March 30th, Friday night
I can't believe it's been 5 days since I've blogged! It has been a really busy week. Jim and I are slowly recuperating and getting into the swing of things around here. Septic tank is in, muddy mess in the back yard but the rain is helping to settled everything. That is a good thing to have done. Wasn't quite the drama I had envisioned.
We saw the Infectious Disease doctor on Tuesday, we will probably have to continue the infusion meds for a couple more weeks, but not sure. We have another MRI on the 20th of April and then see the Neurosurgeon again. Saw the surgeon who did the operations yesterday and she was really please to see how the wounds have healed. She said we didn't need to see her anymore and one wound is healed enough it doesn't need a bandage, the second one just needs a small bandage and the abdominal wound just needs a wet/dry bandage until we see our primary care doctor on the 6th of April. No more wound vac to pack around or nurse to come in to change dressings! Jim is still having trouble with muscles in his back but as he walks more, hopefully that will become more strengthened.
We are doing pretty good, days we go to the doctors really wear both of us out and we are asleep by 8:00. We would love to have company, just call ahead so we will be out of our jammies. I could use some guys to come and spend a couple of hours with Jim so I could go to the store and he won't have to do his pt (physical therapy)!
There isn't too much to report since Jim is doing so well, so I may not continue this blog for much longer. We welcome your e-mails and phone calls so if you are wondering how he is be sure to contact us. I will update this blogsite after we see the doctor next week. After that it will just be getting his strength back so we can get out when the weather is better.
Jim's e-mail: jimandjudy61@msn.com Judy's: judykay45@hotmail.com
Guess it's lights out, Jim is sound asleep. Hopefully we can sleep several hours before having to get up. Love to all friends and family.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wow!! Where have I been for the last 4 days! Tonight is March 25th, Sunday
Wednesday night as I was getting ready to bring most of Jim's clothes and personal items home, his mother called and said it was snowing and sticking near Champoeg Park, so I called a neighbor and she said it was snowing in Oregon City and was supposed to get down to 30 degrees. Well, I was afraid to come home and then maybe not be able to get back to Legacy Good Samaritan, so I asked if I could stay on the couch in the family room and the charge nurse got me a cot, warm blanket and pillow and I was able to spend the night. I really appreciated their compassion and understanding. Thursday morning the wound nurse came in and took off the wound vacuum from Jim's abdomen. I have watched each time as they have changed the dressings and could not believe how much it had healed since the last change. I cried because it looked so good. The wounds have had to heal from the inside out so they would continue draining. This wound was only about the depth of a Q-tip tip. The one on his leg was just a tip of a tip. Any one need a tip, I have a few! Ha! We had to leave the vac at RIO and were given a new one to take to Kaiser, not sure if we would need to use it. We had a big cart with 3 shelves full of equipment! You cannot believe all that we needed to bring with us. Also, Jim has a new wheelchair which is lighter and easier for me to put in the back of the Suburban. Whew!! We are also very grateful for the valet parking because they are very helpful in helping to load everything and Jim too. We left leaving lots of tears of gratitude for the wonderful, caring nurses, cnas, physical, occupational, recreational and as Jim says, therapy therapists, that in two weeks gave both of us hope that Jim will fully recover and be able to walk again. They were awesome! Also, there are no strangers, only friends Jim hasn't met yet, so we made friends with a couple of roommates and other patients recovering from all sorts of injuries. We hope to be able to go back again when he has recuperated and be part of someone else's healing process.
We got through the MRI and the doctor was pleased, still some inflammation in the spine but is easing up on the nerves. We don't know until Tuesday the results of the lab work, have to see the Infectious Disease doctor then and on Thursday we see the surgeon who will probably determine if the wound vac is still needed. I think it probably won't be necessary by that time. Monday, Wed., and Friday there will be home nurses coming in to change dressings, etc. He and I are able to do the daily IV med injection. I think we'll just become a doctor and nurse and therapists!! We might even make house calls, too. You cannot, or maybe you can, imagine how many people have been involved in this process.
Gotta go to bed now, it's 9pm, because Jim (& I) have to get up a couple of times a night. The first night we were up 3 times and I was exhausted the next day. Well, actually I am still pretty tired and today was a really good day of rest. Had 1 visitor that Jim hasn't seen for quite awhile and it was fun.
Jim is still having issues with his back, it is probably still connected with the nerve damage, and he was up quite a bit, going up and down our 3 steps and into the bathroom and kitchen. Friday was very busy with the in-home nurse and all the paperwork, showing us how to administer the IV meds, and then we needed to go to the pharmacy for something and there was no way to get there with the 213 project going on, so we stopped for a very small ice cream at the DQ drive thru and went home only to have the nurse come back and attach the new wound vac! It was pretty clear sailing to the pharmacy about 7pm. Saturday a physical therapy nurse came and explained exercises that we already had in our notebook, Jim's brother and a friend came and took Jim's Harley to put up for sale. I thought that would be a very emotional time for Jim, but he said he knew it was time because he just didn't think he had what it took anymore to safely ride. We have a different outlook on a lot of things and are willing to let go of some toys and projects.
