six months about?
I'm back at work 3 6-hour days. That's a change for the better.
I have a new push chair. I haven't really used it, because it's too large for the doors.
The surgery was kind of a nightmare--the hospital didn't give me my regular meds and I was off the SSRIs for a week. Took the rest of the month to catch up.
My weight has ballooned. I'm working on changing diet. I don't want to be too drastic.
Scott is going to be honored at the National EMS Memorial in a couple of weeks.
http://www.nemsms.org/
I'll try to get back here sometime soon.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Friday, September 14, 2007
good news and blah, blah, blah
First the Updates:
#I have met the surgeon for my colostomy "take down." (Gosh, it sounds so warlike.) I've taken some of the necessary tests in prep-the blood test, and the ct scan with barium and iodine in my system. Apparently, my colostomy is "unremarkable." On Monday, the barium enema.
#I got a shrinker sock for Puffball on Wednesday. It's rubbing a sore spot, so here's hoping for a thigh callous in the next few days.
#Called yesterday by the wheelchair vendor, my chair has been ordered. Hope for delivery in a couple of weeks.
Now the mood:
Still low. Feeling the limitations again. Taking BART scares me, so many hazards, scarey elevators and the gap between train and platform is perfect for snagging castors--not to mention a subtle reminder of the accident. I'm probably not keeping busy enough, logistics get overwhelming sometimes.
#I have met the surgeon for my colostomy "take down." (Gosh, it sounds so warlike.) I've taken some of the necessary tests in prep-the blood test, and the ct scan with barium and iodine in my system. Apparently, my colostomy is "unremarkable." On Monday, the barium enema.
#I got a shrinker sock for Puffball on Wednesday. It's rubbing a sore spot, so here's hoping for a thigh callous in the next few days.
#Called yesterday by the wheelchair vendor, my chair has been ordered. Hope for delivery in a couple of weeks.
Now the mood:
Still low. Feeling the limitations again. Taking BART scares me, so many hazards, scarey elevators and the gap between train and platform is perfect for snagging castors--not to mention a subtle reminder of the accident. I'm probably not keeping busy enough, logistics get overwhelming sometimes.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Lonely
Not quite stir crazy, just bored and lonely. I don't start out patient physical therapy until the 17th--that will be 3 weeks without supervision of exercise program. It's something of a struggle to do that daily. I am going on walks at least.
It's hot--really hot. I don't want to stress myself, especially with the new med that puts me at higher risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion. I never did do well in heat.
Part of my problem here is that I didn't take my Celexa last night. I've taken tonight's so I'll be okay tomorrow, at least as far at taht part of the problem is concerned.
I'm sleeping a lot, and that concerns me--it always does. Am I falling into depression? Should I be doing something different? Is this a problem? Am I too passive?
And my phantom limbs seem very activated tonight.
It's hot--really hot. I don't want to stress myself, especially with the new med that puts me at higher risk for dehydration and heat exhaustion. I never did do well in heat.
Part of my problem here is that I didn't take my Celexa last night. I've taken tonight's so I'll be okay tomorrow, at least as far at taht part of the problem is concerned.
I'm sleeping a lot, and that concerns me--it always does. Am I falling into depression? Should I be doing something different? Is this a problem? Am I too passive?
And my phantom limbs seem very activated tonight.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Puffball and Champ
I have two legs, two quite different legs. Puffball is the shorter. She was greatly torn up by the train and was the one that took all the skin grafts. She's also been the site of the tunnelling wounds. She's not as strong. They used to wrap her up in a bunch of gauze and then put a sort of mesh "hat" on her in tge hospital which made her look like a round puffball mushroom to me. Hence her name. Well, that and the fact that she was so ugly to me that I needed to make her appealing in some way.
Champ sometimes feels like the sister to the prodigal leg. Puffball gets fussed over and cheered on; Champ just steadily goes on. She's been wearing a shrinker sock for 5 or 6 weeks, and is on a temporary prothesis. She will graduate to a vacuum socket--Puffball will never get there because teh skin is so thin. Champ is a nice clean amputation, nowhere near as ugly or shocking as her sister. Although she donated some skin to her sister, so there's been some angry red.
The Donations are done by a sort of cheese slice tool that takes a very thin layer off the donor site and puts in on the recipiant site. It's kinda of gross and scary to think about, but it's also amazing. Last I remember hearing about grafts is the bad old days when they took it off your back or buttocks and took the entire skin. this is obviously an improvement.
