ELEPHANT? THERE'S AN ELEPHANT IN THE HOUSE?

Well, that elephant had better look for another place to live............ as of Saturday morning WE HAVE ACCEPTED AN OFFER!!!!!  The house is not officially sold, but the paperwork is in progress!  We unofficially consider it sold.  


The buyer is the one that shot us such a low ball.  They finally threw in the towel, made us another offer and it was within five thousand of what we wanted....so we accepted their offer.  


A year ago, we had said we would be very happy if we could get what they offered, but this year we set our sights 5K higher.   Silly me / us..... 


It took two months and two days from listing to accepting their offer.  Who said this is a bad time to sell a house?  Karen in the Woods sold her house in about a week less time than we sold ours.  Answered prayer all around.  Why am I always astounded when things like this happens?  God is faithful, what else can I say?

Last week was full of physical therapy and doctor visits.   He is walking on the treadmill and learning how to breathe.

Are we having fun yet? 

He works on strength in his legs.  Pretty soon he is going to be able to leap tall buildings!

John with his "coaches"

I even worked out on the machine next to him.  I need the exercise too.  Sitting, reading a book while he is working out just does not seem right, does it?  

It's mandatory and in the rule book 

Don't tell anyone, but that recumbent bike is not fun.  Next time I am going to get on the regular bike.  I'm just too short for the recumbent.  I have not done these machines since my knee replacements and it really felt good to be at it again.  


 It seems that John is right on the line between diabetes and not.  His physician is sending him/us to meet with a dietitian and a nurse for "training."  I look at this as a perfect opportunity to re-learn how to shop, cook and eat the healthful way.  


I need to loose weight.  I have lost twenty-five pounds by using Zija and as a result of John's struggles.  I still need to get rid of more pounds.  


John's weight loss while he was in intensive care and at the long (short for him) term adult rehab hospital brought his weight down to where it should be.  But his doctor said if they did a body mass test, he would have too much fat and not enough muscle.  Guess where the fat is? So he needs to loose his middle and gain muscle.  I probably could do some of the same, but shave the weight also.  


Friday was vet day for our cat Noah.  When John came home from the rehab hospital, he and his buddy, Noah reunited and John mentioned that Noah had mats behind his ears.  


We were so busy running to doctor appointments and physical therapy that I gave Noah's mats no thought until last Thursday.  I called the vet and asked if she could take a look at them since I was unable to cut the mats out without cutting flesh.  


Friday, we went to Hillview Veterinary Clinic.  Noah has been a patient from the day Hillview opened and feels that he has the run of the clinic and hospital since he would stay there when John and I were at llama shows. 


This time Noah knew there was a big problem and decided to take up residence under John's chair.  Finally, he came out and let vet Jennifer look at his "bumps" behind his ears. 

 Jennifer began to remove the mats, but then the skin came off too.  It was not a pretty sight.  But soon Noah was "fixed up"  and sported a new neck band that remained around his neck until yesterday.  Today, he is looking as handsome as any twelve year old cat.  


Today, Oliver and Olivia went to the spa.  They were so neglected while John was sick.  Olivia got a drastic hair cut.  Oliver lost some hair, but not much.  He is much easier to comb out and does not mat like Olivia.  


I think that is the last of the problems that resulted from John's "adventure."  


And this is the last paragraph of a too long blog.  


Thanks for stopping in to read my ramblings.  God bless you and your travels or activities.  

THE ELEPHANT IS LOSING WEIGHT!

As predicted in my last posting, John came home on Wednesday but not until about twenty four hours of frenzied activity at Kindred Hospital captured patent's attention.  


Tuesday was a "happening" day.  But it all started Sunday when a nurse discovered that a patient had a strange rash on her arms and legs.  Scrapings were sent to the laboratory and the diagnosis was Scabies.  


