Today was a very positive day in Atlanta. The morning started off with the removal of the last JP drain(from the flap surgery), which makes Dana eligible to move back to the second floor. The biggest news of the day was that Dana sat up in his chair for two hours. It was great to see him vertical again. Starting on Friday of last week, he sat up in his chair for 30 min. The length increases by 30 min each day.
In addition, he has obtained more mobility in his left arm(post surgery), with all of his superb effort during PT and OT.
The first of his two hours in the chair was filled with OT, while the second hour Dana and I spent roaming the halls of the Shepherd Center. We even ventured outside, dodging the rain drops. It was a well deserved trip for Dana after he spent weeks in bed without sunlight.
Wednesday Dana will most likely move back down to the second floor. He should resume full rehab status by the middle of next week. Way to go Dana!!
Dana requested to be weighed today after several people mentioned he was looking a little healthier. He lost nearly 20lbs during the last several months and is beginning to put a few pounds back on. Still, he has room to pack on a few more!!
Thanks to everyone for remembering us with cards, letters, gifts, etc this past week. It was a special Thanksgiving for us, as we have alot to be thankful for. I am most thankful for my amazing husband and the incredible progress he has made, during this horrible ordeal. "Dana, you are such an inspiration to me and my biggest hero! Keep up the great work! " We are also thankful for the friends and family that have surrounded us and supported us during all of this!
Love, Courtney
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Courtney and Dana,
Your strength and determination never cease to amaze me. Your love and never-ending positive attitudes will carry you through lifes tribulations. It is so wonderful to see that you are continuing to make progress. You are truly an inspiration to all. I wish you both all the best in life, you have so much to look forward to together. I hope that your holidays are filled with family and love always. Take care.
Way to go Dana! As we've always agreed; hard work, diligence, patience and a positive attitude pay off in every aspect of life. I'm really excited and eager to see the progress you're going to make once you start the full rehab. Do you remember all those little Dave-Dana races we did at the end of a day, after putting in 8 hours on the bike? Well, you may have won all of those, but if you didn't draft behind my big booty, I probably could've taken you. The point is, even after putting in all that hard work, you still put in that little bit extra. It's that little bit extra that defines who you are and what you're capable of. It's what makes us realize that even when we feel like we can't go any further, there's still something in there to pull from.
We love you Dana! Keep up the hard work!
Dave and Michele
Way to go Dana is right!!!! How great that you are finally back out of bed(if even for a a few hours) everyday. And having to dodge a few raindrops we're sure was nothing compared to how nice it must have been for you to get outside again!!! We are pleased to know that you will soon be heading back to the second floor and gearing up for your full days of therapy. So now that the 'light has turned green' again, hit the highway full throttle and show them what you're all about!!!! You truly are amazing and a hero to us, too. You and Courtney continue to be such an inspiration and a perfect example of what true love and great strength can endure. You both are forever in our thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to some pretty exciting progress reports now that you're 'back on the road'!!!
The valley people
Dana,
I have been following your progress and have been simply amazed with everything you have accomplished. Your work ethic and determination was evident to me at BU but nothing compared to what you are displaying now. I think about how you are doing everyday and look forward to catching up in the near future. Keep pushing!
Hi Courtney and Dana,
Thanks for the update. So great to hear that you will be moving to floor 2. Maybe you are already there as this is Friday. We know that is where you want to be. How wonderful that Dana got to see the outside world a little bit again. Hopefully there have been more trips since the blog was posted. This was a crazy week for us so we are a little behind in responding. We love you very much and think of you SO OFTEN. Your love and commitment are so obvious. That is what will get you through this.
Please know we care very much and you and the family are always in our thoughts and heart.
Love from the Lakes
Dana : the smile you have gives strength to all of us. Though such a challenging time you have found it in your self to be strong. I believe that comes from the man you are and the love and support you receive. I was curious to the level of the spinal cord injury that you have. My fiance is a quadriplegic after a car accident. He had great support. He is a mayor, has his own company, plays with my girls like every other father. he too is an inspiration. I see in your face and the support of your wife and children that this change in your life will only make you grow and to become a greater man. I will keep you and your loved ones in my prayers. If your wife and you look for local support of others who are in your situation, please feel free to contact me @ fightingforavoice.com .
Michelle (Erhard) Wheeler
I can see in your smile the strength that you have through such a trying time. You are fortunate to have such a wonderful wife and family to support you. That is what you will need in the future months.
Throughout the last few months you have shown courage and determination that only shows the man you were and the man you will become. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. My fiance is a quadriplegic after a car accident. He too found the strength to further his life. He know shares two daughters with me, and plays with them as any other father would. He is a mayor, owns his own business, president of the rotary and volunteers for all local causes. He has been an inspiration to me, as by your other postings on here, you have been to others. Your inspiration to others will offer you more support and help you and your family manage all the changes and challenges ahead. You will be successful, I know this because you already are. You were an incredible young man in school and if there is local support you need, from someone who has been through something similar you may contact Dan and I and maybe we could be some support to both you and your wife, with challenges ahead. Best wishes, keep up the work. Your current condition does not define you as a man. What defines you is how you grow from the situation.
take care and make it a good day.
Michelle (Erhard) Wheeler
info@fightingforavoice.com
myspace.com/kalyviassi
kalyviassi@yahoo.com
HI Dana
I don't know if you remember me from High school. I was the annoying Fat Kid Nick Fusare. I am sorry to hear about what is happening. I wanted to let you know if you should ever ever need anything or just want to talk give me a call 607 737 0252 good luck and You are in my prayers.
Nick Fusare
Dana and Courtney,
The IHA XC team finished up a strong season "Running For Dana" by finishing 4th in NJ and 8th in the entire Northeast. You have been an inspiration my friend and I can't wait to see you some time soon. You keep us all going with your positivity and toughness brother. The IHA team has there team dinner tomorrow night, if you have any words of inspiration for them I would be honored to pass them along. I don't know if you are allowed yet to place any calls but if you would like to talk to a friend I am here man. 201-546-8451. Peace!
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