Champ sometimes feels like the sister to the prodigal leg. Puffball gets fussed over and cheered on; Champ just steadily goes on. She's been wearing a shrinker sock for 5 or 6 weeks, and is on a temporary prothesis. She will graduate to a vacuum socket--Puffball will never get there because teh skin is so thin. Champ is a nice clean amputation, nowhere near as ugly or shocking as her sister. Although she donated some skin to her sister, so there's been some angry red.
The Donations are done by a sort of cheese slice tool that takes a very thin layer off the donor site and puts in on the recipiant site. It's kinda of gross and scary to think about, but it's also amazing. Last I remember hearing about grafts is the bad old days when they took it off your back or buttocks and took the entire skin. this is obviously an improvement.
Demo Chair
So, yesterday I got 40 minutes in an electric chair.
It was a learning curve, but not a huge one--apparently I took to the whole steer-while=moving-ahead thing better than a lot of people do.
Then it was the Harry Potter movie for a full day.
It was a learning curve, but not a huge one--apparently I took to the whole steer-while=moving-ahead thing better than a lot of people do.
Then it was the Harry Potter movie for a full day.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
I had my first fall last night
I was transferring from the chair to the couch, where I've never been before and I slid down between the two. Luckily my mother was almost down the stairs and we were able to get me up wiht the help of yoga blankets, a foot stool, a chair, the couch, my gate belt, the coffee table and I forget any other props. No panicking, just two women figuring it out.
I feel so trapped sometimes. there are 6 rooms I can go to in this house. I can sit in my chair on the commode and on my bed. It's frustrating and a little depressing. I really wanted to sit on the couch, but once I was back in my chair it was stay thaer for the rest of the night.
I feel so trapped sometimes. there are 6 rooms I can go to in this house. I can sit in my chair on the commode and on my bed. It's frustrating and a little depressing. I really wanted to sit on the couch, but once I was back in my chair it was stay thaer for the rest of the night.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
old hurts return
I am beginning to miss Scott.
This is hard. It's been over the past week or so. I guess it could be taken as a good sign, that I'm healed enough to begin to work on mourning again, but it hurts, it hurts, it hurts.
Widowhood sucks more than leglessness, at least so far.
In Austria I was asked twice if it had not be an accident, if I had tried to kill myself. Both times I answered that I missed Scott, but did not want to rejoin him. (in retrospect, I wonder why they didn't ask about drugs and alcolhal. I'm guessing that it's because they took a tox screen and found nothing. They asked in the States. I don't take drugs when I'm travelling alone. Well, I don't take drugs anyway, but I especially don't take them when I feel vulnerable, and traveling in a strange country where I have only rudiments of the language counts as vulnerability.)
Star is once again very precious to me, a touchstone to the days when I was whole and Scott was here.
I sleep a lot...
This is hard. It's been over the past week or so. I guess it could be taken as a good sign, that I'm healed enough to begin to work on mourning again, but it hurts, it hurts, it hurts.
Widowhood sucks more than leglessness, at least so far.
In Austria I was asked twice if it had not be an accident, if I had tried to kill myself. Both times I answered that I missed Scott, but did not want to rejoin him. (in retrospect, I wonder why they didn't ask about drugs and alcolhal. I'm guessing that it's because they took a tox screen and found nothing. They asked in the States. I don't take drugs when I'm travelling alone. Well, I don't take drugs anyway, but I especially don't take them when I feel vulnerable, and traveling in a strange country where I have only rudiments of the language counts as vulnerability.)
Star is once again very precious to me, a touchstone to the days when I was whole and Scott was here.
I sleep a lot...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Mean Girls in High School
This is a very weird post, I think.
Have you ever heard of post anathesia psychosis? (I think that's not the name, but it's the closest I can come up with right now.)
I had a case in Innsbrock. I was coming out of the anathesia after my last operation in Austria, on the day before I left the icu. For some reason there were 8-12 nurses there, all women.
Somethings I know were weird ideas cooked up in my own head. There is no way that it is the truth that the hospital kept a room identical to the icu where they practiced scenarios that might occur during crashes of the Austrian National Airline. (Does Austria even have a national airline?) Certainly it is not true that one of my roommates was actually some sort of robot that they used for drills and that if you didn't take care of the robot right it would blow up to the size of a walrus. I can't even remember what kind of robot my other roommate was.
(Although at some point earlier in my stay, I was convinced that she was actually some sort of ape with a singing career who had escaped from her producer. Let me be very clear, I was on opiates for pain. My thought processes were not functioning well.)
