Today's the big day! Six months after being rolled into Heartland, my dad is walking out! He's going home and couldn't be more excited! He will miss the people at Heartland, my sister and I will not miss the drive:) New challenges lie ahead.
Please continue to pray for my dad's full recovery, and feel free to call/stop by frequently. One thing that hasn't changed is his love to converse:)
Thank you for following this blog, for your prayers and concern. God Bless all of you!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Good news
I talked to my brother last night and he had the proceedure done on his knees and all went well. He said he seemed to have turned a corner the last couple of days and his legs are much stronger. He even walked yesterday without the walker or cane. It wasn't far but this is very good news. He's planning on going home on Friday for good. He is anxious to be on his own.
He has lots of plans. His first stop will be the grocery store. He is confident that he will be able to get around the house on his own. He'll join Wildwood for exercise. He is planning to enjoy the life he had before the accident. Amazing!
I cannont believe what he has accomplished in a little over six months. I think we all see his determination and strength. I am so proud of him and what he has done.
He has lots of plans. His first stop will be the grocery store. He is confident that he will be able to get around the house on his own. He'll join Wildwood for exercise. He is planning to enjoy the life he had before the accident. Amazing!
I cannont believe what he has accomplished in a little over six months. I think we all see his determination and strength. I am so proud of him and what he has done.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
Hello Blog Readers!
It's hard to believe it is already February and five months have passed since my dad's horrific accident.
Good things continue to happen as my dad's recovery moves forward in Waterville. Weekdays are filled with therapy, rest, visiting with people, etc. Saturdays have been big days venturing out to the real world. We have a little routine down that consists of going to Dad's house, go out to lunch and do something that he hasn't done since August 23, 2010. Last Saturday we went for a hair cut at a "real" barber (no Heartland beautician:-) The worry was whether or not my dad could get in/out of the barber chair, which I am pleased to report he did with no trouble at all. We then decided it was time to take a drive out to Stoney Ridge to see where in the heck this accident took place. Apparently, we were both at a point where we could drive past and not be creeped out. It was nice to get a visual. It is definitely mind boggling to think about how much damage was caused while driving down a slower section of Route 20, through a small town (60 seconds in/out), pretty darn quiet area. All we can do is shake our heads & move forward...
Monday we were back at it again, this time to the orthopaedic surgeon for a follow up visit, first visit since given weight bearing status 12/10/10. It was also the first time my dad traveled to a doctor not being transported by paramedics. By the way, he is doing really well getting in/out of the car, walking slow, but steady. He's doing so good we decided not to even take the wheelchair yesterday! Everything is healing on schedule and the only problem is knee bending. Left knee gets swollen, stiff and full of pain. The doctor thinks there is scar tissue around both needs, therefore, he is going to perform a minor procedure where he will jerk/bend the knees back, breaking up the scar tissue. This will be done under mild sedation sometime within the next couple of weeks. We don't have a date yet. Meanwhile, my dad plugs along, doing his therapy, taking walks up & down the halls of Heartland of Waterville.
My dad should be going home around the end of February. I think it's kind of scary for him to imagine living at home with new limitations and changes. He does remind himself how every step of the way it was scary, and he needed to be encouraged. We talk about how far he's come from the days when he was completely dependent on others for literally everything. He/we are so grateful for all the many people who have stepped into his life and offered encouragement in one way or another. No doubt, he wouldn't be where he is today without all the angels who have appeared at just the right time!
I will post again in a few weeks after the knee jerking procedure. Until then bundle up & drive safely!
P.S. Just in case (419) 460-5198 is the number to call!
It's hard to believe it is already February and five months have passed since my dad's horrific accident.
Good things continue to happen as my dad's recovery moves forward in Waterville. Weekdays are filled with therapy, rest, visiting with people, etc. Saturdays have been big days venturing out to the real world. We have a little routine down that consists of going to Dad's house, go out to lunch and do something that he hasn't done since August 23, 2010. Last Saturday we went for a hair cut at a "real" barber (no Heartland beautician:-) The worry was whether or not my dad could get in/out of the barber chair, which I am pleased to report he did with no trouble at all. We then decided it was time to take a drive out to Stoney Ridge to see where in the heck this accident took place. Apparently, we were both at a point where we could drive past and not be creeped out. It was nice to get a visual. It is definitely mind boggling to think about how much damage was caused while driving down a slower section of Route 20, through a small town (60 seconds in/out), pretty darn quiet area. All we can do is shake our heads & move forward...
