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
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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