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Updates
Apr 27, 2008 10:19:44 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 27, 2008 10:19:44 GMT -7
I think it is Sunday April 27th...thats what I am being told anyway.... She had a rough night last night. With all the "meds" that she is on it is taken a toll on her tummy. So, she didn't get much sleep last night. Like I had mentioned in the last update, she is on an epidural which is keeping her pain in the legs under control. I also realized that in my last update I had said that her family has some decisions to make, but I didn't say what it was. Shorty found out that the Drs are suggesting a nursing facility for her to go to. She is not going to be able to put any weight on either foot for at least 3 months ( a lot longer than we anticipated). In doing this she is going to need 24 hour care. Her daughter wants to bring her home, and with my help take care of her there....but ultimately it is Shortys decision. Honestly, we just want to do whatever it takes to make her better. I know there are things that I am probably leaving out....I seemed to be scatter-brained when I actually sit here and write to all of you. I do want you all to know that every time you send her a message or card it lifts her spirits....sometimes it is harder to be lifted after all of the surgeries and you start down that long road, than when you begin it. I hope you all continue to send her your love and encouragement throughout this journey.... Unfortunately, I have to go back to San Diego on Tuesday. BUT I will be relaying messages from Mom and Mom will be reading messages to Shorty. I wish that life around us would stop, so that we could just concentrate on her....but it doesn't work that way. I have 3 boys of my own that I need to go back and tend to. I will be back in 2 weeks, unless Mom feels I need to be back sooner. Then I will be here all summer, to hopefully get her back to the ranch and settled in. One of the hardest things of my life, will have to be setting a foot on that plane and leaving her. , I love her soooo much. Remember both Shorty and Mom in your prayers..... Love always, Steph
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Updates
Apr 29, 2008 11:25:08 GMT -7
Post by steph on Apr 29, 2008 11:25:08 GMT -7
Well the board says Tuesday April the 29th (Rhonda "MOMS" Birthday
We have moved....
Due to a more critical patient coming to the floor we have had to move a few doors down....to room 4267. We believe that she should only be in this room another 2 days, then she will be transferred to the rehad floor....that is if she is approved. They have to qualify her for it.
Today is showing to be better than the last few days. Her back has been bothering her, because she has been laying for so long. The epidural comes out tomorrow, and they are going to start trying to get her to sit up and hang her legs over the bed. We are hoping that she will be out of the hospital and at Moms (Rhondas) in the next few weeks. Shorty is pretty sick of this place. I know that she wishes that she could go back to the ranch...but the Dr.'s have advised against that right now. They would like her to be closer to Denver to keep an eye on her.
I have to go back to San Diego tonight....and I am hating leaving her. BUT she has Mom and my two brothers that I am sure will take good care of her. :'(At times like this you wish the world would stop all around you, until you get her well. My brothers will be taking over the updates. Keep the messages coming....she loves hearing from everyone.
We have been receiving a lot of cards, and I believe its her favorite part of the day. She gets soooo touched by all of you.
Keep prayin' and sending her your love....its what is going to get her through this!!!
Until next time..... Always- Steph
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Updates
Apr 30, 2008 17:05:29 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on Apr 30, 2008 17:05:29 GMT -7
Hi Everyone, I wanted to give you a quick update on Mom. I'm sure that my updates will not be as good as Steph's but I'll try. :-) Steph went back to California yesterday and Mom is really missing her. Chuck has taken over the morning shifts with Mom so I can gradually get back to work and I am staying with her in the afternoons. Chad and Robert are back at work full time (someone has to make the money) haha.
Today has been a great day! They removed the epidural from Mom's back, removed all IV's and monitors. She gradually started feeling her legs again which was a little painful but not too bad at the time.
The most exciting part of the day was when Mom was able to sit on the side of the bed and let her legs dangle. She was thrilled and it really helped her to get her back off the bed. They were able to do this twice today and said that she was doing great.
Tomorrow is a big day as they will attempt to move her into a wheel chair and she is so looking forward to a trip out on the porch. It is also pet visit day from a therapy dog and as you know her love of animals, this visit really brightens her day.
The one thing that she is not doing well is eating. The doctor told her today that she was going to have to force herself to eat better so they don't have to put her back on an IV. So...I'm force feeding her. ;D Just kidding.
Well, thats it for now. As you can see, all the prayers are being answered and we all feel very blessed to have you pulling for Mom. Love always, Rhonda
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Updates
May 1, 2008 17:52:33 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on May 1, 2008 17:52:33 GMT -7
The Big Move Day!
Hi Everyone, Everyday gets a little better! We are very blessed.
