Fall leaves

I'm always so excited when one of our trees changes colors during the Fall as it is so beautiful.  The fact it's next to the pool isn't so wonderful!

Another day of Thanksgiving

We are grateful that Blanche was able to return home today a month after she fell.  She is very fortunate to have done so well with her PT and to not be in pain.  She is excited to be back in her environment and her comfy bed!  Today we celebrated Thanksgiving here and indeed have many things to be grateful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope this note finds all of you having enjoyed a day with family and friends counting your blessings.  We were grateful to be able to spend the day together as a family for the first time in six months.  It has been that long since Kelleigh has seen Ryan and they were both very excited for today to come.  It ended up being a beautiful day despite all the rainy day forecasts.  Tomorrow grandma comes home and we will celebrate the day again here at home.  Then it's leftovers and NO cooking for me all weekend! 

More Koalas

Okay - I'm a sucker for these little guys.  Look at these sweet faces ...

and with my sister ...

From Australia ...

My sister is in Australia on business.  I told her that Connor wanted a picture of a croc or kangaroo while she was there (can you tell he loves Steve Irwin)!  She sent me some pictures - how sweet is this koala and her baby ... and the kangaroo ... ah!

and Connor's croc!

Today's visit

I saw Blanche this morning but she wasn't looking so happy when I got there.  She was laying in bed all covered up with her robe.  She told me she hadn't eaten breakfast as she was having chest pains too badly.  As I asked her about the chest pains, she told me it has happened a couple of times in the last two days.  A pressing sensation down the middle of her chest.  Apparently she asked them to take her to the hospital but they felt it was due to her burping.  I told her the next time it happens to call me and I will come over; if she wants to be taken to the hospital, that's where she'll go.  She feels if they need to do tests she would prefer to be in one location rather than run back and forth to doctor appointments.  The nurse's station called me this afternoon to tell me they had started her on a new medication for her indigestion (I believe).  Apparently their solution for her chest pains. 

Unless something comes up in the meantime, she is still planning to come home on Friday.  We will see Ryan on Thursday and enjoy the day with him; Friday we will celebrate at home with Grandma.  The kids are enjoying their week off.

Catching up

I'm sorry that I'm just now posting some news re Blanche.  My friend's death has been a little overwhelming and today was her memorial service in Pennsylvania so it has been heavy on my mind.

Blanche is scheduled to come home on the Friday after Thanksgiving, 11/25.  Originally it was Wednesday but, due to both Mark and I hoping to both go to Ryan's as a family, none of us felt comfortable with her being home alone on Thursday given it would be her first day back.  We will pick her up Friday morning and celebrate Thanksgiving here that day.  She was very tired today when I saw her and couldn't walk all the way back to her room.  She said she has a couple/few good days then needs a day of rest.  I've rearranged her appointments and rescheduled things for December. 

Tomorrow is the last day of school for this trimester and the kids have all of next week off for the Thanksgiving break.  Other than ortho and PT appointments for Kelleigh, I am hoping it's a productive week and I can get most of my holiday shopping/gifts finished. 

With such sadness ...

... I write that my dear friend of 32 years, Peggy Graves, has passed away.  The call today from her husband has left me speechless and incredibly sad as it was all unexpected.  She had broken her femur in May and, when allowed to finally begin putting weight on it, the screws broke requiring a second surgery.  She wrote to tell me the second surgery was successful, rehab went well, and Tuesday that she was home.  Wednesday and Thursday she had a fever so the doctors feared an infection at the site but an appointment showed nothing.  Friday she was disoriented so they took her to ER where blood work showed she was sepsis and an ICU nurse discovered she couldn't hear.  They began writing notes and she could reply.  Saturday they asked for a CT Scan which showed an abcess near the surgical site and asked Larry to write her that they were prepping her for surgery as they got an OR ready.  She replied "please don't leave me ... I love you ... I'm sorry for everything", closed her eyes, and died.  They tried to revive her to no avail.  Because she was in the hospital only 9 hours before her death, Pennsylvania law requires it to become a coroner case.  An autopsy will be performed so they will know the cause of death.

I can't even tell you the sadness I feel.  I am so grateful that she was able to see her niece whom she so adored be married only 6 weeks ago as she was the daughter she never had.   She was an amazing woman.  Generous, beautiful, devoted, phenomenal cook, talented, and someone I feel very blessed to have known.  This will be a hard transition for her husband and family.  She will be dearly missed by us all.

Oops....

.... I forgot to post this last night!  Kell and I stopped to see Blanche yesterday afternoon and she was doing well despite the rainy and cold day.  I asked her what she thought of the trip home and she said they wanted her to get a raised toilet seat thing like she had in rehab which she "let go in one ear and out the other", their concern over her desk chair ("which has never been the cause of any problems for her"), and the shower.  Okayyyyy.  She said they had her do more leg PT when she got back that day and she told them she'd been cooperative since she'd gotten there but enough in one day was enough!  She was tired and wanted a break so not to bug her over the weekend.  I will see the OT tomorrow and ask what their projected discharge date is as Blanche is very concerned about how unsteady she feels on her feet.  I just need some ballpark of what they are thinking...

