A good prognosis

Last week I went to a check-up with my neurosurgeon, and after looking at my latest x-rays, he told me, "By next summer you should be able to do whatever you want." I took that as encouraging news.

Right now, of course, I certainly cannot do whatever I want, but I continue to improve. I ditched my walker now that its plastic feet have worn down, and I am walking with a cane instead. It had been suggested that I put tennis balls on the feet of the walker to make it slide more smoothly, but I have vowed to myself that I will not be seen with such a contraption until I am at least 85 years old. So, cane it is. I'm thinking of spicing it up by adding some multi-colored tape to it, giving it a more stylish Latino look. But I think I'll refrain from using tassles-- you know, the kind that girls used to put on their bicycle handlebars? Enticing as it is, I don't think the residents of Memphis, Tennessee are quite ready for such a display.

I've also been talking with my friend Rebecca Tuuri about painting a really cool design on my back brace. Negotiations are still in progress, but it is likely that the final version will be bicycle-themed. No surprise there, but the details have yet to be finalized, so if you find any especially cool images of cyclists in action, be sure to email them to me.

I stepped up my physical therapy appointments from three times a week to five times a week, basically because I am tired of this crap. The more I improve, the more I yearn to walk without carefully measuring every step. I also long to ride my beautiful road bike again. But none of that is going to happen until my left leg gets stronger. My calf is weak, preventing me from getting a good push-off with each stride. My hamstring is weak, preventing me from pulling it through properly. My hip is weak, causing my body to shift to the right, making it even harder to walk. I am grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement. Keep up the good work.

One more announcement that I'm excited to make is that my friends Luke and Sarah Hartley will be running the New York City marathon to raise money for spinal chord injury research. I was incredibly surprised and grateful that Luke flew down to Nicaragua to see me shortly after my accident, and I am pleased to see his efforts to help those who suffer similar injuries. Many of you have heard of the Buffalo Bills football player who broke his neck in a game. Though his condition looked grim, doctors employed experimental methods to reduce post-trauma swelling near his spinal chord. These efforts have been enormously successful, and it looks like he will walk again, too. Where he is doing his rehab? At TIRR in Houston, the same place that I was! Thanks again to Monica Verduzco for orchestrating my acceptance into their hospital. Now only if I could get someone to write regular ESPN updates on my condition, just like that football player.

Luke and Sarah's fundraising page is
http://teamreeve2007.kintera.org/hartleys
The picture on there is of me and Luke hiking the Grand Canyon, easily the most beautiful place I have ever been. I would very much like to do something like that again. And sooner rather than later.