Monday we were back at it again, this time to the orthopaedic surgeon for a follow up visit, first visit since given weight bearing status 12/10/10. It was also the first time my dad traveled to a doctor not being transported by paramedics. By the way, he is doing really well getting in/out of the car, walking slow, but steady. He's doing so good we decided not to even take the wheelchair yesterday! Everything is healing on schedule and the only problem is knee bending. Left knee gets swollen, stiff and full of pain. The doctor thinks there is scar tissue around both needs, therefore, he is going to perform a minor procedure where he will jerk/bend the knees back, breaking up the scar tissue. This will be done under mild sedation sometime within the next couple of weeks. We don't have a date yet. Meanwhile, my dad plugs along, doing his therapy, taking walks up & down the halls of Heartland of Waterville.
My dad should be going home around the end of February. I think it's kind of scary for him to imagine living at home with new limitations and changes. He does remind himself how every step of the way it was scary, and he needed to be encouraged. We talk about how far he's come from the days when he was completely dependent on others for literally everything. He/we are so grateful for all the many people who have stepped into his life and offered encouragement in one way or another. No doubt, he wouldn't be where he is today without all the angels who have appeared at just the right time!
I will post again in a few weeks after the knee jerking procedure. Until then bundle up & drive safely!
P.S. Just in case (419) 460-5198 is the number to call!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Phone visit
I talked to my brother yesterday. He sounds so good. His progress is still amazing to me. He doesn't use the wheelchair anymore. He can walk all over the nursing home with his walker. Right now the therapists are working with him to go up and down steps. The right leg which was shattered does pretty well but the left leg is more difficult. Apparently the break on that leg was near the knee. He is working very hard to be able to do steps.
Kay takes him to his home once a week to see what he can and cannot do. The plan is for him to go home in mid February. He is doing his best to make sure that happens. He has such a positive attitude. He does enjoy phone calls and visits. Those will be even more important once he gets home.
Kay takes him to his home once a week to see what he can and cannot do. The plan is for him to go home in mid February. He is doing his best to make sure that happens. He has such a positive attitude. He does enjoy phone calls and visits. Those will be even more important once he gets home.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
As I type in the date, I can't believe it's been nearly 5 months since my dad's horrific accident...
Walking & stregthening are coming along in therapy. He has been given permission to walk in his room with the walker, slowly getting away from the wheelchair. He mostly needs the wheelchair for the "arms" to push himself up when geeting out of the chair. This means arm stregthening too! Appetite is definitely back & he is back to his pre-accident weight. Good news... he likes to get up every hour to stretch his legs. Bad news he hasn't been given permission to leave the room so where else can he go other than to the basket of snacks! Gotta smile:-)
This past Saturday I picked him up & took him out for the afternoon. We first went to his house so he could enjoy a little time at home without all the busy-ness of the holidays. His friend, Dave, came over which was a real treat. I left the 2 of them to chat while I ran over to the mall for about an hour. All was well... must have been quite close to feeling independent! While at home we measured the height of steps, chair lengths, car seats, etc. All things one typically doesn't think about in everyday living... From there we went to Panera for lunch, eating in the restaurant. Another treat and just being out in the real world is such a breath of fresh air for him:) He was exhausted 3 1/2 hours later when we returned to Waterville, however, every minute was well worth the time/effort. We will continue this Saturday afternoon ritual indefinitely.
Realistically, my dad is looking at mid-February as the going home target date. He (we) doesn't want to make the big move until he is 100% certain he can make it on his own. Obviously, therapy will continue for a long, long time. He has made huge progress over the last 4 weeks and hopefully he'll continue to move forward at that same pace on his road to recovery.
Many blessings!
Walking & stregthening are coming along in therapy. He has been given permission to walk in his room with the walker, slowly getting away from the wheelchair. He mostly needs the wheelchair for the "arms" to push himself up when geeting out of the chair. This means arm stregthening too! Appetite is definitely back & he is back to his pre-accident weight. Good news... he likes to get up every hour to stretch his legs. Bad news he hasn't been given permission to leave the room so where else can he go other than to the basket of snacks! Gotta smile:-)
This past Saturday I picked him up & took him out for the afternoon. We first went to his house so he could enjoy a little time at home without all the busy-ness of the holidays. His friend, Dave, came over which was a real treat. I left the 2 of them to chat while I ran over to the mall for about an hour. All was well... must have been quite close to feeling independent! While at home we measured the height of steps, chair lengths, car seats, etc. All things one typically doesn't think about in everyday living... From there we went to Panera for lunch, eating in the restaurant. Another treat and just being out in the real world is such a breath of fresh air for him:) He was exhausted 3 1/2 hours later when we returned to Waterville, however, every minute was well worth the time/effort. We will continue this Saturday afternoon ritual indefinitely.
Realistically, my dad is looking at mid-February as the going home target date. He (we) doesn't want to make the big move until he is 100% certain he can make it on his own. Obviously, therapy will continue for a long, long time. He has made huge progress over the last 4 weeks and hopefully he'll continue to move forward at that same pace on his road to recovery.
Many blessings!
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