Ongoing Treatment in Tampa

Dec 26

Well it is about time I finally wrote in this "Blob" as I mistakenly once typed it to Hali. With all of the confidence that kids these days think their parents know about texting, blogging, Facebook, etc. Hali actually thought that I really thought that was what it is called. So since then I have called this the Blob.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. Gary and I have been so busy as I am sure you all are.

Here is what is going on now:

We packed up and left the Shepherd Center after several months of wonderful experiences there on Wednesday, Dec. 21 and drove to Tampa. The highlights of this trip were Gary getting in and out of the car with minimal help from me and me dismantling and "mantling?" the wheelchair to get it in and out of the car. I can't say it was smoothly done but we got to Tampa by ourselves!!! I have to say that I was much closer to a parking lot faceplant or meltdown than Gary was.

We checked into the Tampa VA on Thurs Dec 22 and Gary has been very pleased with the care he has gotten.

Eventually we should move into "self care" where he will stay outside of the hospital and I will be there with him. In the meantime, I have been able to stay with my good friends Danielle and Mike (and Brandi) in Tampa. Danielle and I had alot of good laughs...and a few good crys which was cathartic for me.

My dad and his wife Dorothy visited and were very pleased with how Gary looked and Gary was pleased with how my dad looked. Both men are getting stronger all the time (Dad having survived 3 different types of cancer at 89 was on his way to a Christmas cruise). 

Gary is becoming more independent and his spirits are still positive. Gary sent me home to spend time with the family...I hated to leave him but I know he is trying to watch out for my feelings and my stamina as well. Why else would he call me from the VA cafeteria (where he was having lunch with Santa Claus) to quote a statistic that spouses of paraplegics usually only stick it out for 2-3 years? (Wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.)

Then on Christmas Day Gary was visited by our good friends Randy and Susi. That was wonderful for him!

We believe that Gary will be at the VA for several months for continuing therapy and follow up. Alot of what they plan to do with him will take time to develop strength and skill. However it appears that I will be able to bring him home once in awhile for a visit. The rehab schedule seems to be quite aggressive. Alot of the patients in the Spinal Cord program are young military - recently wounded in combat and they are highly motivated. Gary's therapist challenged him to try to keep up with the young guys. As they were explaining to him the opportunities for sports competition one younger vet told Gary he would be eligible for the "Golden Games" HAHA!!

Ok, that's enough for now. Both Gary and I send our best wishes to you all,

Judi and Gary