March 19, 2001

Dear Family and Friends,

Dan has been working extremely hard on his physical therapy!  Darrell has been at the house four hours a day, Monday through Friday, and he makes Dan work the whole time!  His hard work is paying off as his muscle score today was at 52!  He continues to get stronger and stronger and we attribute that to Dan's hard work and all of your prayers.  Thank you!

Some of you have wondered what Dan is feeling and moving now.  He has feeling everywhere in his body.  There are some spots where he can feel, but it feels numb.  Most places don't bother him too much.  His hands and fingertips bother him the most because he is trying to do things with them, but it isn't so bad that it hinders any movement.  Dan's right side continues to be the strongest, although his left leg is catching up.  His left shoulder has been extremely painful and locked; that has hindered Dan's ability to exercise his left arm and hand, but Darrell is slowly stretching it and it is starting to improve.

Once Dan's halo came off last Tuesday there were new things he could do which he couldn't do previously.  Some of the things I noticed were, he could, feed himself better, hold the telephone to his ear, blow his own nose (I was especially grateful for this) and he is now getting around in a manual wheelchair!  He uses his right arm and feet to push himself.  The manual wheelchair offers much more freedom! This week Dan and I are hoping to return the van we had to rent to get around with the electric wheelchair.  Dan will be working on transferring to the seat of a car on his own from his wheelchair.

Dan and I want to give a big thank you to Dr. Bruce Corum, Dan's chiropractor. He has been working with Dan, first at the hospital regularly, and then coming to the house several days a week.  He helped Dan stay limber and strong and was also a great friend; taking him places so that he wouldn't go stir crazy in the house. Thank you!

Once again Dan and I want to thank all of you for your prayers, meals, cards, e-mails, and financial help.  We continue to be overwhelmed by you all!  You are awesome!  Thank you!

Love,

Candi Whitney