Very Merry Highlights!

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!

Winner of the Santa Raffle

The drawing for the Santa was held today! Congrats to the winners, Frank and Karen Steed of Elmira. The raffle was a huge success! Thank you to all who helped organize this drawing and to those who contributed. Words can't express how appreciative we are for the tremendous love and support that has surrounded us during this challenging time in our lives. We are looking forward to getting home soon! Happy Holidays to all.
Love, Dana and Courtney