Posts
Linda's doctors operated on her elbow Friday (yesterday)morning and reported afterward that they removed all of the infected tissue and a very small portion of bone as well. There were no complications with the operation but there was indeed a bad infection all the way to her bone. Now she is in a new room at UAMS, rm 625 and they are changing her bandages twice a day until healing is well on it's way and infection is no longer an issue.
Dean reported that she is in a nice new room with a flat panel television and a brand new bed. The t.v. channels can be changed to whatever you want on this one, unlike the previous rooms where the remote only had one button and you had to go up in numbers and circle around to find your channel. This is such a luxury! ...and she mostly only watches CNN!
Apparently there is quite a hole in her elbow. They have medicated her with strong painkillers again and Dean said he was amazed by the large gauze ball that was removed when they changed her bandage this evening. This elbow had been a difficult spot all along. It is in such a location that she can't get off of it to let it breath or straighten her arm much at all. It has been in the dark at the bottom of the brace that supports her still broken arm all this time. Poor Mom, I'm so sorry she has to keep enduring so much pain and waiting for healing.
I hope everyone who reads this remembers her story whenever they consider a motorcycle or scooter ride. Make your kids and grandkids read it. Make them go visit the ER and ICU and ask those people what they see of cyclists accidents. I'm converted. As much fun as I know they are to ride, it's not worth it. I fell off my bike as a kid a couple of times (ouch) and that's enough for me.
John and Linda Fordyce
- Linda
- We are so blessed to have a great family and so many, many good, loving friends who are concerned and praying for Linda when she needs it. Thank you!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Prayers needed tonight and tomorrow
Linda is scheduled for surgery on the left elbow (that hasn't healed over the bone) at UAMS tomorrow morning at 7:15. She will have to stay up to 5 days or more to insure sterile dressing changes and prevent infection
The main concern now is tomorrow's surgery and praying that the deep cuts and debreding that they have to do won't lead to a bone infection. If this promotes healing, then it will be prepared for the skin graft they will do on the elbow. After skin graft has healed, they will do the orthopaedic work on the broken bones in that forearm. There is still a while to wait. It is certainly a test of patience.
Today she met with Dr. Gruenwald who will do the orthoaedic surgery after about 5 weeks if all goes well. He said he'd trust Dr. Yeun with his life. This is good for that is exactly what she is doing.
Linda asked me to let everyone know that all who sent these wonderful dishes for them to eat this week are so loved and appreciated.
She extends her heartfelt love and appreciation to Nancy Wood, who saw weeks ago that last Monday she was assigned to write a paper to present at that Aesthetic Club meeting. She wrote the paper and presested it for her. Mom said that was the most unselfish gift from Nancy to her that she could imagine. Thanks and love to you, Nancy. You did a beautiful job.
The main concern now is tomorrow's surgery and praying that the deep cuts and debreding that they have to do won't lead to a bone infection. If this promotes healing, then it will be prepared for the skin graft they will do on the elbow. After skin graft has healed, they will do the orthopaedic work on the broken bones in that forearm. There is still a while to wait. It is certainly a test of patience.
Today she met with Dr. Gruenwald who will do the orthoaedic surgery after about 5 weeks if all goes well. He said he'd trust Dr. Yeun with his life. This is good for that is exactly what she is doing.
Linda asked me to let everyone know that all who sent these wonderful dishes for them to eat this week are so loved and appreciated.
She extends her heartfelt love and appreciation to Nancy Wood, who saw weeks ago that last Monday she was assigned to write a paper to present at that Aesthetic Club meeting. She wrote the paper and presested it for her. Mom said that was the most unselfish gift from Nancy to her that she could imagine. Thanks and love to you, Nancy. You did a beautiful job.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Busy day today, surgery Friday
Mom was at UAMS most of the day today. She saw Dr. Yueng about her elbow and he determined that the pig skin patch was not working so he removed it and has scheduled her for a surgery, this Friday morning, to remove the dead tissues, clean it out, and start over. They will know, after surgery, weather or not it will take another skin graft.
Unfortunately, she will be back in the hospital for a week or so due to the open wound. She will be at UAMS however and that is encouraging. They have good food and teams of people for every body part.
Our patient was removed from her blood thinners as of last night to prepare for her surgery. In addition to the above, she also had x-rays and an MRI on that left arm but the report is pending.
She was also given a cardiogram with nothing unusual recorded.
Little Rock's restaurant, Lilly's Dim Sum, was the sight yesterday for a successful fundraiser gathering of Hostel friends. John reported that around 75 friends and supporters turned out to eat together and Lilly's donated 15% of the days receipts! It was a good time and an enjoyable outing for Mom who has missed social outings for quite some time. Thanks to all who came and thanks to Lilly's!
Unfortunately, she will be back in the hospital for a week or so due to the open wound. She will be at UAMS however and that is encouraging. They have good food and teams of people for every body part.
Our patient was removed from her blood thinners as of last night to prepare for her surgery. In addition to the above, she also had x-rays and an MRI on that left arm but the report is pending.
She was also given a cardiogram with nothing unusual recorded.
