Christmas was special by my return home to enjoy family and friends after my hospital stay. Had one of my life-long friends, Linda, here for a couple days visit and Jennifer & Kuba for Christmas. Despite the past months of hospital stays, I feel refreshed being home and among family and friends again in a normal setting.
My boxer, Thatcher, is beside himself with my being home. He shadows me 24/7! Jennifer is extending her stay to help me for a few extra days, thank goodness. On Wednesday, however, I'll have my box of kleenex handy as she has to go back home to catch up for about a week. (Therefore, drop-ins welcome!) Geoff & Heather will be here on the 16th for 3 days, which will be great.
Look forward to catching up/reconnecting with those who have shown such support. I am having PT/OT in my home several times a week in effort to fully recover in a hopefully short stint of time.
Feel free to give me a call at my house, 405-285-5558, to catch up.
Sheryl
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Home for the Holidays
Hi Everyone. Mom will be discharged from Mercy rehab tomorrow, heading home. The doctor thinks she'll be on "home health" for about 4 weeks before she'll start on outpatient therapy. I think home health sounds like house-arrest... she won't be able to leave the house except to go to church, the doctor or to get her hair done. House-arrest without the ankle bracelet! While mom has home health, she'll have OT and PT 2 - 3 times each in her home each week.
Since she'll be home-bound, I'm sure she'll be happy to see visitors! I'll be here until Sunday, 12/28, when I head back to Indy. Christmas Day will be a bit sparse for mom, since I spend that day at my dad's, so, if any of you are out and about, give mom a ring and stop by. There's plenty of home-made egg nog at her house, ready to be consumed!
I will, most likely, come back to OK again in a couple of weeks to help out one more time before mom is completely on her own.
Happy Holidays.
love,
jennifer
Since she'll be home-bound, I'm sure she'll be happy to see visitors! I'll be here until Sunday, 12/28, when I head back to Indy. Christmas Day will be a bit sparse for mom, since I spend that day at my dad's, so, if any of you are out and about, give mom a ring and stop by. There's plenty of home-made egg nog at her house, ready to be consumed!
I will, most likely, come back to OK again in a couple of weeks to help out one more time before mom is completely on her own.
Happy Holidays.
love,
jennifer
Friday, December 19, 2008
Going Home Soon
Hi Everyone. Mom's medical/therapy team had their meeting this morning, and it looks like mom will be going home on Tuesday! She will need to modify a few things in her house and will use a walker and wheelchair to get around until she is stable on her feet. Once home, she'll have home health-care checking in on her several times a day and doing her PT/OT at her house with her. After she is adjusted to home and is moving around more easily, she will begin out-patient therapy, which she will need for a couple more months. I will be in OK until 12/28, so I'll help her until then.
She saw an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hale, today. He is looking at her left shoulder to see what they can do to increase her range of motion. He's asking PT to get more aggressive with their therapy, but might do another x-ray to check things out. He's also going to x-ray both feet to see if they can get mom into some more comfortable, less obstructive, foot supports. The boots she is wearing now are quite heavy and cumbersome, and the bottoms are angled, much like she's walking on little hooves. They'll also be fitting her with a new wrist brace for her right hand before she heads home, so that she'll be better able to use her hand. Then, time will tell if the radial nerve, which was damaged when the humerus fractured, will heal itself.
Today, they will move mom into an apartment on this floor, so that she can see what's it like to go back home. The room has a regular bed, couch, and a kitchenette with a fridge and microwave. She's excited to have a bigger room with more windows at least!
That's it for now.
love,
jennifer
She saw an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hale, today. He is looking at her left shoulder to see what they can do to increase her range of motion. He's asking PT to get more aggressive with their therapy, but might do another x-ray to check things out. He's also going to x-ray both feet to see if they can get mom into some more comfortable, less obstructive, foot supports. The boots she is wearing now are quite heavy and cumbersome, and the bottoms are angled, much like she's walking on little hooves. They'll also be fitting her with a new wrist brace for her right hand before she heads home, so that she'll be better able to use her hand. Then, time will tell if the radial nerve, which was damaged when the humerus fractured, will heal itself.
Today, they will move mom into an apartment on this floor, so that she can see what's it like to go back home. The room has a regular bed, couch, and a kitchenette with a fridge and microwave. She's excited to have a bigger room with more windows at least!
That's it for now.
love,
jennifer
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Okie Christmas
Hi Everyone. I got back to OK last night and will be here through Christmas. Mom is doing well and might get to go home as early as next week! She will still have to have outpatient physical therapy, but getting home will be good for her morale. Although mom is happy to be back in OK, being in the hospital, so close to her home, at Christmas-time, is certainly taking a toll on her spirits.