Two big things happened today: Mom was able to sit in a wheelchair for about an hour and she was moved to Swedish Rehab (6th floor). Her new room number is 6121A. She had to qualify for the rehab move which means that she will have to withstand 3 hours of physical therapy per day. Not all at one time but in 30 min. intervals. She is already trying to organize those wheel chair races! No surprise there, huh?
She is really doing well and feels that all your prayers are the reason she is where she is today.
Right now it looks like she will do rehab for about 2 weeks, then will have another surgery, then more rehab. So instead of taking one day at a time, we are now looking at a week at a time.
Ahhh, life is good.
More tomorrow There is a special place in heaven for all of you, Love, Rhonda
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Updates
May 3, 2008 15:08:50 GMT -7
Post by chuck on May 3, 2008 15:08:50 GMT -7
Hi Everyone! Here's the update from the Swedish Corral! Mom is doing doing really well. She is so excited to be able to put on "real" clothes (well, sort of). She can wear her own gowns and shirts but can't put on any pants yet because of the external fixators. All in due time. We went for a trip down the hall yesterday in her wheel chair. It was a blast. She has started to learn how steer it a little. I've warned the other patients to stay out of her way! haha. Dr. Riester told her yesterday that he and his collegues have decided that another surgery right now is not the best way to go. They feel that she is healing pretty well with the fixators and want those to stay on longer. We are not sure what that means exactly but I will be talking to him this week to get a little more information. Her room is all decorated now with all the cards and pictures that you have been sending. I connected all the cards with ribbons and she points them out to everyone that comes in her room. They mean a lot to her. She has had many visitors and it brightens her day. I'll write some more tomorrow and keep you up to date! Thanks a million, Rhonda
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Updates
May 6, 2008 18:07:48 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on May 6, 2008 18:07:48 GMT -7
Hi Everyone, Its me again!
Shorty has a new update in the Message from Shorty section. Please read.
They told us today that the target discharge date is 5/16. I think she is thrilled but also a little nervous. We are working on a small remodeling of a bathroom at my house to make it wheel chair assessible. I think with that we will be set up. I know that she will love company so feel free to come by and see here.
She is doing very well. She is spending more time in a wheel chair and out of the bed. She was so excited that she was able to roll into a shower yesterday. (We were too!) Ha.
There are a few things that they continue to monitor. She continues to run a very low grade fever that they are not too concerned about but it will keep her from going home if it doesn't go down. Her magnesium level is low so they gave her a bag of it through her IV. She is still on oxygen because that level is low also. They are watching the recovery of her left foot to try and prevent dropped foot. I think her exercises are helping a lot though.
Her leg wounds are continuing to heal but look scary when you first see them. She has about 100 staples attaching all the skin and muscles together. We are waiting to hear from the doctors to understand the possible timeframes of any weight bearing exercises but we think its about 6-12 weeks out. (you didn't know that mom and I have a doctors degree) haha
I want to tell you that Mom, myself, and all our family is overwhelmed with the kindness that each of you has shared with us. We are truly blessed.
More tomorrow, Love, Rhonda
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Post by Rhonda on May 9, 2008 9:31:26 GMT -7
Hello Everyone, Sorry for delay in updates. (no news=good news).
Mom is doing very well and is ready to get out of the hospital! They are working her hard everyday with excercises and practicing in and out of the wheel chair.
Yesterday was a rough day because they did all the PT stuff, then she had to go for a CT Scan on her lungs. It was a precautionary measure since her oxygen levels are low and she continues to run a little fever on and off. The CT scan was normal so no worries there.
She also had a pleasant surprise visitor, my cousin and his wife, MIke and Joyce, from Odessa, TX. They were passing through and stayed for a couple of hours. It was very uplifting for her.
She has heard from many old friends from her chili head days in Austin. She has not been in touch with some of them in many (15 or so) years and it has made her smile on numerous occassion.
She is looking forward to visitors once we get her to my house (still hoping for the 16th).
Keep the faith, Rhonda
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Updates
May 9, 2008 12:01:06 GMT -7
Post by Laura Carlton on May 9, 2008 12:01:06 GMT -7
Dear Rhonda and Shorty, I have not been able to check your updates for a while until today! I praise God for the progress you are making and for your family! You are all in my daily prayers and praises. Hang in there, have a wonderful Mother's Day together and know that your many friends in Texas love you! Laura
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Updates
May 11, 2008 17:49:59 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on May 11, 2008 17:49:59 GMT -7
Happy Mothers Day!
It's been a great day at Swedish. Mom got dressed up in her pink flamingo pajamas (ahh, we dream of a beach in Mexico). She put on make up for the first time since the accident. And she looked beautiful.
We (me, Robert, Chad and Mamie) took her to lunch in the hospital cafeteria for Mothers Day. We know its not the most elegant place but she was excited to eat somewhere other than her room.