Little Rock's restaurant, Lilly's Dim Sum, was the sight yesterday for a successful fundraiser gathering of Hostel friends. John reported that around 75 friends and supporters turned out to eat together and Lilly's donated 15% of the days receipts! It was a good time and an enjoyable outing for Mom who has missed social outings for quite some time. Thanks to all who came and thanks to Lilly's!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Smiling While Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
I apologize for the delay in updating this blog. I have no trouble relaying everything as it is when I am in Little Rock but getting the information together by telephone to accurately and effectively describe it as I prefer to do is much more challenging. I have not found the words until today.
My mother, having come through so much and still enduring, has a remarkable attitude and optimism that, I can honestly say, transcends any medications she may be taking to facilitate such a state of mind. She has remained humorous, hopeful, determined, and most of all grateful to all. Call her any time, even if she is in pain, and she will smile and tell you all about the good things that are happening. We can all learn from her this day.
To give a rundown on her physical condition and the progress of each, I will begin at her head and move down.
The hole in the back of her head (caused by the rubbing of her neck brace and lying in bed) has healed nicely but her hairdo needs a little, make that a lot, of work. From the front she looks fine with it combed but turn her around and it appears that one of her grandchildren got their gum stuck in it and cut it out all by themselves. It is growing out, however, and I think when it gets a little more length she may have a nice bob with more length in the front, which is in style now anyway.
She saw her neurosurgeon about her neck on Tuesday and the report was all good. She has healed up nicely and her movements are still stiff and painful as expected. She is no longer required to wear her neck brace most of the time, only when travelling or being active. She has a long scar on the back on her neck but it will seldom be seen under her hair. She will most likely move her head a little more stiffly from now on and with less stretch to each side but WOW! She is still here!
Mom has some stiffness and aching at times in her neck and shoulders due to the head still adjusting to her surgery and the issues of her left arm and holding it up. This is all continuing to improve.
Her left arm is still broken, rotated at the elbow and wrist but cannot be reset until the skin graft wound on her elbow is healed. It is taking longer than expected. Dr. Yueng is trying out a pig skin patch at this time and said if it doesn’t take they will have to perform another surgery to encourage healing. Unfortunately, this failure to heal continues to delay her orthopedic surgery that will free her from the pain, and taking the meds. That left hand is still swollen and stiff and remains her major source of pain now. I think she wants to yell at it sometimes to DO SOMETHING, Get Better! This is really a test of patience.
The right wrist and hand is getting it’s regular exercise and doing it's best at taking care of business but tires very easily. It still can't pick up anything heavier than a coffee mug and hurts to use it more than that. It can poke out a few letters on emails and use the mouse some but tries not to do too much because it causes her pain. It is still the loving, touchy-feely hand of Linda that it was with only a few kinks to work out and strength to build.
Mom still has a tickle on her side where the right chest tube into her lung, the one she had the longest, was removed. It left quite a scar. Her heart and liver all check out healthy and strong. She had blood work done on Monday that required them to increased her Coumadin. She still has blood clots in her left leg, in both the thigh and calf. She has another two weeks before she sees her vascular specialists again. These blood clots (known as deep vein thrombosis) have been a scary and worrisome issue for her. She has asked lots of questions and been reassured that the filter in her vein can and will catch them but was told that they can also get clogged up and, if so, need to be replaced. She asked about signs to look for and will not hesitate to be seen if she feels anything isn’t as it should be.
She is getting around as much as she can and enjoying a little more independence although she still needs supervision as she takes the stairs. John is still taking good care of things and getting to take breaks and do other things, especially when Dean comes by, which is almost daily. As busy as he is, and with his own shoulder pain issues, Dean has been very helpful. He took Mom to her PT this morning and was delighted that he had seen the same therapists for his arm following his surgery.
The family has heartfelt gratitude to all the friends, especially those of Linda and John's Sunday school class, who have brought fresh, lovingly prepared meals to the house regularly. These have truly been a Godsend to them.
Special thanks go to Diane Mackey for the yummy gumbo dinner with fresh baked bread and brownies last night.
Mom has been enjoying the blog and grateful to me for keeping it up. She helps edit my details after reading the new posts. This blogging has been enjoyable to me because I needed to work on my writing skills and it has motivated me to write, and read, more to become a better writer. I've enjoyed the connections I've made with my mother's friends and appreciate the many complimentary comments regarding the blog.
My mother, having come through so much and still enduring, has a remarkable attitude and optimism that, I can honestly say, transcends any medications she may be taking to facilitate such a state of mind. She has remained humorous, hopeful, determined, and most of all grateful to all. Call her any time, even if she is in pain, and she will smile and tell you all about the good things that are happening. We can all learn from her this day.
To give a rundown on her physical condition and the progress of each, I will begin at her head and move down.
The hole in the back of her head (caused by the rubbing of her neck brace and lying in bed) has healed nicely but her hairdo needs a little, make that a lot, of work. From the front she looks fine with it combed but turn her around and it appears that one of her grandchildren got their gum stuck in it and cut it out all by themselves. It is growing out, however, and I think when it gets a little more length she may have a nice bob with more length in the front, which is in style now anyway.
