Hello everyone, Naomi here.
Hope my father didn't bore you with his updates... haha. I believe the last blog was before Mom came home. Dad went to pick her up on Wednesday morning, and all went very well. The ride was fine, the transfer was good, and her new room downstairs is working well. Someone gave us a bed that raises both head and feet, sort of like a hospital bed.
It is SO RELIEVING to have Mom home! We are all so much more relaxed; it just helps to have her around. I don't think I realized until now how draining it was to be driving an hour just to see her. God gave us strength though, and we are so thankful to have her back. When I saw her sitting in the car in the driveway I started bawling.
She is doing very well; quiet, but happy. She says she just enjoys watching the bustle of the household. :)
The wheelchair is tricky on the carpet, and our doorways are very narrow, so she is dependent on us to push her around. She is spending most of the time on our reclining sofa.
Her wheelchair fits under the kitchen table so she can eat meals with us! Wednesday lunch was the FIRST time all 6 of us had been together in 7 1/2 weeks!
Her nurse and therapists will be coming a few times each per week. Once she is allowed to weight-bear she will go on to more therapy.
We have much to adjust to, but God has blessed us so richly. Taking care of her each day is a delight.
Please pray for time and energy. Things take quite a while even though we are helping her.
Mom is so patient with us as we learn how to take care of everything. God has given her such a gentle spirit- she is so content just to be home.
Thanksgiving was great for us; I cooked about half the meal, and my aunt brought the rest. Mom ate a full plate! She loved it. Can't imagine having Thanksgiving without her.
This stage for Mom will last probably through January. Her therapists are very pleased with how she is doing. Thanks for praying and caring for so many weeks. We pray you have all been blessed to see God's work through this. To God be the glory!
Love,
the Jackinses
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Coming home Wednesday!
Hello, caring and attentive friends,
Brian here. Ruth had her home visit yesterday with the occupational and physical therapists. She did great and looked great.
(All I can say is, it's a good thing they didn't need to see the second floor, because we had ... stashed a few things there so the downstairs would be decent and navigable. Some of you know what I'm talking about ... in terms of clutter, especially with Mom out of the house ... like, our bedroom is now a disaster area. But that's another whole blog.)
The therapists were great too. They went through the downstairs with Ruth, observing her doing the things they've taught her (wheeling around corners, transfer to regular chair, etc.) and talked to us about slight modifications in our home that will help. We have the back room on one side of the house cleared out for a temporary (3-month) bedroom. We're getting a hospital bed, a wheelchair, a commode, her leg exercise device, the woundvac machine and whatever else she needs.
I told them she needs a hot tub. (They're checking with the insurance company. Foiled again!)
Wish you could have seen Rio, our border collie/golden retriever mix, when he saw Mommy. He went nuts with joy!!
Thank you . Next time we write, Ruth will be here with us. I pick her up tomorrow at 11.
Thursday, Ruth's sister is bringing the turkey, Naomi will make some pies, the boys can make the green bean casserole. We are grateful to know the God to whom our thanks is due, and grateful that he has answered your prayers and helped us in all these ways. It will still be a long haul, and frustrating/challenging at times, but we'll be so glad Ruth is here with us from now on.
Thank God---when there are figs on the tree and when there are none. He knows what he is doing.
love, Brian and all of us.
Brian here. Ruth had her home visit yesterday with the occupational and physical therapists. She did great and looked great.
(All I can say is, it's a good thing they didn't need to see the second floor, because we had ... stashed a few things there so the downstairs would be decent and navigable. Some of you know what I'm talking about ... in terms of clutter, especially with Mom out of the house ... like, our bedroom is now a disaster area. But that's another whole blog.)
The therapists were great too. They went through the downstairs with Ruth, observing her doing the things they've taught her (wheeling around corners, transfer to regular chair, etc.) and talked to us about slight modifications in our home that will help. We have the back room on one side of the house cleared out for a temporary (3-month) bedroom. We're getting a hospital bed, a wheelchair, a commode, her leg exercise device, the woundvac machine and whatever else she needs.
I told them she needs a hot tub. (They're checking with the insurance company. Foiled again!)
Wish you could have seen Rio, our border collie/golden retriever mix, when he saw Mommy. He went nuts with joy!!
Thank you . Next time we write, Ruth will be here with us. I pick her up tomorrow at 11.
