Saturday, May26, 2007
My thoughts,
Without sounding too cliche, I guarantee that had I ever pondered the idea of going through an ordeal like I have, I do not believe I could have anticipated or imagined the outpouring of love, care, concern, thoughts, support, and prayer that has lifted me up out of the suffering and trial I have been through. I just wanted to share these and other thoughts with you. I decided since you are receiving other messages of my progress authored by members of my family, I felt it was time and appropriate that I now share my thoughts and some of the finer details that I feel are so very significant and even landmark in my recovery. In order to further explicate, several of the significant events and things that I have achieved or things/states that have been restored are items that many of us take for granted; however, are so pleasurable or imperitave to our everyday existence, for example: taste or buttoning clothing. First of all, I would like to share that my motor skills and simple coordination skills are beginning to reveal themselves and become more evident. For example, I am mostly buttoning all of my clothing and cutting my steaks and other meats. Next, I would like to share how my mouth and things related have improved so much. For one thing, simply the return of saliva production has been a monumental restoration all together in taste, in general chewing of food, and digestion. Furthermore, I am speaking and singing much more at the vocal quality level I once did. In a related issue, I am likely to very temporarily resume my tenor Praise Team position for my final Sunday night service, May 27, 2007, at my church, just prior to my departure to the NC. This event, is something that I believe I shall internally and exhuberantly celebrate and is also very much a milestone in my recovery and restoration of my former lifestyle. In addition, during my stay in Denver, while in swimming pool therapy, I was thrilled to preform a few tasks, which I had completed with relative ease prior to my accident. First, I was able to do a hand-stand. Second, with the assistance of goggles, which also offer protection for the nose from liquid interference, I was able to accomplish seven underwater flips. Finally, and to me possessing the most significance, I was able to swim the length of the pool up and back underwater without coming up and taking or releasing a single breath of air. FAC of Knoxville has the privilege of hosting NACSC, which is a national competition. On Thursday night of this competition, May 24, 2007, the basketball team from ACS of Knoxville sealed and achieved their 11th year of consecutive gold medal championship victories. By the way, Congratulations to Coach and Reverend Gino Magdos for another smashing victory at the beautiful courts of the FAC and ACS gymnasium. But that being perhaps a more significant victory, it was not the only victory achieved on the floors of the ACS gymnasium that night. For following the exciting basketball championship victory, I was privileged and thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in some very informal volleyball pick-up games with a group of my peers. I did not go into these games with any high expectation of my preformance, and thus left fairly pleased with my level of play. My play was compromised by my vision, and as a result of my stroke, my left side was weak. In contrast, my right leg has strengthened; and therefore, relative to my injuries and impairments, I played well. I would also like to declare my appreciation for the kind support of those individuals who were also in attendance. The successes I had were very much enhanced due to their support and assistance (you know who you are, thanks!). This last full week in May 2007, has been wonderful, for I have made the return to two of my favorite activities, volleyball and singing at church! In conclusion, as I have already mentioned, I am grateful for all of the concern and support I have received. I would like to use this statement, to via WWW, announce to everyone all my thanks for the love, concern, support, and prayers!
Sincerely and with love,
Joseph (Joe) Trantanella
May 26th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Joe, it was so great to see you today! You looked so good, and it was amazing to see how much you have improved since we saw you in the hospital. It was great to hear you sounding like yourself again! I know for sure that you’ll be back with us at Ruby’s sooner than we expect. I hope you do realy well in NC, and I pray that everything will continue to go amazingly for you!
Best wishes, Erin Cagney
May 29th, 2007 at 4:45 am
You are so amazing, Joseph. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you and your family, but have kept up with your progress and keep you all close in my thoughts and prayers on a daily basis. Keep up the good work.
Pam
May 29th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
so when i met you going up to the gym with volleyball in hand, i knew that you were going to have a great time. you’ve improved so much, and i’m soooo proud of you!!!
also when i saw you go up on the platform sunday night, i couldn’t help but watch you sing. hearing you sing made me feel SO thankful to God for bringing you to where He has. i love you so much joe, and i hope that you have a good time in north carolina, we’re gonna miss you!!!
-rini
May 30th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Joseph.
Wow! Our God is amazing!!! The song “Just Look What the Lord Has Done.” came to my mind when reading your memo. What an excellent Christian example you have been during this whole ordeal. My problems do not seem so big and bad when I stop and think what you have been through. Your postive attitude toward your trials have truly been a blessing to me.
Love and Prayers,
Connie Kuykendall and Family
June 2nd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Joseph,
What amazing progress you have made! Your letter to everyone is evidence of that. It has been such a blessing to see how God has had His hand in everything pertaining to your recovery from the very beginning and, how very blessed you are to have such a loving, supportive family.
Your words are proof positive that God can work miracles and that you and your family have worked very hard on your recovery process. Keep up the hard work and continue to stay positive about the amazing progress that you have made! Yours In Christ, Janice (Mels friend from Dayton)
June 5th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Joe-
I am so amazed at everything God has done for you so far, he never ceases to amaze me. You are still in my prayers, I love you and can’t wait to see you! ~Meggie
June 6th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Joe,
I love you so much and I thank God for you everyday. You have come so far and you should be SO proud of yourself, I am certainly proud of you. I would have never believed almost 5 months ago, when this site was started, that in such a short time you would be up walking, talking, and actually writing your own entries!
I remember when you were still at UT- it was the very first night that you were released from the Critical Care Unit and you had your own room. I wanted to stay with you, so I told mom and dad to go home and rest. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. You didn’t sleep much either. I remember working with you most of the night… I was simply trying to find a way that we could communicate. When I finally got you to write check marks and x’s for “yes” and “no” I was so happy. But I wasn’t satisfied for long and I was frustrated when you couldn’t do more. To look back at that night, and to see where you are now is amazing. You went from telling me “no” with a scribbled x written with a very uncoordinated hand, to talking my ear off on the phone yesterday! But, I somehow find myself having that same feeling of knowing that you can do more.
I know that you are still in therapy and that you still struggle with things everyday. However, experiencing all of the changes and improvements that you have made since that horrible, life-altering day gives me hope that you can and WILL persevere to a 110% recovery. I believe in you, and I know how strong you are. As I said before, I am so proud of all that you have accomplished thus far. But I in no way believe that you are finished recovering. So keep fighting and keep working to improve everyday. When you get discouraged or frustrated please remember that thousands of strangers, your friends, your family, and most of all, your God are right behind you.
I love you! You are a miracle!
Love,
Your sister
June 7th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Joe,
I’m so thankful to hear of your progress….especially coming from you!! Praise the Lord!
Jeremy
June 20th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
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