But early tomorrow (Monday) the crew should be here to put in the new septic tank and whatever goes along with it. That should make a real big mess, but it is one of life's necessities and will get cleaned up before summer is in full swing. Pray for good weather and little rain to make it less messy for the men that have to do it.
God is good and we are recovering. Thank you family and friends for your amazing help this weekend and prayers. Miss you all, this will be another busy week, but love hearing from you. We read e-mails and texts, but are slow in answering.
Pa and Ma Gibson
Wednesday night as I was getting ready to bring most of Jim's clothes and personal items home, his mother called and said it was snowing and sticking near Champoeg Park, so I called a neighbor and she said it was snowing in Oregon City and was supposed to get down to 30 degrees. Well, I was afraid to come home and then maybe not be able to get back to Legacy Good Samaritan, so I asked if I could stay on the couch in the family room and the charge nurse got me a cot, warm blanket and pillow and I was able to spend the night. I really appreciated their compassion and understanding. Thursday morning the wound nurse came in and took off the wound vacuum from Jim's abdomen. I have watched each time as they have changed the dressings and could not believe how much it had healed since the last change. I cried because it looked so good. The wounds have had to heal from the inside out so they would continue draining. This wound was only about the depth of a Q-tip tip. The one on his leg was just a tip of a tip. Any one need a tip, I have a few! Ha! We had to leave the vac at RIO and were given a new one to take to Kaiser, not sure if we would need to use it. We had a big cart with 3 shelves full of equipment! You cannot believe all that we needed to bring with us. Also, Jim has a new wheelchair which is lighter and easier for me to put in the back of the Suburban. Whew!! We are also very grateful for the valet parking because they are very helpful in helping to load everything and Jim too. We left leaving lots of tears of gratitude for the wonderful, caring nurses, cnas, physical, occupational, recreational and as Jim says, therapy therapists, that in two weeks gave both of us hope that Jim will fully recover and be able to walk again. They were awesome! Also, there are no strangers, only friends Jim hasn't met yet, so we made friends with a couple of roommates and other patients recovering from all sorts of injuries. We hope to be able to go back again when he has recuperated and be part of someone else's healing process.
We got through the MRI and the doctor was pleased, still some inflammation in the spine but is easing up on the nerves. We don't know until Tuesday the results of the lab work, have to see the Infectious Disease doctor then and on Thursday we see the surgeon who will probably determine if the wound vac is still needed. I think it probably won't be necessary by that time. Monday, Wed., and Friday there will be home nurses coming in to change dressings, etc. He and I are able to do the daily IV med injection. I think we'll just become a doctor and nurse and therapists!! We might even make house calls, too. You cannot, or maybe you can, imagine how many people have been involved in this process.
Gotta go to bed now, it's 9pm, because Jim (& I) have to get up a couple of times a night. The first night we were up 3 times and I was exhausted the next day. Well, actually I am still pretty tired and today was a really good day of rest. Had 1 visitor that Jim hasn't seen for quite awhile and it was fun.
Jim is still having issues with his back, it is probably still connected with the nerve damage, and he was up quite a bit, going up and down our 3 steps and into the bathroom and kitchen. Friday was very busy with the in-home nurse and all the paperwork, showing us how to administer the IV meds, and then we needed to go to the pharmacy for something and there was no way to get there with the 213 project going on, so we stopped for a very small ice cream at the DQ drive thru and went home only to have the nurse come back and attach the new wound vac! It was pretty clear sailing to the pharmacy about 7pm. Saturday a physical therapy nurse came and explained exercises that we already had in our notebook, Jim's brother and a friend came and took Jim's Harley to put up for sale. I thought that would be a very emotional time for Jim, but he said he knew it was time because he just didn't think he had what it took anymore to safely ride. We have a different outlook on a lot of things and are willing to let go of some toys and projects.
But early tomorrow (Monday) the crew should be here to put in the new septic tank and whatever goes along with it. That should make a real big mess, but it is one of life's necessities and will get cleaned up before summer is in full swing. Pray for good weather and little rain to make it less messy for the men that have to do it.
God is good and we are recovering. Thank you family and friends for your amazing help this weekend and prayers. Miss you all, this will be another busy week, but love hearing from you. We read e-mails and texts, but are slow in answering.
Pa and Ma Gibson
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
March 21, 2012
This is, hopefully, or sadly, our last night at Rio Rehab. Jim is recuperating nicely, except for a muscle that gives him a lot of pain in his back. It inhibits some of his physical therapy but they are giving him some excellent stretching excercises to do at home. We will be having in home physical therapy for a week I think and an inhome visiting nurse to make sure we know how to do the IV meds. Tomorrow will be the big day, leaving here by 11 for a 12:30 MRI, then the neurosurgeon will see us and home we go. Hopefully, the traffic will still be decent and hopefully there will be no snow.
Tonight we are going out for Chinese food with another patient and the recreation therapists. It is about a block away. Trying to figure out what Jim can eat, his diabetes numbers are in the normal range so we may be able to control it with his diet as soon as his body is all healed up. He is lookin' good, lost about 40lbs. I think he is going to recuperate pretty fast when he gets home.