The Kindred "team" went to work. Every inch of the hospital was sanitized.  Curtains were removed.  One room was sanitized.  A patient was treated and moved into the clean room then the patent's room was treated and the next patient was moved into that room until every patient on all floors was treated and moved into a clean room. Beds were removed and new, sanitized beds were brought in.  Every patients other furniture moved with the them.  This procedure continued for about twenty four hours.  


Tuesday morning John said he was "good to go."  What wonderful words.  Words that I had waited what seems like an eternity to hear.


We finally were able to leave the hospital around two o'clock.  The wait was hard on John.  He was so ready to leave, but had to wait for paperwork.  


I finally convinced him to take off the Posy / walking belt.  I said "throw that thing away" and he responds with "I want it to use on my kayak."  Yep, he's ready to get on the road. 

Doesn't he look wonderful?!?!

Nurse Buffy came to take John to the car.  She is one remarkable woman.  This past August, Buffy lost her eighteen year old son to respiratory failure.   And this remarkable woman tenderly continues to care for many patients.  Some of them, like John, experienced respiratory failure.  It is hard to get my head around this.  


Our ride home was confusing for him. The bright sunlight, the traffic noise all seemed to assault his senses but he handled it quite well as we talked about his feelings as we drove the ten short minutes home.  


When we arrived home,  I drove throughout the yard and around the house so he could see everything Cruz, Bob, and I had done.  When I got back to the drive he insisted on getting out of the car by himself.  I insisted that he stand there until I could get around to take another photo of him. He headed into the house to see how we had finished preparing the house for "show and sell|."   After the "photo session,"  and his tour he went straight to the motorhome and claimed his seat!  He has claimed the motorhome as our residence and we have continued to stay.

looks like too much fun here!

Thursday was the first day of physical therapy as an outpatient.  Grant Foley, co-owner of Hayden Physical Therapy and the person who helped me when I had my knee replacements, took John under his wing and began to work with John.  Jaime Hayden came over to encourage John regarding his memory loss.  


Jamie is a survivor of a malignant brain tumor resulting in surgery, some memory problems and seizures.  He is a miracle man in his own way.


Would you believe that after P.T. John wanted to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Rodeo for lunch?  Yep, that's John.  After lunch, he crashed a good crash at home.  

NO....my feet are not blue!  

Friday brought visitors for John and a pedicure for me!  We both were totally delighted.  



Today was grandson, Ross' birthday party.  His gift concerned us for just a bit.  We went on line to Toy'sRUs website and found a Cars themed 

bicycle.  He loves anything Cars and he was thrilled with a shiny new bicycle.  




We are now home and tomorrow will be another rest day before Physical Therapy on Monday.  


Again, thank you for your prayers and thoughts!  


God Bless you all!  

ELEPHANT TENDERLOIN WITH INCHWORM GLAZE AND CARMELIZED ONIONS AND GARLIC

Due to the death of the hard drive on my computer, I have not been able to write the blog.  Once I purchased my new HP Pavilion, I had some newbie issues to deal with. 
 These help desk people from India are so hard to understand!  When I asked him to clarify himself, he would rudely say "you are not listening!" grrrrrr
After about fortyfive minutes, we fixed the computer and it was up and running.  


Later in the evening, the keyboard suddenly locked up and I could not type a thing.  This time I got a tech from Missouri and we worked out the problem in about five minutes!   


Then, yesterday my cell phone died.  Now I have a new computer and a Motorolla Droid Razor.  The Verizon people were over and above what one could expect from them.  I would recommend Verizon to anyone that would ask for my opinion.  


Looking that today's title, can you tell I am getting hungry?  There was a time in this journey that the thought of food made me sick. Now that John is getting better, my appetite is increasing.  I had lost twenty pounds prior to John's illness.  Since then, I have lost another six.  The challenge for both of us is going to be not eating ourselves to the before weight.  Both of us still need to lose more weight.  


The feeding tube was removed since he was consuming enough calories by mouth!  Another big step!  The consistency of the food started with pureed.  He is now eating regular food.  


