Friday, February 27, 2009

Thursday, February 26th

Big News!! Tentative discharge date: next Thursday, March 5th! Marion mentioned discharge yesterday for the first time, so I think that he is ready. I just hope that I am too.

By the time he goes home we will know whether he will have therapy at home or go to out patient therapy. That may well depend on how well we can transfer him into our car, his is too low, and the Pilot seat may be too high, but the therapists will work with him next week on that. Also, for long excursions, or where he might be jostled and sustain a fall, we will have a wheel chair, but the walker will do for short jaunts. Todd has offered to come and put support rails in the bath tub as needed, so necessary arrangements are being handled as they come up it seems.

The word each day at the hospital is how hard he works, not any surprise to those of us who know him is it? That is certainly part of what has gotten him this far! However, the prayers are the biggest part of the true miracle in his recovery. We are so grateful for the continuing love and support from our family and friends and it appears as though the hospital part of this journey may be drawing to a conclusion. Thank you again, love, Sue

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saturday, February 21st

Hello, Renown Rehab is terrific! Marion receives 3 hours of therapy, broken up into 1/2 hour sessions per day. What a work out, and learning experience. This includes everything from eating and relearning to chew and swallow without choking, to walking using the weaker leg, to using an over the bathtub chair. We both are learning what we have to have when he comes home. The therapists are very professional, but compassionate at the same time.

Yesterday was a special day in the Ralston and Condie households, Sydney became a teenager!, and Marion and I celebrated our 27th anniversary. We have shared that day for 13 years! I have not yet reached her on the phone, but she is in our thoughts, and we miss that birthday dinner we have always shared with her.

Marion had the Roseborough's shop for him as my birthday is next Tues also, and they arrived last night with flowers and candy, so we had a festive anniversary, the 5 of us, Karen, Jeff and Spencer with a gorgeous bouquet of roses and Marion's and my favorite See's candy! Maybe this accident has brought out the romantic in him. In all these years I do not remember flowers and candy for my birthday, however, we were to have been at Disneyland next week. A ride on the tea cups and the matterhorn IS Marion's style!

He is coming along very well, and while we have not been updated as to any discharge date, safety is the issue, and his lack of balance is the key issue, as well as swallowing. We are here for a while. He is not unhappy with any of the paces that they are putting him through. He is doing better about calling for nurses when I am not here instead of just moving himself from the chair to bed, or chair to toilet, which had become quite a problem. But it is just that stubbornness that has assisted in his recovery, so it is definitely a double edged sword.

Thank you all for your love and support. The prayers, the food for me, the calls the ask about Marion and me, just knowing that you are continuing to care for us is keeping us afloat. It is humbling to be the recipient of so much help, I look forward to be of service to others. Thank you again, Love, Sue

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Tuesday, Feb. 17th

He did it! I got the call after 9am this morning that he was to be moved at 10am. Yesterday, the news was probably this afternoon after the discharge was written. Things change. I arrived as he was being wheeled out of the unit, so got to kiss him good-bye before I went to sort through what would go to the new hospital, and what would go home of all the things we had accumulated during the 4 weeks that we "lived" at Tahoe-Pacific Hospital.

We are settled in room 118W at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital after a false start in room 107. That was a room with the bed next to the door, VERY claustraphobic, at least for the visitor, if not the patient!! Not to mention as dark as the black hole of calcutta! His new room is at the end of the hall, farthest from the startion, with the bed next to the window. He had to promise to not climb out of bed himself. Tomorrow he is evaluated by the therapists (me too) and we hope that we gain back priviledges for me to help him to the bathroom, and even to stand at the side of the bed as necessary. For today, he could not set even a toe out of bed without a nurse there.

Very exciting, the Physicians Assistant that interviewed him today seemed to feel that he would be home in about 2 weeks. So the end appears to be in sight. Thank you again for all the prayers and support. We are seeing answers. Love, Sue

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Saturday, Feb. 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! What a day, Marion walked and walked! They joked at the hospital that I was a slave driver, but the truth was that Marion just wanted to keep walking after every meal and nap. I was the one that wanted the rest periods!

I took Marion his cell phone 2 days ago, that might have been a mistake. The calls started at 8:30am this morning. How soon was I going to be there? As you can imagine, staffing is never overdone, and it always seems short on weekends, especially when there are no therapy's working as well. After he called again at 9am and 9:30, I realized that Sunday was going to be spent at the hospital as well. But I have to admit, that Marion, as well as the nurses, do appreciate the time spent with him. As he gains control back, and has all the tubes gone, it does help to have a family member available (on short notice) to give him a hand. He has no privileges in terms of getting out of bed, or moving around, out of a chair or with a walker by himself. That will come in Rehab. The 2 falls have everyone very gun shy about him falling again, and possibly injuring himself.