Will fill you all in tomorrow night or Friday morning on how tomorrow goes. Please continue to pray for a good report and maybe we won't have to take the wound vac home with us. It is worth it's weight in gold, but heavy to pack (about the size of a Bible & the weight of a dictionary).
Happy Spring,
Judy & Jim
This is, hopefully, or sadly, our last night at Rio Rehab. Jim is recuperating nicely, except for a muscle that gives him a lot of pain in his back. It inhibits some of his physical therapy but they are giving him some excellent stretching excercises to do at home. We will be having in home physical therapy for a week I think and an inhome visiting nurse to make sure we know how to do the IV meds. Tomorrow will be the big day, leaving here by 11 for a 12:30 MRI, then the neurosurgeon will see us and home we go. Hopefully, the traffic will still be decent and hopefully there will be no snow.
Tonight we are going out for Chinese food with another patient and the recreation therapists. It is about a block away. Trying to figure out what Jim can eat, his diabetes numbers are in the normal range so we may be able to control it with his diet as soon as his body is all healed up. He is lookin' good, lost about 40lbs. I think he is going to recuperate pretty fast when he gets home.
Will fill you all in tomorrow night or Friday morning on how tomorrow goes. Please continue to pray for a good report and maybe we won't have to take the wound vac home with us. It is worth it's weight in gold, but heavy to pack (about the size of a Bible & the weight of a dictionary).
Happy Spring,
Judy & Jim
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
March 20, 2012
I don't know what day of the next 50 years it is, I have lost count, there is barely enough time to think and then it's time to go home and fall into bed exhausted! Jim is doing better than me I think, he is getting more strength and stamina every day. He is still having trouble with his back pain, but he thinks it is muscular rather than from the spinal cord infection. He is going to be released from Rio Rehab Thursday morning to go for an MRI at Kaiser and visit to the neurosurgeon. It will be a long day and we will probably be pretty tired by the time we get home. Jim hasn't been home since the 17th of February and he is anxious to be home and we are both anxious about being home and away from the security of this place. Both hospitals, doctors, nurses, cna's and cleaning people have treated us with the utmost kindness and sensitivity and we are very, very appreciative. Our family has been awesome and prepared our home so it will make Jim's return easier to navigate throughout the house.
Thank you to all our friends too, you have kept us prayed up and all your offers of help are mightily appreciated. We will need help for sure when the weather straightens up. Friday, our first day home we are having our septic tank replaced! What fun, but we are not sweating the small stuff, we are just happy to be able to watch the "poopy" process together! We will look forward to your calls and visits, just let us know before coming over as Jim will probably need extra rest from having to rely solely on me most of the time. We will be having in home nurses for IV checks and wound dressings. On the 27th we are supposed to see the Infectious Disease doctor and hopefully the infection will be cleared up. The wound vac is awesome, but the machine is a little cumbersome and heavy.
We will try to keep everyone up to date, but blogs may be rather infrequent depending on our schedule. We probably won't be out and about for a couple of weeks, depending on how Jim is doing. We don't want to expose him to too many germs yet and until he feels comfortable walking. He will be going home with a wheelchair and walker and still is quite wobbly in the knees.
Praying for Spring to bring some sunshine so we can get out and do some walking.
Love to all, Pa and Ma Gibson
I don't know what day of the next 50 years it is, I have lost count, there is barely enough time to think and then it's time to go home and fall into bed exhausted! Jim is doing better than me I think, he is getting more strength and stamina every day. He is still having trouble with his back pain, but he thinks it is muscular rather than from the spinal cord infection. He is going to be released from Rio Rehab Thursday morning to go for an MRI at Kaiser and visit to the neurosurgeon. It will be a long day and we will probably be pretty tired by the time we get home. Jim hasn't been home since the 17th of February and he is anxious to be home and we are both anxious about being home and away from the security of this place. Both hospitals, doctors, nurses, cna's and cleaning people have treated us with the utmost kindness and sensitivity and we are very, very appreciative. Our family has been awesome and prepared our home so it will make Jim's return easier to navigate throughout the house.
Thank you to all our friends too, you have kept us prayed up and all your offers of help are mightily appreciated. We will need help for sure when the weather straightens up. Friday, our first day home we are having our septic tank replaced! What fun, but we are not sweating the small stuff, we are just happy to be able to watch the "poopy" process together! We will look forward to your calls and visits, just let us know before coming over as Jim will probably need extra rest from having to rely solely on me most of the time. We will be having in home nurses for IV checks and wound dressings. On the 27th we are supposed to see the Infectious Disease doctor and hopefully the infection will be cleared up. The wound vac is awesome, but the machine is a little cumbersome and heavy.
We will try to keep everyone up to date, but blogs may be rather infrequent depending on our schedule. We probably won't be out and about for a couple of weeks, depending on how Jim is doing. We don't want to expose him to too many germs yet and until he feels comfortable walking. He will be going home with a wheelchair and walker and still is quite wobbly in the knees.
