Archived Updates: 2004
- Update from Debbie: February 2, 2004
- Update from Debbie: March 25, 2004
- Update from Debbie: May 20, 2004
Update from Debbie: May 20, 2004
Pete and I had the incredible privilege of meeting with Christopher Reeve last week. Craig and Kathy from the QUAD Foundation were also in attendance it was a magical hour. Chris (we call him Chris now) was in town for a private speaking engagement, and he made time in his busy schedule to visit with the four of us, and tell us all about his current projects. First on the list is his new legislation – the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act. If you haven’t already, PLEASE write to your Congress person and ask for their support of this legislation, it’s so very important to everyone in the SCI community. This Bill is about research, and treatment, and quality of life for the spinal cord injured. Please go to http://www.capwiz.com/reeve/issues/alert/?alertid=2128786 and “stand up for those who can’t.” Please also just take a moment and look at the groundbreaking momentum in research and support this web site and the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation is generating. Mr. Reeve (I mean Chris) also discussed the latest research around the world; there is SO much going on. Some of the most promising work is being done right here in San Diego at UCSD and Salk Institute, and up the street at UC Irvine! This is SO very exciting and offers immeasurable hope for the future.
Christopher Reeve is a powerful, focused, driven man. I believe he will accomplish his goal of recovery. It was an honor to meet him. Pete enjoyed the meeting a lot - he likes telling his friends he met Superman! I told Chris he is my hero and my anchor. He could never imagine the strength we find from his example of true courage and commitment. Thank you all for sharing it with us.
We are looking forward to the 3rd annual “For Pete’s Sake” tournament – can’t wait to see you all there again!
God Bless All of You!
With love,
Debbie and Pete
Update from Debbie: March 25, 2004
Pete Update:
Our trip to St. Louis in February was a great success. My brother Dave flew in from Pittsburgh to help with the transfers and provide ongoing entertainment! Usually we do two transfers a day with the Hoyer lift, but the trip to St Louis was a record-breaking 20 transfers in 3 days without the Hoyer, and I was really glad to have Dave along to help! Pete accomplished all the tests with ease, and the bone density scan revealed that he is still off the chart compared to other 21 year old males – from the normal population! We were amazed, but really nothing about Pete should amaze me anymore. We laughed when Dr. Sadowsky turned out the lights before drawing Pete’s blood for testing and reminded us that she was from vampire country (Romania). Dr. Sadowsky is so special to us, and her research assistant, Sarah, is a delight. We even spent some time with Pete’s therapist, Sakina. It was just a wonderful trip.
Pete started riding his ERGYS 2 bike, but had to return to the hospital in February for more kidney surgery. So there has been some delay, which is frustrating, but we are still hopeful and optimistic. Pete is back in the hospital now for a weeklong procedure to clean out that right kidney once and for all. (I am in the waiting room writing this update because the hospital room is full of his friends and no room for mom!) Next we will begin treatment on the left kidney and then, hopefully, Pete will be able to ride the bike three times each week. We will keep you posted on his progress.
The insurance company is discussing settlement options with our attorney, but nothing has been decided. They may be worried that the US Supreme Court plans to address the issue of suing HMO’s for damages during this session. Maybe insurance companies will be more likely to cover essential services and benefits if they can be sued for damages over and above the cost of treatment. Whatever it takes, we need to push for positive change.
Thank you, friends, for your continued support, and your prayers.
Update from Debbie: February 2, 2004
Dear Friends,
I know it’s been a while since the last update, and I apologize. We have been very busy seeing doctors and therapists trying to make Pete healthy again after a frightening ordeal with kidney stones and a subsequent infection. The Urologist still has a little more work to do on Pete’s right kidney, then we tackle the left kidney, and then Pete is back in the game. Next week we go to a new Physical Therapist in RB to restore movement and relieve pain in his right shoulder, which has been a chronic problem for Pete since the very beginning. As I said, we have been busy!
Later this month Pete and I are going to St. Louis for initial tests and lab work for Dr. Sadowsky’s clinical trial to scientifically prove the ERGYS II bike improves the quality of life for quadriplegic patients. We are very excited to be a part of this life-changing trial that will ultimately provide insurance participation (and physician referral) for patients like my son. Thank you Christopher Reeve for this program, and Thank you “For Pete’s Sake” for the ERGYSII bike!
Also happy to report that American Airlines must have modified their policy regarding quadriplegic travelers – I had no difficulty at all in getting their Special Services Manager to upgrade Pete to first class this time! So we’ll be flying in style again, probably take in a movie or two. Maybe we’ll even go to see the “Arch” this time!
We have a wonderful new care-giver 4 hours a day – Debbie is the answer to my prayers. She exercises and massages Pete’s muscles every morning, ranges his joints to keep him limber, and gets him up in his chair, which takes a couple of hours. Debbie knows a thing or two about fitness, and most importantly she’s a mom, so she is perfect for the job! Debbie makes a big difference for all of us and we are so grateful for her – thanks, Sharon! And Pete’s dad is still here, caring for him when I’m at work and keeping busy with remodel jobs for ‘flexible’ clients – thanks Linda!
Thank you all for your continued interest in Pete’s recovery – every day somebody asks about my boy. And every day his friends surround him at home, he is almost never alone. His friends remain my heroes – we will be feeding a group of them chili on Superbowl Sunday – Go Patriots!
Most of all, thank you for your prayers. They are working.
I’ll write again after our visit to St. Louis!
Love,
Debbie