Feel free to give her a call and come by and see her. Her afternoons and evenings are generally pretty free. Just be sure to call first, as she has a different therapy schedule each day.
love,
jennifer
Feel free to give her a call and come by and see her. Her afternoons and evenings are generally pretty free. Just be sure to call first, as she has a different therapy schedule each day.
love,
jennifer
Sunday, December 14, 2008
We're Back!!!
Hey Gang,
So we made it, but it would not be like us to do anything easy! At 9:45 on Fri morning, we rolled up to SFO in plenty of time to make our 11:40 departure. Well, our flight was delayed, meaning that we would miss our connector in Denver. "Are you in the car there," the attendant asked as she looked over at Mom, who had not yet gotten out of the car and into the wheelchair. "Yeah, that's us." "Well," she replied, "I can get you on a flight out of Oakland at 11:00 if you think you can make it." "Print the passes, we've got to roll!" We high-tailed it over the Bay Bridge to the Oakland airport. I pulled to the curb and went to check in. I almost kicked a kid out of his wheelchair, until I noticed his "Make a Wish" hat. Better to let him have it? With Heather's help, we got Mom into the chair and through security where she was thoroughly inspected. I sprinted through the terminal fast enough that Mom looked like she was in a wind storm. We made the flight and she did all her transfers with no problems. Back in OKC we found that our bags were lost. Great. Long story short, Mom's in the hospital, we got our bags, and all's quiet on the Okie front. Her address is Mercy Hospital, 4300 West Memorial Rd, RM 265, OKC, OK 73120. Give a call if you plan to stop by, as she has therapies throughout the day. Now on to Mom herself...
Look forward to hearing from everyone. I have bouts of acute cabin fever, but light at the end of the tunnel is now becoming visible. Got to do therapy now, so I'll catch you all later.
Sheryl
So we made it, but it would not be like us to do anything easy! At 9:45 on Fri morning, we rolled up to SFO in plenty of time to make our 11:40 departure. Well, our flight was delayed, meaning that we would miss our connector in Denver. "Are you in the car there," the attendant asked as she looked over at Mom, who had not yet gotten out of the car and into the wheelchair. "Yeah, that's us." "Well," she replied, "I can get you on a flight out of Oakland at 11:00 if you think you can make it." "Print the passes, we've got to roll!" We high-tailed it over the Bay Bridge to the Oakland airport. I pulled to the curb and went to check in. I almost kicked a kid out of his wheelchair, until I noticed his "Make a Wish" hat. Better to let him have it? With Heather's help, we got Mom into the chair and through security where she was thoroughly inspected. I sprinted through the terminal fast enough that Mom looked like she was in a wind storm. We made the flight and she did all her transfers with no problems. Back in OKC we found that our bags were lost. Great. Long story short, Mom's in the hospital, we got our bags, and all's quiet on the Okie front. Her address is Mercy Hospital, 4300 West Memorial Rd, RM 265, OKC, OK 73120. Give a call if you plan to stop by, as she has therapies throughout the day. Now on to Mom herself...
Look forward to hearing from everyone. I have bouts of acute cabin fever, but light at the end of the tunnel is now becoming visible. Got to do therapy now, so I'll catch you all later.
Sheryl
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Red Dirt & Armadillos
Mom got the green light today to transfer back to Oklahoma tomorrow. Dr. Coufal is pleased with her progress and wants her to continue with rehabilitation, beginning to walk with the support of parallel bars as soon as possible. He expects that she'll need inpatient rehabilitation for 3 - 4 more weeks.
So, Mom will be transferring to Mercy Rehabilitation Center tomorrow! She is excited to get back to OK, to the "red dirt and armadillos" as she put it to Mabel, the CPMC Case Manager. Mom is a bit nervous about the changes ahead and the travel time tomorrow, as she hasn't sat upright yet for as long as she'll need to tomorrow. Luckily, her and Geoff's flight has a quick plane change in Denver, giving them as quick and straight a shot as possible between SF and OKC.
I know that many of you are eager to go visit Mom once she gets back on her home turf. She is excited to see you, too! I'll post her phone number and room number as soon as she is checked in and has her room set up tomorrow. Please give her a call before dropping by to see her, as she'll have frequent therapy sessions daily.
love,
jennifer
So, Mom will be transferring to Mercy Rehabilitation Center tomorrow! She is excited to get back to OK, to the "red dirt and armadillos" as she put it to Mabel, the CPMC Case Manager. Mom is a bit nervous about the changes ahead and the travel time tomorrow, as she hasn't sat upright yet for as long as she'll need to tomorrow. Luckily, her and Geoff's flight has a quick plane change in Denver, giving them as quick and straight a shot as possible between SF and OKC.
