The Road to Panama: Part III

Panama: Round 3

What a long day but we made it. This place is like a second home to us. There is just something so special and magical about being here.  It's amazing the people that we have met along the way on this journey;  the TSA woman in Pittsburgh that wrote my name down on a piece of scratch paper because she wants to pray for me, another man from Texas I met who was heading to see his parents because his Dad was sick.  I told him my story while we were waiting for our flight. We had such a good conversation about stem cells and all the controversy in the US.  He gave me his brother’s number in Panama in case of an emergency. He said he will take care of us if we need anything.  The, as I was being escorted off the plane by two Panamanian guys that didn't speak a lick of English, the pilots and stewards clapped and cheered and chanted good luck as we got off the plane in Panama.

  Sunday was a Great day with my kids. We sat by the pool most of the day.  I felt really well so I attempted my first successful pool transfer. Grabbed the ladder held my chair and went right down with ease. What did I do before You Tube? You can learn a lot from it!!!  I put my feet in the water. While the kids played in front of me. They both begged me to get into the water. I just told them one step at a time. I promised them by the end of the week I'll swim with them. That's a huge accomplishment for me getting to that poolside.  My first time in Panama I was so sick and I couldn't of dreamed of getting in and out that chair. I spent all day and evening in that wheelchair.  It was especially hard at night with the rough transfers from my chair to the bed. I had so much pain and had no strength plus I was really just beginning to learn my body. It always bothered me to watch my kids swim. When I could walk I would take them both one in each arm and just pull them all around the pool. I was their personal raft for so many years.  I was always their jungle gym.  I have so many pictures of us swimming together. I felt so free just sitting their splashing the boys.  I didn't even care about the chair or my paralysis. I was just the old me for a brief time.   The boys watched a clip in a movie where a man in a wheelchair wheeled right up to the pool and jumped in right off his chair into the water.  The boys egged me on saying “we know you can do that Dad, just do it!!! “ I laughed and told them that I know i could but I didn’t need any more injuries right now!!! Christopher is turning into a little man.  He has my heart.  There has never been a situation that I have gotten into in my life that I didn't find a way out.  Christopher is developing that trait. He begs me to get in that pool. He tells me, "Dad, trust me, I'll  lift you out."  What a great day it was. I felt good physically.  Then I grabbed the pool ladder and my chair.  First heave and bam right in my seat.  My kids were so excited. I was too. We talked about it the whole way back to the apartment like it was the greatest thing that ever happened. They kept repeating it and repeating it over and over.  I guess we all love to repeat things when something good happens.

We had dinner later that night with Jim Bregman.  He's the owner of the apartment we rent.  I really enjoyed our conversation.  He studied Judo for 60 years and was the first American Medalist to compete in Judo at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.  We had a great time with him and his girlfriend.  They are the kindest, most good hearted people.  He offered his place to me for my fourth treatment if needed.

Monday we drew all the blood for the stem cells without a hitch. I was so excited to see everybody at the clinic.  They are my family away from home.  Tuesday was the bone marrow extraction. I had to be at Punto Pacifica hospital at 7:30.  Ever since I had my gallbladder out some days I get terrible pain in my stomach. Of course it had to be in full force while I'm getting prepped for the procedure.  It just hurt so badly after I got my IV. I laid there waiting for my turn. I got sick like I wanted to throw up.  The nurses who didn't know much English ran over to me. I kept saying "me siento mal!"  I was pretty sure that meant I feel sick. I almost passed out. Lol. She kept waving an alcohol pad under my nose while I leaned over the bed aiming to hit the big red container.  It passed after a few minutes.  They gave me some medicine for nausea and I was ready to roll. The whole procedure from start to finish took about 3 hours.  When I came out from the extraction I kept waking up and falling back asleep. I did it like 3 or 4 times.  The last time they had this heater blowing hot air under my blankets. God it felt so good! I woke up the last time and I wanted to put my clothes on and leave but I was really comfortable.  I laid there and thought about how many surgeries I had all year.  I've been put under more this year than most people do their whole life!  We spent the evening with Mellissa from the Stem Cell Clinic. We talked about my progress over dinner.  She has seen hundreds of people with disabilities walk through their doors.   She loves her job with a passion.   We all are overly excited about the possible outcomes of this treatment. Hopefully this part of my story is going to get really exciting. I have had thirteen months of therapy and healing.  I fight everyday to move and feel every inch of my body that doesn't work.  The human body is mind boggling and every case is different.  Tomorrow I will receive my first IV and Intrathecal injections.  Tomorrow hope springs eternal.

