Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thursday - May 28

Today was very busy but a good day none the less. We got through the morning routine then headed out to Dominican Rehab in Santa Cruz. PT went well Jerry's therapist noticed a lot more arm movement as well as his ability to tap into his trunk muscles. When Jerry is laying flat on his back with arms at his side he is able to move his left arm away from his body about a foot, and then pull it back into his body. Jerry's triceps are beginning to wake up, he's been having a little more movement with the triceps which is awesome, up til now he has had no tricep movement.

We left Santa Cruz and headed to San Jose for Jessica's Central Coast Section play off game. Unfortunately it did not go so well the team lost so the high school softball team has officially come to a close. With high school ball over we now start the traveling softball team, Jess has a tournament this weekend in Stockton. I'm not quite sure how we will work this one out, probably Dennis staying home with Jer and me and Jess going to Stockton.

After the softball game we had to jam back to Boulder Creek to go to Jessica's Fire Fighting Internship Graduation. Unfortunately Jessica was about 40 minutes late however they knew she would be because of the softball game, they were OK with it. Jessica got the Intern of the Year Award, we are so proud. I was a little bummed when we got to the fire house the ceremony was in a part of the fire house that was not handicap accessible, so Dennis and Jess went in and I took Jer home.

We met Leanne and Mark at home and they delivered the lift. Thank you all who helped in this endeavor. I appreciate every one's effort and a special thanks to Leanne for finding the lift and working out all the details. Thank you Laurie for taking time on your vacation to deliver the lift to the crating company. Thank you John Usinger for handling the shipping, Jerry at Propack for the crate, and Courtney Madden at the Red Cross. Great work everyone, I can't wait to get it installed. I'll post pics when it's up and running.

Yesterday Jerry had an exciting moment at SCI-FIT. While riding the FES leg bike Jerry felt his legs tingling, this is the first time he's felt anything in his legs. When you pushed on his knee caps he could feel something. Jerry got bummed when the tingling went away after about 3 hours, he could no longer feel you push on his knee caps either. While in bed last night Jerry couldn't sleep so he decided to exercise by attempting to move his legs and arms. He did each arm and leg 100 times. When he did the legs he felt the tingling return and was again able to feel me put pressure on his knees. This was so exciting for him to be able to have any kind of feeling in his legs.

Well that's all for now, tomorrow's another day....

Katie

11 comments:

Trish said...

Congratulations Jess, for intern of the year! Sorry to read your school ball is over - you girls had a terrific season and I loved reading about it. SLV and SCHS were huge rivals when I played there a few decades ago :P I'm sure you'll have a great traveling season.

Hey Jer, that's great news about the tingling sensations in your knee cap and legs. Good for you. Is your middle name "determined"?
I'm continually humbled by the progress you move into. you and God - what a partnership.

Mary's had a nasty cold. She had her last comp soccer practice. She's loved the JAWS team - they're a really great group of young women and she'll miss them a whole lot. Most are graduating and moving on to college. Mary plans to play intramural as Chico didn't pick her up - their loss. As disappointing as it was, she really sees it as a sign that there's more for her to do in the world. It's all good. She enjoyed the Sr. Awards night tonight. She can tell you about it.

Chris will fly home for her grad and turn around and fly back on Sunday. He, Kevin and a few others are going to go camping on Catalina Island. Then they'll move all their stuff into Chris' new apt. room at UCI. Kev and Tim are subletting Chris' room for the summer months. Kev's been a great friend! Anyway....

Gotta pull some chicken out of the oven - late night cooking on my part. You are always close to my heart and in my thoughts and prayers. Good day to you!

Trish

Anonymous said...

Go Jerry Go - arm movement, feeling in leg - awesome! Someone you know is thinking about majoring in occupational therapy. I am sure your injury has played a big part in her decision to want to help people! The power of Jerry at work!

Anonymous said...

Wow! You have amazing kids, Katie and Dennis! But of course you know that... :)
Congratulations Jess!
Good Job Jerry! Your body has done amazing things in such a short time. Very inspiring...

Anonymous said...

Reading that Jerry felt tingling gave me tingles! What an awesome achievement. Miracles can and do happen. It is a lesson to all of us (and Allie too) to never give up.

Anonymous said...

Wow you guy's really made my day today . Thank you Jesus for movement and the tingles as well . keep working hard Jerry your simply amazing !!!!

zack Hill said...

Keep that tingling coming Jerry!!
Its on!

Anonymous said...

Miracle!
That is the word Katie and Dennis kept asking us to pray for from the beginning of "Following Jerry."

MacCallisters,
God rewards His faithful and you are an exemplary family.

Jerry,
I'm so excited about the feeling and tingling sensations you are having. The movement of your arm back and forth and your determination to move those legs is sheer delight for all of us who are reading your blog. You are one amazing young man.

Lovely FDIL,
George Strait is going to have to re-write and sing a new version of "The Fireman," in honor of your ninja firefighting skills. I can see you pulling up in that shiny red truck, putting out fires all over town.
Congratulations on your award and your wonderful softball season.

Lord, we pray that you continue to heal and mend Jerry's body and give him strength and determination. Wrap Jerry and Allie in Your love. Give them peace and a happy heart today.
Amen
Lot's of Love,
FMIL

Aunt Teresa said...

Jessie Congratulations!! Jerry you made my day! I wasn't having a good one but hearing this has made up for it. Just think how far you have come in such a short time!! I can't Waite to here the progress in the next four months.

Love
Aunt Teresa

Unknown said...

WOW JESS-- Congrats on the Intern of the Year! Way to go!

I've been side tracked with camp this week, and hadn't checked your blog in a few days, so when I read this one I could hardly believe it! WOW JER-- that is awesome about the tingling in the legs and kneww cap-- also the movement in the arms!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every day a new step... We continue to pray for you...

Anonymous said...

Hi Jerry,

I heard about your accident a couple of months ago and just saw this web site while looking for the summer school schedule on the SLVHS site.

I can't tell you how wonderful I felt when reading about the tingling sensations you felt for the first time on Thusday! This is HUGE. You must just be extatic to finally be able to feel something. I'm going to visit this site on a regular basis now that I know it is here to check in on your progress. I'm very interested in your story. You are lucky to have such a wonderful family and community support system.

Laurie Lester said...

WOW! Lots of fabulous things coming together... prayer and patience pay off each and every day. God keeps His promises and renews our spirits each and every day.

Congratulations, Jessie on the Intern of the Year Award - what an awesome achievement!

Jerry, keep working... it's coming! I'm praying daily for you (as are SO many!), for your COMPLETE recovery!

I'm so glad the lift arrived!! Thanks so much to Courtney and Leanne and everyone else who had a hand along the way. I pray it will be a HUGE blessing to you all!

I love you! L