the gratitude CONTINUES!!!

it is amazing how we flourish in light of the love that we share with others.
the love i feel for those that i know just GROWS with every passing day.
my GRATITUDE overwhelms me
like those that i continue to be STOKED about.
how did i get so lucky???
no matter the reason, i will try to serve it well
do the best i can
try to spread it out
AND SHARE IT AS BEST I CAN!!!
spread the love
the music
the harmony.
ADD what i can
when i can
and share back what is given to me.
THANK YOU!!!!
and god bless us, every one.
HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GRATEFUL

Friends make life worth living TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
Without them who are we??
WE make it happen.
HOORAY for team players! God bless us, every one!

new beginnings...

can be as painful as they are joyful!
yet....
my dad suggested that i be aware of the evolution between the pain of suffering,
and
the pain of healing
very different
the difference is so very real and tangible.
i have hurt and suffered.
now i hurt
BUT
I AM HEALING
and growing
AND FINALLY FREE.
bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!
it still hurts
but i feel so empowered
and hopeful
what now?
WHAT NOT!!!!
bring it on ;)
WAHOOOOOOOOO!

2007, ready or not!

I entered the year with a little bit of melancholy...I spent the weeks before the end of year festivities keeping my spirits up by looking forward to the SCI SF experience. Having completed that adventure I came home exhausted, contemplative and with a sort of an empty horizon line. What now? When? How?? There are a lot of life changes to consider now that I am well enough to think about other things that just getting through the day.

The past few weeks I have continued to progress, 3 steps forward one step back it seems. I am now brace free most of the time!!! I see my orthopedist again on the 30th and just hope to see more bone regrowth, especially in my neck, so I can move forward with PT. Today was a good day, ironically so measured by having felt well enough to clean my house! Ahhh the result feels good! Now I am pooped!

I consider that success ;-)

progress...

...continues! this week the dr. said i can move around without my brace as much as is comfortable! hooray! i saw some xrays which still show some obvious damage. it is kind of wierd to see misshapen vertebrae, especially when they belong to you. i have been assured that the bones "fill in" over time, and that my initial stage of healing is moving along! i also am more clear now as to the extent of my injuries, most importantly that i did have a C1 fracture which will still has time to stabilize. so no body brace unless i need it, but i get the neck brace for a few weeks yet. it is for the best i suppose, as it serves as a warning for people not to bump into me - my road rash is still at the level of a serious sunburn, but SO MUCH better than before.

i just arrived at my mom's house yesterday, just outside seattle. this gives nurse jamie a break and gives me time with mom, sis and stepdad. more healing love!!! my mom is my number one hero, she was unbelievable during my my staty at chez-intensive care. mom rocks!!! i look forward to the next week here allowing her to stuff me full of food, drink and love, and shower her with my thanks and admiration!

i am excited about the approaching SF trip even while a little apprehensive about my stamina. i am so looking forward to seeing so many friends!!!! depending on the layout and the volume i may be in or near the handicapped section. staying at the westin ... anyone else??

grateful...

...is how i feel right now! i am grateful to be welcoming the approach of 2007 with all of my senses and limbs in order. and my teeth, as my dad reminded me in the hospital. important! teeth are good ;) i had the fortune of meeting with a friend who is a PT this weekend, and we started loosening up some T-I-G-H-T muscles. I also met with another wonderful friend who does hand therapy, and who gave me a bit of a road map to the numbness in my arm, along with exercises to help work out the issues. I AM SO LUCKY to have the kindness and knowledge that they share!! i have incredible sensitivity in certain areas which is weird to balance with the numbness, but she gave me some strategy to work on. Thank you Bella! Such a roller coaster, getting well....thank god for the good times. HOORAY!!! speaking of gifts, how about that dinner tonight charity fees?!? quite domestic you have gotten ;) and i applaud kristen for her promises to make jamie some official candy striping garb. oh yeah.
i leave for seattle on wednesday to spend christmas with my mom, step-dad and sister. having been so stunted over the past several weeks i am anxious about traveling, but look forward to seeing my family! my mom has been especially enormously important to my sanity and healing, i could not have been gifted with a greater friend.

the next chapter

i just passed the 6 week mark from impact. things have gotten easier for sure, and i am much more able to do basic things without help. i am spending time out of my brace. less support means more work for the muscles, so i get some new challenges in this next phase. the opportuity for action is welcome! i will finally see a doctor tomorrow and hopefully get some clean x-rays to send me into the holidays with confidence. i am blessed with friends that work in physical and occupational therapy and who have offered coaching during rehab. i am so grateful! all of the wonderful people in my life THANK YOU!!! your love and suport has made such a difference in my ability to heal and i am so proud of the community that we are a part of.
XOXOXOOXOXOXO
jean