Praying for Spring to bring some sunshine so we can get out and do some walking.
Love to all, Pa and Ma Gibson
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March 14, 2012
What determination, I can't believe it! He went up 4 steps today and back down. It was a rather grueling day because he spent the morning waiting for a Vac bandage. It is a sponge affair put into the wound taped over and then it vacuums out the wound so it will heal faster. I am amazed every day what he goes through and still keeps his sense of humor and never feels sorry for himself. He is always thanking the doctors and nurses and complimenting them on how hard they work and how much he appreciates them. I thank God every day for his progress. We have almost everything in place for him to come home. Tomorrow, Thursday, is our meeting with everyone involved so we will have a better sense of when. Again, we want to thank everyone for their kind wishes, prayers, and visits and all the hard work they have put in so he won't have to worry about the things he won't be able to get to for awhile.
Thanks for all the kind comments regarding the picture of "grandpa and his girls". Maybe we can get the boys to sit still long enough to get one of them. We have been so blessed. We love our family so much and are proud of each and everyone of them.
We are praying and thinking of you our there that are not feeling well or are dealing with a painful situation. Remember, you are loved with an everlasting love by our Heavenly Father.
In case you can't tell, I am a little emotional and melancholy tonight.
Judy
What determination, I can't believe it! He went up 4 steps today and back down. It was a rather grueling day because he spent the morning waiting for a Vac bandage. It is a sponge affair put into the wound taped over and then it vacuums out the wound so it will heal faster. I am amazed every day what he goes through and still keeps his sense of humor and never feels sorry for himself. He is always thanking the doctors and nurses and complimenting them on how hard they work and how much he appreciates them. I thank God every day for his progress. We have almost everything in place for him to come home. Tomorrow, Thursday, is our meeting with everyone involved so we will have a better sense of when. Again, we want to thank everyone for their kind wishes, prayers, and visits and all the hard work they have put in so he won't have to worry about the things he won't be able to get to for awhile.
Thanks for all the kind comments regarding the picture of "grandpa and his girls". Maybe we can get the boys to sit still long enough to get one of them. We have been so blessed. We love our family so much and are proud of each and everyone of them.
We are praying and thinking of you our there that are not feeling well or are dealing with a painful situation. Remember, you are loved with an everlasting love by our Heavenly Father.
In case you can't tell, I am a little emotional and melancholy tonight.
Judy
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
March 13, 2012 WE DID IT!!!!
Yesterday during physical training Jim and I practiced 3 times getting him into the car. Set up his walker, make sure his wheelchair brakes are on, take the pack off the back, take the leg supports off the chair, get him to a standing position (he does this very well, just needs to build up those leg muscles again), position his posterior on the seat (our car is a little tall, who would have thought that for him) but he does it, help him lift his legs into the car, make sure his seatbelt is on, shut the door, take the seat off the chair, take the leg supports off the chair, fold the chair up and watch me put it in the back of the suburban (I am in pt too building up muscles I haven't used in awhile), get in, seatbelt, start the engine, turn on the lights, put it into drive, turn on the windshield wipers because it is snowing like crazy and PRAY like crazy that I get him to Kaiser on time for 2 appointments! We did it and arrived safely back at Rio where we did it all in reverse (kinda), the wind was biting cold up on the wheelchair access floor of the parking garage. We even made a quick McDonald's drive-thru and he ate his lunch and I had nuggets. Nutritious! By the time we got back he was exhausted, and so was I. Had a little nap and then Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy all afternoon. We will sleep well tonight.
Talk to you tomorrow. Everyone have a good evening and thanks for checking in on us.
Judy & Jim
Yesterday during physical training Jim and I practiced 3 times getting him into the car. Set up his walker, make sure his wheelchair brakes are on, take the pack off the back, take the leg supports off the chair, get him to a standing position (he does this very well, just needs to build up those leg muscles again), position his posterior on the seat (our car is a little tall, who would have thought that for him) but he does it, help him lift his legs into the car, make sure his seatbelt is on, shut the door, take the seat off the chair, take the leg supports off the chair, fold the chair up and watch me put it in the back of the suburban (I am in pt too building up muscles I haven't used in awhile), get in, seatbelt, start the engine, turn on the lights, put it into drive, turn on the windshield wipers because it is snowing like crazy and PRAY like crazy that I get him to Kaiser on time for 2 appointments! We did it and arrived safely back at Rio where we did it all in reverse (kinda), the wind was biting cold up on the wheelchair access floor of the parking garage. We even made a quick McDonald's drive-thru and he ate his lunch and I had nuggets. Nutritious! By the time we got back he was exhausted, and so was I. Had a little nap and then Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy all afternoon. We will sleep well tonight.
Talk to you tomorrow. Everyone have a good evening and thanks for checking in on us.
Judy & Jim
Monday, March 12, 2012
Somebody tell me what day this is! Ok, looks like March 12, 2012.
It has been a really busy day for us. At least we didn't have to be out there battling the wild weather!
