Our Mom

Thank goodness Wabbit for posting. We've all been numb, we are so lucky and blessed Queenee is doing so well in her recovery. We can't imagine or come to grips with the fact that we could have lost her.

We all thank everyone who's sent well wishes, thoughts and prayers Queenee's way. She has needed them and as Wabbit has posted, she is on the mend, slow but sure. I've felt numb this past month and feel so much better being here.

The Krew is holding their own in the Keys and know that nothing matters right now other than getting our Queen back to her self. It's been so very hard on her, and everyone has been wonderful; she is more than special to more folks than just our family and she still concerns herself with thoughts of "did I miss sending a b-day card out?" or the like. Mom is a giver and its been difficult to not be able to do her thing and spread the love and cheer she gives so many. PopPop is wonderful, and the Wabbit is 'wunning 'wampid with all the details that need doing and working and hopefully, while I'm here, getting some needed rest as well. I can't fathom leaving here. I'm still at the point of worrying. Although my husband and kids are missing me, they wouldn't have me any other place than here right now, and I thank them for that. Queenee is our most important and valuable asset, and my best friend. Tender care is needed and with all of us here she is surely to mend faster than the doctors could ever guess.

I don't know anyone who has ever worked as hard at physical therapy as Queenee, she is 25 years older than me and 25 years younger at the same time. For now, everyones' love is mending her spirit. Thanks everyone!

A long absence

It's been a long time since I posted last. The Queen is doing very well, though she gets more impatient by the day with her inability to walk. Her next doctor's appointment is in two weeks, and that x-ray will determine how her ankle is healing and whether or not she can start putting any real weight on that foot. For now, she can touch it down for balance, but that's all. Her ribs are still bothering her, but that's to be expected. Broken ribs take an eternity to heal. Otherwise, she is improving daily. Having Key Dear here has made all the difference in the world.

Since I haven't posted about anything else in a very long time, I decided to post a video and promote the cause of frogs. Yay frogs!

Friday update

The gorgeous bouquet of flowers that came this morning is courtesy of the beautiful Btz women (you know who you are, I'm just a nutbag about posting real names). Queenee was very touched and appreciates having them, she loves flowers and this bouquet has the most wonderful fragrance. I don't know what kind of roses they are, but what a lovely smell! Thank you, ladies!

I skipped yesterday's update, but it's all good news from here. Queenee is much happier being home, especially since Key Dear is here to look after her.

Her leg looks good, no apparent infection, so the antibiotics are doing their job. She is taking a much lower dose of painkiller that she was just a few days ago. She's tough!

The visiting nurse was here today, followed by the physical therapist. They'll pop in a couple times a week, but I doubt they'll be coming often or for longer than a couple weeks. We're well set up here and can do whatever needs doing, so their time is better spent on people who don't have the good fortune we have.

The physical therapist ordered a new (bigger) wheelchair for Queenee today. The one Dawg dropped off did it's part and we were lucky to have it, but it is a small chair and Queenee will be more comfortable in something a big bigger. She has managed to lost almost 10 pounds in the last 2-1/2 weeks, though this is a lousy way to diet!

Wednesday update

The Queen is home!!

She saw the orthopedic surgeon this morning. He removed her cast and saw some red skin, which did not make him happy, so rather than put a new cast on her leg, he put on a walking cast/brace, although she is forbidden to put any weight on that leg yet. He wants the ankle checked daily for any signs of infection, redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, whatever. The x-rays look good and she is healing remarkably well - well enough to be cut loose of the nursing facility.

Deacon and PopPop got her home and into the house, despite the pouring rain. PopPop and I went to the nursing home to collect the remaining clothes, tv and various bits and pieces that remained in drawers. The folks there had hoped she would be back for one more night - HA! Not a chance.

DamCat picked up Key Dear, who arrived mid-afternoon after a dreadful flight in nasty weather, but she's in one piece and very happy to see Queenee, as you might imagine. Queenee is thrilled that she is here, as is PopPop. So am I!! We don't know how long she'll be able to stay, but we'll enjoy her while she's here.

Tuesday update

PopPop and I did a dry run to the doctor's office so he'd know where he was going tomorrow. Turned out it was unnecessary, since Deacon will be going with him. This is great news for several reasons: Deacon will drive (no chance of getting lost or scaring Queenee), Queenee will be on time for her appointment, and PopPop will have help getting her in and out of the car/doctor's office building/house - because she IS coming home tomorrow, I refuse to accept any other scenario.

Key Dear will also arrive tomorrow. With a bit of luck, I'll be the one picking her up and dropping her at the house. She'll be able to visit with Queenee while PopPop and I go clean out her room and sign her out of rehab. That is my plan and I am not currently entertaining alternate visions.

