As previously mentioned, I have fallen behind on updating journal entries, but have been updating pictures every few weeks. Moving forward, I will attempt a monthly journal entry with the significant events and progress. But…back to the task at hand.
Back on May 5th, Courtney and I flew to Atlanta to complete several items. The first order of business was taking my second NeuroPsych Test. To summarize, I improved 70% from the first test, which was completed in late October 2007, while only at the Shepherd Center for a month and a half. This substantial improvement was expected by yours truly, but truly impressed the clinical neuropsychology coordinator at Shepherd! So with this milestone achieved, they highly recommended my return to work as a project manager and engineer at EPCO, Inc.
The next hurdle was left arm surgery to move heterotopic ossification (extra bone grow) between my ulna and radius bones in my forearm. The surgery was a success and pronation and supination movements have returned. Typing is a breeze now, but juggling with palm-up motion is still a struggle. Hopefully, one additional left arm surgery to remove extra bone in my elbow will help this motion even more! Hopefully, this surgery will be completed in October or November of this year. Because my elbow motion is impaired, I cannot start wheelchair racing and be competitive L In fact, in early June, while still at Shepherd, I got into a racing wheelchair and loved it! I will look into one of these lightening fast chairs in future once my left elbow is ‘fixed’.
Another program I was involved with while in Atlanta for 5 weeks was the Beyond Therapy program at Shepherd. This exercise based therapy program assembles a home exercise routine and builds strength and confidence in a traditional gym environment. I also improved in this environment as well…at least 25% in maximum weights lifted and strengthening exercises completed the first day of the therapy program. I took forward completing this new exercise routine back home in Horseheads and building up my ‘pipes’!
Finally, my second to last day in Atlanta, was my driver testing and evaluation on the roads of Atlanta. The road test went very well and I passed with flying colors! I look forward to having a vehicle modified and driving around the roads in upstate New York soon!
Additionally, this 5 week trip in Atlanta allowed Courtney and I the opportunities to explore the metro area, Buckhead and even Alpharetta! We even made a Memorial Weekend trip to Savannah, GA! If you have not visited this charming port city, it is worth the trip. There are at least 300 plus years of recorded history at this Southern hot spot; we really enjoyed our time there!
All in, we had a successful trip in many respects and had fun in the process! We certainly have become attached to Atlanta and the Shepherd Center; they are special places to us.
Please stay tuned, more updates are on the way!
Live Strong,
Dana & Courtney
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
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