Hopefully, we won't have to deal with any snow in the morning. Jim has an appointment back at Kaiser which I think is a little silly, but we do what we need to do. It was pretty easy physical therapy this weekend, kind of a teaser, but today he had a really full schedule. One of his wounds was a bleeder this morning so they had to repack and put a pressure bandage on it and then lay still all morning. It behaved after that and off to pt we went. Exciting news is that the therapists helped us to go from a wheelchair, to the walker and into the car! We practiced 3 times and so if the weather is decent I will be taking Jim to Kaiser in the morning. I have been pushed beyond things I thought I could do, but want Jim to be home soon and become independant again. Never should we take our lives for granted, it can change in a heartbeat. Jim is doing so well, he's his usual funny self and all the nurses think he is great.
Congratulations to the new mommy and daddy, Jody & Bradley. Saw a picture of Autumn Joy. She is definitely a keeper. Can't wait to hold her.
Love to all our family and friends. Probably won't be a blog until tomorrow night. Pray for safe travel. Thanks to all our awesome family that are doing things we won't be able to do for a long time. We are very grateful.
It has been a really busy day for us. At least we didn't have to be out there battling the wild weather!
Hopefully, we won't have to deal with any snow in the morning. Jim has an appointment back at Kaiser which I think is a little silly, but we do what we need to do. It was pretty easy physical therapy this weekend, kind of a teaser, but today he had a really full schedule. One of his wounds was a bleeder this morning so they had to repack and put a pressure bandage on it and then lay still all morning. It behaved after that and off to pt we went. Exciting news is that the therapists helped us to go from a wheelchair, to the walker and into the car! We practiced 3 times and so if the weather is decent I will be taking Jim to Kaiser in the morning. I have been pushed beyond things I thought I could do, but want Jim to be home soon and become independant again. Never should we take our lives for granted, it can change in a heartbeat. Jim is doing so well, he's his usual funny self and all the nurses think he is great.
Congratulations to the new mommy and daddy, Jody & Bradley. Saw a picture of Autumn Joy. She is definitely a keeper. Can't wait to hold her.
Love to all our family and friends. Probably won't be a blog until tomorrow night. Pray for safe travel. Thanks to all our awesome family that are doing things we won't be able to do for a long time. We are very grateful.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday March 10. 2012
No physical treatment or occupational therapy until 3:30 today, but it has been one busy morning! I spent the night at the Green Gables House 1/2 a block away and it was a very nice and interesting experience. Met a lady who is receiving treatment for six weeks and her daughter who called me "Grandma" which made me feel at home. Another mother was staying because she had a 2lb preemie who is up to 3lbs and is so cute and looking good.
Oops! Got company, gotta go.
No physical treatment or occupational therapy until 3:30 today, but it has been one busy morning! I spent the night at the Green Gables House 1/2 a block away and it was a very nice and interesting experience. Met a lady who is receiving treatment for six weeks and her daughter who called me "Grandma" which made me feel at home. Another mother was staying because she had a 2lb preemie who is up to 3lbs and is so cute and looking good.
Oops! Got company, gotta go.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
March 10, 2012 "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord!"
We finally made it! We are at Legacy Good Samaritan on about 22nd & Lovejoy. Got the ok to come yesterday about 2pm, so if you felt ignored because we were not answering our phones it was because we were busy movin' out! We had been at Kaiser so long that it was kinda sceery leaving the safety of the place and all we have been dependant on. Kinda like leaving ST. Louis, MO for the Oregon Territory. As soon as we got here the Wound nurse came in, assessed the wounds, and repacked them with a seaweed pack on one and a silver pack on the other two! I have heard she is pretty awesome and we are anxious to see the wounds again on Monday when she comes back. Jim feels like this is where he needs to be as they are working his bum off. He's been walking, has a really comfortable wheelchair to be up in ( the recliner he had at Kaiser was just not comfortable for him). The food is awesome! Everyday is a new menu with really good different things to choose from, all fit to his diabetes. 3 choices for breakfast, 2 for lunch & dinner. Salisbury steak, broiled tilapia, Asian chicken salad, lasagna with Italian sauce & all the trimmings. I am going to have to get on the stick and start making some good stuff or Jim will want to stay here.
Yesterday and today have been really busy and Jim is pretty tired, so please do not be offended if we don't answer your calls. We have family coming up today that haven't been able to be here very often. They need to see that their dad and grandpa are doing so much better than the first and last time they saw him when he was first admitted and diagnosed.
I am able to stay at the Green Gable House 1/2 block away when I want to. Still need to go home to keep up with things. "Someone" keeps coming into the house and dropping things all over the family and bedrooms! Thank you, David and Angie for mowing the lawn. Glad I was there to see you personally. We miss you, but know you have your hands full at home. Looking forward to seeing you and the girls today.
Thank you all again for your love and prayers. Pray that his bladder will wake up and quit being lazy so he can go on his own again. Those of you who have not seen him for a few days would be surprised to see he has skinny legs again. His appetite is really good, he's sleeping well and thankful for every new day.
