Hi all! Sorry it's been awhile. It's been a challenging couple of weeks since I came home from the hospital. There was lots to set up and organize to continue the healing process. Grateful that my mother was able to stay thru the transition and deal with a lot of it for me. We rearranged my living room to incorporate a therapy table and a hospital bed that has now become my nest. We also discovered upon our return my furnace was working sporadically. Not the optimum time to have heating problems with the big storm that was coming in. So $7,500 and a new furnace later I found out that it had nothing to do with the furnace it was a regulator that the propane company came and fixed for free. Uhhhh. I guess some things just work out that way.
Burton has come down from Bear Valley for a few quick visits. It's always so good to see him. He lifts my spirits and always makes me laugh with his quirky ways. You should have seen all 100 lbs of him trying to get into the twin hospital bed with me! I wish I had a camera. His legs were hanging off the side of the bed but he was determined to stay with me and snuggle. I ventured outside the other day with him for a very slow walk. Was nice to get out in the sun and fresh air. A bit painful when I got back home. Guess I'm not quite ready to have him back full time yet.
As far as recovery goes.... I'm just over a third of the way there! My mom has left and gone back to New Jersey so I'm doing a bit more for myself. Still have movement restrictions but starting to test the boundaries more and more, letting pain guide me. If you know me, then you know what a difficult mental task this has been for me to stay down this long. Trying hard to stay as positive as possible but everyone has down days here and there. Anna and Robert built me a base for a rehabilitation table so I have been using that everyday for Physical Therapy. Getting stronger every day. The pain from the surgery has subsided some but is still there especially with a lot of movement. A new pain at the top of my left rod seems to be a side effect of the surgery. Trying to stay away from the evil pain pills and go the more natural approach with cold laser therapy and herbs. Seems to be working out. My pressure sore is healed over as of yesterday! Still have to be careful because of the scab and scar tissue but it's one thing that is almost off the list! Going down to San Jose next week to try and get my wheelchair and cushion dialed in for this new posture I gained. Still can't drive but trying to get out here and there to keep my sanity. So that's about where I'm at today.
Just want to express my deepest thanks to all who have helped in various ways! I would not be able to do this without you all! The donations have been a huge blessing with all the out of pocket expenses that keep popping up, especially since I am not working much right now. I also was able to have someone come in to clean the house which feels great. You all have relieved a lot of stress... so thanks again.
So how can you help me now? I have set up a Care Calendar that I am able to post my needs on. It's really easy to use and has been working out great so far. You just sign in with the info below. Click on a task to see what it involves and if you want to help, then just enter your name in for the task. I get an email to let me know who is coming to help and you get a reminder email. Pretty simple and effective. Here's how to access it:
Char's Care Calendar site: http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/67157
CALENDAR ID: 67157
SECURITY CODE : 6705
Until next time, hugs and luv to all!
Char
Address: 545 Williams St, Murphys CA 95247.
Phone: 209.728.8766.
Donations for medical costs instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
Thanks so much!
3.08.2011
2.11.2011
I'm On My Way... Home Sweet Home!
Getting discharged today from the hospital! Finally!! Just waiting for the doctor to show up and give me one last look and I'm out of here! Can't wait to see Burton and be back in the mountains. I'm like totally over being a valley girl!
Thanks so much to everyone who visited, called, emailed and fed me while I was down here! Special thanks to my mom who has been indispensable in this process. You all helped me keep my spirit strong so I could get thru the first and worst part of this process.
On to the next.... will keep everyone posted.
xo,
char
Address is: 545 Williams St, Muprhys CA 95247. Land line is: 209.728.8766.
Donations for medical costs and healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much to everyone who visited, called, emailed and fed me while I was down here! Special thanks to my mom who has been indispensable in this process. You all helped me keep my spirit strong so I could get thru the first and worst part of this process.
On to the next.... will keep everyone posted.
xo,
char
Address is: 545 Williams St, Muprhys CA 95247. Land line is: 209.728.8766.
Donations for medical costs and healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
Thanks so much!