Update: February 15, 2012

It's been so long since I wrote anything.  When I got home from Panama it was the beginning of December.  I continued to do my therapy.  The muscle movement in my lower back is still there.  To be honest in December I just went through the motions and really had no drive to workout.  Just  the thought of Christmas coming was just a little depressing.  And being in a wheelchair felt like there was just a black cloud over my head this year.  Winter  months have always been tough for me even when I was walking.  I would have to exercise  to shake the winter blues in the past.  And when you're in a wheelchair you can't get the exercise like  you can when you walk.  With the death of my father-in-law in the end of December didn't make things any easier for my  wife and kids.  My kids have  been through so much tragedy within the past year.  We hold it all together and keep moving on. 

 I continue to use the Autoambulator at rehab.  I got picked for a clinical trial for the re-walk program.  I was so excited for this.  My first session I observed another guy using the re-walk suit.  My next session I actually got fitted into the device and practiced standing and sitting.   I didn't get to take any steps that day.  It felt so good to be standing up.  There's a balance point when you're in that suit I was starting to find it and get more comfortable. I had an hour session of just standing sitting and balancing.  I was so confident that I was Going to be able to learn to walk in this robotic suit.  When  therapy was over I got out of the suit in my chair and started heading home.  When I was going to my car I had the worst abdominal pain and it  kept getting worse.  I got into my car broke my chair down, kicked my seat back and just tried to catch my breath because the pain was so bad.  I started the car and took off down the road.  I knew I had an hour drive but I just wanted to get home.  I made it about a mile away from rehab center. I slammed on the  brakes, did a u-turn and drove Like a NASCAR driver to the front doors of Harmerville. I kick my seatback again and laid on the horn waiting for help. A  woman come walking out of the front doors waving to me as I beeped the horn.  It was kind of funny in a way  because she thought I was just saying hi! She come over to my window and I told her to call ambulance.  The pain was so unbearable.  The pain spread  down my legs and even though i am paralyzed I felt tingling the whole way down to my toes.  Then it went up my chest I thought I was having a heart attack.  It was hands-down the worst pain I've ever felt my life.  I broke my back and layed pinned under tree for five hours and was not in this much pain.  I thought I was dying.  Actually got to the point where I accepted if I was dying thats fine, let's just get it over with don't leave me lingering here in pain! An ambulance came and rushed me to St. Margaret's  hospital in Pittsburgh. 

 After a bunch of testing they come to the conclusion that I had a gallbladder attack. I was admitted that night.  The Ultrasound showed that I had all kind of stones in my gallbladder it was inflamed and need to be removed.  Took about six hours in the ER until they finally got me to my room.  I couldn't believe that was back in the hospital.  I went about 36 hours without eating. Till I finally went in for surgery at 5 o'clock the next day!  When I went to go in for surgery I told the surgeon if there's anything else that needs done with my body do it while you're in their  cause I really don't want to come back to the hospital for a while.  He chuckled a little bit and said,"you want me to remove your appendix too?". I laughed and told him I was joking.  He said he would check it when he was in there and if there was a problem he would remove the appendix.  When I came out of surgery the doctors told me I had more than a dozen stones in my gallbladder and my appendix had to be removed to because I was prone for appendicitis.  He said it would've been a matter of time till I would've had to come back for my appendix so they just removed it.  I was released the following day about 1 o'clock.   I had so much abdominal pain it was scary.  Plus I looked like I was about nine months pregnant. I could barely get into the car my stepdad my mother and my sister in law all had to help me in and out of my chair.

 When I got home I hopped right in the bed and was so thankful to be home.  I was so happy to be with my kids.  Braden had to surrender his bedroom to me.  It was too high of a transfe to get into my bed so I had to use Braden's room.  The kids  stayed in the room with me all night, playing with their toys and watching TV.  That night there was no place on earth I would rather be. I was so happy to be home with my kids.  The next two weeks with the hardest weeks I've ever had since being in a wheelchair. Because of the pain from the surgery I didn't move much, I didn't leave the house, I didn't drive. I did nothing but lay in bed get into my chair for an hour or two until I got sick then back in bed.  I know I needed to heal from the surgery but all this sitting around and doing nothing really took its toll on me.  I've always been a positive person.  But I hit rock bottom.  There was one particular day where I just couldn't handle all of this.  I just cried all day.   I just wanted to give up. I missed my old life so bad.  I hated to see any photo throughout this house of me standing. I struggled so hard this week.    I've learned you can't live in the past. And as crazy as it sounds I want to forget about the past.  That's how I get through every day .  A friend from California told me to never forget about my past and who I was.  I told her I have to right now.  You have to live in the present and think about the future. 

