View RSS Feed

Virgil

She's Recovering

Rate this Entry
11 Comments
by
Virgil
, 09-17-2007 at 08:16 PM (2040 Views)
Well, I'm back. Ten and a half hour drive there on Friday and only nine and a half hour drive back today. I screwed up going there and didn't realize I took the wrong split when the highway divided. Of the 20 total hours of car ride, I drove 16 of them. Urrgh. Well, at least it was really nice weather.

She was soooo happy to see us. Her spirits lifted instantaneously. My sister spent time with her, but she had to go to work too. We were able to spend quality time with her. I think she was depressed initially for a few days, and when you have to be alone in a hospital in a strange city, then your thoughts naturally go for the worst.

As to her therapy, she's doing great. She's way ahead of others with the same. Therapist commented on how strong she is. I guess all that gardening really builds a woman up. She's also really trying hard. She's learned to walk with the walker and she's trying now to go too fast. She's also secretly doing even more therapy exercises when she gets back to her room. She still has trouble getting in and out of bed alone, but of all the bad hip people I watched in therapy, she's the only one who could do leg lifts without help. Today she said her leg was swollen from the extra hard workout yesterday and she was in excrutiating pain over night. They took it easy with her today and gave her extra pain killer. All in all she may get discharged from the hospital this week. I have to put in a plug for the Toledo Hospital. It is excellent and beautiful. I wish ours here were as nice.

Now we have to make a decision when she gets discharged whether she stays with my sister or comes home. There will be 4-6 week home therapy and I don't know if it makes sense to deal with the beaurcratic issues of transfering all that info to New York.

Well, I'm glad I went and spoke with everyone personally and it make a great difference for her. Thanks all for your support.
Categories

Comments

  1. Pendragon's Avatar
    Always thinking of you and praying for your mother. I trust everything will come out right.

    Pen
  2. andave_ya's Avatar
    Hey, that's fantastic news, Virgil! I'm so glad!
  3. 's Avatar
    there's no supplement for that face-to-face experience, huh? especially in those moments it counts most. excellent this news she's making a speedy recovery. i've been following your posts about it. accolades for the hospital and staff, and your mom too.
  4. motherhubbard's Avatar
    I am so glad to hear that your mom is doing well. And I'm glad you made it home safe.
  5. kiz_paws's Avatar
    Virgil, this was such good news! Your mother sounds like she is making remarkable recovery -- probably an inspiration to those around her. I was so glad that you could get out there, too, and now you all feel a lot better. Take care, you are in my thoughts!
  6. applepie's Avatar
    That is great news. I'm glad to hear that you are both feeling better. I know how hard it must be to not have her near when something like this happens. Good luck in figuring out where she is going to stay, but better figure it out soon;). It sounds like your mom is a tough one, and I'm sure she'll be out in no time:) Glad you made the trip alright. ~Meg~
  7. mtpspur's Avatar
    Glad to know it's all coming along well for the both of you.
  8. Riesa's Avatar
    the fact that she is secretly doing more therapy when she gets back to her room says everything about your mom, Virg. great news.
  9. SleepyWitch's Avatar
    oh, Mr Virgil, sorry I didn't realize your mum was in hospital. i only caught on to your blog just now. I hope she'll be better soon and recover fully! Hugs to Mama Virgil!
  10. Virgil's Avatar
    Oh wow, I just stopped back and noticed all the responses. Thank you all. She is a strong lady; you don't want to cross her or watch it.

    Here's something interesting that we don't seem to have in hospitals near me. It's called Transition Care Unit (TCU), sort of a section for people rehabing. Around here they send them to a nursing home. This is part of the hospital, which I really like so much better. Does anyone have this type of unit at hosptials near them? I was unfamiliar with this.
  11. Janine's Avatar
    Hi Virgil, I think one big hospital near me in New Jersey outside of Philadelphia does have that type rehabilitation unit. It is right across or behind the hospital - Cooper Medical Center. I think the University of Penn must have this type facility as well. They are huge. I would think up your way they would have this type unit. They are getting more common these days.
    Anyway, I am so glad to hear that your mother is doing so well. She is a spunky lady apparently and doing therapy is good. She sounds like she is determined not to be disabled and that is a good thing. Just don't let her overdo things - one can do it too quickly and then go several steps backwards. Glad they could relieve her pain - tell her to go slowly but surely and she will improve everyday now. I wish her all the best!