Hi all -
It's been full steam ahead for Patty as she continues her rehabilitation at Shepherd.  Her weekdays are packed with therapies and she has had the opportunity on weekends to enjoy the company of some family and friends.  All along, the spinal cord is healing (more on that below).

Here are some highlights from the past week plus:

• A primary goal last week was for Patty to get more comfortable and proficient driving her wheelchair.  Although she still has minimal movement with her hands, her upper body movement allows her to drive the chair with a joystick.   
• My brother Teddy was there last week, and when he departed and said goodbye, Patty instinctively threw her arms up and around his back.  She's able to give hugs!
• She's made great advancements in her ability to eat and swallow and is essentially on a regular diet for all intensive purposes. She's been a particular fan of breakfast the past couple days which has included strawberries and waffles and blueberry pancakes. 
• She's also worked with someone from assistive technology and has since been both answered and made a phone call.  Watch out -- you might just get a phone call from Patty at some point in the coming weeks!
• Her voice continues to get stronger following the vocal cord procedure.  And it will continue to strengthen as she strengthens her diaphragm and breathing muscles.
• Patty is in the process of being weaned of the trach tube.  This includes placing a cap over the trach tube to block any airflow through it so that Patty is breathing on her own through her nose and mouth.  At first, this is done for a few hours and is under supervision.  The time will gradually increase until they are confident that it is no longer needed at which time it will be removed (knock on wood!)
• In recreational therapy, she was able to paint.  I've shared her first work of art!

During our first family medical conference with Dr. Lin, he provided some broad brushstrokes about spinal chord injuries and hat Patty can expect while at Shepherd.  It may seem obvious, but there is no medicine or surgery that can heal the spinal cord faster.  Also, activity, exercise and therapy don't heal the spinal cord and working "harder" doesn't speed up the process.  Instead the rehab process is about focusing on how you make the most of your abilities that are present - identify things that Patty can do for herself, knowing what she can't do, and learning how to instruct others how to help - all of which is liberating as it is a sign of independence.

Dr. Lin drew a parallel to thinking about the rehab hospital as a school.  Patty started in Kindergarten - learning how to get around the bed and out of the bed.  Then you progress - getting around the house, out of the house, into a car.  All along, you are also learning about hygiene and addressing nutrition. 

Right now, a wheelchair is the safest way for Patty to move around.  However, Dr. Lin did say that given that Patty's was an incomplete injury, there is the potential to stand and walk in the future.  However, not every spinal cord injury recovers the same, so it will just take time until we know more about Patty's recovery.

I found these ideas helpful, so I pass them along to you.

Warm wishes,

David