The pneumonologist said that when John is on his feet he is to work up to walking thirty minutes a day.  Right now he is walking a 300 ft. / 100 yds.  I have yet to time how long that takes.  


Physical therapy was his next bite of the elephant.  And just like the inchworm, he needed to strengthen his legs.   John started P.T. by "riding a bicycle"   He rode forward then backward.  Afterword, he worked on leg raises.  He is a real trouper.  I am so proud of him.  


The next day, he began to walk with assistance.  It was interesting to hear the therapist remind him to walk with his legs farther apart.  There was a tendency to cross a foot over then other when walking.  Going around a corner was a struggle at first.  Things we take forgranted, he had to relearn.  At this time, he is still on 
oxygen.  Yesterday, he walked to his bathroom on his own! He is now on P.T. twice a day.   


The doctors capped his breathing opening in his trach tube.  Now he is breathing just like you and me.  The trach should be removed Monday.  The trach fell out yesterday and John was doing great.  Then the doctor insisted that it be reinserted.  Now why would anyone want to put a patient through that discomfort of reinserting the tube.  


Well, that's the report for today.  The Critical Care Physician says that he sees no reason why John cannot go home next Friday!  And here on day one, I thought he would die.  


John's release will be six weeks that was estimated by the doctors when he arrived.  Hummmm, think that all your prayers have anything to do with his speedy recovery?  Thank you!


I wonder what miracles tomorrow are going to bring?????


God bless you all

THE ELEPHANT'S HAIRY TAIL & THE INCHWORM KEEPS AMOVIN

Yesterday, I awoke early and was at the hospital by eight fifteen.  The physical therapist was there already giving John a good work out!  He had to hand pedal forward and backward for ten minutes each way.  The backward motion strengthens his back.  With the strength in his back, he will be able to push himself from a chair and get out of bed.  Both activities I would like to see soon and often.  


Don't you just LOVE his hair!  That is called no hair cut  in seven weeks.  His hair was matted in back and was impossible to comb out.  His entire do was just impossible.  He truly had bed head and I gave this boy a hair cut! 

After his hair cut, he remained in his chair and we played a Rummy game called Rummikube.  I have noticed that he has problems with small/fine muscle control in his hands and fingers.  Picking up the tiles, placing them in the tray's slots was hard work for him.  Playing the game also made him reason and plan moves.  


How do you think the elephant likes no hair on his tail?  


We played the game until the pulmonologist came to check on John's progress.  He had encouraging words for John.  The doctor wanted John to go to CPAP  (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for the entire day.  If John passed this trial, he would then move forward to the trachea collar today.  As conservative as the doctor is and today being Friday, I have a feeling that he will change his mind and keep John on CPAP through the weekend.  


After the pulmonologist left, John continued sitting in chair until eleven thirty.  He then napped until one o'clock when the speech therapist came for her "quality time" with him.  The therapist gave him four swallowing exercises to do.  Here is one for you to try:  gently bite your tongue.  Holding you tongue between your teeth, swallow.  Not easy, is it....a little giggle here.  


Then came swallowing tests.  Liquids, pureed food and pudding tests were passed with flying colors.  The thick liquid, he failed, but not so miserably as he failed just a few days ago.  The pass or fail is determined by suctioning him after each test.  If anything returns in the suctioning, failure.  


John is to continue his swallowing exercises in order to pass all tests.  When he passes, he will begin eating people food and the tube will be removed from his nose.  


Later in the afternoon, John had surprise visitors.  I had met grand daughter Meg and great grand Harper at the front door of the hospital and walked in with them.  They had visited their capaw previously.  Meg asked me how was her capaw.  I told her that she should judge for herself.  Meg was so happy she cried!  All Harper wanted to do was pull that thing out of her Capaw's nose.  


By the time they left it was getting later in the day and John began to get squirrely.  He was trying to get out of bed etc.  After fussing at him a few times, I got the nurse to put the sides of the bed up and left.  The last thing I want to do is to fuss at him.  And it has been a long day at the hospital.  