2.07.2011
Home Is In Sight
All your positive energy, good food, prayers, donations and well wishes are working! I'm so grateful! My incision and pressure sore have been healing up fast and it looks like I will be leaving for home sooner than the doctor projected! Hopefully sometime in the next week. Glad for that. Pretty boring here since I'm the only one on the unit under 80 and I'm not allowed to wheel any further than the parking lot.
Dr. Grant came in on Friday for a post-op check up and sent me for some x-rays. He said that everything is looking like he envisioned. My spine is still pretty fragile and far from being fused together but is heading in the right direction.
I pretty much breezed thru physical and occupational therapies. Because of the strict movement restrictions they have run out of things to do with me. Past experience has helped also. I can dress myself, turn from side to side and get in and out of bed now. Still working with my new center of balance. Finally got the okay to take a shower after two weeks. Oh man! I can't even explain how amazing it felt. Had to shampoo my hair a few times to get out all the grease! I think I stayed in there until all the hot water in the hospital was gone. I'm reminded once again to appreciate all the little things one takes for granted. Seems to be a reoccuring theme in my life.
So what happens when I get home? The doctor will be ordering a hospital bed for me to use in my house since I can't sit up on my own and I will be very restricted in my movement for a few weeks yet. He will also be ordering home health, physical and occupational therapies, and nurse to keep me going at home. The doctor will take some more x-rays at week 6 and possibly lift some of the movement restrictions then. So I am still far from being back to normal but making the next big step soon. My mom has extended her trip and will be with me for about another 10 days and thru the transition.
Looking forward to being back in the clean mountain air, eating Outer Aisle Food again and playing with my favorite buddy Burton! And all of you too of course! Thanks a million for everything!
xoxoxo,
char
My location (hopefully for not much longer) is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. Room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so if I miss you I will get back when I can.
Donations for medical costs and healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
Thanks!
Dr. Grant came in on Friday for a post-op check up and sent me for some x-rays. He said that everything is looking like he envisioned. My spine is still pretty fragile and far from being fused together but is heading in the right direction.
I pretty much breezed thru physical and occupational therapies. Because of the strict movement restrictions they have run out of things to do with me. Past experience has helped also. I can dress myself, turn from side to side and get in and out of bed now. Still working with my new center of balance. Finally got the okay to take a shower after two weeks. Oh man! I can't even explain how amazing it felt. Had to shampoo my hair a few times to get out all the grease! I think I stayed in there until all the hot water in the hospital was gone. I'm reminded once again to appreciate all the little things one takes for granted. Seems to be a reoccuring theme in my life.
So what happens when I get home? The doctor will be ordering a hospital bed for me to use in my house since I can't sit up on my own and I will be very restricted in my movement for a few weeks yet. He will also be ordering home health, physical and occupational therapies, and nurse to keep me going at home. The doctor will take some more x-rays at week 6 and possibly lift some of the movement restrictions then. So I am still far from being back to normal but making the next big step soon. My mom has extended her trip and will be with me for about another 10 days and thru the transition.
Looking forward to being back in the clean mountain air, eating Outer Aisle Food again and playing with my favorite buddy Burton! And all of you too of course! Thanks a million for everything!
xoxoxo,
char
My location (hopefully for not much longer) is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. Room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so if I miss you I will get back when I can.
Donations for medical costs and healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
Thanks!
2.02.2011
Tuning It In and Turning It Up
So sorry if I worried anyone with my last post. I was a bit frustrated but things are looking up! Been in the the acute rehab in Livermore now since Friday and I have it pretty dialed in now. My mother and I have been taking a lot of matters into our own hands and it has been helping my recovery.
I got up in my own wheelchair yesterday for over two hours and felt really good. I'm almost transferring all by myself although it takes about 10 baby scoots to get where I want to go. When I sit up I'm so straight again, it feels amazing! I am relearning my balance again. The nausia has completely gone away. I still get a bit dizzy but it's getting less and less. I wheeled outside with my mom and I gotta say the front entrance of the hospital looks a lot more inviting then the basement entrance! And now that I have wheeled around the facility, it isn't as dilapidated as my first impression led me to believe. Was having a lot of issues with one nurse in particular but after a few complaints to the head nurse she has been taken off my schedule. And I am now allowed to pee anytime I want! As far as my pressure sore goes... My mom and I decided to take off the hospital dressings and rewrap it the way I know works. The nurses have not been happy with me about that but since we have been rewrapping it, the sore has decreased in size quite a bit and is pretty close to being all healed up! So it took a few days and a bit of grief but things are back on track! You really just have to be your own advocate.