Karen and her family have been battling "bugs", so they are not visiting and sharing them with
us. Jim came today and we three spent some nice time together.

Tuesday morning the doctor for Renown Rehab meets with the staff at Tahoe-Pacific and the final decision is made determining where Marion goes when he is discharged that day. The Rehab choice is Renown, so hold a good thought for us. Thank you for your prayers on Marion's behalf. Love, Sue

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday, Jan 11th

Hi, More good news that came from a round about way. Marion is going to go to Renown Rehab instead of Manor Care Rehab next Tuesday. But that is because he fell yesterday, which was his 2nd fall in 5 days. So his lack of balance made him a candidate for the more intense rehab center.
There have been no big physical injurys that we are aware of, but he is going to be seen by Dr. Louie, the Neurologist that Marion saw last year. The "fiesty" part is certainly why he is recovering, but not listening to "do NOT walk or get out of bed by yourself " could lead to serious injury or having to be restrained again at night. Not fun!

Please keep the prayers coming, we still have a long way to go. Thank you, Love, Sue

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday, Jan 8th

Hello, it has been 2 days because there were no big events to report, so I took a couple of days off. But today I walked in to room 110W, and it was empty! I knew that he was not at home, so the big news was that Marion had graduated from the ventilator corridor to the non ventilator, less intensive care, corridor of the v-shaped unit. Big move! That came after one day short of 3 weeks there. In fact, 1 day short of 7 weeks total. His new room is 120 and is a private room. It is just as small as the double, but he can play his classical music loud enough to hear, or the book on tape that I brought him from the library.

Well, that's the news for now. I'll keep you posted, perhaps on a less frequent basis as the progress has slowed down, but continues to be in the right direction. Please keep the prayers coming, they are the reason for the success that he has had!! Love, Sue

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Jan 5th, Thursday

Another great day! Adelia and I got to the hospital before lunchtime, after she was able to print her boarding pass for tomorrow's plane trip home. The time has flown by, but been wonderful. Marion actually had a sandwich for lunch, it's terrific to see "real" food on his tray.

After lunch we left Marion to nap and went to "shop" for the next stage of his recuperation. His stay at Tahoe-Pacific ends on Feb 17th, and he will have moved past Renown Rehab Hospital. So, Adelia and I visited the 3 skilled nursing facilities that have rehab centers that are on the south end of town. One was terrible (and will remain un-named), it was a close choice between Life Care and Manor Care, but Manor Care is our choice and I am so glad to have had Adelia's input. She has had experience visiting church members and friends in similar places, and her advice was invaluable. Marion has the opprotunity to have therapy up to 7 days a week at Manor Care, and that will make him happy as here the weekends really drag for him. Their goal is to get the patient home as quickly as possible, and in the strongest shape as possible. That is certainly our goal also.

Please keep those prayers coming. Love, Sue

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wednesday, Jan 4th

Another big day! When I arrived this morning, Marion was using the arm machine that looks like you are pedaling a bicycle. The he took a hike up and down the hall in his own tennis shoes and socks! Not a big thing you might say, but from where he has been, a huge accomplishment.

Then another graduation, no longer ground food and thickened liquids, but chopped food and thin liquids, which means water and regular juice! Music to his ears!! The next step is "whole" food, not any alteration at all when it arrives on his tray.

At 11:15am, I left to pick up Marion's sister, Adelia who was arriving from Riverside, CA. We got back to the hospital in time to join him as he finished his lunch. He was delighted to see his "baby" sister. They chatted all afternoon, and he even skipped his afternoon nap. Marion should have no trouble sleeping tonight. Once again, the progress is visible right before our very eyes! Thank you for your part in this through your support and prayers. Love, Sue

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Jan 3rd

The big news tonight is that Marion's sister, Adelia Rile, from Riverside, CA, arrives about noon tomorrow. What fun for us to have her for a visit. Marion gets to show off all his new skills.

I'm to take in shoes for him tomorrow, no more walking the halls in stocking feet. His right foot has a tendency to "shuffle", so Tom, the physical therapist wants him in shoes to help correct that.

A restful night to all, and talk to you tomorrow. Please keep up the prayers, we are seeing miracles. Love, Sue

Monday, February 2, 2009

Feb 2nd, Monday

6 weeks today. Be careful if we have ice again.

