October 2009
October 31, 2009 Today will be a busy Halloween for Jeremy! Mom is leaving today after spending the last week at Craig. Laurie and Jeff will be arriving this afternoon too! Jeff is driving mom's car back to North Dakota for her, which is really nice of him! Jeremy said they had a great visit and he could tell he missed the Bun already... lol! Laurie made it in and Jeremy was very happy to see her! Mom made it home safely too. We wish Jeff a safe and easy drive back to Grand Forks. Ben~ thank you for giving Mom and Laurie rides to and from the airport today and for visiting! Uncle Bill also came by today!

October 30, 2009 Jeremy rode the FES bike today and went to the Halloween Party this afternoon. Then he went out for dinner with Mom and got a really big surprise!!!.... Don and Brenda Shaw surprised him at the restaurant! He was just so happy to see them and he couldn't stop smiling all night. Ben also came by to visit Jeremy tonight too. Tomorrow Jeff and Laurie are coming.

October 29, 2009 Jeremy didn't feel well today. Mom said he had a lot of problems with his blood pressure being very low which makes him nauseous. Then he had very high blood pressure. He tried to go swimming twice but was just feeling too sick. He did go with his physical therapist later in the day. Overall he was just not feeling well and was a little gloomy. We hope tomorrow will be a brighter day.

October 28, 2009 Today Jeremy had all his regular classes. He played soccer today too. It snowed a lot today in Denver and this made him a little home sick. If he was home he would be out sliding around in his pick up, like he always does when the snow flies. It's a long time to be in the hospital and he is missing home and all his buddies too. We hope he is getting some good rest tonight and tomorrow is a better day.

October 27, 2009 Yesterday Jeremy got some equipment ordered that he will need when he gets home, mom took lots of photos to help with preparations at home. The equipment will arrive at Craig in a few weeks and then be adjusted for him. Mom said that his current going home date is December 10, but this date is not set in stone. He will have a better idea of when he will be going home as it gets closer. Last night was pet therapy~ the Newfoundland dogs came to visit. Today Jeremy said he had a fairly easy day. He looked at some more equipment with Mom. Now they have started to gradually reduce his pain meds and he is not so drowsy anymore, so that's great. The best part of his day was swimming! Yes, he went swimming! He said it was hard but fun. They are expecting a big storm in Denver tomorrow.

October 26, 2009 It was already a busy morning for Jeremy. He rode 4.8 miles on the FES Bike and 3.2 miles on the hand bike! Good Grief! He also lifted some weights to strengthen his arms. He was just on his way to lunch. He is going to reduce his current pain medicine because we think this is what is making him so drowsy. Jeff is coming to visit on Halloween and Laurie will also be arriving on Halloween. She will be staying for two weeks. Jeremy can't wait to see her! She will be going back home on November 14, just in time for her baby shower!

October 25, 2009 Thank goodness for the weekends! Jeremy has just been so exhausted. He pushes himself everyday because he wants to make the most progress he can. Yesterday he hung out for a little bit with another Craig patient and then he and Adele ordered pizza over at the appartment. He keeps falling alseep when I talk to him on the phone~ not sure if he has new pain meds that are making him extra tired.

October 24, 2009 Jeremy is still super exhausted today. I guess after a full week of therapy it's like going back to the gym for the first time in a long time. It will get easier...! Mom arrived today! Adele and Mom brought in take out from SmashBurger! Jeremy tried to get some extra rest so he will be ready for Monday. Ben, Therese and Katie stopped by to visit today!

October 23, 2009 Today was the field trip to downtown Denver. Jeremy said it was pretty easy to get around everywhere and there were no problems. He and Aunt Adele went out for lunch at a place with really great burgers! It sounded like they had a great time. He had a little bit of a break today, so he wasn't as wiped out as he usual is. Now he can rest up over the weekend so he will be ready for Monday.

October 22, 2009 Jeremy is doing great. He is 100% wore out every day though...! Today he had the usual classes and in functional field class he had to practice his writing skills. They have ordered him a device to connect to his hand so he will be able to hold a pen better. He also used a manual wheelchair today and he went all around for about 40 minutes, Adele said it is really a lot of work. Jeremy is doing really great overall and the staff at Craig have noticed! They have asked him to help out with someone else who is having a harder time, which he is happy to do! We are just so proud of him, his positive attitude and so proud of the great job he is doing! Tomorrow he is going on a field trip to downtown Denver's Larimer Square Mall. He will travel by bus and the monorail.

October 21, 2009 Jeremy is all wore out from his classes today! He had OT, PT, rode the bike and played Soccer in functional field class. He scored a hat trick! He said it was a lot of fun! He got a little roughed up from running into other people! He said the guy with the manual chair was the fastest.