The physical and occupational therapists have been very helpful and knowledgable. My spine has to stay very straight while healing so I'm not able to lift, bend, or twist at all. So I am learning all new ways of doing all the little everyday tasks like dressing. Today we go into the fake kitchen to learn the do's and don't's in there. It's been challenging to retrain myself and is slow going. The restrictions on my movement will be in place for about 3 months. So looks like I will be needing lots of help once I come home since almost every normal task incorporates lifting, bending or twisting. Still not sure when they will release me to travel back up the hill but my best guess is in about 7-10 days. I will keep everyone posted as soon as I know something more.
Lots of people have been dropping by which has been really good in keeping my spirits up. And I have been receiving all kinds of super kind grind (aka food) which I have been thoroughly enjoying and has been keeping me strong. The doctors are saying the incision is healing faster than normal! Thanks again everyone for all the awesome support, love and nutrition.
Funny side story... My mom brought me some east coast pizza (my favorite.) I can't stand microwaved pizza becasue it turns it into rubber. So yesterday morning she walks into my room with a big bag. I asked her what it was and she said it was a toaster oven to heat up my pizza! I was laughing and touched that she would go that far just to heat up my pizza. So she set it up in my bathroom and just as she finished the nurse came in and asked what was going on. Well I guess having small appliances in your hospital room is not okay because it caused quite a commotion all thru the unit! We were reprimanded by quite a few people and the hospital manager even paid us a visit to educate us on the serious fire dangers of small appliances. We promised to take it out of the room and that we would behave but once they all left my mom plugged it back in and toasted up the best piece of pizza I ever ate! We are such rebels!
So that is about it.... till next time. Thanks again to everyone for everything. I can't say it enough. It all means so much to me!
xoxoxox
My location is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. In room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so don't be upset if I don't get back right awayl
If you would like to monetarily help I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Donations for healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated since hospital food sucks! Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
I got up in my own wheelchair yesterday for over two hours and felt really good. I'm almost transferring all by myself although it takes about 10 baby scoots to get where I want to go. When I sit up I'm so straight again, it feels amazing! I am relearning my balance again. The nausia has completely gone away. I still get a bit dizzy but it's getting less and less. I wheeled outside with my mom and I gotta say the front entrance of the hospital looks a lot more inviting then the basement entrance! And now that I have wheeled around the facility, it isn't as dilapidated as my first impression led me to believe. Was having a lot of issues with one nurse in particular but after a few complaints to the head nurse she has been taken off my schedule. And I am now allowed to pee anytime I want! As far as my pressure sore goes... My mom and I decided to take off the hospital dressings and rewrap it the way I know works. The nurses have not been happy with me about that but since we have been rewrapping it, the sore has decreased in size quite a bit and is pretty close to being all healed up! So it took a few days and a bit of grief but things are back on track! You really just have to be your own advocate.
The physical and occupational therapists have been very helpful and knowledgable. My spine has to stay very straight while healing so I'm not able to lift, bend, or twist at all. So I am learning all new ways of doing all the little everyday tasks like dressing. Today we go into the fake kitchen to learn the do's and don't's in there. It's been challenging to retrain myself and is slow going. The restrictions on my movement will be in place for about 3 months. So looks like I will be needing lots of help once I come home since almost every normal task incorporates lifting, bending or twisting. Still not sure when they will release me to travel back up the hill but my best guess is in about 7-10 days. I will keep everyone posted as soon as I know something more.
Lots of people have been dropping by which has been really good in keeping my spirits up. And I have been receiving all kinds of super kind grind (aka food) which I have been thoroughly enjoying and has been keeping me strong. The doctors are saying the incision is healing faster than normal! Thanks again everyone for all the awesome support, love and nutrition.