Now, I am rested and ready to head back to the hospital.  Oliver and Olivia just informed me that they are out of food, so I must go purchase some from our local Speck's Pet Supply store, bring it home and feed the fur kids then head to the hospital.


A giant thank you for your prayers.  I feel God's presence in the hands of each specialist that works with John.  With God's presence they get so much more out of John than I could ever imagine.  They also are pleased.  


John has two goals to reach.  One is to be able to go to grandson's birthday party on May 5th.  Now that is a stretch!  That is only two weeks!  It would be considered a miracle!  But God can make it happen if that is in His plan.  If not, Harper's first birthday party is May 22nd. or right around there. That is his forecasted release date - so says insurance company. 


To say thank you all for your prayers in our behalf seems so little.  I wish I could just give each of you a hug and a big smile.  But, right now, it is impossible.  So I will do something better.  I will pray for each and every one of you.  I know some of your needs.  Other's I have no idea, but God does, so I'll let Him handle how he works in your lives. (isn't that big of me.....hehe)


Again, God bless...

THE INCHWORM AND THE ELEPHANT

Possibly, I have become an inchworm with my posting.  I am sorry that I have concerned many of you.  Fatigue has captured me, taken me by the throat and tried to strangle me.  BUT! ! !  The fatigue is a result of no more heavy sedation.  


As John began to come out of the sedation, my work began.  He was so confused.  Was not sure why he was there and had no memory of the past two and a half weeks.  He did not want me out of his sight. 


His eyes were clear and there was someone in there!  Of course, with the trach, he was unable to speak.  He would "talk" (moving his mouth), but we had no comprehension as to what he was saying.  I could and still can just occasionally figure out what he is trying to say.


His sense of humor and gentle personality shines through his confusion.  He cracks everyone up with his shrugs and facial expressions.  But when people are gone there are tears and fear.  


They performed a trach collar trial.  He was able to breathe on his own for a short while then his heart rate went up as well as respirations and blood pressure.  Immediately, he was returned to the ventilator, returned to bed to rest for the rest of the day and through the night only to awake with a temperature of 102.  More antibiotics and rest and by the afternoon his temperature had returned to normal.  


The day following his "awakening" the physical therapist came in and sat him on the side of the bed.  John LOVED  it.  He did not want to get back in bed and sat in his chair for a short time.  


When it came time for me to leave, John grew extremely agitated and let me know, even without words that he did not want me to leave.  Again, I slept in a chair, wrapped in a blanket, head on pillow against the wall and my feet in his bed touching his feet.  He continues to cough white watery secretions that need to constantly be suctioned.  He does not get much sleep.  I get none.  


The next day he sat on the side of the bed, stood with considerable support from the physical therapist, turned and sat in his chair. He was scheduled to be moved to Kindred Hospital, a long term acute care hospital just ten minutes from our home.  But that was not in God's plan book.  John's white cell count sky rocketed, indicating an infection someplace in his body.  The decision was made to remove the pick line from his right arm and to install a central line.  This was accomplished with no complications.  


John also had considerable swelling in his left arm and hand.  Oh, oh.  A blood clot?  An ultrasound was scheduled on his arm and neck.  This was all clear.  


Feeling that John was very stable and I was a walking zombie, I told John that I had to go home to get some sleep.  He again became agitated, but his nurse stepped in and assured John that she would be there for him all night.  She told him that she had only two patients to care for.  One was John and the other was in the next room and very stable, so she could spend quality time with him.  Reluctantly, John said goodnight to me and I stumbled to the parking garage and home.  I walked into the house, took the dogs out to take care of their business, crawled into bed and slept soundly, straight through to seven the next morning. When I awoke I was in a stupor for about three hours.  


After a quick shower, "watering" the dogs, I was off to the hospital, I thought.  First, I could not find my keys, then I remembered to get my wallet, then where were those keys?????  Darn.....  Oh, here they are!  Off to the hospital.  


The move to Kindred was rescheduled.  Now he was to move Wednesday.  Dr. Duncan did not like the events of the day and cancelled the transfer.


