What I do at the computer when I'm not updating this

Every day since April 4th 2004 I am thankful for my amazing family. A family that has grown exponentially, to include all of you who read this and have been there for my family since day one. This has been an incredible learning experience for me. I have learned that the human body can be extremely rugged while still being very fragile, I've learned that there's a reason people love San Diego, and most importantly I have learned from all of you, how to be a friend...a true friend. My family and I are always amazed at the support we continue to receive.

In large part because of this , I have started a non profit organization in order to attempt the insurmountable task of repaying this kindness. The purpose of this organization, One Less Problem (http://www.onelessproblem.org), is to provide individuals and their families, with resources necessary to gain, or improve their financial and physical independence. While also, providing informational materials to help improve their personal health and wellness.We plan to do this by building and hosting websites for individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries.

Our first fundraiser will be in Ann Arbor on September 30th, check out our EVENTS page for all the information.

All the money we raise will go to One Less Problem, NOT ME OR MY FAMILY.

Hi All

Well I have been meaning to write this post for ever and introduce the world to the new girls in my life:

Meet Roxy:
I decided I NEEDED (not wanted) a cat, so when my mom was in town for the 4th July I adopted Roxy. This picture was taken the day I brought here home, she has gotten bigger but she is definitely a kitten (only 4 months old) and keeps me on my toes.

Nate and Amanda Beard:

At my friend Dave Denniston's fundraiser I meet Amanda Beard who is a model ... oh ya and i think she swims too (she has 7 Olympic medal two of which are gold). She may not know it but she has a huge crush on me.

Oh, and than there's Jess:

I know some people(Erin) have been snooping around looking for a picture of Jess so here it is.

I have been told quit a bit recently that people actually check here for updates, which touched me that three and a half years after this fiasco stated so many people still care. So i would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

And by the way

President Bush is a JACK ASS! He once again vetoed legislation expanding fedral funding for Embryonic Stem Cell research.

BLAHHHHHHHHHHH

I have to admit that the reason I have not updated this is because I've been a bit down lately, and didn't feel I actually had anything to write. There was nothing seriously wrong with me, I have been healthy for the most part. I have been dealing with some stomach problems that have kept me from working out, but these for the most part were my own fault and related to not eating well since my mom left.

So since I last updated Brandon graduated from Pioneer. I went back to Ann Arbor for the ceremony and his party. The ceremony was a scary look into the future. Not only were the kids poorly behaved but the parents were worse. I understand that a few beach balls is funny, but it was over done. Then when I thought it could not get any worse the SMOKE BOMBS started... now if I had acted this rude and disrespectful during my graduation I would have been afraid to go home. But the parents were cheering their kids on, and when a administrator wrestled a beach ball from a student an audible sigh was heard from the crowd. There were multiple letters sent home, a note in the program, and ushers all around requesting that no one used noise makers, air horns, or cheered excessively for any student. Do you think these rules were followed? of course not! and these are the values we are teaching our children, the rules don't apply to us...just other people.

Happy Memorial Day

First of all i want to take this opportunity to thank not only all the members of the Armed Forces, but also their families for all of their sacrifices.

Now on a less serious note.

This weekend P.J. (TKE from EMU) who now lives in Bakersfield came down to visit. Friday night P.J. Jessica and I went to T.G.I. Fridays for dinner and happy hour and than just went back to my condo and caught up on old friends and stories. On Sunday we went down to Mission Beach to go to the Wave House. After we drove around for an hour looking for somewhere to park we got out of the car got to the Wave House just in time for my body to decided I NEEDED to go home.

I ended up getting a "B" in my online class which I'm stoked about, and I registered for a summer class.

I'm back

"driving down the 101
California, here we come
right back where we started from
California, California
here we come!"

I start back at Project Walk for two hours tomorrow. Hopefully it will not take to long for me to get back into shape but we will see.

After being stuck in the Phoenix airport for 4 hours after the plane broke I finally made it to San Diego 12 hours after I left my house in Ann Arbor. The people in Detroit Metro Airport were less than helpful, in fact i think I saw this sign posted in the terminal.

Other fun facts

* My mom got a job in the Pediatrics department at U of M.

* My roommate is moving out in June :(

* I was able to finish one class this semester

* I'll be back in Ann Arbor June 4th - 11th-ish

* Brandon will be attending University of Tennessee in the fall

So Whats Wrong With Me

After another short stay at Tri-City it was time to head back to Michigan to see Dr. Park at U of M. I flew back to Michigan two days after my last hospital stay so i could have a new set of eyes, also a pair i have more faith in, on this problem. 20 minutes and ONE test done by Dr. Park was enough to figure out the problem....ready...wait for it....

There is a hole in my bladder. Not a large one, but a hole nonetheless. So all along my parents, myself, and the rest of the non-California medical community has been correct. So although there is a hole, surgery is not needed and we (Dr. Park really) believes with proper bladder management on my part and the bladder should heal itself.

With the all clear from the Doc, I am heading back to Cali Monday to start the process of getting back physically where I was last December when this whole thing started.

PART TWO

Things were going fairly well, my professors were understanding about disappearing for nearly two weeks (hospital stay #1) and the second hospital stay was my spring break so i did not miss any class. Mom was gone Jerry had moved in and for the first time in over three years I did not live with my parents.

I have amazing caregivers who come every morning and put up with me for four hours. After that I'm on my own. I had been staying fairly healthy, and although now feeling good enough to be at Project Walk, was determined to finish my grueling 17 Credit (units for you CA folks) semester.

So Tuesday night (4/24) I go to bed. Feeling fairly good with some energy left i decided it would be a good night to spend a little more time getting ready for bed and take of my boxers. So i get totally naked (sorry if anyone is eating while reading this) and go to sleep. I am awoken suddenly around 2:00 am with a intense pain in my shoulder and such crazy spasms in my abs that you could wash your laundry on them, also a little nausea was thrown in for good measure. These are all the symptoms of a fluid build up. I was in such bad shape that I called 911 and arranged for an ambulance to take me to the hospital. I than call Jerry to ask him to open the door, and by the way an ambulance is coming to get me.

So here come 5 EMS/Fire men into my room to take me to the hospital. Two of these guys pick me up, still naked, and I'm off to my second home...Tri-City Community Hospital. What a night to sleep naked!

update part 1

After the sepsis episode my team of doctors were not overly concerned with where the nearly half a liter of infected fluid hanging out in my abdominal cavity came from. The test of the fluid showed little or no creatinine, a primary indicator of urine, so my urologist said it was not my bladder leaking again. They sent me home on IV antibiotics and said "if this happens again we will figure out where the fluid is coming from."

---Move ahead four weeks---

The night before my mom was to fly home and leave me in the care of my new caregivers, I was at a going away party for two trainers/friends and another client/friend. when...keep in mind the first time i got sick I was at my moms going away party.... wham!!!! sick again my had to come get me and take me to the ER. This time there was far less fluid and it was not infected so I was not nearly as sick. My mom and I, while looking for the silver lining in all this, decided that at least it happened while she was still in California, and this time we will get to the bottom of the problem. Well, after FOUR days ONE test of my GI tract and a EKG I got the news from my doctor... ready for this... THEY WE'RE STUMPED, and I could go home.

My mom and I decided that she would still move back to Michigan, and I would stay on prophylactic antibiotics with the goal of staying healthy until my planed trip to Michigan for Brandons graduation.

---Mom finally is able to return to Michigan---