I thought it might be interesting for those of you following this to know what a typical day at Shepherd involves. This morning I awoke around 7:30. My aide came in a short while later and performed my morning catheterization. My occupational therapist arrived at 8, and together we worked for 90 minutes on transferring me from the bed to the shower, taking a shower using a shower wheelchair, transferring back to the bed, drying and then dressing myself, and then transferring once more to my wheelchair. Sounds simple, but it ain't easy, although it is noticeably easier than it was a week ago. At 10 I met my recreational therapist and she took me and one of my neighbors down to the gym with more weightlifting equipment. She put me on a device that had me pushing and pulling on handlebars of sorts which moved my legs and feet in a cycling motion. This is is supposed to build endurance and improve muscle tone and blood flow of the legs. Did this for 20 minutes, and then over to another machine that allowed me to work on strengthening my back and arm muscles. I still notice some lightheadedness with exertion, but it still feels good to break a sweat again. Free from 11 to 1 for lunch, tidying up my room, listening to some music on the sweet Denon sound system sent to me by my Vinyl Club buddies (thanks Rodney, Will, Jimmy, Reid and Bob), and catheterizing myself. Typically I would have a session with physical therapy in the afternoon, but today a group of 4 patients along with our PT and OT will self propelled down Peachtree Avenue to a grocery store in order to shop for items for a cookout we're having tomorrow afternoon. Wheeling back in 90 degrees going mostly uphill left me exhausted. Most of the structured activities are over by 3 or so, leaving time for rest or even a nap.[...]

One of my oldest and best friends from growing up in Harrisonburg who now teaches at Mercer University in Macon Georgia, Robert Good, visited me last Sunday. He was one of three Roberts who were virtually inseparable throughout junior high and high school.There is something very special about sharing time with someone you’ve known since childhood, who has seen you at your best and your worst, and from whom you can hide nothing. Thanks so much for making the trek up, Rob.[...]

Now, a trip down one of the more mundane avenues of recovery from a spinal cord injury: the gut. Those of you with a weak stomach may want to skip this one. [...]

 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. [...]

I must say that I am at somewhat of a loss to describe how incredibly grateful I am for the outpouring of love and support I’ve received since my accident. I have been deeply touched  by all the prayers  and good vibes being sent in my direction. Words fail me, so I’ll just say thank you. Keep ‘em coming![...]

Day Six at Shepherd and Rob keeps moving forward.  We are happy to report Robert is sleeping  through the night and that seems to be making a huge difference in his recovery.  Still lots of pain in the ribs and back which slows down physical therapy.  [...]