HI ALL: Just a note to let you know that the ride scheduled for May 17, has been postponed to May 24th at the Odessa Fire House--registration is 8-10, ride will begin promptly after registration. For those of you coming from the North country (Syracuse, Rochester, etc) there will be a stop for lunch at the Petro (just down from the Outlet Mall in Waterloo), so if you wanted to join the ride there, you could do that and then ride the west side of the lake with the group. Of course, you are invited to come to Odessa first, and if you chose to leave at the petro, that's possible too. The plan is to arrive at the petro between 11:30 and 12 and leave from there at 1:10. If you need any information next week, please feel free to contact me at 607-857-5726 and if I don't have the answer, I will make sure I get it and get back to you!
Now for Jeremy's update--he is doing so many things that the doctors NEVER thought he'd do again! We are so proud of his drive and determination that it brings tears to my eyes when I think of how far he's come in just 7 short months. Yes, it's been 7 months tomorrow. For us the time has flown, but I'm sure for him it's been the longest 7 months in his life. One of the things he's found he can do is ride motorcycle (very cautiously though). He is riding his sister's honda low-rider and can balance that pretty good. What a shock on Mother's day to see him ride up the driveway on it. The only problem is getting off and carrying his crutches--but he will overcome that obstacle too!
This past week has been a busy one on the farm--Jer and Ron planted corn all week, while Zach, Chris, Val and Niki helped load planters and run supplies hither and yond. It was nice to have all the help as we are now all planted and just waiting for the 25th to start cutting the first crop of hay. That process is changing too as without Jeremy's ability to climb silos, we have to change how we put up haylage, so we are using the big white bags that look like sausages in the fields, so we have had dozers and rollers in getting that site ready.
Ron is doing better--his blood work is showing improvement. We have another doctor's appointment in June and hopefully we will continue to get good news.
Well, that's it for now--thanks for continuing to check in. God Bless
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
May, 2008
Hi all: Sorry it's been a while since we've updated--everyone has been busy with the "spring things" around the farm, Jeremy included. Yes, Jer is able to help out on the farm on occasion. He can drive most of the tractors, so he can spread manure and do some plowing, discing and hopefully some planting very soon. Jer's progress still amazes all of us. He is able to take a few steps without using the crutches, which is a very big step for him. He still has the wheelchair around "just in case", but doesn't use it much now. With just 6 months past, we have come a very long way! I'm sure there wasn't a doctor out there that thought Jer would come along this quickly, but then maybe they never met a Hoffman before! Driving is coming along pretty good--he still uses the hand controls most of the time, but tries his luck with the feet once in a while too. It is surely nothing he could do for an extended period, but for very short distances he can use the feet. In my mind, I can't help but think that it helps to retrain those muscles/tendons to do things they haven't done in a while.
Sorry for the short post, but I think I've covered all of the important things. We'll continue to post as things come up that we think everyone will be interested in. Thanks again for the prayers and thoughts during these last long 6 months. I for one know I would never had made it through without the friendships, thoughts, and prayers!! Love you one and all. Carm
Sorry for the short post, but I think I've covered all of the important things. We'll continue to post as things come up that we think everyone will be interested in. Thanks again for the prayers and thoughts during these last long 6 months. I for one know I would never had made it through without the friendships, thoughts, and prayers!! Love you one and all. Carm
Sunday, April 13, 2008
April 13, 2008
Hi all:
Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since we updated. Spring has arrived and with it the spring field work that Jeremy has been setting goals on! AND, he did get into the tractor and plow one field. He admits that it's not easy, but he did it anyway. This week he is off to Tennessee to visit with Matt and Kristi--his first experience with airports since the accident. Wow, that's different--of course he lit up their machines like a Christmas tree when he went through with his braces on! The tore the wheelchair apart to make sure he didn't stash things in the wheelie bars or arm rests! Then there was the Pat down! I don't think they left off one inch of his body! He took it all good humoredly though--what else can you do?
When he gets back home, he's eager to get back into the tractors and help plant. He probably won't get home in time to plant alfafa, but he'll be here in plenty of time to plant corn and do the first cutting of hay!!
His therapy continues to go good and he continues to make progress. He says his knee is getting stronger, and the surgeon has released him from his care. Unless he decides to go back and have the other ligaments fixed, he won't need to go back. From what he was told, unless he decides to become a runner, he can do without the surgery, so he probably won't go back, but time will tell.
His neurosurgeon (not the one who did the surgery) is having him go for some MRI's to see if everything is still in place now that he's been moving so much. He thinks there might be a higher vertebrae that is causing some issues with the stiffness, but it's not something that they are too worried about. Those appointments are all next week, and then it will be two weeks before he goes for the results.
His driving is good. He goes all over--he drives to Syracuse by himself, and all around town. He's been Zach's transportation lately while Zach had his wisdom teeth out in Syracuse.