 What's done is done and won't ever  be the same.  But I pulled myself together and got through all of that mess.  I just started doing more therapy at another rehabilitation center.  Within the next couple weeks I will start swimming and doing water therapy.  I am so excited to start swimming and getting some exercise.  Just within the past week and a half my core  has strengthened.   My sitting balance has improved.  My mobility is the best it's ever been.  I  got reevaluated at therapy and I've had significant improvements. My injury level is T6 I have sensory feeling at my T10 level. It has been a while since they have tested me.  And learning of all these improvements and feelings couldn't of came at a better time.  So I got my head on straight.   I'm ready to keep fighting.  When I showed the doctors in Panama  what kind of therapy I been doing up here they're so excited for me.  They feel with all my improvements that I am on track and meeting expectations.  Today I'm scheduling my third treatment. 

A week and a half ago I wanted to give up.  Now I'm back in high gear ready to make something happen.  I've had so many improvements since the last treatment.  Such a slow process.  I've taken so many phone calls from people all over the country within the past month. We exchange stories and they want to know about my stem cell treatment,that's why they call.  When I tell them about my life and everything I do day-to-day they are impressed.  Some have been in a wheelchair for three or four years still not driving barely making it to therapy,just struggling. Sometimes I feel like I'm not making any progress. It takes these phone calls to make me realize that I'm truly blessed.   There is nothing I can't do in my life right now other than walk.

PANAMA Trip 2/Second Entry

Chris sent this to me last Tuesday night but alas, my computer was at work and I am just getting the opportunity to post it now!  Miracles do happen.  I know it.  Keep fighting Chris. We all love you so much.  Chris reports...


I got my first intrathecal injection on Wednesday.  That was pretty intense. I felt so much pressure in my back and my tail bone.  My back was sore all night and the tingling in my legs was  nonstop.  My legs also jerked and spasmed all night.   I remember waking up in the middle of the night thinking the umbilical cord cells must have been from BamBam. Lol.   I was wiped out all night after the injection. Just exhausted. Slept for 12 hours.  Thursday I got an IV injection. No side effects I felt pretty good.  Friday got another intrathecal injections.  I felt good friday.  Therapy is going good. Working hard.  Saturday while waiting for our cab I noticed I could feel a muscle In my left side of my back right above my hip.  I kept trying to flex it all day.  I have never had this sensation.  I just played with this new feeling the rest of the weekend.  We visited the old city of Panama over the weekend.  Some of the most amazing sights you would ever want to see.  The buildings from the late 1600's. Most being restored.  Just simply amazing.  We went and had Peruvian food for dinner.  We also hit the Panama Canal.  Got a little sightseeing in.  It has been easier to do that this time, I just feel like a different person than I did in June. We had such a good day Saturday.  Saturday night I had flu like symptoms.  I guess it could be from the injections. I woke up sweating ready to throw up!  It's amazing how fast I got upright.  It usually takes me a little bit of maneuvering to get up and sitting on the side of the bed.  Having that sick nauseated feeling like your gonna vomit got me sitting upright instantly.  I fell back asleep and felt fine the next day.   I have been up and down the streets of Panama all week.     I need to get some brake lights and turn signals on this chair. I still want to walk so bad. I had a new PT on Monday morning.  My PT Lou Vina I was told was sick and this new girl would be working with me.  She cracked the whip on me.   Here I was thinking substitute teacher time to screw off for the day.  I was wrong. Lol. So many abdominal excercises.  I just kept pushing on. Monday I got my third intrathecal injection.  I had no pain or side effects that day.  I just felt the usual pressure when the cells were injected.  But that night i could feel my muscles in my lower back really flexing! I am feeling my stomach too. It's not a real good sensory touch yet but If you push on my skin I can feel it. The flexing in my lower back is moving around my left side.  I just laid there on the couch flexing those muscles all night to the point of exhaustion.  I  moved them so much that I have cramps in that muscle. I only slept 4 hours Monday night.  You can't imagine how excited I feel right now.  Real movement. This has been such a slow painstaking process.   I feel like the next two bone marrow injections and some intense core work will change me.  This is my goal. I want to be able to do sit ups.  When I'm sitting in the waiting room at the clinic people where rolling out last week saying things like "I got my triceps back.". Another guy came out that same day saying excitedly,"I got my hip flexor back.". It was like these people were rolling out of a Jiffy Lube after a tune up! I was like you have got to be kidding me!!! What about me? But I got my wish.  It's like someone turned the electricity on in my back.  And it feels like its spreading out around my side. I hope it continues.I want everyone here I met here to have some sort of progress.   Again I met many people that have it worse than my injury.  I sat in the waiting room at the clinic with a mother who was there with her son. He's a quad.   We exchanged stories.  Her son was injured this past June. Her eyes just swelled up with tears as she talked about him.  Jen had to leave the room because she didn't want to cry in front of her.  I was broken-hearted for her.  I got a few months on him just assured her that things will get easier.  I just am blessed that I have so much mobility. 

