Blogging Info & Assisted Walking Success

Here are answers to two questions I've recently received. At the bottom of the current page of posted blogs, you may view earlier postings by clicking on the "Earlier Posts". This will allow you to view all posts since we began Karen's Health Blog. The second question has to do with responses by bloggers on specific postings. At the conclusion of each posting. "comments" may be clicked on to allow anyone to respond to the posting if they wish to do so.

Today was Karen's best day of therapy. She made three trips to the bathroom and back to her bed. She was also able to get from her bed to a gurnee in the hall for a test, and return to her bed. All of these "walks" are with the use of a walker and the wearing of a safety belt and a therapist holding it for safety. These "walks" are a real positive in her moving to increased mobility. I'm not sure how long Karen will be able to remain in the hospital acute therapy wing, but every day is the equivalent of three days in a semi-acute therapy facility, as they only give one hour of therapy daily as opposed to three hours in the hospital therapy facility. Medicare will make the final decision on the length of her stay based on her progress as reported by the Therapy Team. Also, Medicare has a maximum number of days in the hospital and/or in therapy. She has now completed five weeks in the hospital, including two weeks in therapy.

The pain in Karen's legs has somewhat subsided. It's down to a 5 versus the 8 it had been. There appears to be no doubt that the blood clots are causing the pain. The doctors have said that the clots will probably remain in her legs 6-9 months before they are totally gone. This makes sense as the clot in her left arm two years ago didn't disappear for 6 months. Both legs hurt all the time, and the pain increases with use. It returns to a "5" as soon as she returns to bed. She is fighting through the pain, which is what she has to do to get independently mobile. I'm unable to assist her physically, gi9ven my back problems. She will have to be able to navigate around our home without assistance.

Thanks for your continued support with cards, thoughts, and prayers. She feels really good with all the support she is getting.

Love, Bill