Good Evening,
Helo from the beautiful, and very noisy, Black Hills! We are currently in the midst of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and what noise the bikes make!
It was a little cool for the bikers today. The sun had to work hard to finally get our high temp up to 67! Quite a change from the high 80's that we had last week.
One year ago, from a couple of hours ago, Jill's life was changed forever. I spent today talking with her about the past year and during those conversations I was vividly reminded of what I was told by Dr. Schindler during the first days following Jill's injury. There are no more categorizing days, no more 'good' or 'bad'. All days are 'good' since we still have Jill with us. He also reminded me that Jill's progress needs to be looked at over a period of time, not day to day. The injury that she suffered is slow to heal and day to day changes are mostly unperceptible.
That brings us back to this evening...It was just about one year ago right now that myself and the kids arrived at Rapid City Regional Hospital to find out how seriously injured Jill was. When we first saw her she was unconscious, paralyzed and fighting for her life.....Today, one year later she is a ball of fire. Working on her computer, composing and sending e-mails, researching information on spinal cord injuries and the newest treatments, participating in videoteleconferencing over the internet, managing (a new term that I learned this past week at Craig Hospital which really means 'bossing'!) her care, and still having time to chat with friends and family. Quite a change from one year ago!
The piggy bank? It seems to be overflowing! Jill has made headway. A few family members that vivited during Cody's graduation were quite amazed at Jill's progress. She can't overcome gravity yet, but with a little assistance from a swedish helparm or a good weight shift in her chair, she is able to lift and move her right forearm! The left forearm is about 4 months behind the right, but it is starting to progress down the same road as the right!
So what else has been going on since I last made an entry in February.....Jill has been involved with therapy about 4 times a week on her arms. This regimen is making a difference and she looks forward to it every day. We have been doing the therapy ourselves with guidance provided by the local hospital rehab department.
Jill has had several people provide care for her and is currently on her 4th caregiver. Seems as though she is a hard person to work for! Something to do with that 'managing' word! Most of the caregivers last just a few weeks before they go running out the door flailing their arms and crying, never to return! Seriously, the care that she has received has been extraordinary. The people have put their hearts and souls into providing the best care possible for Jill. Unfortunately, they all had prior committments when we hired them.
Jill went to Craig last week for a re-evaluation. Call it what you may, but it was one of the most intense weeks that we have been through in a long time. Monday through Friday, 8 to 5, chop-chop, gotta go, gotta go! Jill was put through the ringer with tests and I was bombarded with more information that I knew what to do with. The doctors and therapists were satisfied with Jill's progress and surprised by her good health! They said that ordinarily the first 6 months at home result in weight loss, minor infections and skin issues. Jill and I have suffered none!
The house is still a work in progress. It seems as though summer has taken priority over the house construction. The inside is pretty well completed except for the elevator. The outside is still lacking. Soffits, gables, chinking and staining are the big things that are still on the list to be done. Hopefully now that Rally is almost over, I can get a few folks to stay with Jill on the weekends so I can work on these things.
The kids are doing well. Cody is working at Jewel Cave in the maintenance division while Caitlin is working there also doing ticket sales. Caitlin is also working at Walk In The Woods 7 days a week for a little extra beer and cigarette money! She will be moving into a house this fall with a couple of friends and saying goodbye to college dorm life! We can hardly believe that she turned 21 a month ago and will be returning to SDSU as a junior in a few weeks. Cody will be starting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott Arizona on August 21st. He received his class schedule last week and he was amazed with his classes. His first class of his college career is monday through friday, 5:30 am till 10:30 am! 25 hours every week! What class could that be in a freshman year? FLYING.....His first class is flying! How many kids can brag about that? He is excited about going and can't wait to get started.
I had better go. It is getting late and I know that Jill will have me up early in the morning with a long list of things to do!
Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers and support during Jill's recovery.
God Bless,
Don, Jill, Caitlin and Cody
