Good evening

There isn't much new to tell you this week. I'm still doing the therapy, and working at the school part time (when I'm not running to doctor's appointments). I did get the MRI w/contrast done on my left shoulder, and the doctor says there isn't much we can do with it now, so we are just waiting. I continue with more dental work tomorrow.
That's about it for now--things seem to be progressing, but not at any alarming rate! I'll just keep doing what I do and try to get more and more out of this body! Take care and have a good week. Jer

January 22, 2008

Sorry about not posting on Sunday, but sort of wanted to wait and see what the Doctors said about the shoulder today. We went to Syracuse this morning for an MRI of the left shoulder--after about 2 1/2 hours and 2 different offices, we find that there is something going on, but not enough to be worried about (that's the doctor talking, he's not feeling the shoulder pain)so we aren't scheduled to see him again until April--maybe in that time, it will clear up! Jer was fitted for leg braces at therapy. It is hoped that they will give him to stability to stand and use crutches to walk with--we are hopeful they are right!
His working at the school is going good--he enjoys being back among the kids and the teachers. Usually, he only works from 2:30 - 6 but a few days they have him come in at 11 to work the study halls--of course, he'd just as soon be back in the bus, but that is a while coming yet. In a few weeks, we go back to Syracuse for his "driver training" with hand controls--that should be interesting.
Well, not much going on other than as he says, SSDD.
Talk to you again next week. Carm

January 15, 2008

Oops--we forgot to update on Sunday as we promised! Jer is doing good--he continues to progress at Therapy, and still brings smiles to the nurses faces when we show up in Syracuse! (imagine that). Being the kid that he is, he was "bored" sitting home and just working on getting better, so he decided to see if the school could use his services. He is now an Aide for OMCS and loving it. It gives him something to do besides therapy and doctors appointments, which he squeezes into his day! The dental work progresses. Today, or maybe tomorrow, he has dental surgery planned to replace the tooth that was totally broken in the accident. He met with some new VA doctors yesterday, and was encouraged by their offers of help. And like all the docs, they were impressed with his progress to this point. The Orthopedic doc is going to take a look at Jer's shoulder in the next couple of weeks--seems that is acting up now, but the doctor thinks it may just be the stress of using it so much--he uses a lot of upper body to do transfers to the cars and such. Hopefully that is all it is and it can be taken care of with just some meds.
Well, that is about it for this week--appointments, appointments and appointments, but progress at each step of the way, so we are pleased! Thanks for the continued prayers and support! Carm

1-6-08 update

Happy new year everybody!
I hope you all survived the night! my night was spent with jeff and jackie, nothing super exciting but nice to be out with some great friends and just have an enjoyable night with them. as far as my update goes, i'm not sure if i could be any happier with where i'm at considering where i was. ben has been really working the parrallel bars with me and i'm still trying to re-train my legs to do the "one foot in front of the other" maneuver, they seem to want to stand on top of each other as i take steps.The legs are making noticeable progress with strength and motion almost every day it seems so it keeps me pushing forward.
On friday zach and I drove up to syracuse to pick up my new chair (yes I still ride with him, hahaha I just make sure I navigate more precisely now!) the chair is all titanium so its really light and its a different style so it will take some getting used to. I already fell out of it on a sidewalk in watkins but no injuries so i just laughed it off and got back in it and moved on.
Well thats abou t all I have for this week so i will be keeping up with rehab for the week and ill update you all again next sunday. untill then take care
~Jer

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