Update 8/10
First of all, thanks again for all the notes of support. They really do help in bolstering my mood, and remind that I am not in this alone. However, I have to admit that the process of rehabilitation and recovery is a good bit more challenging than I initially anticipated. It seems like there are nearly daily setbacks, but these are almost always accompanied by corresponding steps moving forward. It is definitely a non-linear process, and I am trying to be patient, which, as most of you know, is not something that comes naturally to me. Despite the slow progress, small milestones are achieved on a regular basis. For instance, yesterday I was able to catheterize myself for the first time, and today I put on my shoes for the first time. The largest looming goal is to be able to transfer myself from a bed to the wheelchair, and from my wheelchair to another surface. It sounds easy, but involves a series of small, counterintuitive movements, and has frustrated all of my efforts to date, but hopefully for not much longer. I am gradually gaining more strength and function in my arms and hands, but progress is slow. I won’t pretend that I haven’t become frustrated and discouraged at times, but fortunately most of these episodes have been relatively short-lived. I can see with my own eyes just by rolling around the floor that my accident could have been much worse and left me with far more devastating injuries and long-term deficits. I’ve also found it useful to concentrate on the immediate goals in front of me instead of allowing the immensity of the work and challenges that remain to overwhelm me. Being mindful and remaining in the moment (when I can remember to) have helped me to deal with the shifting tides of pain, pleasure, sadness, joy, aversion, and grasping.....in other words, the “Full Catastrophe”, as coined by Zorba the Greek, and absconded by Jon Kabat-Zin. With the support of my amazing Nancy and the wonderfully attentive staff here at Shepherd, not to mention your well wishes, it is impossible to stay down for long.
Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers, juju, karma, etc. (I’ll take whatever I can get!).
Comments (52)
Thank you for the update. You are an inspiring man and I know God has even greater things in store for you. I was just talking to Dr. Raybon about you this morning! You are in our thoughts and prayers daily! Keep up the progress!
Rob - you are in our constant thoughts and prayers. Please know that the entire Chautauqua community is with you in your daily rehabilitation, and we’re supporting you from afar. You do have an amazing partner in Nancy! Lean on her love and strength. Our hearts are with you... Anita Lin & Mike Morley
Way to go ROB! Hang in there. You rock!
One day at a time, celebrate the small things that lead you to the bigger ones. You’ve got this sir. Thinking of you, Dianne Moody
❤️
Thank you so much for the update! I so admire your determination. I will continue to pray that your times of encouragement and progress will out number your moments of discouragement. 😀 Know that the prayers for your rehab are accompanied by many prayers for strength...mental and physical as well as emotional, for the whole Kyler family. You are ALL in my thoughts daily! 🙏🙏🙏 Karen
Thank you for the update. Please know my husband and I are following your progress and sending our prayers and thoughts. Nancy....I sent you an email on your gmail account. Hugs to both of you.
Dear Rob: How brave of you to expose your vulnerability. I can't imagine how overwhelming the challenges must feel, as if unsurmountable. You are tackling a physical as well as emotional and mental shock all at once -- I don't even know how one would process all of that! You are learning a whole new way of navigating, and I'm confident you will master it. I do have an understanding of "non-linear progress" -- artists and other freelancers do that all the time ;) and it is a very different mindset than the more traditional paradigm of working one's way up a ladder towards a goal, as there tends to be lots of meandering on the way to acheivement. Frustration and discouragement are part of the deal (hey were you never frustrated with your kids, and look at those spectacular beings now!!!!). This is the time that your years of meditation practice will surely serve you well. Maybe not prayers, but I continue to send thoughts, juju and karma your way. Would love to be there to give you and Nancy a big juicy hug (or two)....xrb
Hang in there Dr. Kyler, you will get through this and we in RT will be there for you and work with you. We all await your return
This is Jo Terry, AMA Alliance friend of Nancy's, writing to let you know that you all have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout each day. I used to have a get well card with a caricature of a grinning nurse holding a tray with a very large hyperdermic syringe. The inside greeting read, "Cheer up, cheer up! It could be worse...suppose you had ME for your nurse!" I'm just up the road in Knoxville and if Nancy and you say the word, I will come down I-75 to keep you company. However, I'm too out of practice to be your nurse. Please know that I am just one of many of the AMAA friends across the country who are supporting you in your recovery.
Thanks so much for the update Rob! We hang on every word. And as the wise ones say: YA CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN. (I’m not sure who the wise ones are, i just know they say it and it’s true). Hugs, love, and good juju being sent to you and Nancy and your community. Xxoo.
Loved seeing you and Nancy in May, glad you contacted us. So considerate and just plain friendly. Pretty evening. If anyone I’ve ever met is capable of dealing with this, it’s you two.
