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.

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 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

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!

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.

Back home.

Its good to home at last. Leaving Utah to drive home seemed like a very long way. I stayed with Dee and Lee in Lake Tahoe for two nights. It was good to see them and it made a good break. Tahoe was beautiful but the crowds were pouring in for the 4th. I drove home through Jackson and there was not too much traffic that way. Now I am home I have to get back into life.
My estimated miles for my trip were 4000. it ended up being 5398 miles, side trips add a lot onto the total. Everything worked out well. There is so much to see and I will go back to Yellowstone for sure, not in peak season though, it would be way too crowded then. Time with the kids was great. My car was great and Lady only let me down a couple of times. Hope to see you all soon. Its time to try golf again, my knee is sort of OK!
If you followed my blog I would love to know via email. Deana.

It was an early morning start for the family on Tuesday, 4.30am shuttle to the air port for their flight to Washington DC. They arrived there safely before I arrive at Lake Tahoe. For me it was a long day driving, It took me all day and I arrived at Dee and Lees around 6.30pm.
It’s a rest day today and then I drive home tomorrow.