Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Slowly Making Progress...still having some pain!

Yesterday I went to Orlando and the Lucerne Hospital. The reason for my visit was to be evaluated for Physical Therapy. The Shepherd Center in Atlanta wanted me to continue my rehab so they set up for me to start rehab in Orlando and do outpatient a few times a week. The therapist was blown away by what she was able to see in my legs. She noticed some aductors and abductors (these are muscles on the inside and outside of your hips). She also noticed hip flexors and also glut muscles (butt muscles). She laid me on my side and worked on my legs. I was able to pull my legs back and forth so quickly she couldn't hold onto my legs. She was excited by what she saw and was anxious to work with me.
I am still working out everyday at home and with a physical therapist who comes to my house with her husband several times a week and works me out. My therapist has been a true blessings from God. She is a friend of our families and is very familiar with spinal cord injuries. There is NO DOUBT I would not be where I am today without her help. Between God healing my body and my therapists I have been making wonderful progress. I work on walking everyday with my braces and walker. I am walking further each and every time and with fewer breaks in between. I remember when I first started walking at Shepherd I would take two steps and stop and rest. After an hour I was able to go just a few feet. Since working out everyday at home I have been able to walk out my front door around my sidewalk and up and back down the driveway. I am still slow but my endurance and distance have gone further each and every time.
PLEASE keep praying for my return in my legs. My support group is astonishing. The therapist who evaluated me wanted to know what kind of equipment I had at home. She was blown away by my personal workout gym and my equipment. She asked me, "how in the world did you get all that equipment?" To which my reply was, "I am blessed to have so many people who love me!" That statement is completely true. My support group is beyond anything I could ever imagine. I have thousands of people who pray for me everyday! Your prayers and support are giving me the encouragement to press forward. God is blessing me through your prayers and I KNOW that I will be a tool for him to be glorified.
I ask for everyone to please pray for my shoulder as well. For awhile now my shoulder has been causing me a lot of pain. In time I will need a replacement but my doctor wants to wait until I am older based on the shelf life of shoulders. My doctor was forced to reconstruct my shoulder even though it needed to be replaced. Shoulders only last about 15 years until they need to be replaced. after the second replacement I may not have enough bone mass for the third. They recommend not replacing a shoulder until you are in your 50's. Being that I am 26 my surgeon wanted to reconstruct the shoulder limiting my movement and giving me increased pain. However, if he has replaced it I may not be able to have a shoulder once I was in my 50's. I ask everyone to pray for the doctors to make the right decision on my shoulder. I may possibly need to have the screws and plate removed.
I MUST GIVE THIS ALL TO GOD!!! HE HAS BLESSED ME BEYOND MEASURE!! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! I NEED THEM DESPERATELY!!
I LOVE YOU ALL,
SO MUCH IN HIM!
BRENT

6 comments:

debbie and jim said...

Brent, you are amazing and I know with God's aid you will be walking freely in the future. Thanks for your upbeat and can do attitude. That is ATTITUDE with a capital A. Keep on pushing and we will keep on praying. Give your folks a hug from us. Love to you all, deb and jim

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful update B! That's what I've been waiting on! Sitting here imagining you walking that far! SIMPLY AMAZING... and I can't wait to see it in person. I really HATE how much this shoulder of yours is a barrier! No matter what you do- push your chair or walk, it's really really hard on it. But you push through it, never complain, and surprise us all everyday. If we could all have your strength and perseverance! Hope we get to catch up soon....maybe a trip to LR soon?! Hugs!!
Cristina

Dave Reed said...

Brent,I am amazed at your progress and thank God for all those that are helping you with the encouragement and therapy to go forward. Some people need more encouragemnt than others, but your goal provides a huge boost to you each day. I thank God for the growth of new nerves he blesses you with and all the new muscle responses you are getting as a result. We will now be praying for your shoulder to gain strength and for your walking distance to go farther each day. I did not realize you were walking so far, we will have to get a demo soon. Just remember, "work hard" because you have a mission to return to "One Bucs Place" and give a talk to the team!!! We love you and admire your great spirit and tenacity.

meredith said...

Brent!
I can't wait to see you on your two feet... keep up the great work! You remain in my prayers, every single day. Hope to talk to you soon!
much LOVE from TEXAS

Unknown said...

That is so exciting about the physical therapy in Orlando! We will continue to pray for the decisions about your shoulder. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Robin and Kathy

sensdelune said...

Brent my jaw dropped when I read this sentence "Since working out everyday at home I have been able to walk out my front door around my sidewalk and up and back down the driveway."

God is doing amazing things through you and *you* are amazing!

With love and prayers,

Kimberly