Well, I thought the nurses were out to get me. Some of it must have been paranoid thinking. But I don't know that all of it was. At some point they cut up part of my 2-piece colostomy bag system to prove some point. and they kept arguing with me--what was the point of that? I was not thinking right, logic wasn't going to change things. Why so many of them?
I wish I could understand this experience better. One or two of them were nurses I didn't like much, including the nurse who when I was in Maskentherapie and had got her attention when I was freaking out from it by knocking the finger in the little closepin monitor thingie on my bedside table, then moved the table out of my reach when she left. I felt surrounded and tried to hit a couple. It's hard to take a swing at people when you don't have legs. Much more likely to fall out of bed. I discovered that grabbing hold with one hand and hitting with the other was a better stratagy.
I wish I could understand this experience better...
Have you ever heard of post anathesia psychosis? (I think that's not the name, but it's the closest I can come up with right now.)
I had a case in Innsbrock. I was coming out of the anathesia after my last operation in Austria, on the day before I left the icu. For some reason there were 8-12 nurses there, all women.
Somethings I know were weird ideas cooked up in my own head. There is no way that it is the truth that the hospital kept a room identical to the icu where they practiced scenarios that might occur during crashes of the Austrian National Airline. (Does Austria even have a national airline?) Certainly it is not true that one of my roommates was actually some sort of robot that they used for drills and that if you didn't take care of the robot right it would blow up to the size of a walrus. I can't even remember what kind of robot my other roommate was.
(Although at some point earlier in my stay, I was convinced that she was actually some sort of ape with a singing career who had escaped from her producer. Let me be very clear, I was on opiates for pain. My thought processes were not functioning well.)
Well, I thought the nurses were out to get me. Some of it must have been paranoid thinking. But I don't know that all of it was. At some point they cut up part of my 2-piece colostomy bag system to prove some point. and they kept arguing with me--what was the point of that? I was not thinking right, logic wasn't going to change things. Why so many of them?
I wish I could understand this experience better. One or two of them were nurses I didn't like much, including the nurse who when I was in Maskentherapie and had got her attention when I was freaking out from it by knocking the finger in the little closepin monitor thingie on my bedside table, then moved the table out of my reach when she left. I felt surrounded and tried to hit a couple. It's hard to take a swing at people when you don't have legs. Much more likely to fall out of bed. I discovered that grabbing hold with one hand and hitting with the other was a better stratagy.
I wish I could understand this experience better...
The Shear Goodness of it All
I am amazed by the goodness I've found in this experience.
Stefan driving my mother from the airport to the hotel. He came from Munich to do this. Thank you, Stefan. It's not everyone who will do something for someone so vaguely connected to one. My mother spoke of you with gratitude for this. It must have been a very hard day in her life, flying to a strange country to see a freshly maimed child. I just told her Stefan had posted a reply and she smiled and spoke of something she wanted to send him.
Karine--whose goodness was never in doubt, since her trip to New Orleans post Katrina--organizing the art auction and being the tribe nexus for donations. I am sitting at the computer that her money, and the money she raised, helped to pay for. And everyone who contributed art or who bid on a piece, thank you,thank you, thank you. Le Chat, you better treat her right, her fans will have something to say to you if you don't. But the issue isn't in doubt, I know your furry heart and your love for her.
All those people who sent cards. I've got pounds of them. Somehow I haveto make them into a scrapbook. Something to hold as a solid reminder that all of you cared enough to say something, to send something.
I was sent books, video tapes, dvds. The vcr tapes I left in Austria--I didn't want to run into compatability problems. but there are no imcompatability problems with the hearts and hands that selected them and put them into the mail.
The nurses, the pts, the ots. I was the total pet on the floor in John Muir Medical. The English speaking members of the doctors' entourages in TILAK who gave me brief synopses of the long German conversations.
And I don't even know that I deserve this. I've tried to be honest. On the boards I'd be kind to the people who seemed to need it and I've been mean and rude to the people who seemed to be giving us that sort of energy simply to inflate their egos or whatever their twisted--oh poof! I don't want to talk abou that in a post about goodness. But it does make the goodness look better.
So much kindness in the world, in people.
So many hugs I wish to give, to people I don't even know, as well as those I've met, but are not close.
I wish I could throw you a party. Idon't know what to say. I may never know what to say.
I can say this, you, all of you, were bright lights in a very dark night for me and for my family and friends.
You're Stars, People!!!
