Another good week of therapy! Although it is only Thursday, tomorrow is a holiday party for Dana's team! He will be celebrating the holiday season all day.....a well deserved celebration, I might add.
This week was full of highlights. On Monday, Dana worked on transfers to and from his chair to the therapy mat. They are coming along well, especially as his strength increases.
He has been dressing himself in the mornings as well as doing many of the daily living activites independently.
On Tuesday he got back in the kitchen to cook a full meal. It consisted of Italian grilled chicken, alfredo pasta and chicken caesar salad. The meal was delicious and I was so glad to share it with him. He cooked all of my favorites! The therapy aspect behind cooking a meal was to have several things going at once. Remembering what time something started cooking, and making sure to have all items prepared at the same time. Time management and safety in the kitchen!
Perhaps the best day was today(Thursday). We started the morning with transfers again, but this time into a car. It was challenging at first, but with practice and patience it will get easier. We can't tell you how much we are looking forward to getting out in a vehicle. I look forward to being able to give Dana a tour around the great city of Atlanta. This afternoon he played his first round of pool, in therapeutic recreation. As Dana says,"although fun, it will take practice getting used to his new method of shooting pool. A different, exciting experience, nevertheless." Later in the afternoon, the upper extremity surgeon who reconstructed Dana's left arm, stopped by. He had nothing but wonderful news. Yesterdays xrays showed everything has healed well. The bone graft has taken formation and all bones have healed in good alignment. No more splint. Dana is thrilled and looking forward to having no restrictions on his arm. FINALLY!!! (Keep in mind, everything up to this point, he has been doing with only one arm.) Two will make things soooo much easier!
We are off to dinner, we have a little celebrating to do! Today marks Dana's 99th day at The Shepherd Center.
Thank you for all of the holiday wishes, cards, packages, etc. You all have helped so much in brightening our season!
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8 comments:
What a great week indeed! It sounds as though there were a few challanges but as Dana has proven to all of us, patience indeed does pay off. And now with no more splint it looks as though it's going to be 'full steam ahead'! How much easier that will make things. It's hard to believe that it has been 99 days in Atlanta; Dana, you have been through so much and made such tremendous progress in that time that we give you a big round of applause and a bigger thank you for allowing us to get to "know" the strongest and most determined person we will probably ever "meet" in our lifetimes. A celebration dinner is indeed well deserved for both you and Courtney--a perfect example of what love, devotion, and commitment can accomplish. Enjoy your 'party' day tomorrow--you earned it. Both of you are with us everyday in thought and prayer.
The valley people
Dana, I must say God has great plans for you! I do not know the details of your accident, but I do know as a nurse in the health care field you have overcome a great many obstacles, with much support of family and a precious wife who must be amazingly strong. I am pleased that there is a rehabilitation facility that has assisted you in your endeavor to overcome your physical and cognitive needs. I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayers. God has truly shown me a miracle in you this holiday season.My family and I are pulling for you up here in Gillett, Pa
I read of the fund raiser for you in January out of the Star Gazette, Have a Blessed Christmas.
God Bless and God Speed
So glad to read how well you are doing. I worked with your dad at HSBC and follow your progress. You are in our prayers. We hope you have a great Christmas and just know many people are thinking of you. Al & Linda Hager, Bradenton Fl
Dear Carr Family,
I just checked the blog for the first time in a long time and I could not believe how great the new pictures of Dana are! He looks amazing! All of the great news I read was so uplifting. My dad (Joe Ferraro) is home now. He and my mom are consumed with therapy as you know but my dad is continuing to make progress. They travel 70 miles or so back and forth to therapy or they stay some of the time at the fisher house b/c therapy and all of my dads doctors are all right there. I look forward to the day when I check the blog and see that Dana is no longer residing at the Shepard center.
Dana you progress is nothing shy of spectacular. Keep it up. Hi to courtney and the rest of your family.
Dana Ferraro
Dana,
I heard about your accident and I'm so glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery. I would not have heard about this blog until I saw it posted outside the Christmas Shop in Elmira. (I'm home for the holidays) I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday this Christmas- Peter Kelly SHS '98
Dana,
Keep working! You are going great, God is with you. There are great things in your future, we are all blessed to see your strength. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Jason
(Tammy at work's husband)
Happy Holidays from the Kitsock clan.
Dana and Courtney,
Merry Christmas to you and your families. We hope your day is filled with love and laughter. All of us will take a moment tomorrow to say a special prayer for you.
The valley people
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