We haven't gotten the final total for the benefit at the Community Center, but it's someplace in the $10,000 range. Not bad for such a crappy weather day!
For those of you who are motorcycle riders, the Fire Department is planning a motorcycle ride for May 17, 2008--it starts at the fire house in Odessa and will be going around the lake--which lake I'm not sure, but it should be a nice ride--rain date is the next week.
Well, have a good week and enjoy our wonderful spring weather. I know I'm anxious to get out and work in the yard and flowerbeds! I've had enough winter and cold weather.
Carm
Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since we updated. Spring has arrived and with it the spring field work that Jeremy has been setting goals on! AND, he did get into the tractor and plow one field. He admits that it's not easy, but he did it anyway. This week he is off to Tennessee to visit with Matt and Kristi--his first experience with airports since the accident. Wow, that's different--of course he lit up their machines like a Christmas tree when he went through with his braces on! The tore the wheelchair apart to make sure he didn't stash things in the wheelie bars or arm rests! Then there was the Pat down! I don't think they left off one inch of his body! He took it all good humoredly though--what else can you do?
When he gets back home, he's eager to get back into the tractors and help plant. He probably won't get home in time to plant alfafa, but he'll be here in plenty of time to plant corn and do the first cutting of hay!!
His therapy continues to go good and he continues to make progress. He says his knee is getting stronger, and the surgeon has released him from his care. Unless he decides to go back and have the other ligaments fixed, he won't need to go back. From what he was told, unless he decides to become a runner, he can do without the surgery, so he probably won't go back, but time will tell.
His neurosurgeon (not the one who did the surgery) is having him go for some MRI's to see if everything is still in place now that he's been moving so much. He thinks there might be a higher vertebrae that is causing some issues with the stiffness, but it's not something that they are too worried about. Those appointments are all next week, and then it will be two weeks before he goes for the results.
His driving is good. He goes all over--he drives to Syracuse by himself, and all around town. He's been Zach's transportation lately while Zach had his wisdom teeth out in Syracuse.
We haven't gotten the final total for the benefit at the Community Center, but it's someplace in the $10,000 range. Not bad for such a crappy weather day!
For those of you who are motorcycle riders, the Fire Department is planning a motorcycle ride for May 17, 2008--it starts at the fire house in Odessa and will be going around the lake--which lake I'm not sure, but it should be a nice ride--rain date is the next week.
Well, have a good week and enjoy our wonderful spring weather. I know I'm anxious to get out and work in the yard and flowerbeds! I've had enough winter and cold weather.
Carm
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Happy Spring
Well, almost spring--the calendar says it is, but the temperatures surely don't. Things continue to progress slowly. Jer is now practicing to walk with one crutch--he does pretty good, but has biffed it a couple of times! Oh well, just get up and keep going! He has been doing a lot of "paperwork" for the fire department--seems he can go and sit to do it, so why not?? The membership voted to give him his 2nd assistant chief position again, which made him feel that they have confidence in him and his ability to walk again.
His attention has turned to spring planting and field work lately. He is determined to be in the tractor helping his dad just as soon as the fields are ready--and with what we have seen already of his determination, I have no doubts that he will be out there!!
As for Ron, things are still going okay for him. He has some testing to go to this coming week in Syracuse, but that is just preliminary tests and don't seem to be a big deal. He still feels good and is back to work full time driving bus and milking cows, so that is a good step.
For now that is about it--take care and don't pull too many pranks on people on Tuesday!!
Carm
His attention has turned to spring planting and field work lately. He is determined to be in the tractor helping his dad just as soon as the fields are ready--and with what we have seen already of his determination, I have no doubts that he will be out there!!
As for Ron, things are still going okay for him. He has some testing to go to this coming week in Syracuse, but that is just preliminary tests and don't seem to be a big deal. He still feels good and is back to work full time driving bus and milking cows, so that is a good step.
For now that is about it--take care and don't pull too many pranks on people on Tuesday!!
Carm
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Happy Easter
Thought I'd update today before I forget again (like I did last week). Things have been going good for Jeremy and Ron this past two weeks. Jeremy is progressing well--to us anyway. He's walking more and using the wheelchair less. He got the chair-stair installed on Thursday, so now he can "ride" to his room and bathroom instead of having to "bump" up the stairs. He has also gotten used to the hand controls on his truck and is enjoying the freedom of having his own vehicle back again. In Therapy on Thursday, he said they had him walking with one crutch!! That is fabulous. Hopefully being on his feet more will strengthen his legs and muscles more and make those nerves respond to him more. He has also started swimming at OMCS with the women's aqua arobics class. The swimming is good for him, but the first day after tells him which muscles weren't being used!!