Stefan driving my mother from the airport to the hotel. He came from Munich to do this. Thank you, Stefan. It's not everyone who will do something for someone so vaguely connected to one. My mother spoke of you with gratitude for this. It must have been a very hard day in her life, flying to a strange country to see a freshly maimed child. I just told her Stefan had posted a reply and she smiled and spoke of something she wanted to send him.
Karine--whose goodness was never in doubt, since her trip to New Orleans post Katrina--organizing the art auction and being the tribe nexus for donations. I am sitting at the computer that her money, and the money she raised, helped to pay for. And everyone who contributed art or who bid on a piece, thank you,thank you, thank you. Le Chat, you better treat her right, her fans will have something to say to you if you don't. But the issue isn't in doubt, I know your furry heart and your love for her.
All those people who sent cards. I've got pounds of them. Somehow I haveto make them into a scrapbook. Something to hold as a solid reminder that all of you cared enough to say something, to send something.
I was sent books, video tapes, dvds. The vcr tapes I left in Austria--I didn't want to run into compatability problems. but there are no imcompatability problems with the hearts and hands that selected them and put them into the mail.
The nurses, the pts, the ots. I was the total pet on the floor in John Muir Medical. The English speaking members of the doctors' entourages in TILAK who gave me brief synopses of the long German conversations.
And I don't even know that I deserve this. I've tried to be honest. On the boards I'd be kind to the people who seemed to need it and I've been mean and rude to the people who seemed to be giving us that sort of energy simply to inflate their egos or whatever their twisted--oh poof! I don't want to talk abou that in a post about goodness. But it does make the goodness look better.
So much kindness in the world, in people.
So many hugs I wish to give, to people I don't even know, as well as those I've met, but are not close.
I wish I could throw you a party. Idon't know what to say. I may never know what to say.
I can say this, you, all of you, were bright lights in a very dark night for me and for my family and friends.
You're Stars, People!!!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Some Days are Just Bad
Woke up cranky.
Almost certainly just a cyclical thing.
Ican't be optomistic and daring all the time.
Even my phantom limbs seem to hurt.
Too much family and caretaker drama. Its very scary to be dependant on people who are having dramas.
I can't even go to a movie or a cafe and get away from it.
Sometimes I feel trapped. Can't take a nap on the couch. Can't go beyond certain places in the house.
I did see the doctor yesterday and he did say I could take showers. Now all I have to do is get the handheld installed and the shower chair bought.
Anyone wanna take me to Johnson Medical supply on Monday?
Almost certainly just a cyclical thing.
Ican't be optomistic and daring all the time.
Even my phantom limbs seem to hurt.
Too much family and caretaker drama. Its very scary to be dependant on people who are having dramas.
I can't even go to a movie or a cafe and get away from it.
Sometimes I feel trapped. Can't take a nap on the couch. Can't go beyond certain places in the house.
I did see the doctor yesterday and he did say I could take showers. Now all I have to do is get the handheld installed and the shower chair bought.
Anyone wanna take me to Johnson Medical supply on Monday?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
2 More Tunneling Wounds!
YARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!
Yesterday I got my long handled mirror. (They are used for paras and other wheelies to look at thier backs to see how thier skin is doing.)
I used it for the first time today.ThOh crap, I found two more of the tunneling wounds.
I haven't talked about these wounds, but they are a drama in of themselves. the first one (also known as "The Wound") was a little hole in my high right shank/butt area with a little "antichamber" from which branched off two tunnels, one an inch long, the other four! In the hospital, it was getting irrigated twice a day with saline, packed with special guaze, covered with zeraform (a special yellow gauze impregnated with vasoline and possibly s9ome sort of bacteria killer), and wrapped up twice daily. In fact, this wound was the reason that my right leg hasn't been prepped for a prothesis yet.
Last week, afterleaving thehospital, I discovered (by feell) a 2nd one, more towards my groin, but still in the seam (if that is the correct term) between my old skin and the graft recipiant site. This one was only a centemeter long. We havent had a syringe, but it's been packeda nd included in the wrapping. (Well, the wrapping's around thw whole thigh, or what's left of it.)
Lookked at the back of my right leg 1/2 hour ago. Two more wounds, both in a sort of a channel (it lookes almost like a butt crack!) in the center of the graft site. HIdden by the edema of the leg.
The good news is that one in one centimeter long, the other half that. But I don't know why Ikeep getting these. With the first one, there was a lot of talk of infection. There was staph in that wound. And it was puss-y (filled with puss, instead of being a cat or slang for a woman's box), at least until the irrigation washed it out. But the others are dry. Maybe because I found them before they became too long.