Home visit

Since Kelleigh and I were at a craft show, Mark handled the visit with his mom and OT to the house.  No surprises that the areas of concern were the bathroom and her desk chair.  The bathroom is as functional as possible without being designed for a handicap person - two grab bars, seat inside, hand-held shower wand, etc.  Apparently they discussed having someone come in and help shower her.  Her desk chair can be replaced with whatever is appropriate.  There was some discussion about the toilet which I'm not clear on.  When we built her area, we put in the seats that are higher than the average to make it easier for her; she also keeps a walker on it to make it easier for her to get up.  Why a discussion of her having a toilet in her living area even arose I don't know but frankly that's not going to happen.  She admitted that she didn't feel sturdy on her feet so they noted that they will work on that in PT.  Mark is on his way over there now so will update with anything else that happened once she got back or how she felt it went.

Connor had his last football game Wednesday night and since they won, they are Valley League Champions having finished the season 8-2!  He was very excited.  The freshmen team got introduced last night before the varsity game.  Now we'll start winter lacrosse which will lead into spring lacrosse!  Tonight he is with a friend playing laser tag as the kids were off today.

Tomorrow Mark and Connor will go visit Ryan and show him the footage of the games Mark was able to record.  Hopefully we won't get the awful rain storms predicted all week.  Kell will be at her counseling group for a while so I'll have a couple hours to myself - yippee!!  Have been busy working on Christmas gifts so I can enjoy the process without feeling rushed.

Upcoming OT visit

I visited with Blanche this morning and met with the OT.  They asked how I felt about them (Blanche and her) coming to the house Friday morning to see how she makes out in her own environment.  I must have looked a little surprised.  I told them in no uncertain terms that she must be steady on her walker and there can be no use of a wheelchair as we can't accomodate that.  The fact they had her stand at a sink (holding on for stability) and prove she could make a sandwich really wasn't proof enough to me that she's ready to leave.  Once the gal left Blanche commented on her concern that she can step over the ledge (about 4") into the shower, getting it turned on/off (I can do that part), making sure no soap on floor, etc.  I told her she may need help and was she ready to accept that?  She asked if I'd prefer she go to an assisted living arrangement; I told her we'd assess that the next time she falls (as even she knows there will be a next time).  I've taken her rocking chair out of her room and put the wing chair in there as it's sturdier for her to get in/out of.  I guess we'll see what Friday brings and what they will work on in preparation for her return home. 

Doctor Visit

We saw the orthopedic doctor today and she will follow up again in one month.  He explained that she fractured the right wing of her pelvis and how it's an unusual break as generally a fall like that would break the hip instead.  She asked why she was doing PT if it did nothing to help "heal" the bone and he explained the need for her to stay active rather than bed rest, etc.  She told him that she fell again last night.  She was sitting on the edge of her bed and reached to put a bottle of lotion on the sink and leaned too far resulting in her ending up on the floor.  Naturally the call button was on the opposite side of the bed so someone heard her calling for help and lifted her back into the bed.  Now her bottom is sore too!  He told her she was to use a walker all the time from this point on as she may not be so lucky the next time.

Steady progress

Blanche continues to make steady progress and has been given the go-ahead to go to the bathroom alone and dress herself.  Tuesday we have the orthopedic doctor so will update once we've seen him unless something comes up in the meantime.

I was a little alarmed to arrive at Blanche's and discover she was still in bed with her nightgown on, etc. rather than up and in PT.  I asked her if she was sick and she simply replied that she told them she wasn't doing PT in the morning anymore as she liked to sleep.  It was too much for her to have the gang in doing meds, breakfast, and then wisking her off to PT as she was exhausted by noon.  Now they will come around 1:30p and do their thing.  She said she has no control over her right leg but that is the only problem with her standing.  Other than that she's doing great.

Kelleigh starts her PT on Monday.  Connor only has the game tonight and next week and football season is over.  He's sad to see it end but looking forward to having the afternoon free!

Steady improvement

Both gals continue to make steady improvements with their respective injuries!  Blanche was in PT when I visited with her today and doing well.  She's enjoying the flowers Johnny brought as well as the cards she's been receiving.  She's getting feisty which proves she's quickly getting back to normal!  Thank you Ann for stopping by for a visit today - she loved it!

I'm working on getting Kelleigh's PT set up as well. Need to get that girl where she can write again!

A special visitor

It was so great to see John who was in town on business from Oregon.  He was amazed at how well Blanche is doing and we agree!  She's doing PT twice a day and OT once.  I saw her this morning and she wanted her nightstand moved to where she can get into it using her wheelchair.  It got moved and I put her things that weren't hanging in it so she could get them herself.  She was happy.  A follow-up with the orthopedic doctor was scheduled for next Tuesday and I will meet her there. 

Kelleigh and I went to her appointment for the MRI results.  The doctor was flabbergasted that it showed no tendon damage.  What it did show was significant swelling and bruising around the bone; so much so that she has to do PT to get the body to reabsorb it.  He said it's very rare to have that much show up and not have a break or fracture with it.  She's out of PE and riding lessons for the month but should be good by the end of it.  The PE part thrilled her but the riding part didn't!