Thursday, Ruth's sister is bringing the turkey, Naomi will make some pies, the boys can make the green bean casserole. We are grateful to know the God to whom our thanks is due, and grateful that he has answered your prayers and helped us in all these ways. It will still be a long haul, and frustrating/challenging at times, but we'll be so glad Ruth is here with us from now on.
Thank God---when there are figs on the tree and when there are none. He knows what he is doing.
love, Brian and all of us.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Home for the Holidays?
Hi Everyone,
Brian here. Unfortunately for you, Naomi has sort of disappeared into the world of homework, housework, helpwork (she babysits and cleans for a couple of families) and college applications.
(The first thing I should do is apologize for not pointing out that the rehab won't allow anyone younger than 14 to visit. A few people have taken their kids to see Mrs. Jackins, but they haven't gotten in---a letdown! We squeaked Ben in (he's 13) by swearing that his birthday is in January and that he won't swing from the chandeliers. No, I think it's related to the germ season and all. So---yes, you can visit, but not with the young'uns.)
Home for the holidays? I learned from our days at HUP to say "I'll believe it when I see it," but they are hoping to bring Ruth home sometime on the day before Thanksgiving!
She really is doing well learning how to maneuver. Which is not to say we won't have a lot to learn to be able to take care of her. They are coming for a home visit late Monday morning to inspect, prescribe, recommend and generally figure out what we need to do around here. Like, maybe some dishes. We haven't been washing any, just buying new and saving them all for when Mom gets home ... I'm kind of nervous about taking care of Ruth. Guess it will be like the rest of it: one day at a time!
You know that poem about the footprints in the sand? I have tried not to like it because it's so overused. But it is also so true. Christ (and you) really have carried us when we could not walk. Ruth, literally and the rest of us, figuratively. Thank you again for holding us up, and asking God to.
I'll try to write more when we know more.
love, Brian for us all
Brian here. Unfortunately for you, Naomi has sort of disappeared into the world of homework, housework, helpwork (she babysits and cleans for a couple of families) and college applications.
(The first thing I should do is apologize for not pointing out that the rehab won't allow anyone younger than 14 to visit. A few people have taken their kids to see Mrs. Jackins, but they haven't gotten in---a letdown! We squeaked Ben in (he's 13) by swearing that his birthday is in January and that he won't swing from the chandeliers. No, I think it's related to the germ season and all. So---yes, you can visit, but not with the young'uns.)
Home for the holidays? I learned from our days at HUP to say "I'll believe it when I see it," but they are hoping to bring Ruth home sometime on the day before Thanksgiving!
She really is doing well learning how to maneuver. Which is not to say we won't have a lot to learn to be able to take care of her. They are coming for a home visit late Monday morning to inspect, prescribe, recommend and generally figure out what we need to do around here. Like, maybe some dishes. We haven't been washing any, just buying new and saving them all for when Mom gets home ... I'm kind of nervous about taking care of Ruth. Guess it will be like the rest of it: one day at a time!
You know that poem about the footprints in the sand? I have tried not to like it because it's so overused. But it is also so true. Christ (and you) really have carried us when we could not walk. Ruth, literally and the rest of us, figuratively. Thank you again for holding us up, and asking God to.
I'll try to write more when we know more.
love, Brian for us all
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dear Friends,
Oh, we're so sorry to let so much time go by without word. Brian here. It's six days since Ruth's move to the Rehab. We've mostly just been busy going back and forth. Also, the day-to-day changes aren't as dramatic now (thank the Lord, we don't need them to be!), so we will be posting less often.
But there are good things to report! Let's see ...
1. Many of you have asked about pain, or commented that you can't imagine all Ruth's pain. One of the blessings has been that she hasn't had too much intense pain. In Philly, they generally kept it under control. Back here, her doses of pain meds have been reduced but it's still not too bad. So you can be relieved and thank the Lord with us. She tends more toward discomfort, she would call it, when she hasn't changed positions in awhile, or these days when she's upright (in the wheelchair) too long. About an hour and a half is what she's up to, then bed starts looking really good.
2. All kinds of changes. All of her stitches are out, no more splints or immobilizers, she's using her right arm (though not for anything heavy), she's wearing pajamas and sweats instead of hospital gowns, she's eating better (i.e., more) every day. The one big device still at work is the woundvac on her hip, still removing fluid and reducing the area that was so swollen.