Am I going to be prone my entire life? Is it something that is associated with the graft? I just hope that there wasn't some sort of infectin that they were tunnelling towards.
btw The original Wound is pretty much healed now, Scabbed over even. I hope the three that are left close up soon.
Yesterday I got my long handled mirror. (They are used for paras and other wheelies to look at thier backs to see how thier skin is doing.)
I used it for the first time today.ThOh crap, I found two more of the tunneling wounds.
I haven't talked about these wounds, but they are a drama in of themselves. the first one (also known as "The Wound") was a little hole in my high right shank/butt area with a little "antichamber" from which branched off two tunnels, one an inch long, the other four! In the hospital, it was getting irrigated twice a day with saline, packed with special guaze, covered with zeraform (a special yellow gauze impregnated with vasoline and possibly s9ome sort of bacteria killer), and wrapped up twice daily. In fact, this wound was the reason that my right leg hasn't been prepped for a prothesis yet.
Last week, afterleaving thehospital, I discovered (by feell) a 2nd one, more towards my groin, but still in the seam (if that is the correct term) between my old skin and the graft recipiant site. This one was only a centemeter long. We havent had a syringe, but it's been packeda nd included in the wrapping. (Well, the wrapping's around thw whole thigh, or what's left of it.)
Lookked at the back of my right leg 1/2 hour ago. Two more wounds, both in a sort of a channel (it lookes almost like a butt crack!) in the center of the graft site. HIdden by the edema of the leg.
The good news is that one in one centimeter long, the other half that. But I don't know why Ikeep getting these. With the first one, there was a lot of talk of infection. There was staph in that wound. And it was puss-y (filled with puss, instead of being a cat or slang for a woman's box), at least until the irrigation washed it out. But the others are dry. Maybe because I found them before they became too long.
Am I going to be prone my entire life? Is it something that is associated with the graft? I just hope that there wasn't some sort of infectin that they were tunnelling towards.
btw The original Wound is pretty much healed now, Scabbed over even. I hope the three that are left close up soon.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Chukka's computer
Chukka's MacBook arrived last week, including Office:Mac, an HP printer, *and* an iPod nano. I tried to set it up for her -- somewhat to my surprise, Mac is actually more controlling than Microsoft during the installation! It kept asking me things I wasn't quite sure how Chukka would want me to answer. I've dropped it off at home -- I'm still holding onto the printer for a while because it will take a little time for everything to get settled down and for her to decide where she can put it. She will likely have plenty on her plate when she first gets home.
Thanks to all of you who helped purchase this computer by contributing to her fund or participating in the art auction. Extra special thanks to Karine for coordinating it all. And thanks once again to everyone for their caring and concern during this difficult time. I've always known that I would eventually step out of the blog and hand it over to Chukka, and now she's coming home, this seems an appropriate time. I've been very impressed by how much so many people (including Chukka, my mother, and the rest of my family!) have stepped up in so many ways. I'm really glad to know there are so many good people there for Chukka and that they will be there for her in the months and years to come.
Thanks to all of you who helped purchase this computer by contributing to her fund or participating in the art auction. Extra special thanks to Karine for coordinating it all. And thanks once again to everyone for their caring and concern during this difficult time. I've always known that I would eventually step out of the blog and hand it over to Chukka, and now she's coming home, this seems an appropriate time. I've been very impressed by how much so many people (including Chukka, my mother, and the rest of my family!) have stepped up in so many ways. I'm really glad to know there are so many good people there for Chukka and that they will be there for her in the months and years to come.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Due for Early Release
So it looks like the release date is the 24th, next Tuesday. That will give me a couple of days to sink in, before the hordes descend on the weekend. (I still have pizza and beer--that ought to attract hordes.)
One of my physical therapists has said she'll pick up a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows for me on Saturday. Is is a gift or should I pay her back? The second, probably. better ask my mom to bring back the check book.
In the meantime, I'm out of books I want to read here. I finished the fourth Judge Dee mystery. These are a little odd, the first was a translation of a Chinese detective story; it did so well that he started writing stories with the same hero. I don't know why I'm reading them--insight into China? or the Netherlands? Still, exotic settings are interesting for a while.
\I do have Eight Little Piggies, but there's only so many Steven Jay Gould essays I can read a week.
My mother once handed me Number One Woman's Detective Agency, but she can't find it now, that seems about perfect.
I don't actually like detective stories in one way. I certainly never try and figure out "who donit." I figure the authot is way more clever than I am, so why try and compete? Maybe I should just journal a lot.
