Celebration and Ditto

Here I am doing the same old things to get through the days until I can get back to normal.  Next Tuesday I will have my 6 week check up.  Sometimes it is hard to believe that it has been that long, however, when I really think about it, it has been an eternity.  I am ready to be doing and going and looking forward to my next work assignment.  I still don’t know where it will be, here in Texas or maybe even Arizona for the winter.

                                  

As for this past week, most of it was the same boring use of time.  However last Sunday, Sandi and I went to a celebration of life and remission for Abigail.  It was a wonderful meeting of friends, family and supporter of a nine year old girl who is now in remission.   She is free of cancer.  Last Sunday it was 23 days.  !!!!!!  We all thank the Lord and pray that it will remain gone forever.

 

                                          Abi and friends and family.

Abi has always has a smile and when asked what she would say to encourage others going through a challenge. she replied “When life gets hard, be strong in the Lord and never give up.”  She is well grounded and very happy.  We are all proud of her too.

Then this past week I had the last 2 of my visits from Michelle my home health OT.  Every thing has gone according to expectations.  We wait to find out if I can do active exercises and then we will have to schedule Out Patient Therapy.  The sooner I get started the sooner I will back to normal.

I hope that you all are having a wonderful week.

Thanks for visiting

  helping Mom read a book.

Susan and Angel

Just Checking In

Ever since leaving the Rehab Hospital days are pretty much the same, meds, therapy, sleep, TV or DVDs.  It’s really boring.  On the weekends Sandi will get me out for shopping, church or whatever.

Wednesday. my I Phone got fried and Sandi took me to the Apple Store where they replaced it.  When we got home she wanted me to spend the night with her because of the tornado warnings.  I chose to stay in the MH.  Most of the night wasn’t too bad. When checking the weather reports, most of the storms had passed by where I am parked.  Although, later we did have some more storming with large and loud hail.   Where I used to be was where that tornado touched down nearby. 

         

Last Thursday, my MH entry door was finally replaced.  Sandi came out Wednesday after work to get the things done that I couldn’t do to prepare “My Spot” for transit.  Russ was here early Thursday to drive it to McClains RV to do the replacement and the last of the little things to complete the PDI. 

While waiting, I browsed thru CW store and found a small outside rug on sale.  Now I have a small area to sit when I want.  It was recommended by the PT/OT  while at rehab that I have a stable area by the stairs as I go in and out of the MH.

                                

Last weekend Sandi helped me rearrange some things so that I have better access, one of which was the extra freezer.  I swapped the space on the dining bench and put the printers on the floor under the table. 

                                   

                                            It works a lot better.

That’s about all that’s going on here.  I hope that you all are having a great week.

Thanks for visiting

It sure is hot outside, glad Mom has A/C.

Susan and Angel

Update and Happy Mother’s Day

Tuesday the staples were removed.

                 It really didn’t hurt at all, Sandi asked for the grimace.

This past week I have several visits from the staff of Health South Rehab for observations and therapy. 

                                     

Yesterday, Sandi called and asked that I be ready to leave at 8:00 in the morning.  I knew that we were going to a Mother’s Day Luncheon at her church, but I “wormed” it out of her as to why so early.  She had planned on treating me to a pedicure for Mother’s Day.  We had a great morning at the “Spa”. 

                                       

She wanted me to go different on the color of polish.  My kids think that I’m boring and I guess that they are right, but I did go with “SPARKLE” pink instead of red. 

Yes and then we went to the luncheon for a delicious meal, Grilled chicken with apples and apple cider sauce, assorted vegetables, fiesta rice, rolls and cheesecake.

                                  

                                    Sandi “scored” with one of the Door Prizes.

Thank You Sandi !!!!!!!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day, celebrating with family and friends. It would have been nice to have all of my children here and I know that they would all like to have been here too.

Thanks for visiting

I’m so glad mommy’s home.

Susan and Angel

Home, Both of Us !!!!!!!

                            

Yesterday was my last day of therapy and busy one at that.  Much of it was in the afternoon.  As it was in the beginning, more observations and now tests on what I can do and how much I have accomplished. 

