Thursday, May 13, 2010

May 14

I'm so happy to see the sun, life seems so much brighter when the sun is shining. It's been over a month since my last post, I apologize to those of you who worry when there's no post. Not much has changed in Jerry's physical condition, he is still nauseous everyday, it seems as if the nausea is getting worse. Jerry used to get relief from the nausea in the late afternoon and be good through the evening. More and more Jerry is suffering nausea morning noon and night with small windows of relief shortly after taking medication, however the relief is shorter and shorter sometimes only an hour.

Jerry has had some bad days over the last month, coming to terms with the loss of mobility has been tough. The first year was spent focusing on regaining as much mobility as possible. It's disheartening for him to work harder than he ever has in his life only to be able to move his arms a few inches. He's gotten so much stronger in his arms but he still can't even scratch his own nose. We just need to keep reminding him how far he has come, in the beginning he couldn't move his arms at all and now he can drive his wheelchair with the joystick. We just need to keep working and never give up hope.

Dennis built a desk for Jerry so now he has a computer station that he can drive right up to. The first day he tried it out he spent a little too much time at the computer which gave him a neck ache, he needs to start out slow.


Jerry finally got the alternating air pressure mattress for his bed, at first the compressor unit was pretty loud however he's gotten used to it. Jerry sleeps much more comfortably and it's nice not worrying so much about pressure sores.

It's been a busy month which is good, I prefer life when it's busy, too much idle time is not good. Mothers day was wonderful which started with breakfast in bed and ended with a family dinner at Chili's. It was one of the few times that we've been at a restaurant where Jerry could sit comfortably at the table. Most restaurants have handicap access but not very adequate accommodations once your in.

Jessica hurt her knee in softball, her doctor thinks maybe torn MCL, she has an appointment with a specialist today. It's astounding to me that it took a month to get an appointment to be seen by the specialist, ridiculous! The injury was heartbreaking for her it ended her senior year of softball mid season. Jessica had prom, going to prom with a hurt knee meant not much time spent on the dance floor but she made the best of it. Fire fighting internship has been affected as well, she goes however she can't participate in drills. Jess hopes to get clearance to begin practice again, the team won a 3-way tie for first place in league. Jess is hoping she will be able to play in the Central Coast Section games.

Josh has been accepted into UC San Diego's civil engineering graduate program so he will be moving to SD in the fall. Any blog followers down there with job leads give us a shout out. Janea continues to go to Cabrillo and work but is hoping to get a new job working with kids.

That's all for now, thanks for continued support,

Katie

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I like the new computer station Jerry. It looks like your cat likes it too. I know its hard to see how far you've come in one years time. Not being around you all the time we see big improvement.Just keep it up. I just wish the nausea would go away. I'm sorry to here about Jessica's knee, that hurts. I too have been having knee problems, I think old age lol.
It sound like Josh and Janea are doing well Josh Congrats! Janea I hope you get the new job.

Love
Aunt Teresa

Trish said...

Boy, it really has been a busy month. Congrats to Josh and to his next phase of schooling! UCSD is lucky to be getting him! Good for Jenea, too. Being able to provide for the little ones is such a great thing - I'm loving my little babies I take care of. They keep me young and giggling. As for Jess' knee, that's the pits! I was wondering why I wasn"t seeing her name in the paper. As for Jerry's nausea, crap!

Dennis, the computer station is like everything else you create - outstanding! And Katie, you're the best mom in the whole wide world. I'm glad you had such a lovely day last Sunday. We were visiting Buel's mom in Omaha, Nebraska- she's living with Alzheimers. IT was a really good trip. She has clear deficits. She's a pretty pliable patient, redirect-able and still sweet.

Anyway, Mary comes home next Friday, only to return to Chico on Monday to begin a 10-day intensive wilderness first responder course. Then she'll be home for the summer. Chris got a job for the City of Irvine as a pool lifeguard, Abercrombie and Fitch and is trying to get hooked up with Starbucks. He's staying south for the summer.

I'll be in touch, I've a few ideas. Love to all of you Macs!

Trish

Anonymous said...

Thank you Katie for posting. I've missed you all! Glad that the kids gave you the tribute you deserve on Mother's Day!

Jerry, I'm so sorry nothing seems to move that nausea away. I'll keep praying that God takes that part of this morning, noon nad nightmare away. Your curtains above your desk are Monster! (Good job Katie and Dennis.)

Jessica, dag nab it, so sorry that your season high has to end with an injury. Trust me, when Luke had to have surgery on both of his legs, it was one of the hardest decisions he had to make. But life goes on and soon this will be just a distant memory. I'll pray you still get to play at CCS.

Speaking of Luke, I'm hoping he will get an internship at my job this summer. He'll also have to take a couple of classes at Cabrillo so he will be going non-stop, but plan on weekends with him Jer.

Always in my prayers,
Gretch

Grandma said...

Hi Everyone,

I love the computer station, Dennis always does a nice job. Jessie, I'm sorry to hear about the knee injury. Congratulations to Josh for being accepted in San Diego and good luck in finding a new job Janea.

Katie I'm glad you had such a nice Mothers Day, I think you should be mother of the year.

Jerry I'm so sorry about the nausea. I hope God will answers all these prayers and give you some relief. Don't ever give up Jerry, you have come along way. It may not seem that way to you but we all can see it.

We will be seeing you in June, would not miss Jessica's graduation.

Love
Grandma

Uncle Frank said...

Hey Jerry happy Tuesday to you. A new computer desk, new bed, a restaurant where you can get comfortable plus a note from your uncle Frank wow what a special day. What more could you ask for this morning besides a SF GIANTS 20 game win streak and lunch served by the 49ers cheerleader ladies? I wish you well with the nausea that's got to be very frustrating. I'll say a little prayer just for you on this today. I hope it works! Love you all.

Anonymous said...

Well I check in every now and then to see how things are going.

Jerry, your new computer station is awsome!

About the nausea... I'm sorry to hear you still have that hanging around, and what a difference it would make to not have that! Seems like there should be some way to supress the nausea. I'm wondering if it may be something in your brain or inner ear? Like motion sickness.

I am really pulling for you!

Best-
Penny Ellis

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy Birthday, from all of us to you...HEY! Happy 21 Jerry! love, the Frys

Trish said...

Hey Macs!

Happy 5th of July. Still visit the site quite often and am reminded of the hope I still carry for more recovery and healing. None of you is far from my heart and always in my prayers.

Hope Jess is recovering comfortably from her knee surgery - ick!!! Mary can appreciate the bugger of a summer she's having recovering - Mary did it twice and isn't high on her lists of re-dos.

Am looking forward to helping fund raise for China! WE CAN DO IT!!!!

Love and Blessings,

Trish