10-30-07: Update...

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I arrived on a gurney at the Vintage Faire Rehabilitation Center on October 4. Have been here ever since. And with the help of therapists Tess, Leslie and Fred, I am slowly making progress towards my goal of pre-accident mobility. Although my neck now has a plate holding four fused vertebra together, it functions much like it did before; my right leg is now able to support my weight in a standing position. Remaining obstacles are...

Right wrist. Last week they finally removed the 3-pound cast and three pins (OUCH!) from my wrist.. and forearm and replaced it with a smaller, lighter splint cinched with velcro and laces. The wrist must remain immobile for a while longer, but I now have use of my right fingers and am able to keyboard with two hands instead of one.

Right shoulder. It's like being stabbed in the shoulder with knives trying to move it away from my body. Have been told that this is normal and necessary while gradually trying to increase range of motion after the shoulder was so rudely dislocated and popped back in. This will be one of the slowest parts of the rehabilitation.

Left leg. Another slow part of my rehabilitation involving a severe compound fracture of the lower tibia and longitudinal crack of the upper tibia (supported with a plate and three screws. Although I am still wearing braces on both legs, the left knee is still locked out straight. Weight bearing (critical to going home.. which I have not seen in five weeks) will not be allowed on this leg for at least another three weeks. Recent x-rays have also shown that the left tibia is not healing in line with the femur. Can't have that, so recent adjustments have been done to the brace while a new one is being designed and built. There is the possibility that the problem will have to be surgically corrected.. Whatever, I want a straight leg.

Butt. It's what I spend most of my time on, whether on a bed or a wheel chair. My left arm was not affected by the accident, so with the increasing strength of my right leg I have become quite proficient in maneuvering between bed and chair.. and chair and toilet (a task I only mention because of the psychological boost it has given to my rehabilitation.. more on perspective later).

Tedium. I keep busy.. to keep from being strangled in the grips of tedium. I read a lot, dabble on my computer, speak frequently with friends and family (some of which I have not spoken with in years.. funny how adversity rekindles what was thought lost.. right, more on perspective later). I continue to be humbled by concerned visits and cards. Then there's the regimen of temp and blood pressure readings, little cocktail cups of multicolored pills, and twice-daily shots in the tummy to keep my blood thin and blood clots away.

Food. I have lost weight, muscle mass mostly. I would lose more weight if I ate the food provided.. nutritionally and calorically correct perhaps, but extremely bland, processed and lacking in any culinary diversity or expertise. So Peggy brings me meals prepared by herself, friends and the occasional, local eating establishment.

Yeah, I have to fight the psychological downs brought on by this new experience.. a battle I'm not sure I could win without Peggy's unfailing support. Yes, I am fortunate indeed..