Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday - Mar 26

Today was a good day, the sun was shining, it was warm and everything went relatively smooth. The drive to SCI-FIT was pleasant the window down enjoying the cool fresh air. The rolling hills of the Sunol Grade were vibrantly green in the sun shine with the music on and making our way to Pleasanton. Time seems to fly by these days and the trips to Pleasanton doesn't seem to take as long as it did the first few visits. Jerry had a good workout today, he tolorated 10 minutes in the standing frame without needing to come down, thats a huge improvement. Jerry did some table excercises with Leigh and the Total Gym with Jerry (trainer). Jerry ended the session with a 40 minute ride on the FES Bike for a total work out of about 2 1/2 hours. His pain level was tolerable with no additional pain meds, halleluja!

Jerry had his daily nausea but it was manageable for the most part. The nausea never goes away he says, the best it gets on a scale of 1-10 is 2, he considers that a good day. Today on the nausea scale at it's worst he was about a 6 which lasted 30 minutes and was brought on by getting him out of bed into the wheelchair, most of the day he was at 3.

On the way home we stopped off at Gretchens house for turkey dinner in celebration of Lukes birthday. Gretch is an awesome cook and of course she always cooks enough to feed an army.
It was the first visit to someones home for Jerry, it wasn't so bad. I took both wheelchairs to SCI-FIT because Jerry needed to be in the power chair for the drive because it's more comfortable however there is no way to get the power chair in Gretchs house as there are a couple of stairs. We unloaded both chairs upon our arrival then transferred Jerry into the manual chair. It was a piece of cake getting the manual chair in and out of the house. Jerry enjoyed visiting with his buds and watching the basketball game.

I got a phone call the other day from Jerry's Jr. High School photography teacher Chet White, ironically his wife Mrs. White was one of Jerry's Kintergaten teachers. Mr. White called to say that they had just heard about Jerry and his accident and how sorry he was and what a wonderful student Jerry was. It warms my heart that years later he is remembered by his teachers and they have such lovely things to say about him. Chet has some photographic art on display at the Santa Cruz City Art Center in Ben Lomond accross from Ben Lomond Market for all you locals. Chet's work will be displayed through April and is for sale. Chet has offered the proceeds from the sale of his art to go to Jerry's recovery fund. If any of you locals are on the market for a new piece of art I encourage you to visit the Gallery. Thanks Mr. White for your generosity and your kind words.

God Bless!
Katie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go Mr White!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Small valley, big hearts!

Gabe and Luke both remember Mr. White's Jr. High Photgoraphy class.
They had alot of fun, especially being outside for most of the class, not to mention Student Counsel.
Can't wait to check out the artwork.
Jer,
Had a blast last night with the "Thanksgiving Celebration." (Having Luke and Jerry home was so cool. Although I don't recommend a party after SCI-FIT.) Sorry you were so tired, but happy you had an appetite.
Katie and Den,
Sunny days ahead, lots of work to be done and lot's of love coming your way.
Lord, bless "Our MacCallisters." Amen.
Ed, Gretch and the gang

robin said...

I just have to tell you that almost always the last thing I do before going to bed is to catch up with Following Jerry. It's become a part of my life and I haven't even met you guys. (I think I did meet your daughter while I worked at RCP these last few summers.)
I'm sorry Jerry that you are going through all of this and that all of you have a tough job right now. But, just know that so many of us are praying and thinking of you. We won't stop asking God for healing.
Robin P