Hello everyone! The last month in Horseheads has been a buzz of activities and accomplishments. Not to mention that the weather was fantastic for the first three weeks of April! With daytime highs at or above 70 degrees, it was pretty awesome.
As noted before, I have been attending regular physical therapy just a few miles from home. Among other things, we have seen increased strength, improved balance, better lung capacity and more proficiency with wheelies! There was also a session where I learned to fall (gracefully) backwards out of my chair. Getting back up is a challenge, but with one assistant it goes very smoothly.
Courtney and I have also been traveling around the state of New York. A few weekends ago, we visited Albany and stopped into the Albany Medical Center SICU, where I was a patient for over a month. It was great to visit the medical center and meet (more formally) some of the nurses and therapists that played such a large role in my recovery. I would still very much like to meet a few of the doctors in Albany that essentially saved my life in the near future! Perhaps another visit in a month or so will allow me this opportunity.
Although we have been getting around the state, we have also been getting around our local community. We have been to most parks in the area for "pushes" and still get to the Arnot Mall every few weeks for a fitness check. My best time around the entire interior is now at 14:45 for about 1.25 miles. This is over 3 minutes faster than my first attempt in early March!
We also continue to see old friends and enjoy getting reacquainted with them. It has been very nice to see folks at events back home and the warm welcoming wishes have been incredible!
Well, that is all that is fit to print. Again, we thank everyone for their support and encouragement!
Livestrong,
Dana
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10 comments:
Dana & Courtney:
Just read your update, and am very pleased to see your progress. We ran into your Aunt Judy and Uncle Terry last night and they indicated that you are headed back to Atlanta soon for another go-round there. As always, our thoughts and prayers will be with you! Jeremy and I speak often about you and wish we could get you two together for some "training", but I'm sure it will happen as time goes on! Take care of yourself and keep improving. The Hoffman family
By now hopefully,you have had the green light to start driving. Best wishes for gaining full supination and pronation.
All of us at PTC are missing you and Courtney and wishing you the best possible results
You guys are always welcome in the mountains of NC. We are only 2-1/2 hours away from Atlanta at Lake Santeetlah in Robbinsville, NC.
Dick and Dixie
Hey Dana came upon your page by way of Jessica Burrell's caringbridge page. I had a SCI little over a year ago. Currently I live in Binghamton but would love to talk to you about your PT progress. Im about to get my vehicle modified and could use come guidance on car transfers. Also, soon I'm going to attempt to gracefully fall backwards and attempt to get myself back up and would love to hear how you went about doing this...
if you don't mind I would love for you to email me: jamiemwinters@gmail.com
hope to hear from you soon!
Jamie
How great it is to read that you continue to progress.....and taking 3 minutes off your time around the mall is astonishing!!! We can only imagine how thrilled the nurses at Albany Med were to see you(and Courtney)! No doubt they were just as amazed as we are with the comeback you have made. You are in our thoughts and prayers daily...we still are "pushing" right along with you!!! Keep up the hard work and determination. The two of you are a perfect example of "triumph over tradegy". God bless you........
The valley people
Dana, Courtney and the whole Family: Happy Memorial Day! I just looked at the photo album of new pictures and it looks like you are doing wonderfully with your progress! Jer said that getting into a pool was a wonderful feeling--he could move and not have to work hard--hope that is what you found also! And the bike!! You'll be back on the road before you know it at this rate! When you get home, give us a call so we can catch up some--Jer has a lot of new developments and events to tell you about. Courtney can get our number from Val at work. The Hoffman family
Hi Dana and Courtney
Thanks for posting the new pictures. It is exciting to see you exercising in new ways- biking with leg electrodes, in a car,using the Geiger and getting in the pool. It looks like you have some supination of your forearm and more elbow movement.
Thinking of both of you and wishing you the best. We miss you at PT
Joyce
Hey Dana and Courtney,
While at work the other day I heard a rumor that Dr. Kuehler is back in town from Africa! Someone said he is working on getting his job back at AMC. I wanted to email, but have somehow lost Courtney's email! Just wanted to let you know... see you guys when you come back to visit again :) Glad to hear things are still going very well.
Kristen
There aren't any words but WOW!!
Our best,
Marty and Elaine Mesmer
No need for words, the pictures say it all!!!! The saying goes, 'a picture is worth 1000 words' and we can think of them all for every picture posted. The 1st one being INCREDIBLE!!!! We still think of you everyday and are so touched by how far you have come in 10 months. Both of you will forever be an inspiration to us. So happy to see your smiles!
The valley people
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