PANAMA: Trip 2

 Chris sent me this blog to post last night. 

Thank you Chrissy for keeping us all posted about your treatment and for sharing your journey with us. I am confident that I can speak for the whole community of  both family and friends when I say we all love you and believe in you.  

Up at 3:00am.  We left Pittsburgh about 6:40. Flight was smooth. We connected in Miami headed for Panama.   I was lying in bed the night before wondering whether I should be making this trip to Panama.  I’m just scared to have no gains. No progress would mean I probably won't come back.   It's like do or die.  I’m trying to think positive but that thought just makes me crazy.   When I made this first trip in mid June I was a different person.   God I was so sick thinking back, both mentally and physically.  I was only 3-1/2 months out of injury. I don't know how I got through that month.  It was so hard.  Nobody will ever understand how difficult.  So far, this time everything seems so much easier.  I'm so much more able bodied and capable it's amazing.   All the furniture that took Jen, Frank and Tawnya to lift me out of I can do myself now. I'm really pumped about that. I went in and out of the sofas and chairs 3 or 4 times just cause I can.  It's a hard uneven transfer but I have been doing it with ease.  It gives me more freedom from the wheelchair.   We went to the clinic about 8 a.m.  Spent a half hour or so catching up with all of our friends from the clinic.   It was so nice to reunite with all of them.  The friendliest and caring people you will ever meet.  They could probably give a few lessons back in the states on courtesy to your patients.  We went to the back room to draw the blood.  They had a hard time hitting my vein.  All the poking around made me so nauseated.  They got about 6 of the 12 tubes drawn and the last thing I remember is telling everyone I'm passing out. Lol.  I spoke too soon about feeling better!

 They need to draw about 12 tubes for the serum for your bone marrow.  I took all my meds and vitamins on an empty stomach. All the travel had me feeling funny too.  I must have created all kinds of chaos in that office. When I passed out my wife elevated my feet, I flipped out the back of the wheelchair and the doctors caught me, picked me up, and put me in a leather recliner. I was in a different zip code when they picked me up! I must have been out for a few minutes. I guess I freaked everyone out.      I was so cold. I was soaked. I asked for a drink right before I passed out and I guess Jen threw it in my face! I had an ice pack on my neck. The nurse gave me an IV of fluids before I left just for a precaution.  I don’t know what happened.   While she was doing an IV in my other arm my arm shook uncontrollably.  As happy as I was to be back on earth with everyone, all the shaking of my arms and legs scared me.  It was crazy.   The one doctor said my reaction was different than a normal able body person fainting because of my SCI.   They wanted to send a nurse to spend the evening but we assured them I was fine.  As a precaution I have to have an EKG in the morning before my bone marrow extraction.   You know my personality, as I lay there half with it, I was smiling and saying what the hell happened.  I don't think anyone was ready for jokes yet.  I scared the shit out of everyone.  My poor wife just sat across from me sobbing.   She had cuts on her arm from trying to catch me.  She also tried to rip my shirt off me.  She tugged my collar and shirt so hard you could fit a family of six in that shirt at the same time.  I loved that shirt but it's toast for sure. Lol. I was kind of bummed the rest of the day.  It was  just not a good start to all this.  But the morning came. I was a little nervous to get the bone marrow extraction just because of what happened at the clinic.  But everything went good without a hitch.  Had  great conversations with the doctors about my progress.  They feel I am on track.   My confidence wavers at times.  But right now I feel like I'm going to do this and i am going beat this.  Treatments are every day till I fly out over the next 2 weeks.  I did great things today. I wheeled a mile home through streets, hills, and a ton of obstacles with a little assistance from my Mom and my wife at times.   I feel more human every day.  Coming back here got me out of my rut I was falling into back home.  Bad first day but a good second day! 