3. The Rehab is very nice. It is low and wide with wide hallways and pretty big rooms. She has her own room on a floor that can take only about 12 patients. In all, the center can admit 112. Unlike Philly, the cafeteria closes at 2 p.m., so no access for dinner for guests. There are vending machines.
4. Her therapy includes bathing and dressing herself, eating, learning to transfer from mattress to chair or commode, rotating her ankles and feet ... and she's doing great. There is also a machine that moves her lower right leg for her. It very slowly bends her knee up and then straightens it. she was on that for two-hour stints but it was pretty hard to take. She asked the nurses if she could do 2 one-hour treatments instead, and that has helped. Yesterday, too, she was self-propelling in her wheelchair using her left hand and foot. She made it through the hall all the way around the unit.
If you'd like to write, call or visit, that is possible.
Her phone number is 484-388-2995.
The unit desk is 484-388-2705.
You can write to her at
Ruth Jackins, c/0
The Reading Hospital for Post-Acute Rehabilitation
2802 Papermill Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610
or at home and we'll run it up. We go almost every day.
It would be a good idea to call before a visit, if possible. She has therapies scheduled all through the day, with some breaks, until 4:40 or so. She usually knows the next day's schedule by evening. Dinner is at 6:00; you can join her if you like (bring your own food).
Things to pray for:
1. Ruth's blood pressure was too low the other day, so she was going to have another transfusion. Nurses find it nearly impossible to find her veins, which are very fine and deep. There are no phrenologists (people who find lost veins) at the Rehab and it was going to be a big hullaballoo (to the hospital and back in an ambulance) to get the I.V. in. Fortunately, they checked her pressure just before they called the ambulance and it was back to the minimum acceptable level. Pray for her blood pressure and that they'll have someone on hand who can find a vein if needed.
2. Ruth is so tired of being in bed. She finds herself thinking things like, "This is silly. I need to go to the bathroom. I'm just going to get up and go." (Without a lot of pain, she doesn't feel her inability that much.) Then she reminds herself she is stuck for awhile. She needs patience as it will be awhile before she can do much. We don't watch T.V. at home and now we know why. What they say is true: 400 channels and there's still nothing to watch!! A friend gave us a portable DVD player, so I have taken her a couple of movies. She prays a lot. If you write to her or visit, share your prayer requests. She really will give them time and attention.
3. That she, and all of us, will be lights of Christ to the staff and other patients.
4. That increasingly they will be able to reduce her medications for pain, regularity, sleep, etc. and her body can start handling itself. She is on a blood thinner and that will be at least 6 months since she had a pulmonary embolism in one of her surgeries.
5. Strength in therapy, healing.
6. She misses home, "normal life and schedule" so much. And home doesn't feel right at all. It's been six weeks.
The Lord is good. Bless you all for your kind attention. Thank you for the many cards. We read them together and she loves thinking of each of you.
till next time,
Brian for us all.
Oh, we're so sorry to let so much time go by without word. Brian here. It's six days since Ruth's move to the Rehab. We've mostly just been busy going back and forth. Also, the day-to-day changes aren't as dramatic now (thank the Lord, we don't need them to be!), so we will be posting less often.
But there are good things to report! Let's see ...
1. Many of you have asked about pain, or commented that you can't imagine all Ruth's pain. One of the blessings has been that she hasn't had too much intense pain. In Philly, they generally kept it under control. Back here, her doses of pain meds have been reduced but it's still not too bad. So you can be relieved and thank the Lord with us. She tends more toward discomfort, she would call it, when she hasn't changed positions in awhile, or these days when she's upright (in the wheelchair) too long. About an hour and a half is what she's up to, then bed starts looking really good.
2. All kinds of changes. All of her stitches are out, no more splints or immobilizers, she's using her right arm (though not for anything heavy), she's wearing pajamas and sweats instead of hospital gowns, she's eating better (i.e., more) every day. The one big device still at work is the woundvac on her hip, still removing fluid and reducing the area that was so swollen.
3. The Rehab is very nice. It is low and wide with wide hallways and pretty big rooms. She has her own room on a floor that can take only about 12 patients. In all, the center can admit 112. Unlike Philly, the cafeteria closes at 2 p.m., so no access for dinner for guests. There are vending machines.