Thank you for sharing honestly about your non-linear, up-and-down days. We think of you often and it helps to know your state of mind. We are praying God graces you with all you need to not only survive but thrive again - both you and Nancy. Love to you, Eldie and Lynn
Rob. I read of your recovery with so much admiration. Having that positive force forward is more than half the battle. A battle you are winning. I think of you and pray for you and your family. Cannot wait to hear you are back at work helping to heal others. 💕 From me, my Dog, three cats and all of the alpacas.
“This too shall pass” and one of these days in the very near future you’ll look back and be like damn I did it! You’re amazing! And you’re making progress in leaps and bounds just as we all knew you would! And honestly we expected nothing less from you! So very proud of you!! Love to you and your beautiful family-Jenny
Good to hear from you Rob. Keep up the good work and courage! I know from past experience that continuing to focus on immediate goals rather than being bummed out by the big picture can be difficult. You and your family are constantly in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Hi Dr. Kyler, Thanks for the update. I enjoy your reports as much as you enjoy our notes! I worked at Augusta this week so Shreya could have time to study for the boards. (It’s nice to put my brain in gear from time to time. 😂). Shreya thinks she did OK on the test, so no worries about that. However, you may want to concern yourself about possible/probable wheel chair activities when you return. You know...the “hallway races” and “who can do the best wheelie”?!?! I’m sure you have incredible wheel chair skills leftover from med school, but just in case, you may want to...you know, beat Jordan???? Just saying. Take care Dr. Kyler. Not a day goes by without a prayer or two from me. Now I’ll pray you whip Jordan in the hallway races!! Mandy
I am glad that your training is helping to give you comfort. I am relieved that you are letting the flow guide you and are being mindful when frustration enters your mind. I look forward to your updates and am celebrating all of your accomplishments. They are HUGE and in such a short period of time. I am super proud of you!!
Rob, BTDT. Rejoice in all of your victories and take time to renew your spirt. Rest, meditate, center your thoughts. I know your rehab is mentally and physically exhausting. Acknowledge the feelings of loss but keep moving forward in your blessings which are many. I can assure you that A&P will come in handy during rehab it is a good thing you made top grades. Take good care of your skin and your sense of humor. Don’t take the stairs! Peace. Colleen
Thanks for the update. We celebrate your progress and continue to pray for you physically and all other aspects of your life. Can't wait to see you when you get back to the Valley. Gerry and Pam Lehman
You gonna get some hugh 'guns' soon, I will not bet you at arm wrestling. Love ya. Wayne
Thanks for the update. It takes a very brave man to say what you just said. We hope our prayers are helping, but most of all that your determination holds up under this (almost) insurmountable stress. May God bless you and give you strength. Pat and Harrison
Give yourself some grace. You're more awesome than you know 😊 Continued prayers for you and your family. LB
Boatloads of good juju coming your way from the Shenandoah Valley. Recovery and rehab is a hard road but if anyone can do it, you can. Love, Virginia
Sounds like lots of progress to me in a very short amount of time, especially with all those healing ribs. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will master everything they throw at you, just maybe not as quickly as you would wish! Still sending lots of love and healing your way every day!
You and your amazing Nancy march on. We support your decisions.
Rob, I know you are in a tough part of the rehab process. Your focus is admirable. Knowing that you have so much to offer friends , family and patients going forward with your spirit, intellect and perspective will help you get through this time. Hang in there!
Rob- You’re a great writer! Inspiring and moving to read of your experience. Thinking of you and Nancy daily!
Rob, this might sound cliche but think on it a bit...everything you have learned and taught has prepared you for this time (even the fact that you are physically fit). It doesn't mean it's going to be any less stressful but it does mean you have the resources, within you and all around you, to continue to be the best that you can be. You and yours continue in my thoughts and prayers.
Rob, so good to have your comments. I hope sharing is as therapeutic for you as it is for us! We'll keep sending the Karma. Dusty and Theo
Robert, we continue to think about you often and pray. I shared this latest post with my son as I know he can fully relate and gain from your experience. You describe the ups and downs so well. Thanks for keeping us posted and just keep on keeping on. Martha and Marvin
Wow! You are certainly an inspiration! You have so many folks rooting, thinking and praying for you daily! We miss you here at AH and will look forward to your safe return.
As you well know and are now finding out first hand the roller coaster of rehab is a tough one, but like others have said when you really know that the light at the end of the tunnel is not the train coming at you, all of the pain, doubt and frustration will just be a thing of the past and you will see the beauty of all things in that light. God is certainly on your side and you are surrounded by some wonderful people, so keep plugging away young man. You are in our daily prayers and thoughts, wishing for a god week, Brian and Penny
Hi Dr. Kyler, thanks for the update! You are truely an inspiration to us all. Praying for your recovery and return to Va. I am sure you are missed at AH.
