Tuesday August 25th

Today Will went to his first NC Spinal Cord Injury Association support group meeting. He reports that there were about 8 people there, different ages and conditions. They are planning on going out to dinner next week. He also got a peek at a few of other people's modified cars. Otherwise, Will is keeping busy with a lot of phone calls and paperwork. He is trying and learning to navigate the very confusing policies that come along with being disabled ie (long term disability, social security, all the stuff you thought you would never have to think about.) He is looking forward to getting a special bed that will help with pressure relief to ensure he does not get pressure ulcers. In his free time he enjoys harassing our dog (Annie) and cat (Simon). He recently informed me that when Simon lived with him ad his friend Dennis years ago, they shaved him. Awesome. No wonder Simon has issues!

New Address:

Will Archibald
1009 Longwillow Court
Morrisville, NC 27560

Sunday August 23rd, 2009
Sorry it has taken me so long to update the blog. It's been a little hectic 'round these parts :) So where were we? Ty & I closed on our new home Wednesday, August 5th after I had started back at work. Will moved in that following Saturday and our folks were down for a week while he started rehab at Wake Med. He is doing really well and is pretty much independent. He goes to rehab 3 x a week. He gets there via a public transit wheelchair van which is not the most ideal since they have to operate on other people's schedules and it is never guaranteed that he will have a ride. But for now it works and Ty is usually able to pick him up at the end of the day. He has met a guy who is also a para, who has been giving him some advice about his chair and modifying his truck. Will is not totally comfortable in his chair and is still trying to work out some kinks with his vendor. We are still waiting for the appropriate wheels and brakes to come in. Will has also increased the amount of medicine he takes for his spasms. He just started yesterday and already we can tell a difference. His tone was very rigid and was making it difficult for him to stretch and do therapy. So now his legs are more "jello-like." Will is looking forward to his buddy Brett coming to visit. Brett is going to drive Will's truck down here next week. Other than that we are pecking away at getting unpacked and getting the house organized. I am still adjusting to now working 5 days a week and also continuing to train for Ironman Hawaii. Once I locate my camera I will upload some new pictures.

Monday August 3rd 2009

All is well here in NC. Will is doing well down in Pinehurst with Ty's folks. He will move in with us on Saturday. Ty & I close on the new house this Wednesday, and my folks will fly down Friday for a week. Last week Will spent almost 3 hours at Carolina Seating and Mobility. They are his vendor for his chair and bathroom equipment. We were very pleased with their service and they are working with Will to try and get him some new brakes and wheels. His brakes are very difficult to operate and he ordered different wheels, but never received them. So all that is in the works. Will also had an appointment with his new primary care physician. Not sure if he is totally happy with him, and he may end up switching to another doc. Will starts outpatient rehab at Wake Med one week from today. While our folks are visiting, he will practice using the public transportation system down here, so he can go to and from rehab independently. There is a door to door service that is provided down here and we are hoping it will all work out without any glitches. I started back at Duke today. It is so wonderful to work with folks are so genuine and empathetic. Especially since I had not been employed there very long before Will's accident. I am very excited to learn my new role as a lung transplant coordinator. I posted a few pics below of Will in the pool at Shepherd and at his "graduation". I also posted a pic of my in-laws 2 dogs (Brady & Bogey) sitting alongside our dog (Annie). Will has had a lot of fun with the 2 little ones :)

Monday July 27th 2009: Pinehurst, NC

Will & I survived the car trip from GA to NC. We made really good time; less than 6 hours! He is settled in with Tom & Joyce (my in-laws). He will stay with them until about August 8th when we are hoping to move into our new home. This past Saturday night he was able to move his toes AND calf muscle on his R leg! He was also able to barely move his left toes. We were all very excited about this! Hopefully today he will talk to the folks at WakeMed Hospital which is who he will do his outpatient therapy with. This Wednesday he is going to his wheelchair vendor in Apex, NC to get his new wheels and also look into getting a different set of brakes. He has scissor brakes and they are very difficult to lock and access. We are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of his raised toilet seat. Since arriving in NC he has been without it and it makes his bowel program even more of a nightmare. We were able to buy a toilet seat cushion to help take away some of the discomfort from his sitting on the hard toilet seat, but he still has a hard time without the special cutout raised seat. I am back and forth between Raleigh and Pinehurst this week. Ty & I are trying like hell to get the house packed up by closing on Aug. 5th.

Friday July 24th 2009: Thank you Shepherd!

Love ya, mean it.....but we are outta here! Will and I are hitting the road in about 1 hour (around 1pm) and will drive about 6 hours to Pinehurst, NC where Will is going to stay until we close on our new home (hopefully August 5th). He started off the morning by moving almost all of his toes on his right foot! So cool to see! I am super excited to be heading home. Will is not as excited, understandably, since this a new environment and life he will be introduced to. Keep sending him encouraging thoughts please!

Wednesday July 22nd 2009: Pool & big toe movement

I can't upload any pictures or use the Internet right now because my computer is infected, but there will be some good pictures of Will in the pool. He went in for the first time yesterday and then he was in there again today for a water polo match. He really liked it. He is a big sinker though, so he uses a noodle or float dumbbells to hold himself up. The big news is from last night. He was able to move his right big toe! He did it a few times for me. It is very, very subtle movement and it took all of his concentration and energy, but it was still very cool to see :) It is not moving much today though...poor little toe is tired ;)

30 days in a wheelchair

Google it and watch this episode (on Hulu.com it's about 40 minutes...very well done). Will thought "Murderball" was a bit better because it depicts more of what a struggle it is to get up up, out of bed, and get dressed. I haven't seen "Murderball" yet, but I just finished watching the 30 days and I thought it was great. I also thought it was awesome to see a NFL star take on this challenge....watch it and see for yourself....