4. Her therapy includes bathing and dressing herself, eating, learning to transfer from mattress to chair or commode, rotating her ankles and feet ... and she's doing great. There is also a machine that moves her lower right leg for her. It very slowly bends her knee up and then straightens it. she was on that for two-hour stints but it was pretty hard to take. She asked the nurses if she could do 2 one-hour treatments instead, and that has helped. Yesterday, too, she was self-propelling in her wheelchair using her left hand and foot. She made it through the hall all the way around the unit.
If you'd like to write, call or visit, that is possible.
Her phone number is 484-388-2995.
The unit desk is 484-388-2705.
You can write to her at
Ruth Jackins, c/0
The Reading Hospital for Post-Acute Rehabilitation
2802 Papermill Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610
or at home and we'll run it up. We go almost every day.
It would be a good idea to call before a visit, if possible. She has therapies scheduled all through the day, with some breaks, until 4:40 or so. She usually knows the next day's schedule by evening. Dinner is at 6:00; you can join her if you like (bring your own food).
Things to pray for:
1. Ruth's blood pressure was too low the other day, so she was going to have another transfusion. Nurses find it nearly impossible to find her veins, which are very fine and deep. There are no phrenologists (people who find lost veins) at the Rehab and it was going to be a big hullaballoo (to the hospital and back in an ambulance) to get the I.V. in. Fortunately, they checked her pressure just before they called the ambulance and it was back to the minimum acceptable level. Pray for her blood pressure and that they'll have someone on hand who can find a vein if needed.
2. Ruth is so tired of being in bed. She finds herself thinking things like, "This is silly. I need to go to the bathroom. I'm just going to get up and go." (Without a lot of pain, she doesn't feel her inability that much.) Then she reminds herself she is stuck for awhile. She needs patience as it will be awhile before she can do much. We don't watch T.V. at home and now we know why. What they say is true: 400 channels and there's still nothing to watch!! A friend gave us a portable DVD player, so I have taken her a couple of movies. She prays a lot. If you write to her or visit, share your prayer requests. She really will give them time and attention.
3. That she, and all of us, will be lights of Christ to the staff and other patients.
4. That increasingly they will be able to reduce her medications for pain, regularity, sleep, etc. and her body can start handling itself. She is on a blood thinner and that will be at least 6 months since she had a pulmonary embolism in one of her surgeries.
5. Strength in therapy, healing.
6. She misses home, "normal life and schedule" so much. And home doesn't feel right at all. It's been six weeks.
The Lord is good. Bless you all for your kind attention. Thank you for the many cards. We read them together and she loves thinking of each of you.
till next time,
Brian for us all.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Signed Out
Yes---after five weeks (practically to the hour) at HUP, Ruth traveled by ambulance to the brand-new Reading Hospital for Post-Acute Rehabilitation. The facility opened on October 20.
I don't know who was praying, but she slept most of the way, so THANK YOU Lord.
Our first impressions are great; we had good nurses, a great doctor who told us and asked us a lot, and they do serve lemon with their hot tea (an absolute must). Naomi was right; we'll miss the familiar faces in Philly and all their kindnesses. But Ruth really is ready for the next stage. She'll hit the ground running tomorrow (figuratively speaking) with different rehab evaluations and exercises from 9:30 to 3:30. They warned her that they fully expect to wear her out, but that patients are always so happy after a couple of days that they can do so many things again. Pray, as it will be quite a challenge. Pray especially that they will control her pain in the right way at the right time so that won't stand in the way of progress. Just sitting in a wheelchair yesterday became unbearable after an hour and a half. I mean, when it's your pelvis that was the broken part ...
The doctor explained their goals for this stay: this will NOT be to get her walking or anything. Her right arm and leg must be non-weight-bearing for 12 more weeks. At this point, they will be teaching her how to do the basics in taking care of herself and getting around the first floor of our home: sitting up, transferring to a wheelchair, to a commode, getting dressed, hygeine, etc. I asked for a rough time estimate, knowing that he didn't know much yet, and promising I would not hold him to it. He thinks she will be there for two to three weeks. I dangled Thanksgiving in front of her as carrot/incentive.
I of course will be asking them if they can also get her to chop onions (they make me tear up so) and darn my socks again.
Long day, gotta crash, thank you all again for making Ruth, the kids and me a part of your day and your thoughts.
She is still very tired. If you wouldn't mind, check with me or Priscilla before planning a visit.