October 20, 2009 Jeremy already had a busy morning! He got his staples out of the back of his neck. He learned how to shave himself today. Adele said she was at the apartment and got a knock at the door at 9:00 in the morning and it was Jeremy. He's getting around really good now. The rest of his day will be filled with classes. He will be looking at some transporation equipment. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday he rides the FES Bike. Yesterday he rode 4.5 miles and then he rode a different bike 2 more miles. No wonder he was so tired! Also last night was Monday night which is Pet therapy night~ so he got to see the Newfoundland dogs.

October 19, 2009 Patty came from Idaho to visit Jeremy this evening. Jeremy had classes all day today and was completely physically exhausted tonight. He was also mentally drained because he heard the bad news that his good friend Dufer passed away. Jeremy has known him since he was a little kid and he had visited Jeremy in the hospital in Grand Forks a few times before he left for Colorado.

October 18, 2009 Today Jeremy went out to lunch with his Dad, Adele, Ben, Joe, JC, Therese and her daughter! They took the bus down to the Mexican restaurant. He said is was hot and sunny in Denver today~ probably more than 80 degrees! After lunch he had a nice long siesta. This evening Jeremy had a regular shower which he really liked, it's the first one since his surgery. He is looking forward to going back to therapy tomorrow and showing off his new finger movement!

October 17, 2009 Jeremy is feeling better today. He had his stitches taken out of the front of his neck and he found out that he has lost 26 pounds since he arrived at Craig. He is hanging out with his dad and Aunt Adele today. He has a pass so he can leave the hospital as long as he is back in time for his meds.

Today Jeremy had a little victory... he started to be able to move his fingers on his left hand (all except the middle one)! He is just thrilled. Adele was so happy for him that she cried. He told his right hand now you watch what this one is doing and you copy that. He went out for lunch to a Mexican restaurant about 2 miles away with his dad and Adele. Jeremy is in extra good spirits today with this new development and we are all celebrating with him!

October 16, 2009 Another busy day! Jeremy had classes all morning, he road the bike and then he went on the city bus to a surplus store with his dad and therapist. They were seeing how he could get around in his wheelchair. He said the store was really packed, but it was a good experience. Later on in the evening he got the chills really bad again and was totally exhausted.

October 15, 2009 Jeremy was feeling better this morning. Last night he had the chills and then he was extremely hot. His body is having some trouble regulating his temperature, which does happen with some spinal cord injury patients. He also has Heterotopic Ossification (HO) in his hips. There is medication for this but they need his neck to fuse first (the medication would interfere with the healing of his neck), so he won't be able to take the medication until his neck heels. Hopefully the (HO) doesn't get too bad in the meantime. The worst case scenario would be hip surgery...so we hope that won't be the case. Today more therapy and in functional field class Jeremy is making brownies! Adele and Jeremy had the brownies for desert after lunch today and they were really good! Today is SPA DAY! Jeremy got a manicure and had a facial. Some musicians came and played at Craig tonight and they were really great. Jeremy's Dad comes to visit him tomorrow and he is looking forward to that.

October 14, 2009 Jeremy missed the grocery shopping trip today because he had to get his hip checked out. He rode the bike today for 4.3 miles. He was still using the other wheel chair and they adjusted the headrest, so it is better now, but he thinks he still likes the first one best. Jeremy wasn't feeling well tonight he got the chills and then fell asleep. Uncle Bill came to visit him.

October 13, 2009 Another busy day at Craig. Jeremy had his usual classes today and played Yahtzee in his functional field class. Tomorrow he is going to the grocery store with his class. He has been testing out some wheel chairs and the one he tried today isn't his favorite.

October 12, 2009 It's Monday and Jeremy had a very busy day! He had a lot of classes, OT, PT. He went on a cycle (stationery bicycle) today where his body was hooked up to electrodes and your legs are strapped in and you pedal. This is very good excercise for your body and muscles. He also played dice for money with about 8 other guys... he didn't win, but it was fun anyway! We heard that Jeff and Karen will be grandparents tonight! Congratulations!! Jeremy is thinking of and missing all his friends and family! He really looks forward to your emails... so if you have time write soon!

October 11, 2009 Jeremy is feeling physically better today, but he is very sad because Laurie left today around 12:45. Laurie made it home safe and sound. Ben came over to cheer up Jeremy~ and he did a great job! Happy Birthday to cousin James!

October 10, 2009 This morning Jeremy said he didn't sleep very well last night. He had a hard time falling asleep. He was feeling dizzy, lightheaded and nauseous. He has very low blood pressure so they are going to give him some pills to try and correct that. It snowed in Denver! Ben visited Jeremy today. I spoke with Jeremy this evening and he said he wasn't able to get out of bed today, but he wished he could have. He was hanging out tonight with Aunt Adele, Laurie and Uncle Bill.