She saw her neurosurgeon about her neck on Tuesday and the report was all good. She has healed up nicely and her movements are still stiff and painful as expected. She is no longer required to wear her neck brace most of the time, only when travelling or being active. She has a long scar on the back on her neck but it will seldom be seen under her hair. She will most likely move her head a little more stiffly from now on and with less stretch to each side but WOW! She is still here!
Mom has some stiffness and aching at times in her neck and shoulders due to the head still adjusting to her surgery and the issues of her left arm and holding it up. This is all continuing to improve.
Her left arm is still broken, rotated at the elbow and wrist but cannot be reset until the skin graft wound on her elbow is healed. It is taking longer than expected. Dr. Yueng is trying out a pig skin patch at this time and said if it doesn’t take they will have to perform another surgery to encourage healing. Unfortunately, this failure to heal continues to delay her orthopedic surgery that will free her from the pain, and taking the meds. That left hand is still swollen and stiff and remains her major source of pain now. I think she wants to yell at it sometimes to DO SOMETHING, Get Better! This is really a test of patience.
The right wrist and hand is getting it’s regular exercise and doing it's best at taking care of business but tires very easily. It still can't pick up anything heavier than a coffee mug and hurts to use it more than that. It can poke out a few letters on emails and use the mouse some but tries not to do too much because it causes her pain. It is still the loving, touchy-feely hand of Linda that it was with only a few kinks to work out and strength to build.
Mom still has a tickle on her side where the right chest tube into her lung, the one she had the longest, was removed. It left quite a scar. Her heart and liver all check out healthy and strong. She had blood work done on Monday that required them to increased her Coumadin. She still has blood clots in her left leg, in both the thigh and calf. She has another two weeks before she sees her vascular specialists again. These blood clots (known as deep vein thrombosis) have been a scary and worrisome issue for her. She has asked lots of questions and been reassured that the filter in her vein can and will catch them but was told that they can also get clogged up and, if so, need to be replaced. She asked about signs to look for and will not hesitate to be seen if she feels anything isn’t as it should be.
She is getting around as much as she can and enjoying a little more independence although she still needs supervision as she takes the stairs. John is still taking good care of things and getting to take breaks and do other things, especially when Dean comes by, which is almost daily. As busy as he is, and with his own shoulder pain issues, Dean has been very helpful. He took Mom to her PT this morning and was delighted that he had seen the same therapists for his arm following his surgery.
The family has heartfelt gratitude to all the friends, especially those of Linda and John's Sunday school class, who have brought fresh, lovingly prepared meals to the house regularly. These have truly been a Godsend to them.
Special thanks go to Diane Mackey for the yummy gumbo dinner with fresh baked bread and brownies last night.
Mom has been enjoying the blog and grateful to me for keeping it up. She helps edit my details after reading the new posts. This blogging has been enjoyable to me because I needed to work on my writing skills and it has motivated me to write, and read, more to become a better writer. I've enjoyed the connections I've made with my mother's friends and appreciate the many complimentary comments regarding the blog.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year !
From the Future !
I had the best time calling my mom from Saipan at 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009 when it was still 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 in Little Rock. I began in a robotic voice, "This is the future calling. Will you accept a connection to the future?" Mom was so baffled, not knowing who this stranger could be, and very suspiciously said, "Who's on the line, please?" We had a great laugh when I revealed that it was Mindy calling. Saipan is crazy on every holiday with fireworks that are imported from China and there do not seem to be adequate safety laws here. Our neighbors were setting off spectacular displays much like you might see at an organized show by the river. It's insane! It looks like a war zone all over the island! Brooke and I spoke to nearly everyone staying at the Fordyce house before I sent the kids off to bed around 1 a.m. (tomorrow).
Thanks to all who have been praying and thinking of my mother. May you have many blessings and experience more miracles in 2009.
Love,
Mindy
I had the best time calling my mom from Saipan at 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2009 when it was still 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2008 in Little Rock. I began in a robotic voice, "This is the future calling. Will you accept a connection to the future?" Mom was so baffled, not knowing who this stranger could be, and very suspiciously said, "Who's on the line, please?" We had a great laugh when I revealed that it was Mindy calling. Saipan is crazy on every holiday with fireworks that are imported from China and there do not seem to be adequate safety laws here. Our neighbors were setting off spectacular displays much like you might see at an organized show by the river. It's insane! It looks like a war zone all over the island! Brooke and I spoke to nearly everyone staying at the Fordyce house before I sent the kids off to bed around 1 a.m. (tomorrow).
Thanks to all who have been praying and thinking of my mother. May you have many blessings and experience more miracles in 2009.
Love,
Mindy
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
house full of family
Mom has finished her week of injections and still anticipating her doctor visit to resolve her blood clot issues. She still has some swelling but we are all confident in the filter in her vein and prayers that continue. She is encouraged to be faithful and trust in God's care rather than worry about her situation and the what ifs and mights.
She got up early this morning for her physical therapy session at UAMS. She has much more mobility in her right hand now and it is being used to care for her left hand which continues to be frozen, swollen, and painfully useless. The left upper arm and shoulder gets spasms and her wrist gets sore from tying to use it.