We love you
Brian
I don't know who was praying, but she slept most of the way, so THANK YOU Lord.
Our first impressions are great; we had good nurses, a great doctor who told us and asked us a lot, and they do serve lemon with their hot tea (an absolute must). Naomi was right; we'll miss the familiar faces in Philly and all their kindnesses. But Ruth really is ready for the next stage. She'll hit the ground running tomorrow (figuratively speaking) with different rehab evaluations and exercises from 9:30 to 3:30. They warned her that they fully expect to wear her out, but that patients are always so happy after a couple of days that they can do so many things again. Pray, as it will be quite a challenge. Pray especially that they will control her pain in the right way at the right time so that won't stand in the way of progress. Just sitting in a wheelchair yesterday became unbearable after an hour and a half. I mean, when it's your pelvis that was the broken part ...
The doctor explained their goals for this stay: this will NOT be to get her walking or anything. Her right arm and leg must be non-weight-bearing for 12 more weeks. At this point, they will be teaching her how to do the basics in taking care of herself and getting around the first floor of our home: sitting up, transferring to a wheelchair, to a commode, getting dressed, hygeine, etc. I asked for a rough time estimate, knowing that he didn't know much yet, and promising I would not hold him to it. He thinks she will be there for two to three weeks. I dangled Thanksgiving in front of her as carrot/incentive.
I of course will be asking them if they can also get her to chop onions (they make me tear up so) and darn my socks again.
Long day, gotta crash, thank you all again for making Ruth, the kids and me a part of your day and your thoughts.
She is still very tired. If you wouldn't mind, check with me or Priscilla before planning a visit.
We love you
Brian
On the Way!
Praise the Lord!
The plan for today went through, and Mom is now IN THE AMBULENCE ON HER WAY TO READING!!!
They were hoping for 11 am today, but I wanted to wait until it actually happened to say anything. Dad is going to call us when they arrive. It's now 1:30, so I assume they are well on their way.
In a way it is sad to leave HUP... they have done so much for Mom and have given such excellent care and surgeries. But God is moving us on to another step, and we are very grateful.
I'm sure Mom is so relieved.
Please pray for the next week, which will be a difficult transition. Physical therapy will be very painful and require her patience. Hopefully we can be there more often to support her.
We've asked the Lord for so much; please thank Him with us now.
The plan for today went through, and Mom is now IN THE AMBULENCE ON HER WAY TO READING!!!
They were hoping for 11 am today, but I wanted to wait until it actually happened to say anything. Dad is going to call us when they arrive. It's now 1:30, so I assume they are well on their way.
In a way it is sad to leave HUP... they have done so much for Mom and have given such excellent care and surgeries. But God is moving us on to another step, and we are very grateful.
I'm sure Mom is so relieved.
Please pray for the next week, which will be a difficult transition. Physical therapy will be very painful and require her patience. Hopefully we can be there more often to support her.
We've asked the Lord for so much; please thank Him with us now.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, Nov. 9
Hello all,
Apologies for the lack of blogging over the weekend... not a whole lot happened. Mom had a good day on Friday; Dad and I spent the day with her. Saturday included some physical therapy.. they had her sitting again for a while. Yesterday we visited her and she was doing well. Adrian and Autumn came (it's been a couple weeks for them) so Mom was very grateful to see them.
Her infections have cleared up! Once again, God answered prayer quite speedily. She has been in some pain all weekend, between physical therapy and stomach aches. But that is normal... her system is getting used to eating and digesting again.
The plan was to move her today. The doctors came in to look at everything this morning, and they said she was good enough to move! Big relief.
Then Dad called later, saying they would not be moving her today. Apparently things would take to long to organize in one day. So we are hoping for tomorrow... but no promises. Please pray for patience for Mom... it's very rough to have your hopes dashed so often!
She will be taken to the Reading acute rehab center... right off 422, across from the Texas Roadhouse. We are SO grateful for this- it is right near her sister's house and my Grandmom's retirement village.
It is also only 30 minutes away, and I drive to that area all the time... freedom to visit Mom WHENEVER I WANT!!!
We are very excited, although she very much wanted to come home.
I guess rehab will go on for a while. I don't know how it will work, if she cannot weight bear for a while.
So we are just waiting for today. We are still amazed at all of your faithful prayers. It's been a long month, eh? Yet God has been working each hour.
