4/26/01

To All,

I’ve thought many times how much Dan goes through in a day that people don’t see. Today I thought I would try to take you through a day in our lives. Hopefully this will help you appreciate more what Dan is going through, and help those of you who wish, to pray more specifically.

Collin usually arrives around 9:00 to help Dan get ready in the morning. I give him his Midodrine pill ½ hour before Collin gets there so his blood pressure will be high enough and he won’t pass out when he sits or stands up. He has a hard time waking up because most nights he is awakened through the night with spasms through his body (these are typical of spinal cord injured persons and can be little jerks in his legs, or a tightening of all of his muscles all at once). The joke between Collin and Dan is, “Five more minutes.” Five minutes later he says, “Five more minutes,” etc. Collin is very patient (much more patient than I, but I’m learning). He shaves Dan and brushes his teeth while he’s still in bed and trying to wake up.

Once he finally sits up and waits for the head rush to pass, Dan stands, usually with assistance, and takes the few steps to his wheelchair. After wheeling into the bathroom, he again takes the few steps to his shower bench. If we’re lucky, his blood pressure doesn’t drop so low that he starts to pass out. If we aren’t lucky, he says, “I’m going black.” When this happens, his hearing usually goes first, and then his sight. We have to hold his feet up and pump his stomach to get his blood moving again. When he actually passes out (about two or three times a week) he comes to and immediately feels like he’s going to throw up. It’s a terrible feeling for Dan and we’re praying as he moves more and more his blood pressure will begin to regulate itself better. The shower always feels great. Dan’s able to do most of it himself, with a little help shampooing his hair.

After getting dressed and ready, Dan wheels to the stairs and with very little assistance, walks down the stairs to get back in his wheelchair. Again, hopefully his blood pressure stays regulated or we do the feet and stomach thing again

Dan spends his mornings he doesn’t have doctor or other appointments on the computer responding to the wonderful e-mails he receives from all of you. It’s difficult, but he responds to as many as he can. Janet Hadley (my sister) comes and helps him with some. Typing one handed can go slow.

At 1:00 Darrell arrives. They begin with stretches on the 5 x 7 foot mat in our living room/gym. Some of them, especially on the left shoulder, can be so painful that Dan feels sick to his stomach. It’s one of those “No pain, No gain” things. They also do exercises and once a week Darrell checks his muscle score. Yesterday he was at 59! As you would expect, Darrell says Dan is an extremely hard worker and many times does more than he’s asked to do. Some days they use a muscle stimulator on different muscles or a small biofeedback guide, which shows Dan when he’s using muscles correctly and, to the utmost strength.

Since getting Dan’s braces (a short brace for his right leg, and a full brace for his left), Dan’s been working on walking. They walk all around the house and up and down the stairs. He does great! He’s working on his coordination because his muscles have to relearn what to do, and on his strength. His legs have been very sore at night!

They always finish off the day outside with Dan pushing his wheelchair up a little hill on our driveway backwards. They time him and of course he has to keep beating his record from the day before. This is another way Dan strengthens his legs. Right now it also strengthens his right arm and hopefully soon he’ll be using his left arm. His left arm is loosening up and he’s now able to spread his fingers on his left hand!

After physical therapy, Dan is always exhausted! Darrell works him extremely hard but also knows how to work him to get the most out of their workout. Dan rests some after they finish at 5:00. Some days we go to Nicole’s softball game or Dan gets back on the computer. If the girls can, they talk Daddy into going to Taco Bell and the arcade (our favorite family hangouts). Dan does very well getting out of the house and doing things. He’s not afraid to wheel about wherever he needs to go. Eating on his own is getting easier as his hand and arm get stronger.

If he’s lucky, Dan has time to sit in his recliner before bedtime. Collin usually arrives between 9:00 and 10:00. After discussing all the baseball games of the day and finishing up whatever Dan was doing, Collin helps Dan walk up the stairs and get him in bed. His ability to move himself around in bed has made things so much easier. Collin has been so patient doing whatever he needs to do, even if that means sitting around and waiting for Dan, or coming over later if we go out. He has been a Godsend!

Hopefully this gives you an idea of what Dan goes through every day. We’ve had many frustrating moments when Dan’s body won’t do what he wants it to do. We’ve had a few falls (one time we had to wait with Dan on the floor for over and hour until Darrell arrived for therapy and helped him get up). We’ve had some tears. We’ve had many laughs (especially between Dan and Darrell). Most of all, every day we are blessed by all of you, knowing you are praying for us and thinking of us and you are in this with us. We praise God for all the lessons we are learning and all the blessings we’ve already received!

Thanks for listening!

Candi