No snack food either--and I've developed an appetite--all that working out. Plus, people are telling me I've lost weight. All that working out.
Or in the words of the immortal Sandra Boyton--things are getting desparate; please send chocolate.
One of my physical therapists has said she'll pick up a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows for me on Saturday. Is is a gift or should I pay her back? The second, probably. better ask my mom to bring back the check book.
In the meantime, I'm out of books I want to read here. I finished the fourth Judge Dee mystery. These are a little odd, the first was a translation of a Chinese detective story; it did so well that he started writing stories with the same hero. I don't know why I'm reading them--insight into China? or the Netherlands? Still, exotic settings are interesting for a while.
\I do have Eight Little Piggies, but there's only so many Steven Jay Gould essays I can read a week.
My mother once handed me Number One Woman's Detective Agency, but she can't find it now, that seems about perfect.
I don't actually like detective stories in one way. I certainly never try and figure out "who donit." I figure the authot is way more clever than I am, so why try and compete? Maybe I should just journal a lot.
No snack food either--and I've developed an appetite--all that working out. Plus, people are telling me I've lost weight. All that working out.
Or in the words of the immortal Sandra Boyton--things are getting desparate; please send chocolate.
Ramping Up
I've been learning all sorts of new stuff. Like how to pull myself up if I fall on the floor. It's hard pulling, completely dependent on my arm strength. Which I must continue to work on--weights this afternoon.
Somehow, I've got to be able to talk someone through moving me up or down a curb when I can't find a ramp. If it's not a friend, then it might be a stranger.
Car transfers. On Tuesday it was scary. On Wednesday it was just a problem that had to be solved. I pushed myself out of the car backwards so hard, that I dislodged my cushion and pushed it halfway up the chair seat. A break today, and back to this tomorrow. I can't get into Mariah's honda because the door doesn't open far enough to get the wheelchair next to the car seat. Luckily, my mother's Saturn doesn't have this problem.
I will see the SWAT team nurse today for colostomy bag changing training.
After I've done the weight lifting.
Somehow, I've got to be able to talk someone through moving me up or down a curb when I can't find a ramp. If it's not a friend, then it might be a stranger.
Car transfers. On Tuesday it was scary. On Wednesday it was just a problem that had to be solved. I pushed myself out of the car backwards so hard, that I dislodged my cushion and pushed it halfway up the chair seat. A break today, and back to this tomorrow. I can't get into Mariah's honda because the door doesn't open far enough to get the wheelchair next to the car seat. Luckily, my mother's Saturn doesn't have this problem.
I will see the SWAT team nurse today for colostomy bag changing training.
After I've done the weight lifting.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Playing the Insurance Game
The insurance has agreed to extend Chukka's stay in the hospital until next Wednesday, I guess that's the 23rd. In part this is because she now has the left prosthesis, so they can get some time for prosthesis rehab. This gives us a little more time to finish the ramp, and also more time for her right leg to heal. The infection is gone, but there are still two channels in the leg, about 4 inches long, that need to be tended to daily. The channels are healing -- they are getting narrower, but not specifically shorter. Anyway, with those still there, I am happier thinking of her in the hospital for now.
Cleaning the house went well. The rooms upstairs have been cleared for my mother, and things downstairs have been rearranged so Chukka can move about and specifically so there is a clear path in case of fire. (Scott was into fire alarms, too, so there are plenty all around.) Many thanks to all of Chukka's friends who came and helped! Double and triple thanks to Mike, who came all the way down from Sacramento for three days and worked on the ramp. That is not quite finished. It's not a cement thing, which is what I was expecting, but more like a deck or something. All the frame has been built and now it just has to have the top done.
My mother is really a trooper. It's a huge life change for her, almost as big as for Chukka, and I think it can be challenging at times. But it's clear she is going to do whatever it takes to help Chukka make the transition to her new life. Mum has been out at hospital irrigating and dressing those wounds (one thing I could never do), pushing Chukka's wheelchair up curbs, and generally learning how to support and take care of and be there for Chukka. It's a long process, but everyone is doing the best they can, and that really is quite a lot.
Cleaning the house went well. The rooms upstairs have been cleared for my mother, and things downstairs have been rearranged so Chukka can move about and specifically so there is a clear path in case of fire. (Scott was into fire alarms, too, so there are plenty all around.) Many thanks to all of Chukka's friends who came and helped! Double and triple thanks to Mike, who came all the way down from Sacramento for three days and worked on the ramp. That is not quite finished. It's not a cement thing, which is what I was expecting, but more like a deck or something. All the frame has been built and now it just has to have the top done.
