Deana seems to be very lucky in that she has been having far less pain than we had been prepared for. She's getting more mobile and does not need my help anymore for standing and using her walker. We had our first PT appointment today (they come here for a few weeks, which is nice) and the therapist seemed impressed with D's status.
Now we have plans set for the next few days - exercises and treatments in the morning, then visitor time, if you would like to call or come by, in the afternoon. She does not need to rest in the day anymore, so call our land line with no worries about waking her.
D is also able to sit with her lap top, so if you email, she'll be glad to hear from you.
So, looks like I won't be posting for a while - let's hope next time I do, the "Where's Deana" blog will be updates of one of her road trips. No more surgery!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Lots Happening
We've just about made it through the first day home - one step at a time - or one drag of the walker at a time. Not the easiest experience for either of us (I don't care for giving her injections, and I'm pretty sure she's not thrilled either), but nothing alarming has occurred either due to my nursing or the knee. I've been keeping the meds coming so the pain is managed. D is walking with her walker, slowly and steadily. Mostly she is glad to sleep and rest away from the interruptions and drama of the hospital. Tomorrow she gets a "machine" delivered as well as her first visit from Physical Therapy.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Home!
Well, we are past the hospital stage, and we've made it home. It was not easy (sometimes the two steps up to our front door seem like a mile high), but thanks to Juan of Kaiser, and our JP, we are home, fed, medicated, comfy, iced, and ready for sleep.
We have had two telemarketing calls since our return, so we will unplug the land line for a few days. D will have her cell on if she's awake, so call with no worries about waking her, and my cell is 569-9400.
Based upon comments from the staff at KP, D is a trooper, a go-getter, and further ahead of many so soon after the surgery.
We have had two telemarketing calls since our return, so we will unplug the land line for a few days. D will have her cell on if she's awake, so call with no worries about waking her, and my cell is 569-9400.
Based upon comments from the staff at KP, D is a trooper, a go-getter, and further ahead of many so soon after the surgery.
All Still Good
I see D much improved after visiting this morning. She walked far enough to pass the therapist's test and practiced going up and down stairs. There are a few more tests to pass before she will be discharged - the last is making sure the pain is managed with oral meds, so they are taking out the IV pain meds right now. I will head back for a three o'clock PT session, then will likely bring her home if the team OKs.
We have come to believe the protocol of waking patients every hour to check their vitals is designed to make people want to go home. D is very tired, so I imagine her first few days will be spent catching up on sleep. We'll unplug her land line phone, so if you'd like to call, please use her cell number. If she's sleeping, we'll turn it off, so don't worry about waking her. Or call my cell - 569-9400 - anytime.
I'll also keep posting here when I have news.
D's a trooper, and is in fairly good spirits. Hope she's home this evening so we can start focusing on the next stage of the journey. Thanks for all your emails.
We have come to believe the protocol of waking patients every hour to check their vitals is designed to make people want to go home. D is very tired, so I imagine her first few days will be spent catching up on sleep. We'll unplug her land line phone, so if you'd like to call, please use her cell number. If she's sleeping, we'll turn it off, so don't worry about waking her. Or call my cell - 569-9400 - anytime.
I'll also keep posting here when I have news.
D's a trooper, and is in fairly good spirits. Hope she's home this evening so we can start focusing on the next stage of the journey. Thanks for all your emails.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
She Walks!
Well, a little bit.
It's a busy day with treatments and physical therapists and tests, and between all that, she is trying to nap.
It's still looking good for a return home on Friday.
It's a busy day with treatments and physical therapists and tests, and between all that, she is trying to nap.
It's still looking good for a return home on Friday.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
It's a Good Day!
Actually it's been a rough and long day, but good in that the operation has gone as planned, and Deana is well, and thanks to a big shot, in little pain.
We were at the hospital at 5ish, checked in and met the team. All were great. The three hour operation was for a complete knee replacement. We were in the recovery unit for a long time. Now D is in her room for the night.
Tomorrow will be busy with treatments and physical therapy. We are hoping she'll be home on Friday.
take care - Rachel
We were at the hospital at 5ish, checked in and met the team. All were great. The three hour operation was for a complete knee replacement. We were in the recovery unit for a long time. Now D is in her room for the night.
Tomorrow will be busy with treatments and physical therapy. We are hoping she'll be home on Friday.
take care - Rachel
The Big Day
I've been kicked out of the hospital for a few hours while D is in surgery. All has gone well do far and we like her team. If you are reading this before ten o'clock, send some happy thoughts!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Count Down to OP Day
This segment of the "Where's Deana Blog" is not as fun as the last, but hopefully knee replacement will soon be behind her and she can head off again on a long journey. I will post again on the day of her surgery with updates for her friends. Until then, if you have any questions, you can email me at rachh22@gmail.com.
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