In the parking garage, I gather my wallet.  Where is that wallet?????
I feel all around the seat, the floor, the console....no wallet.  When trying to find the keys, I laid down the wallet.  When I found the keys, I left for the hospital.  Oh oh....


When exit time came, I was told to explain my plight to the cashier and he/she would give me an envelope to mail my fee.  Not that simple.....nope.....the nasty lady was quite aggravated, told me to go park and she was calling the campus police!  (Indiana University Medical Center and IUPUI).  


I quietly slink over to an empty parking spot, get out my cell phone to text my plight to a friend and I wait, and wait.  I wait until I am totally absorbed in my texting and I suddenly hear through my open window this deep voice behind me.  I scream!  (I am easily startled) I scream like a banshee!  Scare the poor campus policeman and am totally embarrassed.  


He says no problem.  He fills out a couple of papers, taking my license plate number, asking for my drivers license number (who knows their drivers license number?  Not me!  And my license is in my wallet which is someplace at home where I laid it while looking for my "lost" keys.  Do you get the mental status of this sleep deprived basket case?   Ahhhh, he says, no problem.  He takes the written information to the cashier, returns to my car, (I'm watching his movements so I do not repeat the screaming female act again) and tells me to go back to the exit and the cashier will let me through.


grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and reluctantly allows me to leave if I will sign my life away and take an envelope to pay my pitiful parking fee of $5.00.    Oh happy day!


Geezzzz, this is getting long!  


Thursday morning I sleep in to the extremely late hour of 7:30.  Upon awakening, I make the bed, straighten the bedroom, sweep all carpeting, dust all hardwood floors, water the dogs, take my shower, brush my teeth and answer my phone......John is being transferred today!  Whew....I tell them to tell John that I will meet him at Kindred, his new place of residence and recovery.  


I was able to tour Kindred prior to John's arrival, make a quick Starbucks run and return to the hospital in time to station myself at the back of Kindred, at the ambulance entrance to photograph John's arrival.  I felt like a child waiting for Santa's sleigh to come into view!   (I am so sure he is going to treasure my photo journaling his entire experience! eh hem!) 


After he is in his room and we are just adjusting to the new place, John looks at me and says  "what happened to me?"  "Why am I here?"  Oh my, what do I say..??????  He had no memory of two days prior to his respiratory failure..........two days......that is three weeks lost!  I told him the truth....every stinking bit of the truth.  


Then I told him about all the bloggers that were praying for him, the prayers of  his / our family, friends and total strangers all over the world!  God is so good to place you all to intercede for John and for me.  Thank you, thank you from both of us.  


When it was time for me to leave, again, John did not want me to go.  I told him I just had to and finally he was kind of OK with the situation.  


Today, I refreshed the house for "show and sell" and then returned to the hospital.  Wow, a ten minute drive!  That sure beats forty five  minutes!    I was able to return home for lunch! (money saved)  


I took my spinning wheel and was able to spin as John tried to rest.  Tried is the key word.  He is very anxious.  He is unable to sleep, to rest and is totally exhausted.  And this is announcing my prayer request.  Please pray that John sleeps soundly tonight and every night in the future.  Also that he relaxes and is not so apprehensive.


All his physical, speech, occupational, respiratory therapies are a prayer concern.  In order for him to eat real food and get that nasty tube out of his nose, he must pass his speech therapy tests/trials.  He needs to be totally rested in order to have successful physical and occupational sessions on Monday.  And to be able to breathe on his own, the clear secretions must dry up in order that he not cough so much.  Those coughing times sap all of his strength.  


Well, this brings you up to date.  I am sure I have missed events.  If so, and if they are important, I will blog them later.  For now, I will "water" the dogs one more time, then head to bed.  Tomorrow is another day to witness God's power in John life and health!  To God be the glory for all He has done.


God bless you and keep you.  May he put a hedge of his love around you and give each of you peace and strength.  


We love you all!