Funny side story... My mom brought me some east coast pizza (my favorite.) I can't stand microwaved pizza becasue it turns it into rubber. So yesterday morning she walks into my room with a big bag. I asked her what it was and she said it was a toaster oven to heat up my pizza! I was laughing and touched that she would go that far just to heat up my pizza. So she set it up in my bathroom and just as she finished the nurse came in and asked what was going on. Well I guess having small appliances in your hospital room is not okay because it caused quite a commotion all thru the unit! We were reprimanded by quite a few people and the hospital manager even paid us a visit to educate us on the serious fire dangers of small appliances. We promised to take it out of the room and that we would behave but once they all left my mom plugged it back in and toasted up the best piece of pizza I ever ate! We are such rebels!
So that is about it.... till next time. Thanks again to everyone for everything. I can't say it enough. It all means so much to me!
xoxoxox
My location is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. In room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so don't be upset if I don't get back right awayl
If you would like to monetarily help I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't need to have a PayPal account) Donations for healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated since hospital food sucks! Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
1.29.2011
Why Did I Sign Up For This??
Well compared to where I am now, the last hospital was like club med! I got moved to a rehab in Livermore last night. As they wheeled me thur the basement dirty water from dry rotted old ceiling dropped onto my face as the lights flickered on and off. Straight out of a horror movie. Not a good first impression...fortunately the third floor is a bit brighter than the basement... an antique straight out of the 50's which I would love in any other circumstance but for my health care. They did give me my own room which was newly painted 12 hours before I got there so at least I've been getting high on the paint fumes. So far time here has been quite difficult. The care has been very unknowledgeable about SCI and even about simple routine procedures. Most don't speak english or pretend not too. I have to fight the nurses for everything. Some doctor that has never met me wrote a perscription that they are only to let me to pee every 8 hours! I've been screaming all morning to meet this doctor to get him to change the order. I would like to know if he waits 8 hours inbetween peeing! So not in very good spirits right now.
Wish I had some boxing gloves!!
On a more positive note.... I have been getting up in a wheelchair for the last 3 days. I'm only able to sit up for about a half an hour at a time before I feel like I have to vomit but it's something. And everyday it gets a bit better and longer. They took the steri strips off my back but still have the incision all taped up. It ended up being about a 10" incision right down the center and then another one lower down about 3". Still pretty painful especially transferring but getting better everyday too. Can't wait to be all healed up and back at it!
My mother got to me on Friday, really good to have family here and someone cheering on my team. She has been so patient and understanding with me as always. I'm lucky! Been having lots of visitors which has been keeping my spirits high and reminding me that there is reason to push forward. Thanks all for making the trip!
So my new location is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. In room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so don't be upset if I don't get back right awayl
Still trying to get moved to rehab in Valley Medical in San Jose since they have a whole wing dedicated to spinal cord injury but they would not take me because of my pressure sore which has gotten quite bit worse since being under the hospital's care (???).
Well that is about it for now. That should bring everyone up to date. Thanks again for all the support! I've been reading everything and it helps for sure! Lots of love and hugs!
xo,
char
Wish I had some boxing gloves!!
On a more positive note.... I have been getting up in a wheelchair for the last 3 days. I'm only able to sit up for about a half an hour at a time before I feel like I have to vomit but it's something. And everyday it gets a bit better and longer. They took the steri strips off my back but still have the incision all taped up. It ended up being about a 10" incision right down the center and then another one lower down about 3". Still pretty painful especially transferring but getting better everyday too. Can't wait to be all healed up and back at it!
My mother got to me on Friday, really good to have family here and someone cheering on my team. She has been so patient and understanding with me as always. I'm lucky! Been having lots of visitors which has been keeping my spirits high and reminding me that there is reason to push forward. Thanks all for making the trip!
