Wheelchair

Who's getting new wheels? This kid. Well, at least once insurance approves it.

I am so excited about getting it. Here's a link. It's going to be the Quickie 2 with an awesome butt pillow, foot-rests that swing IN and OUT, arm rest that swing away and are low enough that my shoulders aren't in my neck. And it's going to be a sparkly green (pretty close to the Toxic Green)! And best of all, it's only going to weigh 28 lbs. instead of the 41 lbs. this beast weighs (we weighed it at the Cancer Center...). Also, the wheels pop off, so if I get to the point where I can drive myself, I can just pop off the wheels - put them in my car, then lift the rest into the car and off I'll go! Can't wait!

The Results are In

And they're inconclusive! LOL! Apparently I'm still radioactive. The radiation has made my spine and spinal cord still swollen/inflamed. With the image on the MRI, we can't tell where the tumor is because it shows up the same as the inflamation - of course.

Anyways, I have a follow up with my neurologist and another MRI in three months to see what's going on... so I guess that means I'm doing ok for now - nothing too immediate to worry about.

Photos

Here's some photos. The first is my mom and I trekking through the snow, from the rest stop, on our way to Stanford Med. Joan called this one "sledding." Rather appropriate I suppose. That's one nice looking rest stop, right?

The second one is of the fab new ramp my bro and father-in-law built for me in a day! It's great for the wheelchair, not so much for using my walker.

Thankful

I haven't posted anything in quite awhile. Sorry about that. Basically, I am done with radiation! Woo-hoo! It really wasn't that bad, just kinda hard having to go everyday. Luckily, everyone at Renown Cancer Center is really nice and understanding. I'm actually going to miss seeing the techs everyday.

The good news is things that haven't moved since before surgery are moving! I can actually wiggle my toes, I have some movement in both my ankles, I can bend my right leg up towards but butt while laying on my stomach, walking is easier than before, and I can get off of lower seats easier while sitting! It's amazing, everyday I feel like another part of my body wakes up and says, "Ok, I'm ready to work again." I just can't believe it. I feel like it's a miracle. Joan did say the radiation would work, and I think it is. I guess we'll know for sure next week since I have an MRI on Saturday. :0)

My mom was up here taking care of me while going through radiation. We talking about a lot of things, one being God. I think she's right. People turn to God, usually when we need something or are going through a bad time. I would probably be one of those people. I'm not overly religious but I have to believe because healing myself is beyond me. This is the hardest things I've ever had to deal with because I can't fix it on my own. I've always made my own way, but I can't with this. I have to rely on faith and doctors and technology to make me better.

This whole experience makes me realize just how lucky I am to have done the things I have and to have such great friends and family in my life. A lot of people have reached out to me and have helped me and it's just so touching that people can care about me that much. The other day, Mom and I were watching the news and they were doing a story about the homeless at the tent city. There was a girl there, in a wheelchair, whose name was Jessie. She had just gotten out of the hospital after surgery when her dad died. She was left with nothing and no one to help her. She was living on the street. It made me really think about how easily that could have been me.

So let us all be thankful for the lives we have, the people in them and cherish each moment. Let us be thankful for hope, faith and miracles.