Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Some glitches, but better than the last discharge

I've started receiving emails & phone calls to see if we were OK. So I thought I'd better take a minute to post to the blog... and I'm including two photos to make up for the lack of posts for two days. One's a photo taken in the last minutes of Denise's hospital stay on Saturday. The other photo was taken today when Denise went outside for a walk up & down the driveway and a wheelchair ride around to see what the neighbors were up to.
I've been either too busy or too tired to post until now. I'm shadowing her everywhere she walks, rolls, or sits. Overall, things are going well. Denise is weaker than she was at the time of her first discharge. She did lose precious ground as far as physical ability and endurance are concerned. But she likes being home. Food is staying down reasonably well, though she'll gag on a pill once in a while and throw up. There is no nausea. Naps are frequent. Overall, she seems to be getting a little stronger each day. Today she went outside for the first time since being home, and it was a beautiful day. Tonight while opening a door for herself, she was able to walk backwards with only one hand on the walker. That's a major accomplishment.
The kids stayed with friends until early on Monday so that Denise could adjust amid a quiet atmosphere. Many thanks to our friends for providing that for us. We also had my cousin and another friend quietly rotating their services to cook, clean, run errands, and be our support so that I could focus on Denise. Again, many thanks. Since PT & OT couldn't be lined up on such short notice, a parent from my school that is a PT came to our house a couple times to help Denise work out. Thank, thanks, thanks! Now my aunt the nurse is in town for a week to tag-team with me in caring for Denise (including a very short haircut at Denise's request) and doing tons of phone calling.
Though many things went better with this discharge, we still went out on the weekend of a holiday with all the "regulars" that are familiar with Denise gone for vacation. So in the rush to get Denise out, some things still fell through the cracks. My aunt & I have been on the phone all day today (the first "business" day after the weekend for medical offices) trying to line up appointments, secure needed services, obtain records, call about bills, etc. Tomorrow will be filled with appointments & phone calls as well. And the next day. And the next. Wish us luck!

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

We do wish you luck with all of the many details. Denise out side under the bright blue sky...a lovely picture and much appreciated. Yes, everyone out here was getting concerned. Hard to imagine all that you have to do, but once again, you have that wonderful support system working. I just kept praying that no news was good news. And prayers are answered! An update. A good one, an encouraging one...Praise be to God.

January 03, 2006 11:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praise God, what a beautiful picture. We are so happy for you all, go Denise, go! Try not to overdo though, One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus.

Just a hint for you Phil, while Bob's mom was still alive and used a walker, he had cut an "X" in two tennis balls then attached them to the back part of her walker that wasn't wheeled. It really helped her get around a little easier and when the bottoms yore out, he just replaced them with two more. Now that I use a walker on my weak days, I find that it has also helped me!
Thanks for the update. Hugs and kisses to all of you.
Rose

January 03, 2006 11:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are so excited to hear of the great progress that Denise has had! Keep up the good work! Cat naps will probably do a world of good for you too Phil! Enjoy the warm sun!
Love, The Treydtes

January 04, 2006 8:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture of Denise outside in the sunshine. I know that although I was a little worried from not hearing anything, no news usually is good news. And I'm sure we all know how busy you are. Praise God for all the help you have been receiving, and hopefully now that the holidays are over, things will begin to go more smoothly.

Thank you for taking the time to let all of your faithful readers and friends know that things are moving along at home. We will continue to pray for strength and good health for Denise.

January 04, 2006 8:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Praise God!! What a picture!! Denise, UPRIGHT, outside, in the sunshine, smiling for all she's worth!! WhooHoo!! God is GOOD! All of us out here in "blogland" will keep pullin' and prayin'!! On with life!!

January 04, 2006 9:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's nice to see Denise outside in a beautiful day.
All praise , honor, and glory to God.
Godbless...

January 04, 2006 1:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Phil, for the wonderful picture of Denise in the sunshine, under a blue sky with homes in the back ground. Very...up...lifting, and very homey.

The progress update is very much appreciated...we all were waiting and praying.

Praise be to God for His mercy, and grace, and loving care of you and Denise throughout these past 5 1/2 months. God Bless everyone who has helped and continue to help.

Phil and Denise, you will continue to be in my prayers.

Love from Athens, GA.

January 04, 2006 5:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations, and blessings to you, your family, and all of your helpers. Praise God! All of our little problems are so much easier to bear knowing how well He takes care of us. He will continue giving you strength for this ongoing recovery, I am sure. And it will take alot! Bless you for sharing with all of us so we can continue praying for you, and also so we are uplifted in our own lives.

January 06, 2006 11:10 AM  

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