Over all, she has moved around more today than I have seen her do thus far. She is doing so much better! her strength is greater and it's such a good thing to see. She is going downstairs to the kitchen for most meals now and even made two trip further down into the den today!
Having returned to visiting her family doctor since coming home, Mom and John agreed with him that she would be best cared for if she were overseen by a case manager from UAMS who will have quick and easy access to all of her records with the details of her injuries and treatments. They waiting for word on who they will be working with in this way.
Leslie and Dan have been here since Christmas day, my children and I came last night and Uncle Jim came this afternoon. We were also visited this evening by long time family friends Cece and Gordon Pruett with their son Wesley. My son Matt and Wesley enjoyed playing together. We all ate dinner together and enjoyed a freshly baked pecan pie made by Chuck Cole who also brought over one of Mom's favorite meals: chicken spagetti.
Thanks go out again to the many friends who continue to bring good food and gifts over to the house. John is really working hard each day and the help of others and the food they bring are apreciated more than you may know. My sisters and I have been here doing all we can to help but we feel it is never enough. John takes such good care of Mom and the house. We have to think and act a few steps ahead of him in order to do things for him.
She got up early this morning for her physical therapy session at UAMS. She has much more mobility in her right hand now and it is being used to care for her left hand which continues to be frozen, swollen, and painfully useless. The left upper arm and shoulder gets spasms and her wrist gets sore from tying to use it.
Over all, she has moved around more today than I have seen her do thus far. She is doing so much better! her strength is greater and it's such a good thing to see. She is going downstairs to the kitchen for most meals now and even made two trip further down into the den today!
Having returned to visiting her family doctor since coming home, Mom and John agreed with him that she would be best cared for if she were overseen by a case manager from UAMS who will have quick and easy access to all of her records with the details of her injuries and treatments. They waiting for word on who they will be working with in this way.
Leslie and Dan have been here since Christmas day, my children and I came last night and Uncle Jim came this afternoon. We were also visited this evening by long time family friends Cece and Gordon Pruett with their son Wesley. My son Matt and Wesley enjoyed playing together. We all ate dinner together and enjoyed a freshly baked pecan pie made by Chuck Cole who also brought over one of Mom's favorite meals: chicken spagetti.
Thanks go out again to the many friends who continue to bring good food and gifts over to the house. John is really working hard each day and the help of others and the food they bring are apreciated more than you may know. My sisters and I have been here doing all we can to help but we feel it is never enough. John takes such good care of Mom and the house. We have to think and act a few steps ahead of him in order to do things for him.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The quoted text is an EMAIL Mom sent me on 9/30/08
This was about one week before the accident:
"Yesterday I bought a 50cc Baja motor scooter. The color is fuchia and it's so much fun to ride! Now I will join Curves again because I won't mind using the extra gas to drive there every day. With going downtown every day I've become reluctant to do any extra driving. My scooter gets well over 100 mpg, they say. How green is that? Love, Mom"
Of course, the first reply I gave her was "Please wear a helmet!" I remember being so proud of Mom for going green, and you have to admit, it's pretty spunky of her to have done so. I guess we should all learn from her experience though.
Someone told me today that most ER employees, who've seen their share of motorcycle accident victims, would never ever purchase a motorized scooter or motorcycle of any kind.
~Posted by Mindy
"Yesterday I bought a 50cc Baja motor scooter. The color is fuchia and it's so much fun to ride! Now I will join Curves again because I won't mind using the extra gas to drive there every day. With going downtown every day I've become reluctant to do any extra driving. My scooter gets well over 100 mpg, they say. How green is that? Love, Mom"
Of course, the first reply I gave her was "Please wear a helmet!" I remember being so proud of Mom for going green, and you have to admit, it's pretty spunky of her to have done so. I guess we should all learn from her experience though.
Someone told me today that most ER employees, who've seen their share of motorcycle accident victims, would never ever purchase a motorized scooter or motorcycle of any kind.
~Posted by Mindy
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas miracle?????
Yesterday, our patient visited her skin graft doctor at UAMS, who she really likes, and learned that her elbow is doing well and this is good news. He also looked at the areas on her left thigh where the skin had been "borrowed" and they have been healing well also. She had concerns however about the swelling in that leg that had slowly been going down but in the past few days had actually gotten worse.
They had originally told her that the swelling was due to the injuries (knee scrape, skin removal, and bone from hip for neck fusion) and would continue to recede and be normal before too long. This leg is the same one that a blood clot had been located in during her time in ICU and they had placed a filter within her vein to catch it, should it break loose. Dr. Yuen, her skin doc said she should not be having this much swelling and it was most likely a vascular issue so he sent her over to see the vascular doctors immediately and they found she has several blood clots.
They decided to put her on blood thinners for the next 5 days via two shots a day in her stomach. They will have another look at her at the end of these 5 days but said they want her on blood thinner pills (Cumadin) for a month. They had taken her off of them prior to the arm surgery that she was supposed to have had a few weeks ago. Now, on these meds, she needs to be very careful not to cut herself in any way, including shaving or flossing. Of course, the arm surgery must not be considered until this situation has been fully corrected.
