Apparantlly Chukka has been inundated with books, for which, many thanks! However, may be better not to send any more just now, lets see what she needs in the future. Eliza asked (yes, she did) and no, no rhinoseroses allowed, in fact, no animals allowed!!
Chukka is having physical therapy and occupational therapy and so on, and may even be on a computer soon-ish. So we may see her here soon!
Magda
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
In Rehab
I have not talked to Chukka today, but I hear from my Dad she is now in rehab! She will be there about two weeks. I don't know her new room/bed number yet.
I am planning on going out there this afternoon, I will check on packages and rhinoceroses then. Also have to think about her birthday!
I don't know when she will get computer access, but I have given her access to the blog.
I am planning on going out there this afternoon, I will check on packages and rhinoceroses then. Also have to think about her birthday!
I don't know when she will get computer access, but I have given her access to the blog.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Cleared for rehab
I believe that Chukka has been medically cleared for rehab. The insurance still has to give the go ahead and then a bed has to open up. (And yes, there is a maternity ward in the same hospital!)
I was there yesterday (Wednesday) when Jim, the physical therapist, did his evaluation. He and another PT helped Chukka sit up on the side of the bed. He then kept his hands lightly on her to balance her and she sat up for 10 or 15 minutes, including 15 seconds unassisted. He is great! When he was getting her up, he started humming theme music. Then he asked Chukka if she was okay and if there was anything she had to say. She said, "Yes. Can I have the William Tell overture instead of Bonanza?" So he switched. He kept saying things like "Way to go, homegirl!" and "I wish my other patients had your attitude." His evaluation? "You are totally ready for a wheelchair!" He said she could have gone in a wheelchair that day, but he was going off duty & he wanted to be the one to do it, so they were going to do it today.
She's learned some new exercises with the exercise bands, and she has also found out that she can pull herself over towards her side using the bars on the side of the bed.
I called Social Services today (didn't get who I wanted) and the woman I spoke, who hadn't even met Chukka, had heard about her and knew that she had a good attitude. So word has gotten around the hospital.
She wants books, including:
the latest Tim Powers, Three Days till Never
books by John (?) Callahan, the paraplegic who wrote Don't worry, he won't get far on foot. I'm hoping to track that one down in the local bookstore, but he has a lot of books of cartoons, so go ahead.
Adrienne Mayor, The First Fossil Hunters and Fossil Legends of the First Americans.
She says the transport nurses and EMTs were nice, she's glad to be back, and she's looking forward to her birthday. I don't know how we're going to handle the virtual party. Let's hope she's in rehab, so that the patient in the next bed is strong enough to handle the festivities!
I'll check on rhinoceroses. I don't want to have to be the one who rubs them down with hand sanitizer.
For electronic cards to her room (Room 476, Bed 2):
https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html
I was there yesterday (Wednesday) when Jim, the physical therapist, did his evaluation. He and another PT helped Chukka sit up on the side of the bed. He then kept his hands lightly on her to balance her and she sat up for 10 or 15 minutes, including 15 seconds unassisted. He is great! When he was getting her up, he started humming theme music. Then he asked Chukka if she was okay and if there was anything she had to say. She said, "Yes. Can I have the William Tell overture instead of Bonanza?" So he switched. He kept saying things like "Way to go, homegirl!" and "I wish my other patients had your attitude." His evaluation? "You are totally ready for a wheelchair!" He said she could have gone in a wheelchair that day, but he was going off duty & he wanted to be the one to do it, so they were going to do it today.
She's learned some new exercises with the exercise bands, and she has also found out that she can pull herself over towards her side using the bars on the side of the bed.
I called Social Services today (didn't get who I wanted) and the woman I spoke, who hadn't even met Chukka, had heard about her and knew that she had a good attitude. So word has gotten around the hospital.
She wants books, including:
the latest Tim Powers, Three Days till Never
books by John (?) Callahan, the paraplegic who wrote Don't worry, he won't get far on foot. I'm hoping to track that one down in the local bookstore, but he has a lot of books of cartoons, so go ahead.
Adrienne Mayor, The First Fossil Hunters and Fossil Legends of the First Americans.
She says the transport nurses and EMTs were nice, she's glad to be back, and she's looking forward to her birthday. I don't know how we're going to handle the virtual party. Let's hope she's in rehab, so that the patient in the next bed is strong enough to handle the festivities!
I'll check on rhinoceroses. I don't want to have to be the one who rubs them down with hand sanitizer.
