April 23, 2007 at 10:33 PM MDT Long time, no write. I have been so exhausted, I have missed birthdays right and left, like Happy Birthday Lauren, my sweet niece, and Happy Birthday, Brad, my beloved brother. Cam gave his speech, and it was wonderful! He spoke his thoughts with clarity, and it was enjoyed by all. The treats were great, too! We got a wheelchair van donated to us, and what a blessing. Only trouble, it needed a new transmission and a few other things. My brother, Larry, said he would take care of the things that needed to be done, but the owner of the place where we took it to be fixed and the Utah Auto Auction took care of the bill for us. I tell you, so many people have stepped into our lives to bless us financially I can't even begin to name them. They are all written down, mind you, and will be thanked accordingly. I blame my "senior moments" on not having all of them on the tip of my brain! We went to a surprise birthday dinner for my brother Brad. Lisa, his wife, surprised him with MANY people to wish him the best on this, his 50th birthday. We ate at PF Chang, and I gorged. Luckily, Chinese food goes down quickly, and is mostly veggies. But that chow mien.... YUMMMMMMMMMMMM! Cam had a very unhappy day. Every time he moved, he was in excruciating pain. I know when he says something like that, he is really hurting. He was able to go to the birthday dinner, and was rejuvinated being with those he loves! I love how that works. This week, we have relatives coming again for graduations from BYU. If we want to go 2 hours early for security checks, we can go and see VP Dick Cheney speak. I don't like crowds THAT much! Seeing Dana, recently back from her mission in France will be a joy, which is also her middle name! I apologize for not keeping up on this, and I will do better. It is only my lack of sleep, and being behind in everything in my life that kept me from writing. However, even though things are still behind, and will be for awhile, I will succeed in the little things that count so much! Take care, Love y'all! Sharon
April 17, 2007 at 11:15 AM MDT Hello everyone. Cam the Spasm-Man here. It is really something to have to contend with this ol'body whenever I want to move somewhere! I try to lean forward in my chair to push off and go and a spasm rocks me back into the seat so I have to get my balance again, lean forward again and go. Then, in mid-push, another spasm tries to push me back again. This happens over and over again. What a ride this bod takes me on. Well, it is only temporary, and in the meanwhile it is teaching me patience, which I've been rather short of for the past 52 years!. The Lord knows what He is doing. In the meanwhile you just give thanks and be be truly thankful for a body that does what you ask of it for the most part! OK?
Hey, I get to give my first talk tomorrow evening at an institute class. My wonderful sister-in-law, Lisa Myler, asked me to speak to her class! What an honor and an opportunity. I've been giving it a lot of thought and prayer and think I have some ideas and presentations that will be enjoyable and uplifting. I'm really glad for the opportunity because I believe this 'tragedy' in my life was given to me to be used as a tool to be of benefit to a lot of people, not just myself, and so many people have been so generous and helpful to us that I am looking for ways to give back. Hopefully this is a start of a new path of giving and uplifting others. If anyone else would be interested in hearing from a parapelegic with an attitude and a testimony of Christ, I'd love the chance to speak.