I'm so sorry for Mom to have her arm surgery delayed for so much longer because the pain is really difficult and she is getting tired of having it. She is still in good spirits, however, and wishes to remind everyone to continue praying for her, especially now. She said she didn't want to post any bad news at Christmas but she knows she needs your prayers over this blood clot issue.
Thanks go to Pam Anderson and Kimber Rule, neighbors who are also nurses, who are working together to help out where they need it and Pam for giving her these two daily shots this week.
Leslie is arriving tomorrow to stay for the week and my family hopes to visit for a couple of days as well.
Merry Christmas!
They had originally told her that the swelling was due to the injuries (knee scrape, skin removal, and bone from hip for neck fusion) and would continue to recede and be normal before too long. This leg is the same one that a blood clot had been located in during her time in ICU and they had placed a filter within her vein to catch it, should it break loose. Dr. Yuen, her skin doc said she should not be having this much swelling and it was most likely a vascular issue so he sent her over to see the vascular doctors immediately and they found she has several blood clots.
They decided to put her on blood thinners for the next 5 days via two shots a day in her stomach. They will have another look at her at the end of these 5 days but said they want her on blood thinner pills (Cumadin) for a month. They had taken her off of them prior to the arm surgery that she was supposed to have had a few weeks ago. Now, on these meds, she needs to be very careful not to cut herself in any way, including shaving or flossing. Of course, the arm surgery must not be considered until this situation has been fully corrected.
I'm so sorry for Mom to have her arm surgery delayed for so much longer because the pain is really difficult and she is getting tired of having it. She is still in good spirits, however, and wishes to remind everyone to continue praying for her, especially now. She said she didn't want to post any bad news at Christmas but she knows she needs your prayers over this blood clot issue.
Thanks go to Pam Anderson and Kimber Rule, neighbors who are also nurses, who are working together to help out where they need it and Pam for giving her these two daily shots this week.
Leslie is arriving tomorrow to stay for the week and my family hopes to visit for a couple of days as well.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Lookin' Gooood
Wow! Doesn't she look great! Mom is so thrilled to have lost 30 pounds! She is expecting to lose a little more when the remainder of the swelling/water weight she still has is diminished.
Yesterday Mom and John got out for a couple of doctors appointments. She is moving around more and able to do more all the time. It takes all her energy and she gets to rest when she returns but she is feeling stronger each time. If we could just get that left arm to stop spazzing and giving her pain, she could say she felt perfectly peachy.
She had her left elbow looked at and the news there should be better but because she is always resting on that elbow, the skin graft that was done there has not healed as well or as fast as expected. They melted a little balloon into her arm brace to prevent her from having to place pressure on it all the time. Unfortunately, they said she may need another skin graft on that area to ensure that it is strong.
This means that the orthopedic corrections to her arm may be postponed even more. We hope not. Perhaps they can find a way to work it out. The best news is she was able to lift that left arm higher than ever before today and she was able to grip and hold a cup in her right hand today for the first since she started PT. Keep doing your exercises Mom!
I made it home just fine yesterday. We were on the phone with Mom on our way to see Matt perform in his Christmas program when we hit a deer. We are all fine but it really scared Matt. He was so shook up he was not up to performing in the show. We will have to find another opportunity to put him to work in his elf outfit.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Corn Chowder, Coaches, and the effects of exercise
Uncle Jim, while he was snowed in with us, took on the task of coaching Mom through her first hand exercises. he was very helpful and a very encouraging trainer. He read through each exercise and demonstrated them for her. He also helped her do another set this afternoon before he returned to Hot Springs. We all had a great time visiting with our Uncle Jim. Thanks Jim!
I filled in on those exercises once yesterday afternoon. I can attest to their effectiveness. This morning when I awoke I was aware that my right hand, which I used to perform the exercises along with Mom, was sore and a little stiff. Ha!
Fresh home made corn chowder was delivered by Jim and Nancy Foster yesterday and we enjoyed that for lunch today. Thank you for the delicious and comforting soup!
I did some shopping today and bought a little Christmas decor for Mom's room. I delivered it with a rhyme. I said "For you who spends so much time up here I brought you a little Christmas cheer". You have to see it to appreciate it. I'll just say it added a little color and comedy to a certain piece of temporary furniture that we all hope will be unnecessary soon.
I filled in on those exercises once yesterday afternoon. I can attest to their effectiveness. This morning when I awoke I was aware that my right hand, which I used to perform the exercises along with Mom, was sore and a little stiff. Ha!
Fresh home made corn chowder was delivered by Jim and Nancy Foster yesterday and we enjoyed that for lunch today. Thank you for the delicious and comforting soup!
I did some shopping today and bought a little Christmas decor for Mom's room. I delivered it with a rhyme. I said "For you who spends so much time up here I brought you a little Christmas cheer". You have to see it to appreciate it. I'll just say it added a little color and comedy to a certain piece of temporary furniture that we all hope will be unnecessary soon.