Queenee had a very nice breakfast this morning in the "formal" dining room, and then she baked brownies! This constitutes evaluation of whether or not she is able to cook and care for herself. As if that were going to be necessary, but I suppose it is possible, however unlikely, that Key Dear, the D's and Peas, PopPop and I could all be struck by lightning tomorrow. Q is very happy with the progress of her bruises; visible evidence is vastly reduced from last week. She is feeling better all the time and starting to itch, which we all know is a sign of healing. She did get a wrist brace to wear and that should help her right wrist and hand rest a bit more, provided she wears the thing.

We are ready for Q's homecoming tomorrow. Not that we're having a party or anything, but the living room is set up and clean, thanks to the Peas :), and Fluffy and Dawg dropped off a wheelchair tonight, which will suit Q very nicely once PopPop gets it cleaned up.

We're hoping the weather forecast is wrong again, and that the rain will be minimal or absent altogether. Barring weather, tomorrow should be a very good day all round.

Monday update

The whole gang arrived within minutes of each other today! PopPop and I got in to see Queenee at about 3:30pm, and the D's and Peas arrived maybe half an hour later. We all left at about 4:45pm when it was time for her afternoon rehab session.

Queenee had a meeting with the nursing home administrators and nurses this morning. Everyone says she is doing very well and they all know she is itching to leave asap. They also know she is going to have her cast replaced on Wednesday morning and they asked her to stay until Thursday, even if the doctor says she can go home. Well, screw that. That is all about getting one more day's fee from someone who no longer needs to be there. I told her if the doc says she can come home, to get whatever paperwork she needs from him and PopPop and I will go clean out her room and sign her out Wednesday afternoon. I see no reason for her to be where she is one day more than is absolutely necessary, and paperwork and money isn't a good enough reason by a long shot.

Ribs take time to heal, as do bruises, but they'll heal at least as fast when she is home where she has 24/7 attention and can relax. Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday. afaic, she's coming home on Wednesday. Power of positive thinking, everyone!

Sunday update

PopPop and Deacon picked up the new mattress and got that set up in the living room while I went to see Queenee this morning. Mornings are still tough for her, she's stiff from being in bed all night and it takes a while to loosen up. I was there for four hours today and after about two hours, she was feeling better. She got back into bed after lunch to be able to relax for a while before her afternoon rehab session. I think she'll be more relaxed once she's home and will improve even faster here than at the nursing facility. She'll tell that to the orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday morning and we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope he cuts her loose to come home.

Saturday update

PopPop and I arrived just in time to see what Queenee has to go through for physical therapy, and believe me when I tell you there is nothing we couldn't do at home. They put velcro weights on her good ankle - I have those. They give her a small hand weight - I have those. I've already gotten her out of the wheelchair and into the bathroom a couple times, so we can handle that. Lord knows I have no problem with injections, so if she needs any kind of shot, we're good on that score. We have a port-a-potty, a shower chair and a walker, she won't have to climb stairs, someone is with her here 24/7, which is more attention than anyone can expect at a rehab place. Honestly, we can handle things just fine. I doubt she'll be released before next Wednesday, but if she continues to improve and has no setbacks, I don't see how they can refuse to release her once her cast is changed and her ankle is x-rayed. We can even check her blood pressure if necessary.

Queenee is starting to get bored. I know she wants to come home asap now, they are boring her to sleep. Sleep is good, and she still needs to take it slow, but a few more days and I think she'll be home. Her back looks great, and the pain she still has with her ribs is getting better. Her legs and arms are still badly bruised, but that's a matter of time. She's feeling better than could have been expected. Its almost time to get her home.

Friday update

Queenee is just amazing. PopPop and I saw her just after lunch today and she got out of her wheelchair twice to go into the bathroom. She needs more practice with the walker, but she's doing really well. She is managing to twist and turn a little bit now, which she said she couldn't do as well just yesterday.

Thursday update

Queenee is settled into her room at the end of the hall. It's a pretty quiet place. Her roommate is a 57 year old woman named Ann who had a stroke. Very sad, she worked at Mass General Hospital and now is going through all the horrors of having had a stroke. Queenee says she is very nice, as is her family.

Queenee continues to improve daily. She'll be getting dressed to go down the hall for rehab, similar to what she went through with her knees, except for the part where she can't put any weight on her right foot yet. She has a wheelchair in the room and PopPop took her walker in to her today. The advantage there is they will adjust it for her and it will just come home with her when she is ready. Her ribs are still sore, but she's moving much more easily than just a couple days ago. Her arms are still pretty bruised, as is her left leg. She'll get a cast change next Wednesday, and maybe they'll let her come home after that.

Wednesday update

Queenee is improving by leaps and bounds, literally. She did some more hopping with her walker today, and hopping does a body good. I had a look at her back and was amazed to see that the very dark bruise she had behind her ribs last week is completely gone! Even she has noticed that the bruises she was able to see have faded significantly. She is amazing in so many ways. She has a great attitude, of course, and I'm sure there are people at the hospital who will miss her and who wish all their patients were as wonderful to deal with. But at last, she is well enough to move to a rehab facility. PopPop and I were there when the transporters arrived and she'll spend tonight settling in to her new digs. She will most likely be in rehab for a week before they let her come home. By then, Key Dear will be here to make sure everything is done right. Queenee and PopPop can't wait for her to arrive!