I know that many of you are eager to go visit Mom once she gets back on her home turf. She is excited to see you, too! I'll post her phone number and room number as soon as she is checked in and has her room set up tomorrow. Please give her a call before dropping by to see her, as she'll have frequent therapy sessions daily.
love,
jennifer
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Road Trip
Hi Everyone. Tomorrow morning, Geoff will take Mom to Walnut Creek for her appointment with Dr. Coufal. This will be her first ride in the car since the accident. I think she's okay with it, as she's ready to just get out of the hospital for a little while. Geoff's a brave soul for being her driver on her first trip out.... I told him to just put earplugs in and ignore her. (Kidding, of course.) Tomorrow, we should find out the exact course of action for Mom's treatment. What that is will determine the level of care Mom will now require as she continues her recovery.
Mom will be transferring back to Oklahoma on Friday. We won't know, for sure, where she will go until after her appointment tomorrow. We will keep you posted. Mom is really excited to get back to OK, back near her friends, and closer to home. Being in California has really taken its toll on her morale the last few weeks. Geoff will fly with her on Friday and stay until Monday. I'll be there next Wednesday and will stay through Christmas.
That's all for now. We'll update you tomorrow after the road trip.
love,
jennifer
Mom will be transferring back to Oklahoma on Friday. We won't know, for sure, where she will go until after her appointment tomorrow. We will keep you posted. Mom is really excited to get back to OK, back near her friends, and closer to home. Being in California has really taken its toll on her morale the last few weeks. Geoff will fly with her on Friday and stay until Monday. I'll be there next Wednesday and will stay through Christmas.
That's all for now. We'll update you tomorrow after the road trip.
love,
jennifer
Saturday, December 6, 2008
smooth as butter
Geoff and I drove over to the hospital yesterday so Sheryl could practice transferring into our car. Two of her very wonderful PTs Brian and Melissa guided her through the steps. Melissa's explanation was 1, 2, 3 and voilá into the car. And Sheryl followed 1, 2, 3, and voilá into the car she went. All by herself. Sheer determination on her face, Sheryl looked smooth as butter. Speaking of smooth, we were hoping to take her for ice cream but she wasn't cleared by her doctor. We weren't really up for creating a hostage situation for a scoop of Birite, although it IS worth it. We suggested Sheryl get a hall pass and we'll take her for a preliminary spin sometime before the trip over to Walnut Creek for her appointment with Dr. Coufal on Thursday.
I know Sheryl still has a ways to go. I do however think it is so amazing to think she is about 3-4 months ahead of schedule from the original prognosis. Her body gave her such an amazing gift of bones healing so fast and in places where the docs didn't think it would on its own. Amongst the chaos, there is so much to be grateful for.
I know Sheryl still has a ways to go. I do however think it is so amazing to think she is about 3-4 months ahead of schedule from the original prognosis. Her body gave her such an amazing gift of bones healing so fast and in places where the docs didn't think it would on its own. Amongst the chaos, there is so much to be grateful for.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Squat & Pivot
Hi All. A quick update on mom before bed... Mom has been on her feet a lot since Friday. She started out standing for as long as she could, and has progressed to being able to assist in her transfers (from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to bed, etc.). This is called a "squat and pivot" transfer, as the therapist/nurse squats in front of mom while she leans onto the therapist for support during the transfer. As she stands, she quickly pivots to the next surface to complete the transfer. She has also taken a couple of steps with a walker for assistance.
During a transfer yesterday, she twisted her ankle. They did an x-ray and nothing is broken, so they have her doing as much PT as possible, using pain as her guide, so the muscles don't atrophy. She would much rather take a break from weight-bearing activity until the ankle feels better, but, alas, the therapists have other plans for her!
The case manager at CPMC is working on mom's transfer back to Oklahoma, hopefully as early as 12/12. Mom's appointment with her orthopedic surgeon is 12/11, so we're hoping she gets the go ahead to move closer to home. She'll need to go into inpatient rehab for at least a couple of weeks before going back to her house in order to get more independent.
I'm heading back to Indy tomorrow until 12/15. If mom transfers back to OK before then, Geoff will travel with her and I'll just head to OK for the holidays.
That's it for now.
love,
jennifer
During a transfer yesterday, she twisted her ankle. They did an x-ray and nothing is broken, so they have her doing as much PT as possible, using pain as her guide, so the muscles don't atrophy. She would much rather take a break from weight-bearing activity until the ankle feels better, but, alas, the therapists have other plans for her!
The case manager at CPMC is working on mom's transfer back to Oklahoma, hopefully as early as 12/12. Mom's appointment with her orthopedic surgeon is 12/11, so we're hoping she gets the go ahead to move closer to home. She'll need to go into inpatient rehab for at least a couple of weeks before going back to her house in order to get more independent.
I'm heading back to Indy tomorrow until 12/15. If mom transfers back to OK before then, Geoff will travel with her and I'll just head to OK for the holidays.
That's it for now.
love,
jennifer
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