It's great to hear of your progresses! I think there will be numerous ones over the coming days and so on, but I'm glad to see that you are seeing these as challenges to be beaten and not insurmountable obstacles. Nancy is such a wonderful person, and I am so glad that you have her there to help meet those challenges! Lots of prayers coming to both of you daily... Susanna
Well I was more than a little shocked to hear the news this week of your accident and excited about your quick move into rehabilitation. My best friend was there for a few months and did beautifully upon release. They do wonderful things. I just wanted to drop a note to let you know that I am sending positive thoughts and energy to you and your family. Very soon you will be home again so in the mean time kick some ... um ... backside and get well soon. Best, Sandra Krichbaum (patient)
Thanks so much for these inspiring updates and glad to know that you are making steady if challenging progress with the help of mental toughness and the amazing Nancy! Here's hoping the setbacks get steadily smaller and the milestones more manageable.
Hey Rob, Miss you. Hope to see you soon. And if you’re ready to take on some more stuff, I could definitely show you how to play the bass. Legs not needed. Time to start a rock band.love you my brother.
Thanks for these updates, Rob. They are honest, encouraging, realistic, raw, and hopeful. I appreciate it! I continue to hold you before the God who (I believe) is present in all our human weakness and limitations, even while working toward the healing and restoration of all creation, including you. May peace, strength, and courage be yours daily.
Attaboy Kyler!! You can and are doing it. Way to inspire and lead us all. Bill and Eleanore
Sawyer Talley wants to come see you.
Hey, Rob. Thanks for keeping us all up to date and for keeping it real. Your honest exposure of your successes as well as your struggles is indicative of the tremendous mental strength and emotional resilience that you have cultivated over the years. I bet you are also developing some guns that Tony Horton would envy. You rock!
Hi Rob & Nancy, Everyone who knows you here at Chautauqua loves you so much. It’s not the same without you around here. Your inner strength is shining through all of these posts. We join the many who are praying daily for your recovery and look forward to seeing you again. Love Carol & Bobby
Jenn & I walked by your house on the way back from the movies. It can’t wait to see u back at Chq. Thx for the authentic posting, sharing reality. Take care! John & Jenn Haughton. PS ... Slugs lost the championship...
Rob - Grant and I are thinking about you and your family. It comes as no surprise to us that you have this outpouring of love and support. For it is what you have done for others for a long time. Your very real reflections of the good and the bad allow us to cheer you on in an authentic way. Hopefully, the process will get easier and less painful. Know we are thinking of you often and looking forward to seeing you in Virginia! Kay Harrison
Rob, I so appreciate hearing your updates. Whenever I think of a response, I am flooded with all kinds of thoughts and words, most of which others have also expressed. I can't begin to imagine the grueling days you face, both mentally and physically. You are to be commended for pulling yourself back to the top, for celebrating each small step which leads to the "big picture". You, Nancy, Alex and Jordan, and your care givers remain in our constant thoughts and prayers. Big hugs!!
Rob, Please know that you are in my thoughts and I am sending you incredibly strong intentions for healing and recovery. You are making great progress and I know it has to be challenging. You have said as much. You are experiencing the gamut of just about everything as you move along on this journey...a hero's journey that you would not have chosen, but are facing with admirable courage and grace. I am praying for you...and also sprinkling fairy dust every chance I get!
Rob, Your writings evoke scary memories of transfers w/ a sliding board, transfers w/o the board etc. Then onto independent ADL's including driving and return- to-work. I have every confidence you will do this! One day at a time... You remain in my frequent thoughts & prayers. Darlene
Dr. Kyler: I have asked my network of family and friends to focus their prayers and thoughts on your progress. Please know how much we all appreciate YOU!
Hi Rob, Since we heard about your accident we’ve been praying for you, Nancy and your family. We pray that you stay strong, keep a positive attitude and have a degree of comfort and healing every day. As you must tell your patients, take it one day at a time!!! From the posts I’ve been reading, I’d say you are on your way to accomplishing all those things! While we lived across the street on Haven for many years, I didn’t know what a great sense of humor you have. That is certainly an asset for recovery! Even for a layman like me, I can laugh at the “insider medical references”. Please give our best to Nancy. We miss seeing both of you and look forward to new beginnings next year. Thanks so much for sharing these posts with us . Keep them coming. Cecelia and George Grasser
Dear Rob, I want you to know that I'm thinking of you and sending you a lot of love and good vibes! Thanks for posting, it's really great to hear how you're doing. Love, Katie.
Rehab - definitely not for wimps. Sounds as if the adage "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is alive and well at Shepherd. The positivity in your comments need to be modeled by all of us who stand in awe of your commitment to not let your accident take away from your commitment to return to a place of making life better for the rest of the world. Hang tough, Rob.