Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Some news on my current status!

Well its mid January, and as I look back on where I was this time last year, my progress is simply amazing! My shoulder surgery was on January 10th of 2008, over a month after I was in the accident. My shoulder was shattered and needed extensive surgery, but due to my body being unstable they had to wait almost a month to do the surgery. I stayed at UAMS for another week after my shoulder surgery and left January 17th (my birthday) for Baptist rehab. Looking back on those days were tough! I remember the ambulance ride to Baptist Hospital and being in agony from the pain. You must remember for a month and a half I had only sat up a few times in bed. I remember my PT at UAMS trying to get me ready for Baptist Rehab, by getting me to SIT UP IN BED! haha BABY STEPS!! I remember trying so hard and struggling to sit up. Its amazing to see what I am capable of doing today, and I know I have a lot more recover in my future.

As I mentioned in my previous post I have signed up for several clinical trials and interviews at research facilities. I received a call from Gainsville on the clinical trials I had signed up for several weeks ago. The gentleman said that they were no longer holding trials for that particular study. He told me the trial had ended several months ago but they hadn't been taken off of the clinical trials registry. However, he wanted my info because he thought I would be a good canidate for future studies. I did a phone interview discussing my progress and my abilities. The gentleman was amazed at my progress and told me that he was sure they would have a study in the near future that I would be great for the clinical trial!

On January 30th I have an interview with the Miami Project. My family and I are driving to Miami to visit the facility. I received a phone call from a lady at the Miami project who told me that they were not a REHAB facility but a research facility. They Miami project only does clinical trials to test new therapies and drugs to cure paralysis. They are doing cutting edge research on stem cells which I am anxious to be apart of the studies. Please pray that I will be apart of this research!

Also in several months I will be going back to Shepherds to the BEYOND THERAPY research rehab!

I am so blessed to have the support and love from so many of you! Thank you for reading my blog and following my progress! More than rehab, studies, and therapy PRAYERS are what are curing my body. Please continue the prayers!! Doctors are already amazed at my progress. I am asked constantly what I would contribute to my success and I always say...IT IS GOD, THROUGH PRAYERS AND FAITH!! I still believe that to be the key to my recovery. Thank you for your love and support! Im going to use this injury to glorify God in all that I do. I will give him the honor and Glory to all my success and progress. My accident is to bring others to Christ. I hope and pray that I am used as an instrument to further his kingdom.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!
SO MUCH IN HIM,
BRENT

2 comments:

Dave Reed said...

Brent, I have one question. Are you working harder? Remember what your coach said, you have got to work hard if you want to walk again. He did not say walk with a natural stride, he just said walk. Who cares if you are a little wobbly at first, with hard work and practice you WILL get better. So make sure you are wearing that walker out. Are you for sure going on the 30? Or are you going on the 29th and coming back after your meeting. Keep me posted. We would love to plan a Super Bowl party for all of your support team. Do you have any plans for the game? Let me know. You can call me or we can talk Sunday. Keep a positivve mind, it is the only kind that moves forward.

sensdelune said...

Brent happy b-day a day early! I love this sentence " My accident is to bring others to Christ." I could not be more proud to have you as my friend.

Love ya,

Kimberly