Well, I have lots to do before tomorrow evening and I'd best get to it. More later. I'll report to you how the talk went... Cameron -------------------------------------------- April 14, 2007 at 11:24 PM MDT What a beautiful day for a yard sale! The sun was perfect, although many of us received rosy cheeks for our efforts. I would call the day a success, and thank everyone for their help yet again! Several from "our" BYU ward came over last night to help, and stayed all night watching all three Back to the Future movies so nobody stole anything. They left shortly before six a.m. That's above and beyond the call of duty! Everything was set up by midnight, and we had loads of people the entire day. I could hardly step away to help Cam. He finally got tired of waiting, and got up himself! This week has been pretty hard. The spasms in his body are constant. His legs will stick straight out in front of him, shake uncontrollably then finally relax. When he does his pressure releases, his torso will not bend to allow him to sit back down. That can be pretty scary when his arms are tired! He worked with a neighbor yesterday and drilled wood and cut it. It was a lovely day, and both of them had a great time. Sometimes it's hard to honor what our body is telling us. My friend Sherry came over again yesterday and did some QiGong (chi-gong) on Cam, another form of energy healing. She did it on me, too, and my headache stopped. After the yard sale, a group of us were putting away the stuff when Heather ran a big, heavy chair roller over her foot. I had her sit down quickly, and used Quantum touch, and within a few minutes, her toe no longer hurt. I love it! Well, Meredith is off to the Prom tonight. The bad part is, she took so long getting ready that they only had about an hour to dance! They went ice skating beforehand in SLC. I hemmed her dress, and hemming a dress that looks like this /\ is no picnic! Holly did her hair and make-up while I hemmed and ironed. WHEW! Well, Cam is in bed, and I am going, too! Thank you all again for your love, support and prayers. They are felt! Love you, Sharon
April 11, 2007 at 10:15 PM MDT Hello! Last night Cam turned himself from his left side to his right side. I was so tired that I slept through it. THAT is amazing, too! I wake up with every little grunt or groan. He got up by himself, but then his muscles and lightning bolts took over, and we had to put him back to bed. He was able to go to a Toastmasters meeting, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a slow, low-key day today. I did laundry, cooking and errands and Cam rested. That was good! Our beloved neighbors came over to visit, and then one of Cam's buddies from when they were 7 and 8 came over. We got to talking, and discovered we went to Ricks (it will ALWAYS be Ricks....) the same year. I went downstairs and got my RIXIDA and sure enough, there he was! I never would have recognized him! Time sure does a number on us, doesn't it? I may even have a gray hair or 2............. Well, short and sweet is the operative word for tonight. Getting ready for our last yardsale on Saturday, and looking forward to giving the rest of it away! This should be a good and fun one! Love to all, and many thanks- Sharon
April 10, 2007 at 11:33 PM MDT Hello, all! Jill, thanks for the update on Marissa. What a lovely young woman she has turned into. Obviously, I am not the only one who thinks so!!! Tell her congratulations on all the accomplishments. Today was so much nicer than yesterday, although it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO cold! The wind started blowing last night, and continued in various strengths all day. It's still blowing all my chimes around! Holly came over today, we went to Wal-Mart, and she helped me tremendously! Thanks again, Holly! Cam got himself up, and spent some great time with the grandkids! Paige Clark and Allison Lowry came over and visited for awhile, and Ali brought some beautiful flowers we will enjoy for several days to come. Cam gave Ali a blessing, and Meredith one tonight. There's a lot of love floating around this house! We went to the Wellness Center again today. Only "rode" a mile, because I went to get a handicapped license placard. The doctor only gave Cam a temporary one, which is good for 6 months. He and Cam butted heads alot while in Rehab, but Cam gained his respect. Example: Dr. Hilmo wanted Cam to take insulin several times a day. Cam said no, because they often checked him after he ate fruit or a dessert. His blood sugar was all over the scale- 154, 163, 181, 135... I did some natural remedy research, and discovered that stevia regulates blood sugar. I started putting a dropper-full in Cam's water, and after a couple of days, the blood sugar went down to 94 and stayed below 100. Dr. H said that Cam shouldn't put so much store in natural products, as the AMA didn't sanction such things, and had discovered that stevia had no impact on blood levels. We told him what his sugar levels were, he paused, and said "Keep it up!". They stopped monitoring his blood. Guess he figures since Cam is so determined to walk, he will only need a temporary one. Good call! Cam took 1/4 of a pain pill, and it took the edge off of the pain, AND he was ready to call it a night. He started getting chilled, and then the pain intensifies. We have learned to have a blanket close-by for when it starts. Someone left us a little heater, very powerful, and he has been using it. It has saved him a lot of tight muscles. Whomever it was, thank you so much! Yard sale this Saturday, and whatever is left goes to another worthy cause. Pay it forward.... Thank you all again for loving us and praying for us. I say, right back attcha, and more of the same! Love, Sharon
April 09, 2007 at 08:16 PM MDT I may have to give in to taking painkillers. I am too much of a grouch and it is affecting my relationship with Sharon. She does so very much for me and last night I bit her head off. I did apologize later but it was a nasty bite and we felt the effects all day today. And I have been feeling the effects of the surgery all day, too. Wow, not fun.