Early Friday morning I woke up with both hands itching, with no idea why.  I have been trying to stop with no luck.  After trying creams, lotions, heat, ice, I’m taking Benadryl. 

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I began this early Saturday,   but     Life happens!!!!!!!

Since then, I/We have been very busy.  I was discharged in the morning,

       

                      This is what you get when you get when discharged.

made a stop Costco and headed home.   Sandi got me all situated and helped put the groceries away.  She headed home to get things done before she had to meet friends that evening.  On the way, she brought Angel home. 

                              

                                       You all know how happy she was. 

Sunday, I got a call from Sandi letting me know that Apollo with Health South would be over to register me for home healthcare.  That took about an hour, just in time to get to church.  We visited Past was or Shane’s church.  He is the one that Sandi brought to visit me after my surgery.

               

 

Faith Pointe Church of Christ was celebrating their 2nd year Anniversary and Pastor.  Shane invited us to share in the luncheon they were having.  It was wonderful to be blessed with great food and conversation. 

From there we went to Home Depot to get some wood to put under the MH jacks,  Maybe now I can get “My Spot II” leveled properly.  Then we went to pick up Charlie from his dad’s, dropped off my prescriptions at Walgreens, went to On the Border to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, returned to Walgreens to pick up the scripts, went to Walmart to finish shopping and then home.  I got help putting everything away said goodbye.  The rest of the evening I watched one of the two channels that I get and was in bed by 9:00 pm.  I figured out how to put on a Lidocaine Patch (for pain) on my left arm by myself and went to bed.

Today, I had another home healthcare visitor, this time it was for evaluation.  I did a little bit of straightening up  and put away the laundry that Sandi did for me.  Thank you Sandi!  I did my exercises and will do them again before bed.

Tomorrow morning I have my post-op appointment with Dr. Milne.  He will probably take out the staples then.  My 1st actual home healthcare therapy visit will be tomorrow too. 

Ii is hard to believe that it has taken me all day to finish this post.  It will be nice to use both hands when this is all over and done.

I hope you all have a great week.

Thanks for visiting

Yes Mom, I’m back on my perch.

Susan and Angel

Discharge Eminent

It has been while since my last post.  when I do my post I usually use Live Writer (LW) on my Laptop, mainly because I have more control with inserting pictures.  I am able to post using my 1st generation I Pad, but can only use pictures that are already on the I Pad.  Downloading pictures from my I Phone is extremely challenging.  I finally gave up and brought my laptop back with me from the home visit, yesterday to write this post.

                              

                               The names change, but this is where I’m at.

During the weekly Team Meeting on Tuesday, it was determined that I would be ready to go home on Friday, however, due to Sandi’s  availability, I will leave Saturday instead.  Yesterday, Nate (PT), Chad (OT) and I went on a Road Trip to “My Spot” to do a home evaluation, where they took pictures and measurements.  Now, I feel so much more confident that I will do just fine once I am back home.  Here at HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Worth, they have been  wonderful.  The entire team has been great from the doctor,  nurses, techs, dietician, kitchen, case worker, PT, OT, to the cleaning staff.  Everyone here has been totally supportive. They are ready to help when needed, but they encourage you to do what you can first, sometimes with the push to get you past whatever level is next. You are always being evaluated as to performance and pain levels.

A typical day is very busy.  In order for MEDICARE to pay, you have to have 3 hours of Therapy, which equates to 4, 45 minute sessions.  We have 2 of PT (physical therapy), one on one and 2 OT (occupational therapy), group. I enjoy both, interacting on an individual level as well as with the other patients.  Yesterday in the morning OT session we “played” with a parachute and inflatable ball.  It was fun, but definitely a workout.

      Working with one arm was a challenge and really worked up a sweat. 

                                       

This machine helps by passively warming both arms (in my case left arm) and legs.

Up to now the majority of my therapy has been for building muscle in my core, legs and left arm along with range of motion  and balance.  It is remarkable how much can be accomplished in just one week.