Well, the feeding tube came out today, and while he does not prefer the food that he is served, it has to beat out of a bottle, down a tube!

We got word today that the his stay has been extended to Feb 17th at this facility with their rehab work. So those of you that have asked about visiting: if he is napping when you arrive and I am not there to wake him up. Please do wake him up. The nights are long for him, and he would really enjoy visiting with you rather than seeing a note that he missed you, and then having another restless night. Lunch times through early evening are great times to visit for those that have asked. The actual visiting hours are 8am-10pm, however, the therapists work with him in the morning,(if he is on their schedules until about 11am), so that is why I suggested lunch time on. Brian Wilson and Tim Glenn pop over at their lunch time as their office is very close by. Today, after walking, he got to sit and try to become re-familiar with using a computer. Baby-steps. Marion looks so much better each day. The time at the computer showed that looks can be a bit deceptive, and we are so fortunate to be at a facility were he has the opprotunity to use the different tools that are important to him and relearn.

Tomorrow the foley catheter comes out. Marion wants to keep that. That will involve work and concentration on his part to transition to a more normal function. I only mention this much information, because your prayers and support continue to carry us along on this journey. Without all the comfort from Heavenly Father and our dear family and friends, I would never have made it this far, and Marion's survival is based on all the above plus his dogged spirit.
Thank you again, love, Sue

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Feb 1st, Sunday

Well, it truly is a "super'" Sunday! Karen and Spencer, June and John, Jenice, Craig and Tanner and Jim and I had lunch with Marion today. After he finished lunch we then joined him by sharing chocolate cake and celebrating Jenice's birthday a day early. After lunch, Jenice gave Marion a haircut, he used to have 6 weeks growth on one side, and approximately 10 weeks growth on the other 1/2 of his head. This new look is MUCH better!!

It just continued to improve. We switched from the wheelchair to his walker, and with Craig on one side and John on the other, and me trailing behind with the O2 tank, Marion walked the entire long hall length back to his room. None of us had seen him walk, (even me, PT walking is early in the morning). It was very impressive. He was hardly seemed winded when he had made it back to his room. Evidently he had told one of the kids that he did not expect to be able to walk the whole way, but being Marion, he did it!

The "party" adjourned to his room then, but started breaking up by 2:15 as June and John headed back to Oregon, and Karen went home to start preparing for the school week. Craig and Jenice started for San Jose by 4pm, so Marion and I watched the super bowl.

Another big first was a bit later when Marion had his first shower since the accident. Yes, he has had numerous baths and washings, but this was an honest, sit on a chair, under the water, shower! The nurse let him sit and enjoy the warm water, and then we had turned the heat in the room high and she brought 2 warm blankets as soon as we had him back in bed. It was cool outside, and he has 2 windows in his room, and he had felt chilly several times throughout the day.

Hope you all had a great weekend also. Thank you for the prayers. Much love to you, Sue

Saturday, Jan 31st

Well, it has been almost 6 weeks, and today when June commented how well his scar was healing, we learned that Marion was unaware that he had had surgery. He only thought that he had suffered a concussion. What a blessing it is that the patient has little memory of many of the events surrounding such a traumatic accident. If only that was true for the family as well.

This has been a wonderful weekend. June (Condie) Collier and husband John arrived late Friday night. Jenice and Craig Condie with son, Tanner arrived about 6pm Sat. and Marion just kept perking up as more family poured into his room. Karen was there, as she is almost every day in spite of her hectic schedule. Bishop Foote arrived before 7pm also, and with his spirituality, plus sunny disposition and sense of humor added a wonderful element to our little group! Jim and Todd plan to join us tomorrow, so we will have a mini family reunion!

Marion is continuing to eat more and more each meal. Hopefully in a day or so I will be able to report that the feeding tube has been removed. After lunch today, during which June, Karen and I sat with him in the "lunch room" at the end of the loooong hall of the hospital corridor, Marion pushed himself in a wheelchair, ALL the way back to his own room with June only pulling the oxygen tank along! Another accomplishment, helping him to regain strength. I know I keep saying this, but the improvements seem to come each day.

Thank you again for your prayers. These miracles in the recovery we are seeing in Marion are truly a gift from Heavenly Father. There was a time when I did not expect to see him at this point. That is not to say that I do not have faith, or that I do not believe that all things are possible. It is just that Marion was so sick and so broken. But "all things are possible". Thank you again for your support. Love, Sue