Thanks again,
Naomi for all
Apologies for the lack of blogging over the weekend... not a whole lot happened. Mom had a good day on Friday; Dad and I spent the day with her. Saturday included some physical therapy.. they had her sitting again for a while. Yesterday we visited her and she was doing well. Adrian and Autumn came (it's been a couple weeks for them) so Mom was very grateful to see them.
Her infections have cleared up! Once again, God answered prayer quite speedily. She has been in some pain all weekend, between physical therapy and stomach aches. But that is normal... her system is getting used to eating and digesting again.
The plan was to move her today. The doctors came in to look at everything this morning, and they said she was good enough to move! Big relief.
Then Dad called later, saying they would not be moving her today. Apparently things would take to long to organize in one day. So we are hoping for tomorrow... but no promises. Please pray for patience for Mom... it's very rough to have your hopes dashed so often!
She will be taken to the Reading acute rehab center... right off 422, across from the Texas Roadhouse. We are SO grateful for this- it is right near her sister's house and my Grandmom's retirement village.
It is also only 30 minutes away, and I drive to that area all the time... freedom to visit Mom WHENEVER I WANT!!!
We are very excited, although she very much wanted to come home.
I guess rehab will go on for a while. I don't know how it will work, if she cannot weight bear for a while.
So we are just waiting for today. We are still amazed at all of your faithful prayers. It's been a long month, eh? Yet God has been working each hour.
Thanks again,
Naomi for all
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Long Day
The caregivers were busy today.
Ruth's stitches came out (before I got a chance to count them---I'm sure there were at least 100) (She asked the doctor, couldn't he do a wax job instead of the tweezer treatment. He smiled and said no.) That really, really looks better and the sites seem to be healing well.
The splint came off her right arm. I'd been wondering about that because it's been three weeks or so. That's great and she is already moving it around some. The movement of her wrist and hand, which were not hurt in the accident, have suffered due to their "time off," however, so she'll need to work with that.
Physical therapists are helping her work on getting from bed to a wheelchair. There was no PT today, but there has been in the last two days.
The biggest issue is a urinary tract infection which they found yesterday. A lot of blood work today. It will mean no move to a rehab until at least Tuesday. We had been told that tomorrow might be the day for the move, so, in a state of extreme fatigue and weakness, she's having a hard time this evening. We prayed and read some Scripture.
Sometimes they let me stay until well after the 8 PM end of visiting hours, but sometimes the situation must be touchy like tonight; the police came through and asked us lingerers on the floor to head out (she is still on the trauma floor where crime is often part of the picture). That was especially hard tonight. I had gotten here late to begin with. There have been a lot of medical issues you've prayed Ruth through; the emotional/hope end of the scale will become increasingly important as she is conscious and challenged.
Naomi's flu is pretty much gone, and the twins' colds.
Thanks for your continued love and prayer. We feel them!
Brian
Ruth's stitches came out (before I got a chance to count them---I'm sure there were at least 100) (She asked the doctor, couldn't he do a wax job instead of the tweezer treatment. He smiled and said no.) That really, really looks better and the sites seem to be healing well.
The splint came off her right arm. I'd been wondering about that because it's been three weeks or so. That's great and she is already moving it around some. The movement of her wrist and hand, which were not hurt in the accident, have suffered due to their "time off," however, so she'll need to work with that.
Physical therapists are helping her work on getting from bed to a wheelchair. There was no PT today, but there has been in the last two days.
The biggest issue is a urinary tract infection which they found yesterday. A lot of blood work today. It will mean no move to a rehab until at least Tuesday. We had been told that tomorrow might be the day for the move, so, in a state of extreme fatigue and weakness, she's having a hard time this evening. We prayed and read some Scripture.
Sometimes they let me stay until well after the 8 PM end of visiting hours, but sometimes the situation must be touchy like tonight; the police came through and asked us lingerers on the floor to head out (she is still on the trauma floor where crime is often part of the picture). That was especially hard tonight. I had gotten here late to begin with. There have been a lot of medical issues you've prayed Ruth through; the emotional/hope end of the scale will become increasingly important as she is conscious and challenged.
Naomi's flu is pretty much gone, and the twins' colds.
Thanks for your continued love and prayer. We feel them!
