Move to Tampa

Friday, December 16 Hello Friends I have been quite busy lately, so I am sorry that I have not updated this in awhile. We have been on quite a rollercoaster ride during early Dec. Gary and I moved into housing next door to the Shepherd Center. He has been attending daily rehab sessions and he has learned quite alot. Gary LOVES this because he has continual challenges. Therapists even come over to our apartment and give him tips and pointers on how to do things more efficiently. Gary is getting in and out of his wheelchair by himself, has learned to shower and dress himself and now can get into and out of the car. He is also still learning to play guitar. BUT the only song he knows is "Happy Birthday Dorothy"...which he has been practicing for 3 weeks now. Dorothy's birthday was December 8!  When he graduated from the inpatient program they gave him an award "Most Likely to Direct his own Care". He said "I don't know if that was an award or an insult." Next week he will be moving to Tampa VA hospital as an inpatient...we don't know much more about that yet. I am so grateful to Gary's brother Randy who came to stay with Gary while I went to see Hali graduate from UNF. What a joy that was. I am so proud of her! I don't know how she worked, put herself through school and helped Gary and I like she did!!! What a woman! We were all sad that Gary couldn't be there, but he very generously paid for the party. What a guy! Unfortunately my mom Doris has been in Hospice in Dallas for almost a year. Mom passed away yesterday. Miraculously I made it here in time to say good bye to her and tell her how wonderful she was as a mom. I am so grateful for that. I am also grateful to my brother, sis in law, and niece for taking such great care of my mom for years. We will all miss her and especially right now her Christmas cookies. Those of you who knew her know that she was just about the nicest person in the world. She will make such a great angel! This is probably my Merry Christmakwanzakah note to you all...so Happy Holidays.  Judi and Gary

Making progress :)

Thursday, Dec 1

A lot has happened since I last wrote in this Blog. I'll try to be brief as I know the Holiday season is approaching and folks get busier each day!

Gary is making good progress in his physical therapy. He has earned to transfer in and out of his wheelchair...into and out of bed, into and out of the shower and is working on the car and sofa. The more he does all of these activities the better he will get. Gary is continuing to want to do everything for himself to become more independent. His daily activities are quite exhausting because he tries really hard to do as much as he can.  Of course lots of repetitions will help to build his strength.

Gary's general health seems to be improving as his body copes with all of the changes. The nurses and staff are wonderful at the Shepherd Center and he is so grateful for all of the help he has received.

We finally know what our next step is...and it is exactly what Gary was hoping for. 

Dec 5 Gary will be discharged from the hospital and move next door to the Shepherd Center "Day Program". This means both Gary and I will be living in an apartment - on our own. He will go to rehab during the day at the Shepherd Center and continue to make strides toward independence. Who knows what I will do? I may blog myself silly.

At some point - probably in the category of several weeks later - he will move to a VA hospital in Tampa. Long story, but since he is an Air Force veteran the US govt will help with medical expenses. First he has to get admitted to a VA hospital so we will need to take that step sometime in the future. After that the plan would be to come home, but there are no time estimates yet.

Several of you have asked about Gary's spirits.

I think he is doing very well considering everything he is coping with right now. One of the many blessings at the Shepherd Center is that there are many people in different circumstances. Of course there are people who are in better shape than Gary- younger, lesser injuries, temporary damage. However probably the more significant impact is made by those who are in worse shape than Gary with much greater challenges. Part of the comntinuing therapy is discussions among patients and during this time they share their stories. Gary is always moved by these people such as a young man who cried because he could never have children, another man who wanted desperately to hang Christmas lights for his children but won't be home in time, a pastor who has been in traction for over 3 months and hoped to get the screws out of his head out last week but didn't. Not to mention the folks who are on ventilators, have no use of their arms, or can't speak because of the level of their injury. Gary feels he has alot to be thankful for...and I am thankful he is still around.

We both are thankful for our family and friends.

Here is a list of just a few of our recent angels:

Hali and Nate came to visit Gary in Atlanta during their Thanksgiving holiday. Gwen sent special music and arranged a photo of Stephanie Abrams to be sent from the Weather Channel - Gary thinks she is great!!! Beautiful plants from Hussein and Nargges, and flowers from the Bastardi family.

An inspirational CD and letter from Jim. Gift cards from Maria and Joe, my brother and his wife and Gayle. Yummy pies from Jan. I am sure I am forgetting so many thoughtful people.  Please know that it is just a lack of organization my part. Thank you to everyone who is helping us through this challenge!!

Sorry I guess this wasn't so brief. OOOPS!

Judi