My mother is really a trooper. It's a huge life change for her, almost as big as for Chukka, and I think it can be challenging at times. But it's clear she is going to do whatever it takes to help Chukka make the transition to her new life. Mum has been out at hospital irrigating and dressing those wounds (one thing I could never do), pushing Chukka's wheelchair up curbs, and generally learning how to support and take care of and be there for Chukka. It's a long process, but everyone is doing the best they can, and that really is quite a lot.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
My progress
Today I learned that I could do wheelchair pushups. I couldn't a week ago. I've learned all sorts of rolling and alternate sit-ups and work on my abs like a 90s exercise drone.
I can't hold the wheelchair pushups for 2 minutes (pressure relief--I need to do it because I'm going to be sitting on my fat ass for a long time), but maybe that will come.
They could be fitting me with a prothesis (temporary) on Monday.
I did ramps today. Kevin is still the best at getting me up them fast, but you have no idea how steep city streets are.
Soon I'll be able to win arm wrestling contests...
I can't hold the wheelchair pushups for 2 minutes (pressure relief--I need to do it because I'm going to be sitting on my fat ass for a long time), but maybe that will come.
They could be fitting me with a prothesis (temporary) on Monday.
I did ramps today. Kevin is still the best at getting me up them fast, but you have no idea how steep city streets are.
Soon I'll be able to win arm wrestling contests...
Thursday, July 12, 2007
D-Day approaching
So I'm getting really worried. (What else would I be doing up at 5:00 in the morning?) The insurance wants Chukka to leave the hospital on Monday. The hospital has decided it will keep chukka till Thursday, no matter what, and fight the insurance later if necessary. This is just the ridiculous place how health care system has come to, where it's and adversarial system where everyone has to see who can intimidate whom more.
In the meantime, we have to somehow get the house ready for Chukka. We have to clear out the rooms upstairs, which have accumulated a large amount of stuff, and get that all into boxes or taken down to the thrift store. Then we have to move all my mother's furniture and clothes from the room downstairs where she has lived for almost forty years and take it upstairs into a new room. Then we have to just set up a little stuff for Chukka -- she will only want a dresser and bookcase to begin with probably -- we will be renting a hospital bed at first. And finally, we have to make sure that the downstairs, and especially the passageway from the front door to the bedroom, will be clear enough and safe enough for Chukka to negotiate in a wheelchair -- especially now, when she is still not fully familiar with what she is doing (although she has been making great progress). It just doesn't seem like there's any way this can be done in the amount of time we have -- especially in such short notice. I have no idea if anyone is actually going to show up to help out. We may end up needing people all through the early part of the week.
If there is any chance that you can help, please do contact me to get the address. Even just an hour or two would be a big help. You can send me an email at chukkasupport AT gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67 Or leave a comment on the blog. You can also call Chukka at the hospital - (925) 939-3000 and ask for Carol Sachs.
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge. Beer and pizza -- the first few people get Zachary's.
***************
In the meantime, Chukka continues to do awesome. She is working really hard at her PT, she is jumping in and doing the things she needs to do to help the move happen. I cannot emphasize how incredibly strong she has been. I just want to make sure she comes home to somewhere safe.
In the meantime, we have to somehow get the house ready for Chukka. We have to clear out the rooms upstairs, which have accumulated a large amount of stuff, and get that all into boxes or taken down to the thrift store. Then we have to move all my mother's furniture and clothes from the room downstairs where she has lived for almost forty years and take it upstairs into a new room. Then we have to just set up a little stuff for Chukka -- she will only want a dresser and bookcase to begin with probably -- we will be renting a hospital bed at first. And finally, we have to make sure that the downstairs, and especially the passageway from the front door to the bedroom, will be clear enough and safe enough for Chukka to negotiate in a wheelchair -- especially now, when she is still not fully familiar with what she is doing (although she has been making great progress). It just doesn't seem like there's any way this can be done in the amount of time we have -- especially in such short notice. I have no idea if anyone is actually going to show up to help out. We may end up needing people all through the early part of the week.
If there is any chance that you can help, please do contact me to get the address. Even just an hour or two would be a big help. You can send me an email at chukkasupport AT gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67 Or leave a comment on the blog. You can also call Chukka at the hospital - (925) 939-3000 and ask for Carol Sachs.
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge. Beer and pizza -- the first few people get Zachary's.