Brian
Monday, November 2, 2009
Less is More
Hi Friends,
Brian here. Naomi has the flu :(
The short version is, Ruth is shedding equipment quickly and it's all amazing and we hope to have her back in this area soon. (For those of you not acquainted with our area, we are about 75 minutes from the hospital, on a good day. It can be 2 hours with bad traffic.)
The very long version, if you like details:
I believe the last you heard from us, the big pelvic surgery had gone well (on Thursday) and Ruth was recovering. By Friday night she was approved for a regular diet again and her room was downgraded to regular trauma (not the Surgical ICU). Saturday was a nice, restful day and she ate well. Her excellent nurse practitioner visited her and shed a few tears about what bad shape Ruth had been in and all the remarkable progress. We talked with her again yesterday. She mentioned Ruth's rare condition from the accident, called Molle-Lavallee, which I won't describe here because it's too iccky, but any of you scientific types can look it up. It's the part that was removed and the hip sponge-vac is taking care of.
Sunday was good but not without challenges. The physical therapists started her on a machine which will get her leg/hip moving again. She's not supposed to move them on her own, but passive is okay. They have machines that do this for you and it sounds as if we will become familiar with all this. So they started her on a leg-lift device. She was to do it 3x two hours on Sunday. The first time, two hours was too much. They had to stop it. Later in the day, she completed one other therapy and skipped the third due to having guests in the room.
We had a good visit on Sunday and as I said, a good talk with the nurse-practitioner. She let us know that they were planning one more surgical inspection of the hip drainage site (for today, Monday). This time, they wanted to do it without going to the OR; in other words, Ruth would be awake with a heavy pain killer. They really want her to eat and every time she goes to the OR she has to stop eating in order to be anesthetized.
(Of course I don't want her to eat. I save five bucks every time she says, "Bri, I can't eat this ham sandwich and cookie they brought me. Do you want them?")
Today was quite a day. I walked into her room about 11:15 and my first impression was the sunshine on her bed. I thought, "How wonderful that she can have some sun!" My second impression was that something was weird because the sunlight was on the mattress. No blanket, no pillows, no Ruth ... as I walked in further, I saw that Ruth was sitting up in an easy chair. Whoa.
She was asleep. I just stared, amazed, for about five minutes. Grateful! God, thank you!
She woke up. We talked awhile; she had been fine sitting up for about an hour. She told me how the physical therapists had come and set her up. Then the pain began to increase until it was unbearable. The nurses couldn't come quickly enough. It was a horrible feeling to witness that, but be powerless to stop it. Finally they got her back in bed and the pain subsided.
Later today, she had the drainage surgery in her room, as they predicted. She had whopping pain meds for that and for the rest of the day was talking a bit loopy. (They also removed the remaining chest tube. This was very good news.) The nurse came in later to introduce Ruth to the oral blood thinner she will need to take since the intravenous one was gone. That's when I noticed that she was no longer hooked up to anything on the the pole-on-wheels (which has been her constant companion---you know those things that get wheeled everywhere with you, with the doses and readings and levels and drips and loud beeps, just when you fall asleep.) That was a real celebration. She also ate and drank really well today. So all in all, an agressive, challenging, painful, but generally encouraging day. I just need to ask the physical therapists to take it easy with the initial therapies.
We continue to be aware that it is God's response to your prayers, and his mercies to her, that have things going so well. We are also aware that it can be his plan to answer prayer with declining health or sorrow. His assignments are hard, but it is as we accept them with submission and look for joy that we glorify his goodness. In the book of Job, considered to be the oldest book in the Bible, the main character Job, after losing his children, his health and everything he had, was criticized by his wife for maintaining his faith in a good God. She scolded him, "Are you still holding onto your faith? Curse God and die." But Job replied, "... shall we accept the good things from God and not the bad?" He saw that whatever God chooses to send us, he is in the right. Lord, give us the faith of a Job!
The nurse-practitioner says they hope to have Ruth released in a week. We'll wait and see, but things look to be going in that direction. It was four weeks yesterday since the accident. Coming this way, of course, will not be back to normal---it is a long road to get there, if we ever see normal again. And we don't know if the move will be to home, for rest before she can do any active therapy, or to a rehab. But just to be closer, and no more surgeries for awhile, will be nice.
Again, your friendship and help through this is more encouraging than we can say.
We love you,
Ruth, Brian,
Naomi, Autumn, Adrian and Ben.