For electronic cards to her room (Room 476, Bed 2):
https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Seeing Chukka
My father and I went to the hospital this morning and stayed about two hours. Chukka was awake and in good spirits, and I was impressed with how well she is doing. She is clearly on top of things and looking out for what is needed. She was making sure her critical records got transfered, making sure she had what she needed, and so on. She even called my dad this morning before we left to ask for some things she wanted. She was able to make jokes with me and my dad -- overall I would say she made the visit very easy for us.
We brought fruit and flowers out of my father's garden, and also a lot of books and magazines. She has already gotten four of the internet cards that have been sent! She was happy to see those, I think. We got a chance to meet her "case manager" and to get some things in motion -- as Magda said, she might be transfered to rehab very soon.
I think she is very glad to be back where she has more autonomy and is able to communicate. She should be able to have her cell phone in the hospital, and probably a computer -- the only question is whether there is wireless in rehab, I think.
We left around lunchtime -- she *said* she was going to eat and then go to sleep. But earlier, while we were talking, she had realized that she could call her cell phone and get her messages, and as we were going, I saw her reaching for the phone -- so I think she may have been just as happy we left. ;)
She says you can contact her by phone. Call the front desk at
925 939 3000 and ask for Carol Sachs
We brought fruit and flowers out of my father's garden, and also a lot of books and magazines. She has already gotten four of the internet cards that have been sent! She was happy to see those, I think. We got a chance to meet her "case manager" and to get some things in motion -- as Magda said, she might be transfered to rehab very soon.
I think she is very glad to be back where she has more autonomy and is able to communicate. She should be able to have her cell phone in the hospital, and probably a computer -- the only question is whether there is wireless in rehab, I think.
We left around lunchtime -- she *said* she was going to eat and then go to sleep. But earlier, while we were talking, she had realized that she could call her cell phone and get her messages, and as we were going, I saw her reaching for the phone -- so I think she may have been just as happy we left. ;)
She says you can contact her by phone. Call the front desk at
925 939 3000 and ask for Carol Sachs
After the flight
I just spoke to Chukka. She sounded pretty chipper -- much more coherent than I usually am after a transatlantic flight! She said the food and private viewing screen on the plane were nice touches and the nurse and paramedic looked after her well.
As I spoke to her I heard a nurse saying they will be trying to move her to rehab, so maybe the address inthe last post isn't going to be exactly right, but the general hospital address is the same.
More soon
Magda
As I spoke to her I heard a nurse saying they will be trying to move her to rehab, so maybe the address inthe last post isn't going to be exactly right, but the general hospital address is the same.
More soon
Magda
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Chukkster has landed!!!
I got the text from Eliza a few hours ago (in the middle of the night here). Eliza phoned the hospital a few hours later, Chukka was sleeping so Eliza and my dad will get over there today to see her. I can report after that if she is up to lots of other visitors yet. There are only 2 allowed at a time.
However, she *is* allowed flowers, and, of course, cards. The address is (Eliza will put in sidebar soon):
Carol Sachs
Room 476, Bed 2
Orthopedic Ward
John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus
1601 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
When we know about a direct phone number we will let you all know.
The hospital has a system for sending electronic cards. It is limited to a set message inside, but they say theyhope to deliver by noon on the day sent.
https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html
Having seen that they have some birthday cards in this facility, I will shamelessly remind you all that Chukka's birthday is 1st July.
After Eliza and Ray's first visit we will be able to give you more information. But now is the time to welcome Chukka back to the USA!!
Thanks,
Magda
However, she *is* allowed flowers, and, of course, cards. The address is (Eliza will put in sidebar soon):
Carol Sachs
Room 476, Bed 2
Orthopedic Ward
John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus
1601 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
When we know about a direct phone number we will let you all know.
The hospital has a system for sending electronic cards. It is limited to a set message inside, but they say theyhope to deliver by noon on the day sent.
https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/index.php/greeting.html
Having seen that they have some birthday cards in this facility, I will shamelessly remind you all that Chukka's birthday is 1st July.
After Eliza and Ray's first visit we will be able to give you more information. But now is the time to welcome Chukka back to the USA!!
Thanks,
Magda
On the plane!
Chukka's plane took off from Munich at 3:50 p.m. (Munich time) today. The nurses arrived yesterday to evaluate Chukka, and drove her down by ambulance this morning. I verified with her insurance that the "transfer took place without any problems." This is good, as there were a few snags along the way. Our mother is traveling as a passenger on the same flight.
They will arrive in San Francisco this evening. A friend is picking my mother up directly from the airport. Chukka will be taken by ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, in the East Bay. I will call an hour or two after I estimate she has arrived, by which time she should be assigned to a ward. I expect they won't want any visitors until tomorrow, and then only family.