                                        

                             Here we are getting ready for a group session.

I just got back from my last therapy session of the day.  We are usually done by 3:00 pm each day.  I’m tired and may take a nap. 

Angel, me and Pippa

 

I hope you all are having a great week.  Mine has been good, especially since Sandi brought the “kids” for a visit.  Of course, Angel was thrilled, as was Charlie and Pippa.

Thanks for visiting

I love my Mama

Susan and Angel

In Rehab

I have been in rehab since last Wednesday night.  It was a good decision to be here.  I'm getting the care and instructions that I need.  My days have been very busy, mostly in the morning and then having breaks as I need them. I have a team that all work together to determine the best path to take. Every Tuesday they try to come up with a tentative discharge date.

I'm working on Core issues, building strength and stability.  Goals are set, short term and long term. One was to make sure that I had a BM.  I know, TMI.   That finally happened after nearly a full week.  We were all getting concerned.  Just one of many successes!


Here it is Saturday and I get a visit from Sandi and Angel.   Angel was soooo happy.  I had to go outside of course, although it was a bit chilly.  

This is just a short update.  I've given up on trying to post pics.
I hope that you are all having a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

In My New Home

                               
                                       2002 Four Winds Windsport 34K
                               
                                               New and Old Homes
We were in bed  fairly early Friday,.so that we could get hooked up and trade in the 5er in the morning.  There was a storm over night that woke me up.  Oh great! that’s all we need!  Since I was up early I got everything prepared the rig for transport, even fixed breakfast before Sandi got up.  Once she had her coffee and it was light outside and fortunately it stopped raining we started the hook up process for the last time.  It was 9:30 by the time we pulled in to McClain’s RV  lot. We thought that we could get started on the transfer, but we had to get some paper work done first and for some reason I had forgotten to pull out the titles. DUH !!!  Of course I would have to get the slides out to locate them.  Finally we got both vehicles side by side to begin the transfer.  I knew that I had a lot of STUFF, but I had to make some drastic decisions and PURGE as I went.  I am so glad that Sandi was there to help.  It was more like I was there to help her.  Since we got a late start, it wouldn’t  happen in one day.  Russ said that if we didn’t want it to just leave it and they would take care of it even donate it some where.  So I got rid of a lot of Christmas STUFF, some clothes and a lot of kitchen STUFF and a lot of miscellaneous STUFF.  Ya think there is a theme here!!!!!!!!
 
                                                    Total Chaos
                               That's Corey working on a drain issue.
Russ had just removed the recliner that came with MH, so one of the first things that we did was to get my Lazy Boy moved over.  I knew it could be done, because I moved it into the 5er by myself, but Sandi wasn’t sure. Although the door on MH is a little narrower, we managed to get it in. Some things made  it, but had to go back, just wouldn’t work or find a home. 
Poor Sandi, she was really frustrated and constantly on me about getting rid of the STUFF.  I don’t mind getting rid of things but I would rather that some one could use it.  Sandi knows a lot of people that could use a lot of different things, so they would find a good home.  Thank you Sandi, I don’t think that I could have done it by myself.  No tears shed but but coffee was needed.  I’m also glad that it didn’t rain, but the grass was wet and Sandi took the out side rug and covered the area between the rigs and it was not going to make the cut.
Time was getting short and I still hadn’t driven the MH.  Russ was finally able to get away and we secured what we could and took a test drive.  We headed south on 35W past the MH park where I had left my chairs and and some outside things.  There is a really nice rest area just north of the Bethesda Exit where we would head back north on 35W.  I took over at the rest area and did well.  Piece of cake!!!  It is so much easier to drive and when we got back to McClain’s/Camping World campground, I backed it in to the site first try.  When we got back we continued the process.  We still hadn’t moved over the kitchen.and Sandi had to get home.  We were both exhausted!!!!  I did a  bit more before I succumbed to sleep.
So that was Saturday.  More on the Big Transfer on Sunday.
I hope that you all had a Blessed Easter.
Thanks for visiting
Come on in to my new home.
Susan and Angel