Date sent: 07/18/00 06:21 PM
Movement Continues
I knew it was time to write another update, when several friends said that they hadn't
from me in awhile wondered how I was doing.
First, some frequently asked questions:
* what's up with rehab?
I started to go to Greene Memorial Hospital for rehab in May. After talking to them,
they/we decided I could use all three rehab services still, OT, PT, and Speech. I go once
a week, and have lots of homework. They also have a great transportation system that gets
me to the hospital and back for $2 a day.
I'm happy to be continuing rehab, and I can see the results, though now the results are
measured in months rather than weeks.
* what gains have I made?
Hand: my thumb is much stronger and more controllable. This allows me to lift much more
easily, and release things. I can even play thumb wars with Zachary, but he wins every
time.
Shoulder: I have nearly full range of motion, but I'm still working on some tightness.
Walking: more balanced, and still working on heal strike.
* so, what's new?
As said before I've been cleared to drive. I now have all the paperwork done and in my
hands. Next I take a written test, then driving rehab program, and finally the real
driving test.
I haven't driven in four years. I backed Abi's car out of the driveway one evening, and
realize that I don't have the sense of how big cars are anymore. Driving was always a big
part of my life so I'm sure it will come back to me quickly. But still I do start this
with some trepidation.
All this is to be done in seven weeks before Abi starts medical school in Athens.
When I saw Dr. Moore yesterday about my seizure medicines, we talked about the
trade-offs between driving and changing medicines. I really can't change my medicines
until I start driving. And when I start driving I can't change them. When I do - to be
safe - I'd restrict driving for about one month, until we knew what effect the change had.
So, it will be very hard to decide when to reduce by medicines.
I definitely what to reduce by medicines, of course, because of side effects. But
working out the timing seems to be a problem.
* what about work?
My current thinking, is to take the doctor's advice and go back to work at the
beginning of next year. Taking the rest of this year to heal. This feels like a benchmark
that makes sense.
Last Tuesday, I went to see Solomon Wickey again. It wasn't nearly as strange this
time, because we knew what to expect. After touching my knee for a while and pushing on my
right arm, he leaned back in his chair and said I was about 70% recovered and I would
recover the other 30% without any problem. I told him that there's some days that I need
to stay in bed because I am so low on energy and that can last as long as 3 or 4 days. And
he said that I should avoid aluminum. I asked if I should come back again, and he said he
didn't see any need for me to return. But that I can write him in a couple months and ask
if I was still having trouble with aluminum and the he could tell from my hand writing.
We've had a 17 year-old daughter of French friends stay for a lot of this summer. She
is helping with house and the kids, and is a lot of fun. She's giving us something else to
focus on the besides our day-to-day concerns. And now that July is ending, her family
wants her back . . . surprise.
I'm stopping here because I have a lot of editing to do. This Speech program gets words
on the screen but than I have to really go through every word to make sure they make some
sense.
Our love and prayers are with you,
Abi and Dan
Dan Katz-Stein 937 767-7241 http://www.umsl.edu/~vally/dan/ | Life is too short to
wonder why
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