I will find out her address as soon as possible.
(To add to the hassles, my computer has crashed, so I am now doing this from the library!)
They will arrive in San Francisco this evening. A friend is picking my mother up directly from the airport. Chukka will be taken by ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, in the East Bay. I will call an hour or two after I estimate she has arrived, by which time she should be assigned to a ward. I expect they won't want any visitors until tomorrow, and then only family.
I will find out her address as soon as possible.
(To add to the hassles, my computer has crashed, so I am now doing this from the library!)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
How we can help Chukka
Hi everyone,
This is Saadi, Chukka's cousin. Eliza has asked me to help her out regarding fundraising for Chukka. Some of you have asked or might be interested in finding a way that you can help Chukka through this crisis. As you can read from the posts from Eliza and her family, she is in good spirits and really hanging tough. She is well cared for at the hospital, but she will have a lot of expenses that won't be covered through insurance. The largest of these is Medevac, which is the flight that they have to use to get her from Austria back home. Her Dad, will pay for the Medevac; and her family is committed to doing everything they can for her, but there are a lot of things that can make Chukka's life easier, and people can help out on those.
When she gets back here, we would like to get her a computer (probably a Macintosh laptop) at the rehabilitation hospital in the Bay Area so that she can stay in touch with people and communicate. We could also get her some drawing or image software for the computer and maybe some hands-on art supplies if she can use them in the hospital. Being able stay creative will be really important right now. Then there's always books of puzzles or games she can use when she is bored. Another thing Chukka will need is a nice sturdy day-planner, as she will have so many appointments she will need to keep track of in the next year.
We are inviting anyone who would like to help to contribute towards these expenses; and to make it easier for you, Karine has set up a Pay Pal account for Chukka to which you can make a direct contribution. Here's the link: http://www.karinewilson.com/ChukkaContribute.html
Karine is also organizing an Art auction, which will be held in the Minneapolis on the 7th of July, 2007, and will consist of Art made with Chukka in mind. The bidding will be held through live bidding, conference (call-in) and proxy bidding. For more information, here is the link: www.karinewilson.com/chukka
This is really about us as friends feeling like we can really DO something, and hopefully it will make Chukka smile. If nothing else, the web page of art may help to make her smile when it's done!
Finally, Christina McAllister started a Café Press site for Kelly's Angels and now Kamikaze has offered proceeds from Angels T-Shirt sales ...
cafepress t-shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/jek2918
Thank you all for all of your help and concern and know that her family is really appreciating all of your thoughts and prayers.
Saadi
This is Saadi, Chukka's cousin. Eliza has asked me to help her out regarding fundraising for Chukka. Some of you have asked or might be interested in finding a way that you can help Chukka through this crisis. As you can read from the posts from Eliza and her family, she is in good spirits and really hanging tough. She is well cared for at the hospital, but she will have a lot of expenses that won't be covered through insurance. The largest of these is Medevac, which is the flight that they have to use to get her from Austria back home. Her Dad, will pay for the Medevac; and her family is committed to doing everything they can for her, but there are a lot of things that can make Chukka's life easier, and people can help out on those.
When she gets back here, we would like to get her a computer (probably a Macintosh laptop) at the rehabilitation hospital in the Bay Area so that she can stay in touch with people and communicate. We could also get her some drawing or image software for the computer and maybe some hands-on art supplies if she can use them in the hospital. Being able stay creative will be really important right now. Then there's always books of puzzles or games she can use when she is bored. Another thing Chukka will need is a nice sturdy day-planner, as she will have so many appointments she will need to keep track of in the next year.
We are inviting anyone who would like to help to contribute towards these expenses; and to make it easier for you, Karine has set up a Pay Pal account for Chukka to which you can make a direct contribution. Here's the link: http://www.karinewilson.com/ChukkaContribute.html
Karine is also organizing an Art auction, which will be held in the Minneapolis on the 7th of July, 2007, and will consist of Art made with Chukka in mind. The bidding will be held through live bidding, conference (call-in) and proxy bidding. For more information, here is the link: www.karinewilson.com/chukka
This is really about us as friends feeling like we can really DO something, and hopefully it will make Chukka smile. If nothing else, the web page of art may help to make her smile when it's done!
Finally, Christina McAllister started a Café Press site for Kelly's Angels and now Kamikaze has offered proceeds from Angels T-Shirt sales ...
cafepress t-shirts: http://www.cafepress.com
Thank you all for all of your help and concern and know that her family is really appreciating all of your thoughts and prayers.
Saadi
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