Mom did great getting into the pool this weekend. It was excellent for her and she was able to move around really, really well. I think the swelling was a little less in her right foot after working the in the pool.
Here's the problem -- she could get in no problem... but can't get out without help. Tim and I could get her out without issue but she can't do it on her own. Dad can't help her without hurting himself. So I gave Dad a suggestion of seeing if we could get an aide who would be willing to get in the pool. He's going to explore that tomorrow.
She's a little down as she really wanted to be able to get out on her own. Hopefully, the aide deal will work out.
It was great to be there... and have both of them home. I was able to get Dad out to the Transformer movie... it as fun.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hospital Therapy
Karen completed her first sessions of OT and PT this week. She has the most severe problem with her legs, thus the physical therapy will be the most important of the two therapies for her. The occupational therapy will be concentrating on improving her strength in her shoulderrs and arms. She has the full range of motions, but is pretty weak in the upper torso. She is unable to get up from regular chairs and/or lazyboy rockers without two pillows under her when she gets into each of the chairs. The wheelchair also needs a lift in it for her to get out to her walker. The blood clots in both legs remain painful, but not as severe as the pain in them a few weeks ago. The therapists are pushing her quite hard, always reminding her that she will have to push through each exercise, regardless of the pain she might encounter. This is sometimes hard for her to accept, but I know that she realizes she has to work hard to have a chance to use the pool, and certainly to ever get back out on the golf course.
Katie, Tim, and Caitlyn are with us this weekend. They are going to try to find a way to be able to get Karen in and out of the pool, without any help. This will be an interesting exercise. I hope she can do it, as she really enjoys swimming in the pool. They are a big help to us in many ways, and we really look forward to having them here. I'm sure Caitlyn misses Megan not being here.
Megan is with Kevin and Karrie for two weeks. This was supposed to be a trip we were to make, so she is standing in for us. She loves being with Fiana and Liam, as she gets down on the floor with them and plays with them as she does with all of her nephews and nieces.
Please continue to keep Karen in your thoughts and prayers. She is facing a long and arduous journey, and needs all the help she can get.
Love, Bill
Katie, Tim, and Caitlyn are with us this weekend. They are going to try to find a way to be able to get Karen in and out of the pool, without any help. This will be an interesting exercise. I hope she can do it, as she really enjoys swimming in the pool. They are a big help to us in many ways, and we really look forward to having them here. I'm sure Caitlyn misses Megan not being here.
Megan is with Kevin and Karrie for two weeks. This was supposed to be a trip we were to make, so she is standing in for us. She loves being with Fiana and Liam, as she gets down on the floor with them and plays with them as she does with all of her nephews and nieces.
Please continue to keep Karen in your thoughts and prayers. She is facing a long and arduous journey, and needs all the help she can get.
Love, Bill
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Home Therapy
Since coming home on Friday, Karen has been trying to walk arouind the house as much as she can(with a walker). She is limited, as she gets very tired quickly. We've had some difficulties with getting up from chairs, but we've found out how many pillows are needed on each chair to insure she can get up.
We start physical therapy at the hospital this Friday. The following week, she is scheduled for both physical and occupational therapy. We chose the hospital for therapy as it has more equipment and good staff than home health has. When Karen broke four bones a year and a half ago, we chose home health which included nurse visits, therapy sessions, and showers twice weekly, all of which was covered by Medicare/Blue Cross-Blue Shield. We were disappointed in the care and service she received from the home health people. Out-patient physical and occupational therapy is covered, but nothing more. We felt the hospital therapists and facility will be far better than the services offerred by home health. We have a private pay caregiver coming in to give her three showers weekly.
We see the doctors later this week in f0llow-up to the hospital stay. Her legs, ankles, and feet have noticeably swelled up, thus the visits will be timely. We believe it's from the walking with both legs still full of multiple blood clots.
If anyone wishes to visit Karen, just call in adsvance to insure we're home and available.
Love, Bill
.
We start physical therapy at the hospital this Friday. The following week, she is scheduled for both physical and occupational therapy. We chose the hospital for therapy as it has more equipment and good staff than home health has. When Karen broke four bones a year and a half ago, we chose home health which included nurse visits, therapy sessions, and showers twice weekly, all of which was covered by Medicare/Blue Cross-Blue Shield. We were disappointed in the care and service she received from the home health people. Out-patient physical and occupational therapy is covered, but nothing more. We felt the hospital therapists and facility will be far better than the services offerred by home health. We have a private pay caregiver coming in to give her three showers weekly.
