Saturday, January 2, 2010

January 2, 2010 - 1 Year Today

It's hard for me to fathom it's been one year since the day that changed Jerry's and all of our lives, forever. What a year it's been full of emotional highs and lows, great strides toward recovery, much progress and some set backs. We are treating today like any other day, it doesn't have to be a negative reminder of a tragic accident, it is what we make it. But if I'm being honest I feel a little sad that Jerry hasn't regained more mobility. We knew the first year would be crucial and the most mobility he would regain would be in the first year. So I am sad that we have reached the 1 year mark and Jerry isn't as far along as we had hoped. That being said there is so much to be grateful for and just because we've reached the one year mark we have not given up hope, this is NOT as good as it gets. God has blessed us in so many ways, we continue to pray that He will deliver Jerry and restore him to health. Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The summer staff kids came to visit from Fresno and other places and spent the afternoon and evening with Jerry. He enjoyed seeing them and hanging out and it was a wonderful distraction.

December was very busy preparing for Christmas, continuing therapy and Dennis still working on the house. Jerry enjoyed doing all his shopping online and would get excited when one of his packages would arrive. Jerry wasn't sure who was supposed to get which package and didn't want anyone opening them before Christmas so as not to spoil the surprise. So he made up a game for Christmas morning, each person would grab one of the packages from him then we all opened them at the same time. We then had to decide if the gift we opened belonged to us or someone else. We would exchange the gift with the family member we believed had our gift and Jerry would say how many were right. The exchanging went on until we each had the gift Jerry intended for us, it was something new and fun. Christmas eve we normally drive around and deliver homemade cookies to all of our friends, it's been our tradition for years. It was a little harder this year particularly for Jerry, every pot hole and bump in the road causes him to bounce in his chair and can be very uncomfortable. Not to mention all six of us don't fit in the van as well as we fit in the Suburban. However we pulled it off delivering about 27 cookie packages and even made it to the evening church service. It was good! Sorry Trish we didn't make it up to Bonny Doon :-( next year we'll get an earlier start and one way or another your gettin cookies.

Jerry has enjoyed having his friends home from college he's gone to a party and the movies. The boys also came to the house twice for a LAN party, they network all their computers together and play video games until 2:00 am. It's so great for him to get together with his friends and just be one of the guys again. He loves to have them home but it's hard on him when they go back to school, partly because he misses hanging out with them and partly sad because he's not headed back to school.

Speaking of computers we learned another lesson the hard way. Jerry has a fan that his laptop sits on top of that sucks the heat and blows it out the side. Jerry wanted to put his lap top on his lap so I set it on top of a pillow on his lap. I didn't think there would be a heating problem because the fan lifts the laptop up about 2 inches so air can circulate underneath. Unfortunately Jerry's hand was next to the hot air exhaust blowing out the side. His hand was slowly burning for about 2 hours and he couldn't feel it. The doctor indicated it was second to third degree burns on the V between the thumb and first finger, he had some pretty nasty blisters, they are finally starting to heal.

New years eve was a blast, we had some friends over and played a game and hung out. Unfortunately Josh and Janea were not with us because they had previous plans. It was a last minute party at our house, we were invited to Kris and Nana's party but we were not able to make it so they brought the party to us. Thanks guys! Jessica and Mitch made a balloon drop in the living room with confetti and balloons and decorated for the party. We played a game called "the game of things" ....it was so much fun a must have party game. We were so loud at midnight we could have woke the dead.

Dennis has finished the tile in the bathroom/shower room, he did the last of the grout today. I'm so excited all we have to do now is wait 3 days to seal the grout, then put in the jacuzzi tub and fixtures and a little pluming. We should be able to get Jerry in the tub in about a week. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Dennis has worked so hard the last 10 months, he deserves a nice long vacation when he's done. When it's all done and cleaned up I'll post pictures.

Well I started this post at 11:00 this morning and have left and come back to it a few times through out the day. It's now 2:00 am and I'm on duty at 4:30 am so time for me to get some shut eye. Thank you all for caring, for the prayers, support and love.

Good night,
Katie






14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Katie,
You and your family are an inspiration. Thank you for continuing to share your story. Many care.

May your prayers continue to be answered,
AnotherMother

The Proffitts said...

Great way to start the new year! Looking forward, looking ahead, hopeful for incremental changes and growth. Looks like you brought in the New Year the best way you could - good friends and family.

Blessings upon the choices and decisions to further Jerry's recovery. Here's to an even better 2010!