She had several visitors from the Conejos area and she was thrilled.
It was a good day!
Happy Mother's Day to everyone that is fortunate to be a mom and to have one. Please count your blessings if you still have your mom with you... I know that I am.
Love to you all, Rhonda
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Updates
May 12, 2008 11:18:37 GMT -7
Post by kathylummus on May 12, 2008 11:18:37 GMT -7
A belated Happy MOther's Day Shorty !! Hang in there..................Since my Mom died a year ago you will just have to take her place OK? Better get well and feel good enough for them to let you go to Rhonda's. Much love, Kathy (and Neal and Frankie) We are headed to Sheep Creek the 23rd to stay at Lynn Connally's and help them open their cabin. (and play!) Bet you loved those visitors from Conejos!!!!
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Updates
May 13, 2008 19:46:46 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on May 13, 2008 19:46:46 GMT -7
Well, we are getting ready for the big move! ;D
The hospital bed was delivered to my house today and we are getting Mom's room all set up. Tomorrow we will practice with PT to get Mom in and out of the car. (I know it will wear her out but we have to do it in order to bring her home on Friday.
Mom seems to be getting a little stronger everyday. We had a little bit of a scare today. Her left ankle where the muscle and skin graf were done is not healing as well as they would like for it to. The top part of the graf looks great and is a nice pink color, but the bottom part is black, which could mean the skin did not take and has died. They also couldn't get a pulse in the muscle graf but the doctor didn't seem too worried about that. They called Dr. Snively (plastic surgeon) and he came within 30 minutes to look at it. We will have to go to his office on Monday for him to run some test and get under the skin to see what is going on. It could mean another surgery to reskin graf the area. So we will see what happens and we will keep you up to date.
The right skin graf looks great and is healing nicely.
Stephanie spent the day at the hospital with Mom and they had a good time wheeling down to the gift shop. Stephanie is learning all the excercises and how to change bandages so she can be her nurse. It is a blessing to have such great children to help me take care of her.
We love you all... more tomorrow, Rhonda
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Updates
May 14, 2008 19:08:09 GMT -7
Post by steph on May 14, 2008 19:08:09 GMT -7
OK...so due to the skin graft that is not looking too promising on her left ankle, Shorty may have to stay in the hospital a little longer. Unfortunately, we really wont know until tomorrow afternoon after they run some blood test and the Doctors decide what would be best.
Missy (Shorty's Chihuahua) has made that four hour trip up to Denver. Shorty cried happy tears as soon as she saw her. Having her here is really going to lift her spirits.
We (the family) had a crash course in how to get the wheel chair up and down 7 inch steps. Mom scared the crap out of all of us when she almost dropped the wheelchair!!! Needless to say MOM is not allowed to do that anymore. LOL Just kidding. ;D
We will let everyone know when we know for sure about her discharge.
Love you all! And thanks for everything!
Steph
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Updates
May 14, 2008 21:16:48 GMT -7
Post by carolyngreen on May 14, 2008 21:16:48 GMT -7
Shorty--so glad you and Missy have been reunited!!! Bruce and I are going to our cabin the 27th--if there is anything we can send you from the lodge let us know---maybe your "pie sign" for your room at Rhonda's ?---We'll give you a call from Sywoggle Lodge and "toast" you with a good red wine--it will definitely not be the same without you, but you are where you need to be right now with all the medical and family support to help you heal!! God Bless you all! Love, Carolyn and Bruce
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Updates
May 15, 2008 19:58:51 GMT -7
Post by Rhonda on May 15, 2008 19:58:51 GMT -7
A little delay... Well, we will not be going home tomorrow but thats ok. Better safe than sorry. Mom's left leg is still questionable so they are going to pump her full of antibiotics through her IV until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Her skin/muscle doctor will take another look at everything on Tuesday and will determine a plan at that time. Not to be too graphic, but the muscle/skin graf has turned black and crusty on one end of the graf, however, the top portion is pink and looks healthy. Something will have to be done with the dead part but we won't know that plan until next week.
Mom seems to be a little down a times (which is expected) and is having a little trouble sleeping but is trying to stay busy with Physical Therapy. She loves having Missy here (almost as much as when the mail comes).
We were able to get her eyes examined and her new glasses ordered today which is is trilled about. She will have the glasses by the middle of next week and then can read her books and magazines.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers to help us get through these next hurdles.
God Bless you All, Rhonda
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Bob and Sue Bowersock
Guest
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Updates
May 16, 2008 9:51:33 GMT -7
Post by Bob and Sue Bowersock on May 16, 2008 9:51:33 GMT -7
Shorty, we've just learned about your accident and this website. Wanted to let you know we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers and hoping all goes as well as possible. We will miss you at the ranch and can't wait for you to see you there again.
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