So my new location is: 1111 E Stanley Blvd, Livermore, CA 94550. In room 301. Land line is: 925.373.4060 that will connect you to the nurse station and they can send you to the room. My cell works too. They keep me pretty busy so don't be upset if I don't get back right awayl
Still trying to get moved to rehab in Valley Medical in San Jose since they have a whole wing dedicated to spinal cord injury but they would not take me because of my pressure sore which has gotten quite bit worse since being under the hospital's care (???).
Well that is about it for now. That should bring everyone up to date. Thanks again for all the support! I've been reading everything and it helps for sure! Lots of love and hugs!
xo,
char
1.22.2011
Mid Life Spine Tune Up
Well... what I thought was a quick in and out disc replacement surgery has taken a turn into a more complex operation. After reviewing my MRI the Dr. says I have a charcot spine. Which means multiple vertebrae that were not fused are now displaced and due to the hardware that was put in 11 years ago. The displaced vertebra are pressing against my spinal cord and pinching nerves below the injury level causing nerve damage so the area needs to be cleaned out, repaired and fused. I also have one disc that has just been completely destroyed which will need to be replaced and another disc that is severely herniated which will be removed and replaced. In order to get all this new hardware in I guess they are taking out a portion of the old stuff and will extend the fusion another 2 vertebrae lower than before. The doctor feels that my body has been experiencing mass amounts of pain and stress because of these things and by fixing them and straightening out my spine I will be relieved of a lot of pain and discomfort that I have come to think was normal for my injury. Keeping my fingers crossed!
So it's hard to say exactly how long the healing process will take but the Dr.'s best guess is around 2-4 weeks. The first part is surgery at ValleyCare Hospital in Pleasanton. I will be there around 7 days. Then if/when I rehab it will be back at Valley Medical in San Jose. I will try and keep everyone posted as to what is happening along the way.
I will be leaving Murphys this Monday at about 2 in the morning. Surgery will start Monday at 5am at:
ValleyCare Hospital
5555W. Las Positas
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-847-3000
As far as help...
My mother will be flying in on the 27th for at least a week . If anyone knows of a home/room in Pleasanton or close to there where she might be able to stay please call or email me. Right now she will be staying in a hotel which adds up.
Jeff and Jacquie have Burton up in Bear Valley for the first few weeks. There are a lot of BV people that have also offered to watch Burton if recovery tends to be long. So he is well taken care of.
I'm sure I will need help once I return home but that is too far away to know exactly what I will need so I will keep everyone posted about that.
If you want to monetarily help that would be great. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't have to have a PayPal account) Donations for healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated since hospital food sucks! Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
I just want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you that have offered help, well wishes and prayers. I feel so loved and lucky to have such an amazing support system around me. I could not do this without all of you. You are all amazing and I send hugs and love out to everyone!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I'll see ya on the other side! xoxo
So it's hard to say exactly how long the healing process will take but the Dr.'s best guess is around 2-4 weeks. The first part is surgery at ValleyCare Hospital in Pleasanton. I will be there around 7 days. Then if/when I rehab it will be back at Valley Medical in San Jose. I will try and keep everyone posted as to what is happening along the way.
I will be leaving Murphys this Monday at about 2 in the morning. Surgery will start Monday at 5am at:
ValleyCare Hospital
5555W. Las Positas
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-847-3000
As far as help...
My mother will be flying in on the 27th for at least a week . If anyone knows of a home/room in Pleasanton or close to there where she might be able to stay please call or email me. Right now she will be staying in a hotel which adds up.
Jeff and Jacquie have Burton up in Bear Valley for the first few weeks. There are a lot of BV people that have also offered to watch Burton if recovery tends to be long. So he is well taken care of.
I'm sure I will need help once I return home but that is too far away to know exactly what I will need so I will keep everyone posted about that.
If you want to monetarily help that would be great. I have set up a link to PayPal where you can donate. (You don't have to have a PayPal account) Donations for healthy meals instead of flowers/gifts would be appreciated since hospital food sucks! Here is the link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5AP83PXC47FN
I just want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you that have offered help, well wishes and prayers. I feel so loved and lucky to have such an amazing support system around me. I could not do this without all of you. You are all amazing and I send hugs and love out to everyone!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I'll see ya on the other side! xoxo
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