Tuesday update

Queenee is starting to show some impressive improvement. Relatively speaking, of course. Some of her bruises are starting to fade and even the swelling in her right arm is down. She had a stress test done over the last two days and the report is that she has a good heart. LOL! Nothing we didn't know, but it's official now. She moves her legs around a lot and isn't having any problems doing what exercises she can with the right leg. Today she spent quite a while sitting in a chair, and did some hopping around with her walker and found the going easier than even just yesterday.

She was going to be moved to a skilled nursing facility today, but the bed she was to occupy is still occupied, so it will be tomorrow. She got a new roommate, another very old, fragile woman with some sort of senility or Alzheimer's setting in, but at least this one is very quiet, so Queenee got a good night's sleep last night, and should again tonight.

Sunday/Monday update

Queenee was as disappointed as the rest of Patriot's nation with their loss in the Super Bowl. I have several thoughts about the game, but am just too damn tired to bother getting into it right now. Maybe a couple weeks from now.

Queenee continues to improve. She should finally get a decent night's sleep tonight - not because she is too uncomfortable to sleep, but because the whacko in the next bed left today. I shouldn't say that, the poor thing is 91 years old and obviously suffering from Alzheimer's, but she was keeping our Queenee up all hours. Now that she's gone, Queenee should finally get some quality sleep.

She feels better every day. She looked much brighter today than yesterday, and much better than the day before that. Getting in and out of bed is still a trial, but she's doing it with a little more ease than a couple days ago. She may be moved to a skilled nursing facility tomorrow afternoon. The doctors think she still needs to rest and recover before getting into any heavy duty rehab, so the acute facility will wait a few more days. Sounds like a good decision to me.

Saturday update

Queenee had an uncomfortable early morning. She got a roommate at about 3am, an elderly woman who had fallen and had quite a good gash on her forehead. She kept trying to get out of bed, which set the alarms off and kept Queenee awake. Then Queenee got her 8am pain meds 45 minutes late. When I heard that, I made a phone call and spoke to everyone I could think of, finally ending up with her nurse. I made it very clear that Queenee is a very good patient, but too stoic for her own good, so when she asks for pain medication, she should get it pronto, and that keeping her waiting for 45 minutes was not acceptable. I was polite, but clearly pissed. PopPop and I went in early, because I wanted to be there for her next dose. The nurse got the message, because she came in and asked Queenee if she was ready for her next dose, which arrived promptly. It's the standard thing, they wait until you ask for your meds, and that's fine, except once you ask for them, dammit, you should get them and not have to wait that long. We'll see if it happens again.

Early mornings are the worst time of day for Queenee, particularly if she hasn't slept well, like last night. Then she gets taken to x-ray, then brought back to the room. This morning she spent about 45 minutes sitting in a chair. She says that helps, it lets her stretch her back a little and it feels good to be able to sit up straight, which is difficult in a bed. She is doing her breathing exercises regularly and says her ankle is not in intolerable pain. The ribs and bruising are very sore and that's going to take some time to improve. She skipped physical therapy yesterday, but may have that today or tomorrow. She should be able to be moved to an acute care facility for more intensive rehab early next week. That will depend on how her ribs progress. So far her chest x-rays have been negative, and there is no indication of any change there.

Tomorrow the hospital is waiving the usual $7 daily fee for getting television reception, so everyone can watch the Pats win the Super Bowl. I'll be going in to watch the game with Queenee.

Friday update

Queenee is doing pretty well, anxious to get home, but well enough that she was moved out of ICU this afternoon and into a regular room. She has a window bed and so far no roommate (and won't it be nice if things stay that way!). She'll probably be there through the weekend, then go to a rehab facility for a few days before she can come home. She'll be off her feet for at least 6 weeks.

Her ribs are bothering her most right now, along with the bruising, which is pretty extensive. As long as she lays flat on her back, she seems fairly comfortable, but moving her left arm or laying on her side causes her a good bit of discomfort. The swelling in her left arm is pretty much gone, though the bruises will persist for a while longer. The nurses are all encouraging her not to try toughing it out and to take pain medication when she needs it. Unfortunately, anyone who has had broken ribs can tell you that they take an inordinately long time to heal properly. We're talking a few months, most likely. On the plus side, the physical therapist is very impressed with the Queen, and a nurse told me this therapist was not one to bullshit, so that is good. She was sitting up in a chair for about two hours before moving out of ICU. Probably not the most comfortable chair, but it must have felt good to be able to sit up and be out of bed.

I've been emailing folks with her room info, because I figure while you might lose a piece of paper, email is there until you hit delete. If I've missed you somehow, let me know and I'll send it along asap.

As a side note, to no one's surprise, the car was officially pronounced totaled today. Next up will be the fight with the insurance company. Too bad for them I used to work in auto claims and know the procedure. Let the insurance company games begin.