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Jan 02, 2010 - Tuesday

By Bud | January 2, 2010

Happy New Year to Everyone!

 Whew! What a year!  Sometimes the days would seem to crawl by and other times I think Bud and I wanted to glue down the hands of time.  Peter is adapting to the campus at TCC and his daily therapy sessions. He’s looking pretty muscular if I do say so myself.

You won’t believe this but all of our construction is finally complete.  The therapy pool and equipment is installed and in working order.  The patio, sidewalks, sprinkler system, landscaping and sod are all finished and look great.  It is a huge relief for us to have everything here at our home.  The logistics of going to all the different appointments was very draining and the schedule was brutal. Now everyone is coming here!

 Our neighbors have been great putting up with the mess.  First our home was gutted and vacant for three months when we first moved in May 2008, then we had construction on the interior, deck and ramp system for a couple of months.  We started construction on the therapy building last June and finally finished Thanksgiving. The exterior of our home was also painted in there someplace! They have put up with dirt, dirt, dirt, contractors, extra vehicles and everything that goes with it for months.

Thank you to the Bingham’s, Price’s and Murphy’s!

 Peter has decided to take one more semester at TCC and apply for the University of Tulsa next fall.  This will give him a chance to brush up on his chemistry and math skills as it has now been two years since his last high school course of chemistry and math.  This semester he is enrolled in 12 hours and he will take at least 9 hours this summer.  He is still experiencing severe back pain from time to time, and this will give him a chance to make sure he can sit for longer periods of time which will be required at TU.

 As you all know Peter does have progress but slow.  His sensation level has moved down to the bottom of his belly button.  On Sunday Bud and Peter will fly to Hartford, CT to attend Center IMT.  The doctors and therapist treat patients using a comprehensive and holistic approach.  Peter has been on a gluten free diet for the last couple of months and he’s feeling really good even though he has given up his beloved pizza.  They will leave early Sunday morning and return on Saturday, Jan 9th.  Please pray for uneventful and safe journey.  Also for the doctors and therapist wisdom in treating Peter’s spinal cord injury.

Bud and I are still researching to make sure that we are doing everything possible to get Peter walking once more.  I can’t go into all the details on Peter’s therapy and schedule as there is simply not enough time and space.  Your eyes would definitely roll back into your head.  But if you hear or read ANYTHING that sounds promising please let us know.  Don’t be afraid that a million other people will send the same information. We’d rather read the same thing a few times than miss any valuable information.

On a good note we have heard that Hillcrest is acquiring a Lokomat machine.  This will be a huge benefit for all kinds of patients in the Tulsa area.  We have also heard the machine will be adaptable for children!  This will be very beneficial as some patients are not able to make the trip to/from Oklahoma City for treatment.  We’ll let you know more details as they become available.

It’s been really nice having “The Guys” (Cooper Frederick, Mark Jackson and Wesley Moody) home for the holidays.  We’d like for them just to move on in, but I’m sure their parents might miss them a little!  The other day they showed up with their swim suits and took turns on the treadmill in the therapy pool.  They said they were surprised how hard it was.  It’s simply great having them home for the holidays!

One more important piece of information.  Whitney resigned her position at Callidus last month.  This was a very hard decision as she really loved all of her co-workers and the management of the company.  She is now an agent with American National Insurance.  I’m sure she’ll get along just fine with the new boss. 

As we look back at 2009 there are a million people we should thank for helping us this past year. Receiving support from our American National Family, Leinbach Company, and Callidus Technologies made everything else possible. Other high spots would be receiving a phone call, text or note from our friends & family unexpectedly.  Thank you!

Attached is our Christmas picture in front of the tree.  Peter ditched the walker and Bud had to steady him a little.

 He will walk again!!!!!

Happy New Year from:  Bud, Janet, Whitney and Peter……”The Doodles” Ajia and Georgie- Team Jessee

 

Topics: Peter |