Good News!

Karen continues to recuperate quickly. She is now getting up for all bathroom calls and walking in and back with the aid of a walker, with an assist therapist with her. She is also getting up 5-6 times daily for physical or occupational therapy. She walks in her room and in the hall, always with a walker and a therapist trailing behind. Everyone is amazed at the very quick progress she has made in the last three days. She is fighting her way through the pain knowing that this is the quickest way to get home.

The charge nurse told me this afternoon that Karen's therapy doctor will be holding a "conference" with all medical staff and therapists Friday morning. She said it's quite possible she may be released next week and be able to come home. All of this assumes continued progress in her therapy sessions, which everyone expects to not be a problem. She still has constant pain in her legs, but it 's probably at a "4" level today. It looks like she won't have to go to a nursing home with semi-acute therapy capability. I can't tell you how much this means to both of us.

Our backyard pool will be "just what the doctor ordered". Everyone has said that walking in a pool might be the best exercise she can do. Karen will have no trouble with this, as she used the pool 3-4 times daily when she was healthy.

The cumadin(blood thinner) is at a level where the doctors are confident that it is doing its intended job without danger of hemoraging. She will continue to take one pill daily for the rest of her life. She will also need to continue on oxygen 24/7.

The Sun Cities have a "helping hands" facility which I've used for medical equipment in the past. I'll need to get a wheelchair, walker. raised toilet seat, and a chair for the shower. All they ask is that equipment be returned to them in three months, and that a donation be left when the equipment is turned in. What a great service!

Karen has come a long way since we almost lost her when first admitted to the hospital. I'm sure her quick improvement has been aided by the prayers and thoughts all of you have said for her. It's made us realize how blessed we are to have such a wonderful family and great friends. Don't stop now as we still have a ways to go before she can return to her former lifestyle.

Love All Of You, Bill