***************
In the meantime, Chukka continues to do awesome. She is working really hard at her PT, she is jumping in and doing the things she needs to do to help the move happen. I cannot emphasize how incredibly strong she has been. I just want to make sure she comes home to somewhere safe.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Updated work party info
I've updated this so it's easier for people to get to me if it's cross posted. If you've posted elsewhere, please try and update. Thanks.
Work Party this Saturday and Sunday, July 14 & 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. We'll need to pack stuff in boxes, move furniture, maybe help with the ramp -- everything we can to make it safe and accessible for Crypto. Beer and pizza!
If you are interested, contact me for the address. You can send me an email at chukkasupport@gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge.
Chukka continues to do well. She really is amazing. She's been going outside with her PT person and going up the construction ramps they have that aren't even for wheelchair users. When she first gets out she will probably need an attendant 24/7 for a few days, as well as a hospital bed short term. She's up for it though! I think she'll be really really happy to get home.
My Dad has ordered her a laptop with the money that all of friends raised, and I think she will try to set up access so she has it the minute she gets home.
Work Party this Saturday and Sunday, July 14 & 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. We'll need to pack stuff in boxes, move furniture, maybe help with the ramp -- everything we can to make it safe and accessible for Crypto. Beer and pizza!
If you are interested, contact me for the address. You can send me an email at chukkasupport@gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge.
Chukka continues to do well. She really is amazing. She's been going outside with her PT person and going up the construction ramps they have that aren't even for wheelchair users. When she first gets out she will probably need an attendant 24/7 for a few days, as well as a hospital bed short term. She's up for it though! I think she'll be really really happy to get home.
My Dad has ordered her a laptop with the money that all of friends raised, and I think she will try to set up access so she has it the minute she gets home.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Home Soon! Work Party!
The hospital has given a tentative discharge date of July 9th, which is a week from Thursday. This is when the insurance company thinks she can be discharged, so of course she's just squeaking by. It's exciting and scary!
Of course, because this all happened in Austria and she's only been back a little while, we haven't had time to get anything ready. The ramp isn't built yet, the house has to be rearranged, etc. So we're calling for your help!
Work Party this Saturday and Sunday, July 14 & 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. We'll need to pack stuff in boxes, move furniture, maybe help with the ramp -- everything we can to make it safe and accessible for Crypto. Beer and pizza!
If you are interested, contact me for the address. You can send me an email at chukkasupport AT gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge.
Let other people know!
Of course, because this all happened in Austria and she's only been back a little while, we haven't had time to get anything ready. The ramp isn't built yet, the house has to be rearranged, etc. So we're calling for your help!
Work Party this Saturday and Sunday, July 14 & 15 starting at 10:00 a.m. We'll need to pack stuff in boxes, move furniture, maybe help with the ramp -- everything we can to make it safe and accessible for Crypto. Beer and pizza!
If you are interested, contact me for the address. You can send me an email at chukkasupport AT gmail.net, or contact me on Tribes as Eliza at http://people.tribe.net/62b6bfc2-9af2-4fd7-a4cd-bf3eedd47b67
The house is located on the Berkeley/Oakland border, near Claremont and College. The closest BART station is Rockridge.
Let other people know!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Forging ahead
They have pinpointed the source of Chukka's fever -- she has some infection in one of the legs. This is basically being treated the same way they did in Austria-- they suction out the infection once or twice a day, and then pack the site with some kind of dressing that draws the rest of the fluid out. At the same time, they are hitting her with antibiotics., switching them as necessary.
This sounds all very scary, but she is doing well. She is back to a full schedule of occupational and physical therapy -- 3 hours a day of each of them. Physical therapy is about strengthening and learning how to use her body in general -- there is a PT room with a huge mat where she can do rolls and so on. OT is more about how to do specific things for every day -- like getting into the shower, doing the laundry (yes, there's a washing machine on the floor, and she will learn how to do her own clothes) , etc. She is forging ahead, zooming around in her wheelchair and is in good spirits again, after a brief hard patch during the worst of the fever (on her birthday no less -- how rotten is that?)
This sounds all very scary, but she is doing well. She is back to a full schedule of occupational and physical therapy -- 3 hours a day of each of them. Physical therapy is about strengthening and learning how to use her body in general -- there is a PT room with a huge mat where she can do rolls and so on. OT is more about how to do specific things for every day -- like getting into the shower, doing the laundry (yes, there's a washing machine on the floor, and she will learn how to do her own clothes) , etc. She is forging ahead, zooming around in her wheelchair and is in good spirits again, after a brief hard patch during the worst of the fever (on her birthday no less -- how rotten is that?)
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