As for Ron, he has returned to "full duty". He went back to milking cows on Thursday, so he had one day of doing both jobs before he got 3 days off driving bus (holiday). Other than being tired, he feels good and I think he's glad to be back to milking his cows. His blood work continues to come back good so we are keeping our fingers crossed that he will continue to improve. We don't go back to the Doctor in Elmira until June. On April 4th we will go to Syracuse for some "preliminary testing" JUST IN CASE they have to do invasive procedures down the road--they want to be ahead of the game. It is only precautionary at this point.
Thanks again and still for the prayers and thoughts.
I'll be in touch again soon. Carm
As for Ron, he has returned to "full duty". He went back to milking cows on Thursday, so he had one day of doing both jobs before he got 3 days off driving bus (holiday). Other than being tired, he feels good and I think he's glad to be back to milking his cows. His blood work continues to come back good so we are keeping our fingers crossed that he will continue to improve. We don't go back to the Doctor in Elmira until June. On April 4th we will go to Syracuse for some "preliminary testing" JUST IN CASE they have to do invasive procedures down the road--they want to be ahead of the game. It is only precautionary at this point.
Thanks again and still for the prayers and thoughts.
I'll be in touch again soon. Carm
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sunday 3/10/08
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! What more can we say!!! The support was tremendous DESPITE the weather. We would like to thank all the fire departments who help out at the benefit, and still were able to provide needed service to their own community during the storm. It was wonderful to see everyone and if we didn't get to talk to you, we apologize! The support of the merchants, and members of the community and the Class of 1970 OMCS (yeah, Ron & Carm are that old)was tremendous. As you saw, if you came early in either session, Jeremy was up and walking (with his crutches) for quite a while. It tires him out though and he had to resort to the wheelchair about 30 minutes into it. BUT, it's wonderful to see him up and moving, and each week he gets more strength and ability to do more.
It was also wonderful to get to meet Dana Carr in person! Dana and Jeremy share a similar situation--Dana also has a spinal cord injury and is in a wheelchair. Hopefully these two determined young men can become good friends and companions! Dana has only been home a week, and his family braved the weather to come up from Horseheads to be with us! Thanks Carr family it was GREAT to see you again!
Jeremy and Ron both have Doctor's appointments this week, so hopefully we can give you some more info on them both next week.
Oh, have you seen him driving??? Yes, Jeremy has been able to get hand controls on his truck and he can drive by himself. It sure gave him back the independence that he once had and missed so much! Now he doesn't have to "ask" Mom or Dad to take him someplace, he just ambles to the truck and goes!! PROGRESS!
Love to you all, and THANKS AGAIN!!
Carm and Family
It was also wonderful to get to meet Dana Carr in person! Dana and Jeremy share a similar situation--Dana also has a spinal cord injury and is in a wheelchair. Hopefully these two determined young men can become good friends and companions! Dana has only been home a week, and his family braved the weather to come up from Horseheads to be with us! Thanks Carr family it was GREAT to see you again!
Jeremy and Ron both have Doctor's appointments this week, so hopefully we can give you some more info on them both next week.
Oh, have you seen him driving??? Yes, Jeremy has been able to get hand controls on his truck and he can drive by himself. It sure gave him back the independence that he once had and missed so much! Now he doesn't have to "ask" Mom or Dad to take him someplace, he just ambles to the truck and goes!! PROGRESS!
Love to you all, and THANKS AGAIN!!
Carm and Family
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
March has arrived
Hi all:
Just thought I'd take a quick moment and update you this week. Jeremy continues to amaze me with his progress. He is now using the "walking sticks" more than the wheelchair (although we keep it close in case). He got the hand controls on his truck yesterday and now has to practice to get used to them. It's neat how they work!! He continues therapy and has started to pick up some of the equipment to use at home as well. His goal is still to be able to help on the farm this spring, so he's pushing!!
We hope to see a lot of you at the benefit in Watkins this Saturday. If you are coming in from out of town, we have made arrangements at the Long House on St. Rt. 14 to give a discount--just mention that you are here for the benefit and they will discount the room.
Thanks STILL for the prayers and thoughts as we continue to maneuver through this life altering event. Carm
Just thought I'd take a quick moment and update you this week. Jeremy continues to amaze me with his progress. He is now using the "walking sticks" more than the wheelchair (although we keep it close in case). He got the hand controls on his truck yesterday and now has to practice to get used to them. It's neat how they work!! He continues therapy and has started to pick up some of the equipment to use at home as well. His goal is still to be able to help on the farm this spring, so he's pushing!!
We hope to see a lot of you at the benefit in Watkins this Saturday. If you are coming in from out of town, we have made arrangements at the Long House on St. Rt. 14 to give a discount--just mention that you are here for the benefit and they will discount the room.
Thanks STILL for the prayers and thoughts as we continue to maneuver through this life altering event. Carm
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