We finally made it! We are at Legacy Good Samaritan on about 22nd & Lovejoy. Got the ok to come yesterday about 2pm, so if you felt ignored because we were not answering our phones it was because we were busy movin' out! We had been at Kaiser so long that it was kinda sceery leaving the safety of the place and all we have been dependant on. Kinda like leaving ST. Louis, MO for the Oregon Territory. As soon as we got here the Wound nurse came in, assessed the wounds, and repacked them with a seaweed pack on one and a silver pack on the other two! I have heard she is pretty awesome and we are anxious to see the wounds again on Monday when she comes back. Jim feels like this is where he needs to be as they are working his bum off. He's been walking, has a really comfortable wheelchair to be up in ( the recliner he had at Kaiser was just not comfortable for him). The food is awesome! Everyday is a new menu with really good different things to choose from, all fit to his diabetes. 3 choices for breakfast, 2 for lunch & dinner. Salisbury steak, broiled tilapia, Asian chicken salad, lasagna with Italian sauce & all the trimmings. I am going to have to get on the stick and start making some good stuff or Jim will want to stay here.
Yesterday and today have been really busy and Jim is pretty tired, so please do not be offended if we don't answer your calls. We have family coming up today that haven't been able to be here very often. They need to see that their dad and grandpa are doing so much better than the first and last time they saw him when he was first admitted and diagnosed.
I am able to stay at the Green Gable House 1/2 block away when I want to. Still need to go home to keep up with things. "Someone" keeps coming into the house and dropping things all over the family and bedrooms! Thank you, David and Angie for mowing the lawn. Glad I was there to see you personally. We miss you, but know you have your hands full at home. Looking forward to seeing you and the girls today.
Thank you all again for your love and prayers. Pray that his bladder will wake up and quit being lazy so he can go on his own again. Those of you who have not seen him for a few days would be surprised to see he has skinny legs again. His appetite is really good, he's sleeping well and thankful for every new day.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
March 8, 2012 9:30pm
Well, Pa is asleep, Ma is soon there. This has been a long journey, and we start on another road tomorrow. This morning the neurosurgeon came in, pulled the tubes, dressed them and told Jim he could take a shower. He loved that, almost 4 weeks since he has been able to take one. I think it was the nurse who came in and said he thought we would be going to Rio today, we figured it was to be soon. So I packed up all our earthly goods (it seemed like it anyway), trotted a load down to the car and guess who had no keys. Thankfully the nice ladies in the gift shop said they would watch my things while I went back to the 2nd floor and got the keys and more stuff. Got it all in the car when I get a text from Jim saying that we weren't going after all. Wanted an ultra-sound to check on blood clot in his leg. So I dug around in my suitcase for some clothes for tomorrow and decided I needed some comfort food so went to the cafeteria. This was getting on toward lunch and I needed a drink! Jim thought I was gone a long time so he texted me and asked if I was sitting on the curb crying!
Looks like we are out of here tomorrow and I will have to finish this in the morning. I am unable to keep my eyes open and it will be time for vitals any moment. He's doing good, but will need prayer still. Love you, thank you.
Well, Pa is asleep, Ma is soon there. This has been a long journey, and we start on another road tomorrow. This morning the neurosurgeon came in, pulled the tubes, dressed them and told Jim he could take a shower. He loved that, almost 4 weeks since he has been able to take one. I think it was the nurse who came in and said he thought we would be going to Rio today, we figured it was to be soon. So I packed up all our earthly goods (it seemed like it anyway), trotted a load down to the car and guess who had no keys. Thankfully the nice ladies in the gift shop said they would watch my things while I went back to the 2nd floor and got the keys and more stuff. Got it all in the car when I get a text from Jim saying that we weren't going after all. Wanted an ultra-sound to check on blood clot in his leg. So I dug around in my suitcase for some clothes for tomorrow and decided I needed some comfort food so went to the cafeteria. This was getting on toward lunch and I needed a drink! Jim thought I was gone a long time so he texted me and asked if I was sitting on the curb crying!
Looks like we are out of here tomorrow and I will have to finish this in the morning. I am unable to keep my eyes open and it will be time for vitals any moment. He's doing good, but will need prayer still. Love you, thank you.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
March 7th, 2012 6:30am on the ? day of the next 50 years!
My mind isn't working very well this morning. Someone was up roaming the hall in the middle of the night - yup, he took 75 steps with the help of his lovely young nurse! Didn't even wake me until he came back and announced very proudly he had just walked halfway to the nurse's station and back. Took a quick nap and announced that he was planning his day. So at o'dark thirty we set up his shaving and toothbrushing at the side of the bed and he did it all by himself and I shaved the back of his neck. If you know Jim very well you know by this time it was difficult to tell where his head hair ended and his back hair began, but I did my best and he looks incredibly handsome to me! By the time he gets out of here he will look like he's had a full body wax.