Brian here. Naomi has the flu :(
The short version is, Ruth is shedding equipment quickly and it's all amazing and we hope to have her back in this area soon. (For those of you not acquainted with our area, we are about 75 minutes from the hospital, on a good day. It can be 2 hours with bad traffic.)
The very long version, if you like details:
I believe the last you heard from us, the big pelvic surgery had gone well (on Thursday) and Ruth was recovering. By Friday night she was approved for a regular diet again and her room was downgraded to regular trauma (not the Surgical ICU). Saturday was a nice, restful day and she ate well. Her excellent nurse practitioner visited her and shed a few tears about what bad shape Ruth had been in and all the remarkable progress. We talked with her again yesterday. She mentioned Ruth's rare condition from the accident, called Molle-Lavallee, which I won't describe here because it's too iccky, but any of you scientific types can look it up. It's the part that was removed and the hip sponge-vac is taking care of.
Sunday was good but not without challenges. The physical therapists started her on a machine which will get her leg/hip moving again. She's not supposed to move them on her own, but passive is okay. They have machines that do this for you and it sounds as if we will become familiar with all this. So they started her on a leg-lift device. She was to do it 3x two hours on Sunday. The first time, two hours was too much. They had to stop it. Later in the day, she completed one other therapy and skipped the third due to having guests in the room.
We had a good visit on Sunday and as I said, a good talk with the nurse-practitioner. She let us know that they were planning one more surgical inspection of the hip drainage site (for today, Monday). This time, they wanted to do it without going to the OR; in other words, Ruth would be awake with a heavy pain killer. They really want her to eat and every time she goes to the OR she has to stop eating in order to be anesthetized.
(Of course I don't want her to eat. I save five bucks every time she says, "Bri, I can't eat this ham sandwich and cookie they brought me. Do you want them?")
Today was quite a day. I walked into her room about 11:15 and my first impression was the sunshine on her bed. I thought, "How wonderful that she can have some sun!" My second impression was that something was weird because the sunlight was on the mattress. No blanket, no pillows, no Ruth ... as I walked in further, I saw that Ruth was sitting up in an easy chair. Whoa.
She was asleep. I just stared, amazed, for about five minutes. Grateful! God, thank you!
She woke up. We talked awhile; she had been fine sitting up for about an hour. She told me how the physical therapists had come and set her up. Then the pain began to increase until it was unbearable. The nurses couldn't come quickly enough. It was a horrible feeling to witness that, but be powerless to stop it. Finally they got her back in bed and the pain subsided.
Later today, she had the drainage surgery in her room, as they predicted. She had whopping pain meds for that and for the rest of the day was talking a bit loopy. (They also removed the remaining chest tube. This was very good news.) The nurse came in later to introduce Ruth to the oral blood thinner she will need to take since the intravenous one was gone. That's when I noticed that she was no longer hooked up to anything on the the pole-on-wheels (which has been her constant companion---you know those things that get wheeled everywhere with you, with the doses and readings and levels and drips and loud beeps, just when you fall asleep.) That was a real celebration. She also ate and drank really well today. So all in all, an agressive, challenging, painful, but generally encouraging day. I just need to ask the physical therapists to take it easy with the initial therapies.
We continue to be aware that it is God's response to your prayers, and his mercies to her, that have things going so well. We are also aware that it can be his plan to answer prayer with declining health or sorrow. His assignments are hard, but it is as we accept them with submission and look for joy that we glorify his goodness. In the book of Job, considered to be the oldest book in the Bible, the main character Job, after losing his children, his health and everything he had, was criticized by his wife for maintaining his faith in a good God. She scolded him, "Are you still holding onto your faith? Curse God and die." But Job replied, "... shall we accept the good things from God and not the bad?" He saw that whatever God chooses to send us, he is in the right. Lord, give us the faith of a Job!
The nurse-practitioner says they hope to have Ruth released in a week. We'll wait and see, but things look to be going in that direction. It was four weeks yesterday since the accident. Coming this way, of course, will not be back to normal---it is a long road to get there, if we ever see normal again. And we don't know if the move will be to home, for rest before she can do any active therapy, or to a rehab. But just to be closer, and no more surgeries for awhile, will be nice.
Again, your friendship and help through this is more encouraging than we can say.
We love you,
Ruth, Brian,
Naomi, Autumn, Adrian and Ben.
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