Date sent:01/02/00 02:49 PM
Are we there yet?
I've been back since Thanksgiving and many things have happened. I'm much better since
returning. Before I left for Boston I was perfectly able to move about the house, and when
I returned I was not to able fully walk or use my left-hand. Returning, I needed to learn
to renegotiate with my environment.
I have lots of good news. My physical therapy continues to go well. I'm walking without
a cane and steadily. My progress is quantified my being able to walk 50 ft. in 37 seconds,
compared to one minute and 15 sec and just one month ago. My left-hand continues to need
the most attention. However, I'm starting to be able to move my fingers. Also, I'm done
with the 6 weeks of antibiotics which means I don't need to carry a pump around my waist.
When we sent the CT scans to Boston they looked so good, Dr. Black had to look at the name
on the films twice to be sure and that he was looking at the right patient. So my healing
is going very well.
I have not had a seizures since the surgery. When I went to see Dr. Moore about my
seizure medicine, we agreed to not change them for at least another six months so that I
don't relearn how to have seizures. This was slightly disappointing, because I'd like to
reduce the medicine I'm taking now. But I can always reduce the medicine later.
I'm working on my endurance. Today I walked the loop in our neighborhood. I can lift
things with my left-hand, however I can't let them go. I still see progress every day.
The social worker at the rehab center said she expects I will need to work with them
through the end of March. Though they'll reevaluate my progress every month of course.
Everyone that sees me says " you look so good, " and I do feel better since
I've been home. It took a long time to feel comfortable being home, but I have arrived.
Outpouring of community support continues to overwhelm us. Somebody drives me everyday
to and from the rehab center. We still get several meals every week. Community members
help us with our laundry. Whenever anyone hears of our story, there still very impressed
with the impact and the quality of life we've maintained.
As a coping mechanism, I decided to get a voice recognition system so that I wouldn't
have to use one hand to type. My mother bought me new computer parts so that I could
upgrade my existing computer. My dad bought me ViaVoice, a speech recognition software, so
that I could communicate more easily. This entire document was created by using a
ViaVoice. This tool frees me up to communicate without being frustrated by hunting and
pecking with one hand.
My family continues to be affected by this event. Zachary is now scared of the dark and
being alone, which is new since this last surgery. Abi and I are both reevaluating our
future plans given the past six months.
One funny story. The physical therapist I'm working with, who lives in Yellow Springs,
knew when I was coming home from Boston because people she knows asked her how I was doing
even before she had met me.
So I think that's it for now. I hope all of you have a very safe and happy New Year.
Thank you for your continued support and interest.
With love and appreciation, Dan, Abi, Zachary, and Hana
Dan Katz-Stein 937 767-7241 http://www.ysi.com/ | Life is too short to wonder why
|