Note:  For 2007 updates, please click here.

 

January 3, 2008

Terry and Wyatt spent a quiet New Years Eve at home and watched the latest Harry Potter film on New Year’s Day.  Earlier in the week Terry’s sister, Gerri, her husband, Mike, and their son Curtis visited from Colorado for a few days. They made the usual visit to IKEA and checked out small household items. Other outings included Trader Joe’s and breakfast out.

Terry mentioned that the foundation for the home addition is scheduled for January 6 and they think it might be finished sometime in March.

Terry has been able to cover ten miles on the FES bike and also work out her arms on the other machine. Sometimes she watches Channel 41 while exercising.

A forthcoming event will be attending a performance of “The Pajama Game.”

 

January 17, 2008

Earlier this week Terry met with her new physiatrist. She specializes in spinal cord injuries and spent quite a lot of time with Terry. Terry said that she liked her very much.

Yesterday Terry saw her endocrinologist to check on matters such as bone density.

She’s been working hard on her FES bike and the similar machine for her arms.

There’s more acting in Terry’s future! She’s been selected to be part of an ensemble in two performances of  “The Vagina Monologues” in February at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. She’s rehearsing the same role she performed a couple of years ago.

Coming up, the Earps will be attending one musical and Terry will be judging another one for the AriZoni awards.

Before long Terry and Wyatt will perform up in Chloride, near Kingman. They’re hoping to purchase a portable, adjustable ramp that they can use on occasions like this when there is no ramp up to the stage.

In April Terry, Wyatt and Danelle are all looking forward to a cruise to Mexico with the Arizona Gunfighters. Probable stops are Mazatlan, Puerto Vallerta, and Mazatlan. Terry especially liked Purerto Vallerta on a prior cruise they took with the Gunfighters.

Great progress is being made on the home addition. The concrete has been laid and wood is being delivered. Terry can view some of the progress from the living room door looking out on the patio.

 

January 23, 2008

Terry received a welcome delivery today. Her Magnesizer was delivered. That’s the machine for her arms that is similar to the FES bike.  Soon they’re expecting the delivery of another machine that will help her arms exercise in a cross country ski motion.  Yesterday she received a botox injection in her left arm. Terry said that for the first time she could feel the injection and it hurt” like a son of a bitch!” She felt that it make it easier for her to do her exercises today. Her PT and OT have now ended so it’s important that she have these machines to exercise on at home.

Terry used the standing frame today for the first time in a long time and was there for 11 minutes, the longest since she’s been back at home. It would be ideal to be there 30 minutes but she can only stand as long as her blood pressure stays up. It takes both Wyatt and Danelle to get her into the frame and they both need to hold her up. Among other benefits, it’s helpful in keeping her bones strong.

Some big news is that Terry got into the van completely on her own for the first time. Twice she turned around in the van and locked herself into position on the first try!

Terry’s been rehearsing for her two performances of “The Vagina Monologues” on February 6 and 7 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Early next week they’ll be attending a session of the Spirit of the Senses. Terry’s looking forward to that because she wants to see the new lofts on Central where the event will be held.

The house renovation is coming along nicely. Two walls have been framed in. Terry says the noise isn’t too bad and that, if work keeps up this way, it might be done in March. They’ll be looking at floor coverings, paints, etc. soon.

Next week they’re expecting a new computer. This one has a touch screen and a large keyboard that she can touch with a tool as well.

Wyatt mentioned that they picked up the new portable ramp that will enable Terry to access stages that don’t accommodate wheelchairs.

 

February 6, 2008

The next two evenings Terry will be performing in “The Vagina Monologues” at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. It is a fundraiser for abused women and Terry appeared in the play the last time it was presented in Phoenix.

The Earps found out that Terry will be eligible for continued physical and occupational therapy as soon as she is able to perform ten tasks. She has met four of the goals:

·         Eating 100% of a meal with a fork and spoon with no assistance

·         Using the hand cycle for 30 minutes without a break

·         Writing a short sentence using adaptive equipment

·         Using the Vitaglide for 15 minutes at Level 1.

The new computer arrived and Terry is busy learning how to use it. She’s been working on writing with the pen on the touch-screen and using email. The program use both voice and punching the keys.

Last week Terry judged “Oklahoma” and this weekend they’ll see the musical “Jeckyll and Hyde.”

Terry’s room is coming along well! The walls framed in and the roof is being done now. Next week the roof will be completed and then work will begin on the inside. Work was held up for some days by rain.

Rugby starts again next week for Danelle. She’s been doing strength training and attending water boot camp in preparation.

March 27, 2008

 Terry/Danelle will now be doing the updates. First we must thank Patty for all her hard work and dedication with the updates. Everyone always comments on how wonderful and informative the updates have been and we have Patty and Gene to thank for that. Terry and Wyatt appreciate both of you. Not only for doing the updates but for all the love and support you have shown through this most difficult time of hard work and transition. THANKS PATTY AND GENE!!!!

 I would also like to add that because of Terry’s schedule and the fact that Danelle is not Wonder Woman we may not get an update out every week but will try so please be patient.

 As most of you know Terry Tess has been home a year as of March 15th, 2008. We had a big party celebrating Terry’s accomplishments and all of you that have done so much and been so instrumental in her recovery process. Thanks to May and Nick for hosting the party and to everyone who attended.

 Terry’s progress over the last month has been gratifying and has given new hope for progress to come. For the last six months or so Terry has been able to move just her big toes bilaterally. Now Terry can move all of her toes on both feet. This means more signals are being transmitted through the spinal cord and that the swelling must be going down. It is new hope that with time more and more signals could get through; you never know.

 Mr. & Mrs. Wyatt Earp just did their third performance this last weekend at Fiddlers Dream and had a wonderful turn out of friends. Thanks to everyone for their support. This weekend The Earp’s will be performing with Linda Bilque at the Southwest Museum, on ave of the stars. Later this year there are two more performances to come. Terry is back to doing what she loves!

The house is coming right along we think in about a month they should be able to pick out tile. Terry continues to work hard on all the machines and we just added Cergem to improve her circulation and maybe help the spinal cord heal faster- it can’t hurt and it’s a great massage.

The Easter bunny did visit and thanks to Patty, Bruce, Bobbie, Kathy and Maryanne Kunig (love those homemade chocolates).

Thanks to all of you for making this last year at home so wonderful.