In therapy today, we worked on my legs and tried to feel some movement. I think they did feel some muscle firing as I held myself up at the parallel bars, attempting to stand and hold myself up. Then again at the standing frame that gets me standing and holds me up. I tried to push my pelvis forward a bit to stand taller and straighter and Sharon said she felt some slight muscle movement in my back leg muscles. This is good. Something to build on, altho it was quite an emotional experience for me to try so hard to just stand straighter and have such little result. It felt almost fruitless, but I know that any evidence of mind-muscle connection is a step forward.
Oh,I had another fairly major success today: I pulled my pants up all they way to my waist today. Try that sitting down! It only took me 20 minutes. Faster next time.
Well, more later. Thanks for all your faith and prayers in our behalf. Cameron
Sharon here. Yes, today was a very emotional day for both of us. Cam was upset with me because I helped him without letting him know. When you are hurting at 3:30 in the morning any unexpected movement is a bother. I learned, though! I let him do everything himself today, and told him he could ask if he needed help, anytime. At the end of the day, he was exhausted and hurting so bad he didn't want to move. He took 2 ibuprofen. When we laid him down, he had a spasm so bad it literally took his breath away. I had to lift his legs and knees up before it finally let up. He is now snoring softly with a Lifewave Rest Quiet patch on his right temple, his knees and legs propped up to let his poor sausage feet unplump, and in dreamland. That's where I expect to be in a few short moments! Ya'll sleep well, wake up happy, and we'll talk to you later! Sharon
April 09, 2007 at 08:50 AM MDT Happy Easter! Lots of rain making the grass green and the flowers flowery. First, let me say to sweet Marissa, sweet 16- Happy Belated Birthday! I was very remiss in my card sending this week. We want you to know that we love you and are so proud of you and your loving demeanor. Stay safe on the road and be wise! We had a yard sale on Saturday, and couldn't have asked for better weather. I got up at 6 and started setting up. I held off putting up signs until I was finished, but that didn't stop anyone! We had people all day long. Cam sat in the sunshine helping us put things together. Our kids came to visit, and helped us unload some of the things. Grandkids got to pick out some toys. YAY! Saturday night, Cam and I went to see "Night at the museum". It was cute, and with all the sunshine that day, we were ready for bed that night! Sunday dawned dark and rainy, but luckily, I had covered all the leftover yardsale items, so they slept soundly and dry. We enjoyed Church services, and family that came over afterwards! Barb and Steve, Lindsey, Alissa,Jon, Janelle, Teagan, Callie, and Boston, thanks for the visit! Today is another beautiful, crisp spring day. We are taking Cam for an x-ray at noon, and then therapy and the Wellness Center after. It will be a long and nice day. Later, and more tonight! Sharon
April 05, 2007 at 10:24 PM MDT Take a look at what our daughter Christi put together for us. This portrays our family and our faith pretty well, I'd say.
------------------------------- April 05, 2007 at 10:33 PM MDT Today was a beautiful sunny day! I helped Cameron with morning duties, then went back to bed! I slept from 9 until 11. Boy, did that feel good! The day seemed much shorter than normal for some reason......... Cam had therapy at 2:00-3:00, then we went to the Wellness center across the street from the hospital. It has therapists, exercise equipment and a 90 degree swimming pool. I "rode" 3 miles on a stationary bike while Cam did some weights, and Jake swam. Then we went into the pool area. Cam got his shirt off (this IS G-rated, hold on....), and had his trunks on under his pants. I pulled off his ted-hose (lovely white thigh-high compression stockings) and noticed that he had a HUGE blister on his second toe, left foot. I just gaped at it, and we both realized that he must have touched the radiator heater in our room. Wow! Lets us know how much MORE careful we must be. We will wrap it tonight, and make sure that it doesn't get infected. It really has me quite concerned. Please add that one to your prayer list! Sooooooooo, Cam loves to swim, and won't let anything as inconsequential as paralysis stop him. We went to the deep end whereupon Cam bent down as far as he could, and a therapist pushed his bum, and in he went. I held my breath until he came up, and continued holding it the hour he was in the water. Jake did water aerobics with the old folks all that time. When Cam wanted warmth, he swam down to the hot tub. They have a hydraulic lift, and he got in it, and was swung over into the water, got out of the net thingie he sat in, and warmed up! When it was time to go, I had him get back into it, lifted him up, and swung him into his wheelchair. Really quite the nifty invention! We will be going there three or four times a week. I WILL GET IN SHAPE! I had a meeting tonight, so Cam and the kids were here. We are now getting ready for bed, so I must go! Be grateful for life, and all the excitement, good or not so good, for "this, too, shall give thee experience". We are just getting more experience right now than our normal "normal". Goodnight, and love you all! Sharon
April 04, 2007 at 07:19 PM MDTBack again. I hope your Gratitude Quotient is increasing. I tell you, mine is for what I had and expect to have again: a healthy and working body, head to toes.