October 9, 2009 Jeremy is doing really great so far! His doctor said he looks really good and was surprised how well he is doing already. He spent four hours in the wheel chair today and they took him off the morphine. He said his shoulder pain seems to be gone~ thank goodness! His neck is very sore, especially in the back but, he said that this is the best he has felt since his accident.

October 8, 2009 Jeremy sound pretty good today! He said he thinks his shoulder pain has gotten better, but with all the pain in his neck and the pain medication he said he can't quite tell for sure. He said his right arm is a little bit sore too. He was able to get into the wheel chair today for a little over an hour. He and Laurie did make it over to the nursery and they went over the sky bridge and back. Hopefully tomorrow is even better than today! Joe came to visit Jeremy today and yesterday Mr and Mrs Dewy Osowski came to visit him!

October 7, 2009 When Jeremy came out of surgery yesterday Laurie and Adele were waiting for him. The nurse asked if he knew who they were and he said that's my queen and my aunt. Jeremy sounds surprising good today. He said he is in a lot of pain; but we expect him to be after such a major surgery. The doctor said he should start to feel better in about 3 days. So far everything is going along quite well! Jeremy is getting lots of rest today. He said he and Laurie were hoping to go to the nursery tomorrow at 3:00. So, hopefully he will feel good enough to do this! Thank you to everyone for your prayers and emails! Jeremy was happy to hear from so many of his friends and family. The road to recovery begins now!

October 6, 2009 Surgery Day. I just spoke with Adele and they came and took Jeremy to the pre-op room at 6:45 this morning. At 7:45 they took him into surgery. Adele said his voice was hoarse from not drinking fluids. She said that he had a great attitude and looks forward to getting the surgery behind him. 1:00 PM The surgery is going well so far. They are almost finished with the front. They just have to put in a new plate. Then they will do the back side and put in two rods. 3:00 PM Mountain Time The front of the neck surgery is over. Everything went extremely well. He had very little blood loss, so he did not need a blood transfusion. They are just now starting on the back of the neck and this part of the surgery should take about 3 hours. Then he will be moved into recovery. 5:30 PM Mountain Time... Still waiting! They are still working on the back of Jeremy's neck. He should be done in 2 more hours. At 7:15 PM Mountain time Jeremy's surgery was finished. He is in recovery for an hour and a half. They said the surgery went really well. He will have a 3-4" scar on the front of his neck and a 4" scar on the back. They were able to use all his own bone for the fusion. His neck is fused from C6-T1. They said he will be very sore for the next 3 days and hope to get him out of bed on Friday. He will go back to therapy on Wednesday.

October 5, 2009 Jeremy had a conference with his doctors to talk about his progress and upcoming surgery. He had a busy day. He says Happy Birthday to his Dad and Uncle Bill! Both Uncle Bill and Ben came to visit him tonight and wish him good luck with his surgery tomorrow. He was happy to have them. He now has a large pumpkin full of halloween candies. I asked if he had any trick-or-treaters. He said he did~ both Ruth and Uncle Bill trick-or-treat.

October 4, 2009 Jeremy had a relaxing day today. He watched Rescue Me DVD's at the family appartment with Adele and Laurie. Jeremy will have his surgery this week, so please keep him in your prayers.

October 3, 2009 I spoke to Jeremy and Laurie and they sounded great. Jeremy just received an edible arrangement from Bruce and Shelia. They kept saying how good the fruit was... they made me hungry! The arrangement had white chocolate dipped pineapple ghosts, chocolate covered strawberries, grapes, pineapple flowers, honey dew and cantaloupe. It sounded delicious! Jeremy is a big fruit eater so this was a real treat! Jeremy got a pass to leave the hospital tonight, so he went to the family appartments with Laurie and Adele and they had a pizza party!

October 2, 2009 Today Jeremy had a busy day! He went to OT and PT as usual and now everyday he has a functional field class. This is where he will learn to do things like make guacamole. This is the mystery class every day they do something new. Today he played beach volleyball with five other guys; he still has a lot of shoulder pain, but Adele said he did great, laughed a lot and had fun. I just spoke to Adele and they were all on their way to a Mexican fiesta party. Jeremy has lost 17 pounds since he arrived at Craig Hospital. Laurie arrived this afternoon! Jeremy also wanted me to thank everyone for the emails. He really appreciates your emails and it means so much to him that you care. He loves hearing what you are doing; he hopes that soon he will be able to type back to you!

October 1, 2009 I spoke with Jeremy and he was in good spirits today. He had a very busy day today. He made guacamole with three other guys. He also had PT and OT. He signed up for some more activities including some classes in the nursery that will teach him how to care for the baby! Tonight Ben came to visit. Yesterday he saw some bikes that are with three wheels and you pedal with your arms and your legs are strapped in and they also move. This is excellent therapy and excercise... so he may be needing one of these in the future. We just can't say enough good things about Craig Hospital; it's a top notch facility and we are so thankful that Jeremy is here!