I waited until after the doctor's appointments today to try and update you with some news--BUT as usual, no new news. Jer was supposed to have CAT scans and an appointment to talk about getting the equipment so that he could drive his truck with the use of hand controls. AGAIN, that didn't happen. He has to be released from his Neurosurgeon and he doesn't seem him until the 22nd of February. Hopefully by then Jer won't need those hand controls--(I'm sure he still will, but it's wishful thinking on my part). Therapy continues twice a week for a total of 3 hours/week, and he's is making progress--even though it's small things now--but every little thing leads to one big thing eventually.
Take care and have a good week. Carm