Presurg...

I had the pleasure of representing P&G on AAFP's advisory board in Miami Beach. P&G and AAFP have worked together for 18 years and done some "neat" things to improve the public's health. While it was great to be with AAFP's elected and staff leadership, we spent the better of 2 days in a very nice windowless room...100 yards from white sandy beaches, turquoise water, bathed by a 75 degree cloudless sky. Between meetings and a group dinner Monday night, I did get to walk 4 miles on the beach board walk with Pam.

Pam WASN'T in the boardroom, (if she says otherwise, compliment her tan). She did pay her dues getting us both home, as flight after flight was delayed or canceled. The night ended around 1 am, as we took a cab from Dayton (our car was in Cincinnati) down a single track on the deeply snow covered highway, to our home.

I had my neurosurgical presurg today (the reason we needed to get HOME). The doc reviewed my latest MRI's, noting the significant damage still evident in the C3 area and stated again that people with this type of injury, normally don't walk.

Thank God for miracles. Having written "miracle," I chuckle... What a difference perspective, time, family and friends make! Not so long ago I might not have been thankful to hobble around and been ready to call it a "miracle!"

rws

Colorado...

Attending the American Board of Preventive Medicine meeting in Colorado Springs. Great location and gorgeous weather. Nice that Pam's here with me!

Passed another walking milestone prior to getting on the plane: 6 miles in 99 minutes. Shoulders sore, mild clonus.

rws

Steps...

Alrighty then... I'll put it in writing... I'm (with Pam at my side) going to complete a half marathon before 2009 limps into history... want to come a long?

I'm now off antispasmotics (in prep for spinal fusion) and completed 5 mile walk today in 83 minutes... (shaved a whole 3 minutes off last attempt)... I'm pleased that I didn't have much clonus at the end!

It's was about 4 months ago that I took that first step in my recovery from paralysis... My goal with the half marathon is to walk and finish... It's a personal thing AND if a "cripple" can walk his way to health, what's stopping you?

There, my New Years resolution is out... Join me in making our "Lifestyle the best Medicine"

Regards-
rws

Updates;-)

MRI didn't detect any significant degeneration and I'm scheduled for c-spine surgery 17 February.

I've graduated from this round of PT/OT and will reengage postop. Truth is the insurance company Humana, dropped my treating hospital and Dayton's only neurotrauma center from their coverage. (Health care "system"??)

Off baclofen, silly me I didn't think it was "helping"... turns out it helps very nicely with clonus and stiffness.

Working 8 hours a day... stiffness and dysethesia... otherwise going pretty well...

rws

New Year Update... 4 months...

Awaiting results from an MRI done earlier this week. Increasing "burning" sensations and sensitivity to light touch and temperature stimulated exam. Spine surgery now scheduled for 17 February.

Strength and coordination continue to improve. Pam and I walked 4 miles on the trail this weekend and I was able to complete 5 miles in 88 minutes, on the treadmill yesterday. (I've got a goal in mind).

Change at Procter & Gamble as the two people who were my direct "bosses" took early retirement. I'm continuing to work a reduced schedule and am looking to reduce the number of departments I lead. I'm very interested in increasing my focus on "Lifestyle Medicine."

Intellectually I understand how blessed I am, emotionally I'm a bit fatigued.

New Year... renewed hope... rws