It was so good to see and visit with Diane Holt today. Thanks for coming by.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tough get tougher
Monday marked the first workout day for Mom's right hand. I had no idea they have an entire space devoted to hands at UAMS. There, they have treatments and therapies for any type of hand injuries. Many other hand patients were there getting therapy.
None of us were aware that there was so much stiffness involved when a body part had not been used in so long. Mom's fingers are so stiff they must be forced to move the smalled bit. Her left hand is worse and it is just frozen in place and still very swollen. The therapist said the movements should have been started sooner than now. This arm is just going to have to wait for she still needs another surgery to repair the wrist and elbow where they are rotated. This can't be done and a cast can't be worn until her skin graft and elbow injury are healed sufficiently. In the mean time she is encouraged to keep moving those fingers, even the smallest amount.
The therapist, Mary, began yesterday by wrapping Mom's arm in warm towels to relax it and warm up the muscles. This felt good. Her therapist gave her several exercises which she is to perform 10 times each three times a day. These were such simple little moves that we can all do without effort but Mom really had to work hard to appear she had moved at all in some fingers. Even though she is using her right hand fingers each day, these moves are some that she does not make and take extra effort.
We are working on a routine for her to follow each day to ensure that she is doing her exercises. She began them in the kitchen this morning but sitting up and moving her head to read the instructions caused her neck and shoulders to strain and she became tired quickly. She was only there for a while and had to return to lie in her bed for a little nap.
Refreshed, this afternoon, and sitting in her newly remodeled den (where we have a fire in the fireplace on this cold day,) Mom has done her second round of exercises for today and we are so excited because she was able to touch her thumb to her ring finger and pinkie!
Uncle Jim came by yesterday to visit before his doctors appointment and is still here. The weather has us all snowed in together and we are enjoying visiting. I made some chicken noodle soup for lunch and we all ate a delicious dinner together with Dean thanks to Georgann Ozment and Suzanne Godwin. Thanks so much! There was plenty for all of us and it was delicious.
None of us were aware that there was so much stiffness involved when a body part had not been used in so long. Mom's fingers are so stiff they must be forced to move the smalled bit. Her left hand is worse and it is just frozen in place and still very swollen. The therapist said the movements should have been started sooner than now. This arm is just going to have to wait for she still needs another surgery to repair the wrist and elbow where they are rotated. This can't be done and a cast can't be worn until her skin graft and elbow injury are healed sufficiently. In the mean time she is encouraged to keep moving those fingers, even the smallest amount.
The therapist, Mary, began yesterday by wrapping Mom's arm in warm towels to relax it and warm up the muscles. This felt good. Her therapist gave her several exercises which she is to perform 10 times each three times a day. These were such simple little moves that we can all do without effort but Mom really had to work hard to appear she had moved at all in some fingers. Even though she is using her right hand fingers each day, these moves are some that she does not make and take extra effort.
We are working on a routine for her to follow each day to ensure that she is doing her exercises. She began them in the kitchen this morning but sitting up and moving her head to read the instructions caused her neck and shoulders to strain and she became tired quickly. She was only there for a while and had to return to lie in her bed for a little nap.
Refreshed, this afternoon, and sitting in her newly remodeled den (where we have a fire in the fireplace on this cold day,) Mom has done her second round of exercises for today and we are so excited because she was able to touch her thumb to her ring finger and pinkie!
Uncle Jim came by yesterday to visit before his doctors appointment and is still here. The weather has us all snowed in together and we are enjoying visiting. I made some chicken noodle soup for lunch and we all ate a delicious dinner together with Dean thanks to Georgann Ozment and Suzanne Godwin. Thanks so much! There was plenty for all of us and it was delicious.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Good friends, good attitude, and good food
Well, I (Diane), arrived this afternoon to spend some time helping out with the assisting of Mom that Dean, Mindy and John have done so much of and done so well. John is still such a trooper, not to mention such a gentle, loving and kind attendant, no matter what the circumstances. I hope to help out enough to give him some time to take his walks, visit with friends, and feel free to run errands or ? He got a few of those moments this evening visiting with some neighbors.
Each time I arrive to visit, I always expect to see Mom looking more "normal" or somehow appear to be more progressed through this healing process and living her life as she had before and in many ways she is. I always have to shift gears, however, and remember that she is still in pain and struggles to do some of the most basic things that we are all doing so effortlessly.
There is no substitute for being here to know what she is (and has been) going through and I am frustrated with my mind's way of minimizing and forgetting [the severity of her injuries and extent of her pain] when I am not present. Her body is still reeling and adjusting to the task it is obligated to perform in healing and restoring her to health. She is much stronger yet still fragile and as much as I want her back to herself again, I must be patient and trust the process.
Tomorrow we will get a visit from Uncle Jim and his friend Mable from Hot Springs before lunch then we are off to physical therapy for both of Mom's hands and arms. Although she has had the cast removed, her right hand is still delicate and weak and she must be very careful with it. This is not easy. She picks up some of the smallest, everyday things but even they can bee too much for her wrist. Her left arm is difficult to lug around and it stresses her shoulder which makes it uncomfortable to be in any position at times. Hopefully, this PT will make a big difference. She will be going each week and doing exercises in between.
