Monday, Monday

It was all we hoped it would be. As I type this tonight, I FEEL good (way to much American Idol with the song lyrics I know) but hey, what can I say. Today was great. As I got to do some work on Jerry's room this morning, Katie got Jerry out of bed and ready for his appointment at SCI-FIT. The sun was shining, it was quiet outside, and it just felt like any other normal day. We had a full agenda, as with most days lately, but it just felt like we were getting things done for a change. Jerry was actually on board too, as I think he was excited to be going for a work out. So when I came in around 12:30 from outside, he was all ready to go. Great Job Katie! Some of you might not understand how huge this is, but trust me, getting anywhere on time is a daily challenge for us. So we loaded up in the van, praying that today would be a "good day." Med bag-check, Pillows-check, Jerry's blankie-check, wallet, phone, water, money, straps, mail to drop off, AAAHHHH, check, check, check, lets roll.

Jerry was in a great mood on the ride to Pleasanton, talkative, joking around, feeling real good. With no nausea or pain, the trip was not bad at all, and we made it there 10 minutes early. I'm even realizing where all the big dips in the roads are so I don't send Jerry's head through the roof. Wow, we are getting good at this. Jerry met Jerry and Josh, his trainers for today and they got right to it. Jerry the trainer was a runner also, so they had a good connection right off the bat. It was good to see how dedicated and uplifting they are with their work, they make us feel right at home. Everyone we have met there has been great, the other people working out, the trainers, everyone, it is just very comfortable, like family.

Jerry worked on range of motion on a platform for about a half hour or so, really trying to focus on moving his muscles with the movements of the trainer. After that he moved over to the Chuck Norris total gym machine, and worked on doing some squats. He did that exercise for about a half hour also, doing two legs, and then one leg at a time. Then we moved over to the standing frame. The standing frame is an important part of rehabilitation for quadripeligics. God made our bodies to be upright, not to be laying around or sitting all the time. We need to stand to get circulation of blood back to our hearts, and it keeps all the muscles and tendons from shortning up, as well as numerous other funtions in our bodies. Jerry has only tried the frame a couple of times at Valley Med and has pretty much passed out each time as his blood pressure would drop, and he only got to about 60 degrees each time. Today he got all the way up, and stood there for 5 mins or so before feeling light headed. He did this 4-5 times and the last couple of times, he did like an eliptical machine movement for 5-6 mins before sitting back down. These are big steps for him and you could see the excitement in his face that he was standing. I must admit that mom and I were pretty excited too! The little things we take for granted. We finished the session off with some balance work where Jer was sitting up with some assistance, and then leaning forward, then back, and side to side. Jerry was saying how he could feel some of his back muscles doing some of the work, and the trainer agreed, saying he could feel something too. Little steps, but steps indeed.

So that was our workout in a nutshell, so to speak. Jerry felt great afterwords, and he even worked up an appitite, so we hit up Applebee's on they way home for some food. He said it was the first time he's been really hungry in quite a while, so that was a good sign. The ride home was nausea free, but he was a little sore, so he did take a little pain medication. All in all it was a very good day.

Katie and I were very proud of the work that Jerry put in today, physically and emotionally. We thank God that he has given us this great place, and taken the time to put special people in our lives that will help us to grow in the future. We thank him for nausea free days and answered prayer. But most of all, we thank him for the patience he has bestowed on us, so that we are able to see the good things that are happening in are lives today.

Good night and God Bless,
Dennis