BEST Day EVER!

In celebration of the two week mark...day 14...Kirk walked 14 blocks!!

When I asked Kirk what he wanted to say on the blog today he said, "This has been the best day EVER!" You can see those words in his face, actions and of course, his attitude.


Our Physical Therapist came again today and told Kirk he can see continued improvement in him each time. That alone has got to make a guy feel great!!


Dad and Dave (nephew) installed a shower bar yesterday and I cannot tell you how much of a difference that made for BOTH of us! I must admit that our first home shower experience is now referred to as "The Shower Incident".

I thought I was completely prepared to assist Kirk in the shower. I had a shower chair in the tub, his shower gel, scrubby (like a loofa only much more manly), a towel to dry off with and clothes to get into afterwards.

The first sign of a problem came as he sat down on the shower chair. I had not considered that it was on the lowest setting possible and was so low that Kirk immediately said, "Oh crap...this is low!" I tried to reassure him that everything was okay and, since we only have a 20 minute time frame for him to be sitting and/or standing, we should get him washed up and I would be able to assist him out of the shower.

By the time we finished with the shower Kirk was uncontrollably shivering(He generally keeps it so cold in our house that you could hang a side of beef!) I grabbed another towel and tried to get him covered and dry. He tried to stand up but did not have the strength. He said, "This is not good." As a police Officer/Firefighter/Paramedic, Kirk has had the opportunity of rescuing many citizens who, for one reason or another, are stuck somewhere in the bathroom, usually without clothing. I can't imagine that his mind did not consider himself on the other side of the rescue.

I immediately thought of the Caregiver Support Groups and classes that I have instructed and went into action. I placed one foot in the tub, between his legs, one outside of the tub, squatted lower and had him use me as his support to stand. He calls it a "Fireman Lift" I call it miraculous! We got him out, dressed and back into bed. It was so hard to get his body to calm back down and to get his pain under control but he kept saying, "I'm so glad I can feel my legs. I'm so glad I can feel my legs," I love how he can put life into perspective so quickly.

He slept so good. I would like to say my preparations helped but I'm afraid it was my lack of preparations:/ Either way....we worked through it together and all is well. That's the way you get through anything...together. I am so glad we are on this adventure together.....it would be so lonely without him.

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This is the beginning.......

   Well, the ride of Kirk's life was yesterday. Favorite son-in-law Steven and nephew Kenny were along for the adventure at Cherry Creek at the Sand Dunes. The sky was overcast and the weather couldn't have been better. Steven was the only one who remembered to bring his contour cam to document the ride and fortunately, or not, he was riding behind Kirk.
   The ride for the boys lasted only about 20 minutes before the soft sand sucked Kirk's front motorcycle tire and he crashed. He felt immediate pain in his back and from his waist down he had no feeling. He laid there for a minute while making his own paramedic assessment; Airway, check. Breathing, check. Circulation, check. He decided that it was a pinched nerve and if they just waited a few minutes he would be fine and they could continue on. After a few more minutes Steven and Kenny gave Kirk a hand up but within an inch or two of his shoulders coming off of the ground he stopped them and said maybe they should get some help.
   It took a while to get the Juab County Sheriff there and then Air Med stopped by to take him to the hospital. It has been 24 hours now and he has gone into surgery to repair the 12th thoracic vertebrae that has been crushed.
   He is in Neuro Trauma ICU for the next few days and then we will go from there. We are planning on quite a bit of rehab over the next few months.
    Kirk has a super upbeat attitude about the whole situation and we are both firm believers that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.
   In the few moments we had alone last night we talked about all of the changes we have made in our lives over the last few months and how it has helped make the current situation the best that it could be at the moment.
   Kirk said that it was an amazing day, it started with a motorcycle ride, then a helicopter ride and then a family get together with him as the guest of honor. Anyone who knows Kirk understands that he believes life is an adventure. He told me last night that he is excited to see where this ride will take us next.