We see the doctors later this week in f0llow-up to the hospital stay. Her legs, ankles, and feet have noticeably swelled up, thus the visits will be timely. We believe it's from the walking with both legs still full of multiple blood clots.
If anyone wishes to visit Karen, just call in adsvance to insure we're home and available.
Love, Bill
.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Life At Home
Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there -- including my own!
Life at home is going to take some time before it returns to normal. Mom is having some real difficulty getting out of chairs... but she is so happy to be home and sleeping in again!
Many of you have asked how you could help... home cooked meals for my parents would not be turned away. Dad is too proud to ask -- but I'm not so if you would like to help out this way that would be great. No one should feel obligated but Mom may soon get tired of Bertolli Meals out of a bag!
There won't be as many updates from here on out now that she is home and taking phone calls. If anyone would like to email me at katiechoal@hotmail.com I will send you a personalized update.
I hope this blog was helpful to all of you. It was very helpful to my dad as it saved him a lot of time and repetition at home. Thanks again for all of your support.
Katie
Life at home is going to take some time before it returns to normal. Mom is having some real difficulty getting out of chairs... but she is so happy to be home and sleeping in again!
Many of you have asked how you could help... home cooked meals for my parents would not be turned away. Dad is too proud to ask -- but I'm not so if you would like to help out this way that would be great. No one should feel obligated but Mom may soon get tired of Bertolli Meals out of a bag!
There won't be as many updates from here on out now that she is home and taking phone calls. If anyone would like to email me at katiechoal@hotmail.com I will send you a personalized update.
I hope this blog was helpful to all of you. It was very helpful to my dad as it saved him a lot of time and repetition at home. Thanks again for all of your support.
Katie
Friday, June 19, 2009
At Home - Finally!
She's now at home... and very happy to be there.
Nurse Bill is running around like a chicken with his head cut-off getting prescriptions, special push up seat for chairs, etc. But he's also happy to have her home.
She says she is up to taking phone calls... but keep them short.
She also says she will take visitors but CALL FIRST and be aware when she is on medication she is not always herself. Don't be offended if you are turned away by the guard dog (Dad :))
She is not able to check email... at least not yet.
We are so thankful for your support -- thank you so much for being there for her and my Dad.
Nurse Bill is running around like a chicken with his head cut-off getting prescriptions, special push up seat for chairs, etc. But he's also happy to have her home.
She says she is up to taking phone calls... but keep them short.
She also says she will take visitors but CALL FIRST and be aware when she is on medication she is not always herself. Don't be offended if you are turned away by the guard dog (Dad :))
She is not able to check email... at least not yet.
We are so thankful for your support -- thank you so much for being there for her and my Dad.
Heading Home Today
Mom should be heading home sometime today... I think the plan is for after lunch.
I know she is really looking forward to it. She had a nice long shower yesterday and PT.
Please keep in your prayers Mom's sister - Kathi - she is having surgery on her spine -- to fuse some disks in her neck. the same surgery mom had some years back.
I'll let you know when mom is home and whether she's up to phone calls.
I know she is really looking forward to it. She had a nice long shower yesterday and PT.
Please keep in your prayers Mom's sister - Kathi - she is having surgery on her spine -- to fuse some disks in her neck. the same surgery mom had some years back.
I'll let you know when mom is home and whether she's up to phone calls.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Reality
Karen and I both got a big dose of reality today. Moving around a home is very different from moving around in a hospital room. Not only did she get pooped after half of the "home evaluation", she was unable to get out of some of the chairs in our home. The bed, toilet, and shower were handled quite well. Her computer chair, kitchen chair, lazyboy rockers, and lawn furniture presented significant difficulties. I've got some work to do in the next two days to make everything "ready" and will be getting some help from Gerry Heck, our wonderful friend. As they leave for three months on Tuesday, I'll have to work him hard in the next few days. Judy Heck will be cutting and styling Karen's hair in our home Saturday. Two great friends!!
Use of the pool will be delayed several weeks. She could probably get in OK, but getting out would be next to impossible. She and I agreed that she will have to be very careful in all of her movements and transitions. I'm unable to offer her much help, so she will need to err on the side of extra care in all new efforts.
Love, Bill
Use of the pool will be delayed several weeks. She could probably get in OK, but getting out would be next to impossible. She and I agreed that she will have to be very careful in all of her movements and transitions. I'm unable to offer her much help, so she will need to err on the side of extra care in all new efforts.
Love, Bill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