We are anxiously waiting today for the doctors to tell us when we are going to Rio Rehabilitation. It is located near 22nd and Burnside and you can click on this website: www.legacyhealth.org/rio for the address. Be sure to call me so you know for sure where we are. Jim's # is 503-969-2452, mine is 503-969-2449. We are up for visitors, but if you call then you won't come in when he's in the middle of his bath or some other quite interesting procedure! He has another MRI scheduled for March 22nd and then a follow-up with the Infectious Disease doctor after that.
I'm thankful every day that he is moving forward so well. (you know, this all is sounding very familiar - if I am repeating myself please forgive me because I don't read my blog - and I think I've misplaced my brain someplace). I was at the post office yesterday to get an envelope to send some mail to someone and asked for postage and started to leave and the postman said, "Ummm, mam, you need to pay for that." I said, "Well, I wasn't going to steal it." and he said, "Yes you were." Ha, ha, ha! Then I went to the car and brought in a package that I needed to find a mailing box for, found it, got back in line, got to his station where he rang up the price of the box and the postage, I slid my card in the little machine and he handed me my receipt and thanked me. I said to him, "Don't I get any change?" He looked at me like maybe I was an escapee from some institution, and immediately I said, "Oh, I thought I paid with a $20 bill!" Ha, ha, ha! I go to this same post office enough that I think he already has me pegged as being just a bubble off level anyway, so he didn't call anyone to take me away. How long will I be able to convince people that it's my husband's illness that has me this way? I think I had better find a new post office until this blows over.
Thanks to all of you who are helping to get some things done to get him ready for home. You are much appreciated and I hope we can show our appreciation to you some day in the near future. Since he is walking so well there will be less to do than originally anticipated.
Those of you, my friends and family, that are struggling with your own illnesses and problems, I am praying for mercy and grace and God's comfort and peace. We don't always understand, but we have a God we can trust. Proverbs 3:3-5 "Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Have a blessed day. Is it snowing out there?!
My mind isn't working very well this morning. Someone was up roaming the hall in the middle of the night - yup, he took 75 steps with the help of his lovely young nurse! Didn't even wake me until he came back and announced very proudly he had just walked halfway to the nurse's station and back. Took a quick nap and announced that he was planning his day. So at o'dark thirty we set up his shaving and toothbrushing at the side of the bed and he did it all by himself and I shaved the back of his neck. If you know Jim very well you know by this time it was difficult to tell where his head hair ended and his back hair began, but I did my best and he looks incredibly handsome to me! By the time he gets out of here he will look like he's had a full body wax.
We are anxiously waiting today for the doctors to tell us when we are going to Rio Rehabilitation. It is located near 22nd and Burnside and you can click on this website: www.legacyhealth.org/rio for the address. Be sure to call me so you know for sure where we are. Jim's # is 503-969-2452, mine is 503-969-2449. We are up for visitors, but if you call then you won't come in when he's in the middle of his bath or some other quite interesting procedure! He has another MRI scheduled for March 22nd and then a follow-up with the Infectious Disease doctor after that.
I'm thankful every day that he is moving forward so well. (you know, this all is sounding very familiar - if I am repeating myself please forgive me because I don't read my blog - and I think I've misplaced my brain someplace). I was at the post office yesterday to get an envelope to send some mail to someone and asked for postage and started to leave and the postman said, "Ummm, mam, you need to pay for that." I said, "Well, I wasn't going to steal it." and he said, "Yes you were." Ha, ha, ha! Then I went to the car and brought in a package that I needed to find a mailing box for, found it, got back in line, got to his station where he rang up the price of the box and the postage, I slid my card in the little machine and he handed me my receipt and thanked me. I said to him, "Don't I get any change?" He looked at me like maybe I was an escapee from some institution, and immediately I said, "Oh, I thought I paid with a $20 bill!" Ha, ha, ha! I go to this same post office enough that I think he already has me pegged as being just a bubble off level anyway, so he didn't call anyone to take me away. How long will I be able to convince people that it's my husband's illness that has me this way? I think I had better find a new post office until this blows over.
Thanks to all of you who are helping to get some things done to get him ready for home. You are much appreciated and I hope we can show our appreciation to you some day in the near future. Since he is walking so well there will be less to do than originally anticipated.
Those of you, my friends and family, that are struggling with your own illnesses and problems, I am praying for mercy and grace and God's comfort and peace. We don't always understand, but we have a God we can trust. Proverbs 3:3-5 "Trust in the Lord always and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Have a blessed day. Is it snowing out there?!
Monday, March 5, 2012
March 5th, 2012 Day 24
Oh, nuts! I just about had today's blog done and something happened and it's all gone!
Yesterday was a busy day, several visitors, thank you. Today has been an interesting day. Began with the surgeon coming in to check Jim out and tomorrow they are going to pull the tubes out of three of the open incisions on his right thigh and abdomen so they can tell how much they are healing. The nurses that change the dressings are saying that they are healing nicely. The hospital coordinators are encouraging a move to rehab on Wednesday but I'm not sure the surgeons think that Jim is ready. He needs the tubes out first and there is the one on the left that may come out tomorrow because it has a different type of drain. All very interesting. He has lost a lot of fluid and his legs look like legs rather than tree stumps now.