Here is a blog post in my brother's own words.  Chris has an extraordinary will and his courage reminds me every day that I  too must be courageous and live my life to the fullest. It is hard to know what to say or do sometimes for someone special when they have survived such tragedy. I will simply say that I love him, that I believe in him.

Today is 6 months since my injury.  It's amazing how i can have days where i wanna give up. I had to go to the hospital to get a bunch of testing done. I went on my own for blood work, X-rays, plus they wanted an ultrasound of my kidneys or something of that nature.  I had the worst pain in my kidney on my right side. It's good that i feel pain below my level of injury. I'm a T6 Asia A complete.  I think if I did the Asia test again it would be different. I feel lower on my right side of my back.  I just was sick for two days. Everyone left for school and work and i laid in bed sick about my life.  Just thinking how in the hell did this happen to me. When i don't feel good i get bummed out.  Just couldn't get out of bed. Jen called and forced me out of bed. I was in so much pain all day. My buddy Carlo helped me into the barber shop to get a cut and then we went to look at golf carts and ATV buggies.  Helped keep my mind of the pain and by the end of the day i felt better.  That night was bad.    Nobody on earth knows what its like unless your in a wheelchair yourself.  When my boys walk in my room i hide my face cause i don't want them to see me upset.  Their lives seem to have went back to normal or at least as close to normal before march 3.  Last year they called me all day at rehab from school crying everyday.  We were driving home after the first day of school.  Christopher got in the back seat behind me,reached over the seat, wrapped his arms around me  and told me in a crackling voice he missed me and worried about me all day.  I told him i loved him and to relax and worry about school and reassured him I'm fine.  I saw a man at the rehab center all dressed up to a T. Tie,dress shoes and some type of laptop or notebook on his lap talking to another patient in a wheelchair.  The guy seemed like a salesman.  He was also in a wheelchair.  Just felt like i was looking at myself 15 years from now.  God i felt terrible going to my car. Just brought me to reality.  The reality that i might never walk again.  We have been working endlessly on the basement. Its almost complete.  I have a walk in closet in the back room which still needs to be organized.  Most of what i did and loved to do in my life is in that closet.  Hunting clothes and equipment. Shoes and boots. Memories from college and high school. Its hard to see that stuff.  Believe me its hard to see things like that.  It hurts. Makes me miss that guy.  Its like that person is gone.  Just starts the roller coaster of thoughts in my head. Just a bad few days period!  I think i snapped out my rut.  Spent the next day outside with the boys. They where riding the quad all day.  Friends and family where spreading seed and straw in the yard.  Even my boys where carrying bales of straw and sacks of seed.  What a pleasure to watch them grow.  I just stare at them. They make me happy.  I love to hear their witty comments and conversations with everyone while they work.  Some of the stuff Braden says is so funny.  When days are bad a good days usually around the bend.  I'm a few weeks away from getting fitted for braces to walk.  My standing times are 20 minutes and i feel good after the 20.  I could go longer but my therapist says 20 is good.  He did a re-evaluation on me for insurance purposes i guess.  He was holding my left leg and telling me to flex and kick outward several times. He said he feels my muscles flexing.  When i try to flex my left  leg i can get my quad and calf to move. Not on demand all the time. Sometimes delayed. Its not a huge movement its just a small flex.  Just a few little changes.But we talked and came to the conclusion that i could have some regeneration starting.  I let the Doctor's in Panama know about all this and I'm going back for more stem cells.  Flights and rooms are booked. Round 2. Only two weeks this time.  I just have too be thankful I'm alive and keep working towards walking.

On the Road Again: New Blog in my brother's own words~!

It's been a month and so many great things are happening.  Before I left Panama I was having a tingling sensation in my left knee when I would rub it.  When I would get goosebumps on that leg I can slightly feel the sensation.  I can feel the hair stand up on my legs.  It's not a overwhelming sensation but I can somewhat sense those feelings. I also have a few spots on my back where I can feel below my injury level.  When I have someone rub their fingers on the titanium rods in my back I can feel it from the top to bottom.

