Hello everyone! This is an abbreviated summary of the 2008 calendar year that began in Atlanta, GA and closed in Elmira, NY. It was quite a remarkable year of experiences, adjustments and adaptation.
-The year started in Atlanta with my final 10 days in-patient at the Shepherd Center.
-Immediately after discharge from the hospital, I began 7 weeks of therapy at the Shepherd Center in their out-patient ‘Day Program.’
-We returned home to Upstate New York on March 1st to move in with Mom and Dad in Horseheads and get adjusted to independent home life.
-After managing mounting medical bills and insurance companies, we returned to Atlanta in early May for my second left arm surgery with Dr. Peljovich.
-While in Atlanta, I participated in a 5 week ‘Beyond Therapy’ Program at the Shepherd Center that focuses on physical fitness and athletic training for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
-I passed my driver evaluation (for hand controls) in early June in Atlanta with flying colors!
-We returned home in mid-June from Atlanta and resettled ourselves. We also sold our house in Horseheads in one day in the struggling housing market…not bad!
-We negotiated the purchase of a new home in West Elmira and began making modifications in the master bathroom, kitchen and laundry room to make the house completely accessible; that means I get to do house chores J
-I was the guest speaker at the wheelchair reception dinner at the Utica Boilermaker 15k road race in early July; perhaps the start of a motivational speaking hobby began!
-We enjoyed several weekends of great weather at our cottage on Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes area of New York – lots of fun was had boating and swimming!
-It was determined that I had a ventral hernia and underwent surgery in September at Albany Medical Center to rid ‘Bruce.’ I was also reacquainted with Dr. Kuehler who did the hernia surgery and who, is one of a select few individuals, that can be credited with saving my life with an ‘outside of the box’ procedure on August 12, 2007.
-I managed to return to work at EPCO/TEPPCO on October 1st and enjoy working for a new group!
-I underwent my third (and hopefully final) left arm surgery in Atlanta during late October with Dr. Peljovich. The results were pleasing as I continue with regular occupational therapy so two good arms can ‘push’ me around.
-I became a very proud owner of a Honda Odyssey Touring VMI mini-van; independent transportation is fantastic…plus the van is sweet!!!
-Courtney and I moved into our new fully accessible home in Elmira, NY before the Thanksgiving holiday just in time to host 25 friends and family for Thanksgiving dinner!
-I had a nice experience traveling to Houston in early December on my first business trip since the accident; plus it was warm down ‘South.’
-We enjoyed Christmas in our new home; it was better to celebrate the holiday in our home as oppose to the hospital at the Shepherd Center.
-We celebrated New Year’s in Elmira and enjoyed ourselves; I was asleep in the hospital at the start of 2008!
It was a memorable year that went quickly as we ‘got back to life.’ As I interact with friends, family, co-workers and folks in the community, it is amazing to witness the goodness of people and the beauty of all human gifts. I am certainly grateful for the gifts I have been given as I continue the journey to walk again!
The best to you and yours in 2009! I also pledge to post updates regularly to the blog with new experiences and as fun ‘toys’ are acquired!
Live Strong,
Dana
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4 comments:
sounds like a pretty busy year. amazing all the trips you went on dana. i wish i knew you were in atlanta so often i would have loved to go down and visit, i go down quite a bit anyways. well i will have to see you on a trip up north. i am really impressed by your apparent optimism and all you were able to accomplish this year. best to you. congratulations on the new house, that must make life far easier. peace
Dana:
It is so nice to see your accomplishments listed--you have much to be proud of! We are praying that 2009 will be "your year"! With the new innovations and procedures, maybe at this time next year, you will be "walking" around your home! With love --the entire Hoffman family
what a year you have had....Here's to many more happy and healthy years ahead!!
Dana,
I ma glad to hear of all your progress and accomplishments! From the way your family spoke of you, I guess I should not be surprised. It is wonderful to hear about you driving and returning to work. Keep up the great work and continue to be an inspiration to us all!
Stacy Ferraro (Albany Med waiting room friend)
p.s. please let your family know my dad's miraculous recovery continues as well...driving and golfing!
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