Thanks go out to John's former partner, Gene at Merrill Lynch, his wife Paula, and many associates and friends for your gift of a prepaid card for food and all the fabulous restaurant menus and reccommendations! Yum! Last night they enjoyed Layla's and saved some leftover gyros for me too. Yum!
______________________________
Linda says: I never forget how grateful I am to be healing but I do admit that healing can be hard and it takes a lot of patience so I still need your prayers, especially for Monday.
Each time I arrive to visit, I always expect to see Mom looking more "normal" or somehow appear to be more progressed through this healing process and living her life as she had before and in many ways she is. I always have to shift gears, however, and remember that she is still in pain and struggles to do some of the most basic things that we are all doing so effortlessly.
There is no substitute for being here to know what she is (and has been) going through and I am frustrated with my mind's way of minimizing and forgetting [the severity of her injuries and extent of her pain] when I am not present. Her body is still reeling and adjusting to the task it is obligated to perform in healing and restoring her to health. She is much stronger yet still fragile and as much as I want her back to herself again, I must be patient and trust the process.
Tomorrow we will get a visit from Uncle Jim and his friend Mable from Hot Springs before lunch then we are off to physical therapy for both of Mom's hands and arms. Although she has had the cast removed, her right hand is still delicate and weak and she must be very careful with it. This is not easy. She picks up some of the smallest, everyday things but even they can bee too much for her wrist. Her left arm is difficult to lug around and it stresses her shoulder which makes it uncomfortable to be in any position at times. Hopefully, this PT will make a big difference. She will be going each week and doing exercises in between.
Thanks go out to John's former partner, Gene at Merrill Lynch, his wife Paula, and many associates and friends for your gift of a prepaid card for food and all the fabulous restaurant menus and reccommendations! Yum! Last night they enjoyed Layla's and saved some leftover gyros for me too. Yum!
______________________________
Linda says: I never forget how grateful I am to be healing but I do admit that healing can be hard and it takes a lot of patience so I still need your prayers, especially for Monday.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cast Off!
The cast was removed from Linda's right arm today. She still needs to be very carefull with it and has a new slip-on support brace she needs to wear most of the time. This is good news! She will be able to get back to doing many more things for herself that she has needed help with, like checking her emails! I've been helping her keep her inbox from getting out of control but she still has around 300 or so that she'll need to go through.
We heard from Mindy that she arrived home to her family in Saipan. She missed them very much and I'm sure she is VERY glad to be back home. Thanks for coming and helping so much Mindy! You are a blessing to our mother and all of us.
John says everything is now is just routine and Mom continues to get stronger every day. She is enjoying moving around the house more and starting to get back into her life a little at a time. She is so grateful to be getting her hair washed with shampoo and water!
I plan to be in Little Rock from Sat until Thursday to help out wherever I can. --Diane
We heard from Mindy that she arrived home to her family in Saipan. She missed them very much and I'm sure she is VERY glad to be back home. Thanks for coming and helping so much Mindy! You are a blessing to our mother and all of us.
John says everything is now is just routine and Mom continues to get stronger every day. She is enjoying moving around the house more and starting to get back into her life a little at a time. She is so grateful to be getting her hair washed with shampoo and water!
I plan to be in Little Rock from Sat until Thursday to help out wherever I can. --Diane
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday visit with Dean & Laine
Dean & his daughter, Laine, visited Nana today. Laine brought two of her friends, Brittany & Julie, who were very gracious and Mom sure did enjoy meeting them and seeing Laine & Dean.
I hope you can enjoy viewing this photo montage. We were playing around with my new computer that has a webcam to take these photographs. It was created using Office 2007, so I'm not sure that it can be viewed by everyone's system. That's why I posted some of them separately. If you have RealPlayer, it can definitely be viewed that way.
Mom is doing so well. John frequently escorts her around the house, and she's working hard at becoming more self-sufficient. It takes her a little longer, but she's so determined. She wants to try walking outside tomorrow. ~Mindy
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Loving Casey
Linda can only use four fingers on her right hand. Casey says, "Four fingers are all right with me."
It's good to be home with a friend.
Linda observes that Casey is very considerate of her injuries and hasn't tried to climb on her and paw her like usual. He has been very obedient when she asks him to get out of her way.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
We want our Nana back!
Get better Nana!
These kids want you to come for Christmas and visit us in the woods
again.
They miss you and want to go hiking and camping with you.
This is the best picture of you two with Matt and Shannon, Jag and Riker!
These kids want you to come for Christmas and visit us in the woods
again.They miss you and want to go hiking and camping with you.
This is the best picture of you two with Matt and Shannon, Jag and Riker!
No more hospital gown!!!
I helped my mom dress in normal clothes for the first time since she drove off on her scooter that Wednesday morning of October 8th! She had two doctor's appointments with Xrays taken in between. She even got to eat out at a deli & coffee shop located in UAMS. She was out from 8am to 2pm today, and is exhausted and resting now.
