Tough night good assessment

Well we had a rough night last night, Sandra's tone was bad and wouldn't stop made for difficulty sleeping. It is a crazy injury as it affects everything, nothing is as it was and spirits are being tested. Now this morning Sandra had  her assessment and had some good results. Her core is getting stronger probably 2/3rds of what it was. What I have learned is it all starts with the core.
Sandra's hip flexors are stronger and she was able to contract her glutes (butt). This is exciting as it is a new muscle found and her recovery is moving down as anticipated. The next find we need is for the quads as that extends the knee and with alot of stregth gain this will allow her to stand.
Mike

At it again

So here we are again, not much new to say. Sandra continues to work hard on her core and this morning she is doing tall kneel crawl. Not really her favorite but I think it is very beneficial.
Tomorrow is assessment day and we are excited to see if she has any new muscle contractions.
Mike

Missing Lots BUT Giving Thanks

Families will gather this weekend to eat, enjoy each Others' company and to give thanks.  We too are gathering with our family and as I have contemplated all that I have to be thankful for, I have battled with thoughts of what I used to take for granted.  Sadly there are so many things in life that we don't even think to be thankful for, like sliding into a warm bath, standing so that our clothes hang and sway the way they were designed to, giving a full hug, driving, prepare a meal for my family, tuck my girls into their beds, just Mom & wife stuff.  Being able to access any building shouldn't be so hard.
Yet I am so thankful for so much. I literally have given thanks many times in the past 5 months for my life...For my brain...and my arms. Mike & I are aware of how different things could have been. I am thankful for my amazing husband and that he is able to be with me each mile of this journey. I am thankful for my girls and the strength , courage and maturity they have exhibited, while never allowing their hearts to be hardened. I am thankful for our extended families and the many ways they have and continue to support us in this process. I am thankful for praying and supportive friends and for a church family that is behind us.
I pray everyday that God will heal me.  I know without a doubt that He could speak and I could stand up without any hint of injury. I know this.  The question is never can He...but will He?  So we wait to see what the answer is choosing to remember to be thankful. Because He is good and He is God and one day He will call my name and I will rise.  Until then we thank Him and bless His name... and eat turkey.
We want to remind you all how thankful we are for you and to wish you a blessed Happy Thanksgiving from our overflowing hearts to yours!
Hugs,
Sandra

Sandra

State of Detroit

Some have asked about what Detroit is really like. Well it depends where you go, the down town 5 square blocks look ok, but when you look close the offices in the high rises are empty. As soon as we get out of those blocks it gets very nasty. Most buildings don't have windows in them and I think it resembles a war zone, 20% of houses are boarded up, we get asked for money a lot. Now 12km outside of the down town core is Grosse pointe, we went there yesterday and wow what a nice neighborhood 4 million plus for a house, you can see a line where Detroit ends and gross pointe starts. Middle class is 1/2 hour to 1 hour drive outside of Detroit. Some suburbs like Troy and very nice. The booming economy is the casino, sports teams and the big 3 automotive are coming back.
The casino is always full and a little sad seeing people there that really can't afford the kind of entertainment.
Mike

More core training

This week has been more of the same, core and balance training. Sandra shoulder is holding up well this week which is encouraging. She is getting a lot of tone (spazams) which interrupt her sleep and are uncomfortable for her, thankfully Sandra does have the gift of sleep, anyone else would be up 1/2 the night. Looking forward to, picking up Nanna in Toronto and getting home.
Mike

Stretching works!

So Sandra has been doing a lot of stretching since her accident and I think she is up to 6 foot now!haha no really that is the height of her therapist in Ottawa, small but mighty. We measured Sandra in her chair on the wall where we are tracking the kids growth over the years, she is 4'1" same as Emily when she was 8.
We continue to be encouraged here in Detroit, we are getting progress even though it is slower then we like and it is very taxing on Sandra physically plus it is difficult leaving the kids every week. I compared it with a friend of mine who travels a lot for work, the 1st few times it was fun getting away, staying in hotels and eating out etc.... But it does get old and all the restaurants start to taste the same. Mike

What in the world is Sandra "up" to?

Two weeks ago Mike and I got home to see my Nana who is visiting here from Newfoundland. She is now in Toronto for the week but we get to pick her up on Wednesday and bring her back home with us. It's been nice to be with her, I love her to pieces. We are on the road again, rain and all. Looking forward to a amazing week. We are really hoping and praying that God will give me some voluntary muscle movement. I

Oh what a feeling!

cant believe its October tomorrow, we are already half

way through our time commitment in Detroit. They have been working me hard, I know they still have a lot up there sleeves and look forward to seeing what they can through at me. Friday I had physio again in Ottawa, Jacquie (therapist) supported me but had me standing beside my bed. What a crazy feeling to be able to stand but not feel it but oh what a feeling.

 

Some of you must be wondering what I really do with my time in physio and as much as I try to explain I'm sure its hard to picture so I've attached a few videos for your pleasure. Some feel it's hard to watch me struggle, especially at tasks that come so easy to you all. It's not pretty but it will give you a good idea. You can now understand why this is exciting for me as I am working muscles below my injury level. It's amazing.

Daily Prayer ... Complete healing, that my shoulder will hold up to the work out, voluntary muscle movement over all strength. Safety on the road to and from Detroit (we're in traffic now) be with the girls as they head into another week of school that all will go well.

We love you all. Hugs Sandra