June 15, 2009

Sorry about the lack of updates. We were driving home all day yesterday. I talked to Grammy for a minute today, but didn't get too much info from her because her nurse came into to introduce himself. I will get together with my mom (Cindy) to get an update & will post it tomorrow! Thanks for your patience with us getting settled back at home!

Saturday, June 13

Today was a good day for Grammy. When we arrived at the hospital, she was walking down the hall with her walker, all of her iv's, her oxygen, the nurse and my Dad. It looked like a parade. She went further than she has gone ever. She then sat in a chair for over 1 hour. She is so proud of herself today for she graduated to the real potty in the bathroom. She said she went from tubes to bedpans, to a little stool in her room and now to the actual big girl toilet. We all cheered! When she came out of the bathroom she proclaimed....I look like a hussy! I said what? I thought a hussy was a wanton woman...but she meant an ugly old lady. I think she looks absolutely beautiful! Almost 3 weeks ago, we didn't know if we would ever see her blue eyes and her beautiful smile ever again! What a great blessing it is to have her back with us. She is still very weak, and her voice sounds stronger but still has a bit of the Katherine Hepburn effect. Grammy was able to take a shower today, and her hair was really soft and cute. She did talk to a few people on the phone tonight, but it still really wears her out. Tonight I have very mixed feelings, as the time has come for us to head for home. Grammy is doing so well....she may not even have to go to the care center. Tiffany, Kaden, Preston and I will be on the road at approximately 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. Kaden doesn't want to leave Arizona....he wants to move here. This has been a very stressful time, but the company has been great! Thanks again to Steve and Wendy for putting us up for so long.

June 12, 2009

Grammy seemed a little stronger today...both physically and mentally. After a couple of tough days she seemed to be a little more up today. She did some physical therapy....she walked from the bed to the chair, stood in front of the chair and marched in place for almost a minute, then sat in the chair for an hour. She even sat on the side of her bed and ate her lunch today. Her breathing treatments seem to be helping, as she doesn't cough as much as she has in the past couple of weeks. Dr Reitz came in today to see her. He was here the night they brought her in, and then had been on vacation. He said he didn't expect to find her here when he returned, as he really didn't think she was going to make it. He had left instructions on his patients before he left, and his instructions to the doctor taking over for him were very vague for her as he really didn't think she was going to live. At least one doctor each day has said this to her....which is really tough to hear. The ear, nose and throat doctor also came in today, and when he heard what Dr. Reitz said, he advised us the doctors don't make a practice of saying that to patients, as they don't have time for dramatics.....so she really must have been bad. Grammy responded that she knew she was close to death and prayed really hard to live. She also knows that many other prayers were helping her. She is very determined to work hard with her therapy to get her strength back. She is still very, very weak. She has had a couple of phone conversations, but they really wear her out. We (Tiffany and I) were planning on leaving very early in the morning, but I just don't feel good about leaving yet. She still hasn't received the results from her Echo test on her heart that she had yesterday. They did check and found that she doesn't have any blood clots in her legs....which we are grateful for. She continues to receive very high doses of blood thinner to help dissolve the blood clots in her lungs. We will wait until Saturday to see if they get her Echo results. It is very difficult to think of leaving when she is still so sick and in the hospital. We only have one Grammy and one Mom.....and we really will have a hard time when we go home. Steve and Wendy have been great to put up with us for this long. We are very grateful to them for their hospitality. Mike is home with all of the dogs....he is even tending Tiffany's since her husband got deployed and is now in Columbia. Once again, we are very thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming, as Grammy still has a long way to go.

June 11, 2009

The Doctor told Grammy today that she was probably going to be there for another 5 days. He also told her that they would work really hard on the physical therapy & maybe she wouldn't have to go to the care center. They did an EKG today to see if there is any fluid around her heart. They also did an ultrasound from the waist down to make sure that she doesn't have any other blood clots. She is trying to stay up beat, but she will be nervous until she gets her results. Please keep her in your prayers!!!

If you want to leave a comment...

We have had a few people have a hard time posting comments...so I thought I would help you out!! Click on the screen shots to make them bigger if you need to! (Sorry that I didn't call you back last night Kay, we went to visit Grammy & then it was too late to call!)

Under every post there is a place that says "comments". Click on comments.



Then scroll down until you see this screen...



Type your comment in the box provided. Please be sure to leave your name!!!



Click on the post comment button.



Then, you should be finished. I hope this helps! Grammy would love to hear from everyone!

June 10, 2009

Today they decided to do a chest CT scan before moving Grammy to the rehab center. On the CT scan they found that she had bilateral pulmonary embolisms (small blood clots) in her lungs. They decided to move her to another section in the hospital where the nurses have less patients. Grammy is on bed rest until further notice. She is feeling really down because she was enjoying being able to get around a little bit. Her new room is much nicer than the other one. Steve & Dustin came over to give her a blessing which seemed to put her more at ease. They will be doing another CT scan in a couple of days to check on her progress.

June 9, 2009

Grammy got her catheter removed Tuesday & she is THRILLED!! It is funny what we take for granted...just being able to sit on the toilet by yourself. She feels like all she does is eat & poop. They did an X-ray on her chest. They are still watching her pneumonia. They are talking about moving her to the care center or the "dump zone" if you are talking to Grammy. Grandpa got the dogs groomed so that they will be ready to come & visit Grammy once she gets moved. She is very excited to see them! Her voice is even stronger today, but she gets really tired when she talks. Grammy has been watching "Who wants to be a millionaire" & plays along with the show.