Give thanks tonight that when you tell your muscles to do something, they just do it without fighting you. When I transfer from the chair, I need to lift my legs and feet from the footrest. I lift and they immediately spasm and fight me. I have to lift, wait for them to relax then try again to move them, whereupon they spasm again and I have to wait for them to relax again. It doesn’t take much time and it is not painful, but it is a bit of an irritant. I really like it when my muscles are relaxed and just allow me to move my legs or feet. Of course, I’ll REALLY like it when I’m able to do that by mental command rather than with my hands!
When you lay down to bed tonight, give thanks that your body can just relax into your mattress and pillow. Last night, while trying to lay back, a spasm literally threw me horizontal then tightened up my stomach and chest such that I literally had to pant to catch my breath. The spasms continue through the night; if I reach down and touch my stomach or leg, a spasm is most likely to occur. If I am just laying (or sitting, like now) still for any length of time, legs, feet, stomach spasm and rock me. Give thanks for a relaxed body and control over your muscles.
I think that is enough for now. I hope I’ve given you some things to consider which will heighten your love and gratitude for your healthy body, no matter what level of health you experience right now. May our health improve and increase in power so we can all do more and greater good in this world, which so needs our good intentions and actions.
Thank you for your continuing interest and especially your prayers. I feel the power they call upon and benefit greatly from it. Please do continue and thank you again.
Till next time, Love and God Bless You. Cameron Sevy ---------------------------------------- April 04, 2007 at 07:18 PM MDT Hello my friends. Cameron here. I know I do not write much so I’ll update you all on some of the happenings, particularly with this body I’m working with. I do have an agenda here: I want you all to be extra thankful tonight and always for the health and comfort you enjoy. If my writing here can increase your gratitude my mission here will be accomplished.
What I tell you here is NOT to make you feel sorry for ME at all! No. It is to give you an idea of what it is like to experience what I am experiencing so you can, when you kneel tonight, say, “Thank you, Lord, for my health”, and REALLY feel it. OK? I am not using any drugs, not pain killers, not spasm reducers, not nerve jolt reducers, nothing. “Percy is riding bareback”, if you will, and is feeling every stimulation, every jolt, spasm and pain to the full. Fortunately, the pain level, on a scale of 0-10 (1 being nothing much, 10 being “forget drugs - KILL ME!”) my pain level is generally 1, maybe 3 at the max at times. That is bearable because generally a nice massage reduces the pain, or some stretching or even just going for a st-roll to limber up the muscles. So, my body is clearing itself of the drugs (I could smell them in my perspiration. Yuck!), so things can heal more quickly and I can feel much better much faster. This is good! I like! This (and all the prayers in my behalf) is what got me out of ICU and Rehab in less than half the time predicted by the surgeon.
So I am feeling all the wonderful, healthy, healing twinges, zingers, electric jolts and jjzzzzzz’s that go through my back, torso, legs, feet and toes. Every one of them. For example, as I type, I have to move my arms sometimes to reach a specific key, like the “y”, and when I do, my entire body from just below the pectorals to the toes gets an electric “jjzzzzzz” stimulation immediately. It goes down from my side through my legs and feet, just for moving my arm. When I sit up, back complains and sends jolts and jars down again. It is really quite something to move an arm and have a whole-body awakening.
I think I’ve mentioned in the past that, having no control over stomach or side muscles, no feeling in buttocks, legs or etc., I am like a jack-in-the-box on a spring, with my upper body subject to any spasm that will throw me off balance. Sometimes when I lift myself to transfer from chair to bed, for example, the legs and stomach will spasm an extension and I’ll be thrown back, sometimes enough to pull the front wheels off the floor. This happened in the shower once. It was a bit of a fright when the shower bench rocked back because a spasm threw me back. No harm done and we are careful, but it is still really something to be taken for a ride whenever the muscles choose to spasm. Give thanks for easy balance and no unexpected torso spasms that throw you around.