We appreciate the visitors we've had even though Jim still falls off to sleep now and again. I'm thankful for the opportunity to just sit and watch him.
It was another red letter day. Jim is able to sit up on the edge of his bed all by himself (still needs a little lift getting legs back up, but that is a big accomplishment as he couldn't even pick his feet up to walk 3 weeks ago. He also, took 6 steps, sat down and rested, got up and took 15! more steps toward the door. Said he was going home. That took a lot of effort and he has been drifting off to sleep all afternoon. Said he thought he could lick a momma cat today, instead of 3 kittens yesterday. He has been a trooper all through this ordeal. Never complains, not even about the food.
You Thursday night guys and you know who you are, are going to be eating tofu pizza and sugar free candy from now on! The cafe where Jim has coffee with his buddies are next on his list. But I think the D Q is still on his ok list, just has to be a child size butterscotch dipped cone.
It has been an experience being sheltered in here. We don't watch tv and if we do turn it on, we realize nothing has changed, just the names. Temperature is a constant 71 degrees, people wait on us, it's kinda like Hawaii. Naaaaaaaah!
We'll keep you up to date tomorrow as the moving date is on the near horizon. Visiting hours are pretty strict. You can check the place out by going to: www.legacyhealth.org/rio.
Those of you suffering from colds right now, get better and I will be praying for you. Take care of yourselves.
Love you,
Judy
Saturday, March 3, 2012
March 3,2012 Day 22 into the next 50 years!
Just want to thank all of you for your continuous prayers for Jim. He is recovering nicely from his surgery, all his blood work is coming back normal and everyone is pleased with his progress. He has been working on regaining strength in his legs and upper body and is standing and taking 3 steps to the chair, where he sits for about 2 hours. Then 3 steps back to his bed. He probably will not need the Hoyer Lift anymore and may be moved to a different room for someone who may need it. Every move closer to the exit is a welcome blessing. He had trouble sleeping last night so he is doing alot of sleeping today. Our daughter, Shelly, is back for the weekend just to make sure he really is improving and that I am not "sugar coating" anything. I appreciate all of our friends and family being considerate of his need to rest and heal. I hope you don't feel I am keeping you away intentionally, I would love to have a huge party up here and be thrown out, but we can have that when he is finally well enough to entertain at home. Summer BBQ's will be a time to party! We are anxious to share our Hawaiian experience. It is so beautiful there.
Maybe Monday we will find out when he may be able to go to Rio Rehab. I think once he is there and they push him as much as he is able, he will progress quickly. He wants to go home, but there is no way I can have him there until he is able to stand and walk on his own. The Care Coordinator will come to the house and assess what we need to bring him home. Probably some hand rails for the 2 or 3 steps we have. Easier access to his bathroom, some handrails there and a new, higher toilet. Oh, heck, lets just remodel the whole house while he's not there to nix me! I will probably be asking for your help, I am known for tearing down things and cleaning up the mess, but not so much for putting back together although I am a great go-pher! This has been a most humbling experience for Jim as he usually doesn't ask for help. He has been so appreciative to all who have been here and offered help. His brother has been an excellent help trying to keep my suburban running.
For those of you suffering your own losses and pain please text me and I will pray for you. It is so meaningful that so many church families were and still are praying for his complete recovery. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Just want to thank all of you for your continuous prayers for Jim. He is recovering nicely from his surgery, all his blood work is coming back normal and everyone is pleased with his progress. He has been working on regaining strength in his legs and upper body and is standing and taking 3 steps to the chair, where he sits for about 2 hours. Then 3 steps back to his bed. He probably will not need the Hoyer Lift anymore and may be moved to a different room for someone who may need it. Every move closer to the exit is a welcome blessing. He had trouble sleeping last night so he is doing alot of sleeping today. Our daughter, Shelly, is back for the weekend just to make sure he really is improving and that I am not "sugar coating" anything. I appreciate all of our friends and family being considerate of his need to rest and heal. I hope you don't feel I am keeping you away intentionally, I would love to have a huge party up here and be thrown out, but we can have that when he is finally well enough to entertain at home. Summer BBQ's will be a time to party! We are anxious to share our Hawaiian experience. It is so beautiful there.
Maybe Monday we will find out when he may be able to go to Rio Rehab. I think once he is there and they push him as much as he is able, he will progress quickly. He wants to go home, but there is no way I can have him there until he is able to stand and walk on his own. The Care Coordinator will come to the house and assess what we need to bring him home. Probably some hand rails for the 2 or 3 steps we have. Easier access to his bathroom, some handrails there and a new, higher toilet. Oh, heck, lets just remodel the whole house while he's not there to nix me! I will probably be asking for your help, I am known for tearing down things and cleaning up the mess, but not so much for putting back together although I am a great go-pher! This has been a most humbling experience for Jim as he usually doesn't ask for help. He has been so appreciative to all who have been here and offered help. His brother has been an excellent help trying to keep my suburban running.
For those of you suffering your own losses and pain please text me and I will pray for you. It is so meaningful that so many church families were and still are praying for his complete recovery. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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