Her first visit was with the phenomenal Dr. Yuen, the plastic surgeon who performed the skin graft and who has treated the WHOLE patient so well. She has a new dressing over the skin graft area with a larger wrap above her elbow and down toward the wrist, covered by a specially made splint that will protect her elbow better and prevent bending. He remarked today, that even though delaying the orthopedic surgery longer is not ideal because she is healing so well, she may have better recovery than they normally can predict. She is a very strong individual who has a great attitude and probably will do better than expected.
The Xrays were for the appointment with Dr. Ahmed, the neurosurgeon. The neck is healing well. She was told to keep wearing the neck brace another four weeks whenever she's up and around, to prevent sudden movements.
My flight schedule, for returning to Saipan, has changed. I will leave a day earlier. I depart on Tuesday morning. I will miss Mom and John. I wish I could stay longer, but I need to be with Thom, Garrett, and Brooke too. I'm grateful that the visiting home health aids will be able to see her three times a week, in addition to the visiting nurses. Dean will be available part-time. Also, several friends have offered to come over for short spells if John needs to go out for errands. And, Diane may come during the Christmas holiday. Mom is walking around better, but she is still off balance and it is so dangerous if she falls because she can't support her weight on her arms, so we like to follow her closely in case she needs some support.
Mindy
Her first visit was with the phenomenal Dr. Yuen, the plastic surgeon who performed the skin graft and who has treated the WHOLE patient so well. She has a new dressing over the skin graft area with a larger wrap above her elbow and down toward the wrist, covered by a specially made splint that will protect her elbow better and prevent bending. He remarked today, that even though delaying the orthopedic surgery longer is not ideal because she is healing so well, she may have better recovery than they normally can predict. She is a very strong individual who has a great attitude and probably will do better than expected.
The Xrays were for the appointment with Dr. Ahmed, the neurosurgeon. The neck is healing well. She was told to keep wearing the neck brace another four weeks whenever she's up and around, to prevent sudden movements.
My flight schedule, for returning to Saipan, has changed. I will leave a day earlier. I depart on Tuesday morning. I will miss Mom and John. I wish I could stay longer, but I need to be with Thom, Garrett, and Brooke too. I'm grateful that the visiting home health aids will be able to see her three times a week, in addition to the visiting nurses. Dean will be available part-time. Also, several friends have offered to come over for short spells if John needs to go out for errands. And, Diane may come during the Christmas holiday. Mom is walking around better, but she is still off balance and it is so dangerous if she falls because she can't support her weight on her arms, so we like to follow her closely in case she needs some support.
Mindy
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Home again and feeling fine
I just talked to Mom on her speaker phone and she sounds GREAT! The pain she had yesterday is gone and she is again in good spirits and feeling grateful for her progress, the help she has recieved, and the new cast on her right arm, even though they moved her thumb further out and told her she was not to be using it as much as she had been.
She said a nurse told her she bit her lip so hard it bled, even under anesthesia, because of the pain during the procedure. The pain afterward was great but she remembers a sweet nurse telling her they were giving her more medicine for the pain and it was going to be better.
It was better and she went back home last night. She has lots of new bandages from her shoulder to her wrist on that left arm but there is much less pain today.
We talked about my children and the good Thanksgiving food we had. She wanted more mashed potatos but they are gone. We discussed my coming back to help her more this month after Mindy returns to Saipan. I will be there before Christmas but when and how long is not known yet. We want to encourage John to take a much needed break and visit some of his family during this time. - Diane
She said a nurse told her she bit her lip so hard it bled, even under anesthesia, because of the pain during the procedure. The pain afterward was great but she remembers a sweet nurse telling her they were giving her more medicine for the pain and it was going to be better.
It was better and she went back home last night. She has lots of new bandages from her shoulder to her wrist on that left arm but there is much less pain today.
We talked about my children and the good Thanksgiving food we had. She wanted more mashed potatos but they are gone. We discussed my coming back to help her more this month after Mindy returns to Saipan. I will be there before Christmas but when and how long is not known yet. We want to encourage John to take a much needed break and visit some of his family during this time. - Diane
Monday, December 1, 2008
Pain added to pain
This is Diane, I just got a call from Mindy at the hospital. Mom was being wheeled out of recovery and the report was a bit sad.
Rather than cut into her arm and perform the surgery that we had all expected today, the doctors decided to attempt manipulating her bones back into place. The orthopedic and skin graft doctors concured to postpone surgery due to a risk of infection and to avoid compromising the healing progress that has been made with her skin graft.
Unfortunately, what they did to her today caused her great pain and she immediately asked for the maximum amount of relief possible.
They will keep her for observation this afternoon and possible release her to return home if they determine she is in good condition to do so. Pray she may but also that the pain subsides and the heavy meds are not necessary for too long.
Rather than cut into her arm and perform the surgery that we had all expected today, the doctors decided to attempt manipulating her bones back into place. The orthopedic and skin graft doctors concured to postpone surgery due to a risk of infection and to avoid compromising the healing progress that has been made with her skin graft.
Unfortunately, what they did to her today caused her great pain and she immediately asked for the maximum amount of relief possible.
They will keep her for observation this afternoon and possible release her to return home if they determine she is in good condition to do so. Pray she may but also that the pain subsides and the heavy meds are not necessary for too long.
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