 My core strength since panama has increased.  When I was in driver’s training before I left for Panama anytime I made a sharp left turn I would end up laying on the training instructor.  It was funny every time I turned left he would hold me up.  I spent the rest of the session trying to get home with only right turns. He prescribed me a chest strap at the time.  I finished my driver’s training the week after I came home from Panama. I did a full week three hour a day.  I was dreading it but I knew I would have my license at the end of the week so I sucked it up and did what I had to do.  My instructor was cool and we just talked about everything imaginable.  I picked up the controls quickly. While we were driving and turning the instructor told me he's canceling the chest strap because I didn’t need it. I didnt even realize that I was able to stay upright regardless of turns.  It was then I realized my core was really strengthening.  I could never put both hands straight out in front of me without toppling over while sitting in my wheelchair. I can do this with ease now.

We drove to Johnstown on Thursday to the DMV.  I took my test like I was 16 again and I got my wheels back that day.  We went and had lunch at Chili’s to celebrate my accomplishment. Lol.  So many things have been better since I have been home.  The elevator was finished so I could access my whole house.  I slept in my bed for the first time in five months.  I showered in my own shower for the first time in five months.  I was sleeping in a hospital bed in my living room and showering at my brother –in- laws since I left rehab. My basement is almost finished. 

My friends and family  put a fully accessible shower and completely finished all my unfinished work.  I'm happy to have it all done but it leaves bad memories of the day I was injured.  I had the whole basement framed,wired, and insulated.  I  devoted all my spare time in January and February.  March 3rd I brought all the insulation out to the fire pit. Figured I would cut a few dead trees to keep the pile burning and that’s when a tree collapsed on me.  The less I think  about all that the better off I am.  I'm not allowed to think negatively!  If I do my wife and kids made up this cute little tune.  They call me negative Nancy and sing this little short song about being negative.  It's hilarious.  I have yet not to laugh when they sing. 

 My boys have adjusted well to everything. Chris would worry about me a little more than Braden.  I tell him that I'm tough and nothing bothers me.  He likes to hear that.  I think I put his mind at ease. They both have a heart of gold. My 8 year old cooks me over easy eggs for breakfast! Then he screams to me to get down here before they get cold!! Talk about role reversal. 

 My oldest makes me omelets and toast.  Anytime i need to use the elevator Braden runs and wants to ride.  He asks me In a real professional voice,"What floor sir?"  He is 8 going on 16. 

Everything is falling back into place.  As close as it's ever gonna get before all this mess.  I had my brother clean out my shed.  When they modified my garage anything in the garage was brought to the shed.  I could only make it halfway to my shed.  My yard is like a war zone. Don’t get my yard put in till next month.  I sat there while my brother held up stuff and told him where it went.  He found all the clothing I was wearing that the paramedics cut off of me the day off my injury.  Even the shoes I was wearing.  I told him to throw it all away.  I did not want to see that.  Bad memories.  I went back in the house. 

 I was in a bit of a rut for about a week or two as soon as I got home from Panama.  Because I was in the hospital before I left for Panama I needed all new scripts from my doctors.  I sat around and did nothing for a week.  That is the worst thing on earth to do.  You can't quit.  You feel like you want to quit about 3/4 of the time but you cannot.  Jen got me moving again.  She said," I don't understand you. You killed yourself for the Arnold Classic. You killed yourself to build both houses. You worked so hard training for that alumni football game. But now that your life is on the line you want to quit. I don't understand you."  I started training that day with my buddy at a local gym.  Jen was right for ONCE! Lol.  I need motivated sometimes. 

 I'm now transferring into my jeep Cherokee. I have been driving to therapy in Harmerville and driving home.  I don't get fatigued as easy as I used too.  I have been using the stem bike and standing frame at therapy.  We met with the therapist when I got back from Panama and told him I need more aggressive therapy than I was getting prior to leaving for Panama.  He told me I need scripts to release me from my doctors at Mercy.  In Panama you don’t need anything.  It's a free for all.  In our country you need a script for everything.  We got the scripts and therapy is going good.  I had my best therapy session yesterday. I stood for double the time of my previous times.  And I worked harder than ever.  I actually broke a sweat.  Felt like a true trip to the gym. 

The next day I laid in bed till  about noon cause I was exhausted from therapy. I'm going on my own next trip to therapy. A true accomplishment for me.  It's only been 5 months.  I have bad days. The good days are outweighing the bad.  Driving has drastically changed my moods.  I drive and forget about everything.  It makes you feel normal.  I even pull my chair in and out of the car on my own.  I pretty much do everything on my own.  My therapist and I discussed braces to start walking in a month.  My strength and ability to stand in the frame is increasing.  Good things on the horizon!!!!