Much love,

The Proffitts

jessrun said...

Macs,
Glad to see you all had a great Christmas and New year's festivities. Be patient more movement is coming just keep working!!

Love ya!!

Unknown said...

What great photos!

I was thinking about Jerry on Saturday and thanking God for all of His tender mercies towards your family this last year in dealing with this, and again entreating Him for Jerry's healing.
Susan

Grandma said...

I'm so glad you had so much fun on Christmas and New Years. I only wish I could have been with you.

I love you guys and greatful to God for giving me such a wonderful family.

Love
Grandma

Aunt Teresa said...

Good to hear from you its hard to belive it has been a year.I love the pics great to see you all having a good time.I know Jerry will be glad to get in the bathtub good work Denis! A vacation for Denis is a good plan. I wish we could all take a cruse! Will pray for further recovery for Jerry in 2010. Love you very much

Aunt Teresa

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking the time to update all of us Katie.

I love your tree and especially all the cool presents. What a fun way to open them on Christmas morning.

The cookies were so yummy, thank you for thinking of us and thank you Jerry for braving out the drive.

Luke had a blast with you and the guys, especially since you two were the only one's who had played that particular video game.

By the looks of things, the New Years Eve party was a success. Happy to see you all smiling.

Many happy and healthy wishes for the New Year. May God keep you all close and with His help, heal our Jerry.

Love,
The Luboffs

Flo said...

Thinking of you all as a new year begins and there is still hope. You are indeed blessed, and your courage to endure and share this journey really are an inspiration. Please take care and know you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Eric said...

It was good to see you Jerry. Hopefully I can make the next lan party

Trish said...

Hey Macs,

You remain in my thoughts and prayers daily. The more time that passes, often people aren't sure what to say or how to say it: Fear of saying the wrong thing or fear of conjuring up feelings that might create sadness or regrets. What we fail to realize though, is that our thoughts and support mean so much to you whether they unintentionally strike a nerve :0 no pun intended ;) make you laugh or cry - you know we care and haven't forgotten your daily triumphs and disappointments.

I offer this prayer for you: Gracious Father, you've seen this family through the last year. It has been so hard at times. Your constancy has been the unifying thread to this tapestry we've begun weaving with them. Lead their hearts through their deliberations as to the next step for Jerry's recovery. Father, we praise and thank you for the improvements Jerry has had. We ask you to continue to create new neural pathways of healing in Jerry's spine. Fortify his heart and mind for this next part of his journey. Give strength to this family as they move into the second year of changed expectations. Comfort their sorrow, ease their minds and most of all delight in their celebrations of thanksgivings.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Good night dear Macs!

Trish

Anonymous said...

So glad Trish put my thoughts down for me in her comments.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers and have created a place in out hearts that only God knew we had.
Peace and love to all of you and comfort and strength to our Jerry.
Much love,
Gretchen and Ed
Hey Den, can you come over and work on my bathroom now that yours is done?

Uncle Neil said...

Well friends, cold January is leaving us, ..and that means warm days are just a bit closer, and the hope of a few jobs starting to grow!

I'll keep my fingers crossed, for even Emma's cat Sonny is starting to ask, "What? Tuna cassarole again?"

Tonight was Sunday, ..and we had saved a tomato to add to the top. Our life was good today!

The moon rose beautifully last night, and brought a sparkle to the scattering of snow on Mt. Diablo.

I saw that moonrise as Uncle Greg stood with me on the front steps of our house, he had stopped by to loan Emma an Anatomy textbook for a class she is taking.

Times are often hard, ..but friends make them happy.

Your posted pictures show a lot of happiness, ..good for you!!!

Dennis, I'll bet that bed and bath look wonderful! ..and I know Jerry appreciates your making that happen!

May the warmer days be not too far away! Until then, let's be glad we have friends!

To happy days,
Uncle Neil

Grandma said...

Trish's prayer touched my heart, I second it. I do not always know what to say, but I do love all of you with all my heart and pray daily for you and Dennis and the kids. I also pray for Jerry's healing. I am greatful for all he is done, he is such a determined man, always has been. I am so proud of you Jerry.

Love Grandma

Anonymous said...

Katie, reading your posts from the bed of my dorm room gave me such a feeling of inspiration and hope. I pray that this year brings more progress and recovery!

Jerry, just wanted you to know that today- after breaking my new years resolution of no candy, I was munchin on some Mintos and thinking of you! i wish you and your family the best of luck, you amaze me!!!

Much love,

Mary