Happy Thanksgiving!

Back in the summer, when things were really bad, I dreamed of Thanksgiving, and prayed that Jamie would be sitting at our Thanksgiving dinner table with us. I am so thankful that this prayer, along with many others, was answered. I am thankful for all of Jamie's friends and family who shared their love and support these last four months. I am thankful for my son-in-law Marc who took the burden of dealing with hospital bills and insurance and medicaid off our shoulders, and created order out of chaos. I am thankful for the skills and the incredible compassion of all the doctors, nurses, nurses aides and therapists at Carolinas Medical Center and Carolinas Rehabilitation. And I am thankful for our church family, whose caring support has been boundless.

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, Jamie is having therapy. He is being fitted with an orthotic to wear on his left foot/ankle. He no longer has to wear the big brace on his left leg - hooray! It will take several more weeks for his toes on his right foot to heal--this kind of wound has to heal from the inside out - the doctor says to eat lots of protein - we've got lots of turkey leftovers! :-)

I pray that your Thanksgiving blessings, dear reader, are many.
Love and Peace,
Brenda

Home Again

It's Thursday night, and we're home from the hospital. Jamie's sitting in front of the fireplace, eating chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven, and watching CNN's Democratic debate in Nevada. It won't be long and he'll be back in his bed - at home! This last hospital stay (and I hope it's the last hospital stay) was very good - CMC is awesome - BUT, there's no place like home!

One More Night

Jamie is doing very well after his surgery Monday. He's still in the hospital - they are managing his pain with medication by IV, but he needs to have it under control with pill form before he can come home. They are going to start alternating a pill with his IV meds, and plan for him to come home tomorrow (Thursday).

We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. His vascular surgeon said it was amazing how good Jamie looks, and how different he looks than he did in the ICU in July.

Post-Surgery Update

Jamie's surgery went well yesterday. The Doctors cleaned up his toes on his right foot. They debriefed all of the damaged skin and tissue on 3 of his toes and ended up taking off just the tips. This should not affect his balance or ability to walk at all, so that's good. He does have a lot of pain and he will hopefully heal quickly over the next 4-6 weeks. He spent last night in the hospital and should be coming home soon!

And then it's back to therapy next week!

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Halloween at Carolinas Rehabilitation

PT Sarah, PT tech Dave, unknown poor soul who didn't do his stretches, and PT Andrea with Jamie on Halloween. This was taken after Jamie's hour session on the parallel bars.

Jamie's working hard, 3 therapies 3 times a week. Michael and I have been working hard, too, practicing transfers with Jamie. He is scheduled to have surgery on his toes on Monday, November 12th, and will probably be in the hospital for a couple of days. We'll let you know details as we know them.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support during Jamie's recovery!

Catching Up

Jamie started his out-patient physical therapy Monday. He will be having physical therapy and occupational therapy three times a week, and speech therapy (which is working on visual scanning and higher level problem solving) two times a week. This week he has walked the length of the parallel bars (with the help of his therapist) several times. He says he feels "like Robocop" when he's walking - he still has the brace on his left leg, plus a couple of orthotic boots. Today he visited his vascular doctor - had ultrasounds on his legs. The good news is the clot that was in his right leg is gone, and the clot that is in his left leg is smaller than it was.

The doctor looked at his toes on his right foot. They are healing, but it's time for the dead tissue to be cleaned up. He will have surgery in a couple of weeks to remove the dead skin and see what's underneath. This will probably involve a night or two in the hospital. We'll let you know as soon as we do when this will happen.

And again, I must report that Jamie's spirits are wonderful - he is an inspiration to me. I hope you will all continue to pray for Jamie's recovery.

Another Milestone reached

Jamie's had 3 doctor's appointments in the last 2 days. Everyone says he is doing very well - one doctor called him "a Star!" The best news is this: the femur is healed, the pelvis is healed, and the tibia is healed; he can now start putting weight through his left leg. He will start outpatient therapy soon, where he can get upright and walking! God is good!

There's No Place Like Home

Jamie has been home a week now, and we're all getting into a good routine. He has been visited by his nurse, his physical therapist, and his occupational therapist, and is making good progress in his range of motion. The week coming up he has several doctor visits. We hope he'll be cleared to bear weight on his left leg soon; this will make all his transfers much easier. And then he'll transition from home health care to outpatient therapy, where he can really work, with parallel bars and all their equipment.

Thanks to Will and Danny, Jamie's IMac has been moved downstairs, so he can talk to Tomoka and his friends. We're all eating very well - Jamie's gaining back the pounds he lost in the hospital, and is growing his beard out. It is so wonderful to have Jamie (and Puella) home. As soon as Mom finds the cable for her camera, and figures out how to do it, there will be pictures posted. :-)

We're Home!

Jamie came home midday Thursday - rolled up the red-carpet ramp amid LOTS of balloons that mysteriously appeared there! We've had a couple of good days, with excellent food and good sleep at night. Mom had the best birthday ever on Friday, surrounded by Sarah & Marc and Oscar & Henry and Michael, and the miracle sitting beside her - Jamie at home!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We'll keep you posted about his continued recovery. He'll have nurses and therapists coming beginning Monday. He'll have home care for awhile, and then transition to outpatient therapy.

One More Day

We are SO ready for Jamie to come home! Only one more day! He's working very hard--he stood up five times (with all his weight on his right leg) on a large walker yesterday, and worked his range of motion of his left knee and left shoulder to their edge of unbearable limits. Every time he stands, or sits on the edge of the bed, or makes a transfer, he is visibly stronger and straighter. He keeps his therapists and techs laughing with his dry sense of humor, altho more than one has said they will cry when he leaves . . .

Sunday Pass

Jamie had a good visit at home. We were able to get through all the doorways; found some "trouble spots" that will require some furniture shifting, but could get everywhere we needed to. Of course, the first thing he did was call Tomoka - she was just getting off work, and went home so that they could talk via skype. They had a good visit on the computer, and she is planning on visiting again between Christmas and New Year's. We also had good food and good company - Sarah & Marc and the boys came and ate dinner with us. It was difficult to go back to the rehab hospital, but the next three days will go by quickly, and then he comes home for real!

Working Hard

We're definitely in the "getting ready to go home" mode at Rehab. Thursday afternoon Jamie practiced car transfers - getting himself in and out of my Jetta three times. It's not easy, but doable. The first time in, Jamie said "Start the engine!" He is getting a pass to come home for a couple hours Sunday. This will give us a chance to make sure everything's accessible before he really comes home on Thursday, September 27th. He's got his menu order in for all his favorites, but will have to forego that beer he wanted - his doctor says no alcohol for at least a year!

And He's Up!

Monday morning, the beginning of week nine in the hospital, using his right arm holding a parallel bar, Jamie pulled himself up and stood on his right leg! We were all very excited! Every day he gets stronger. As I write this, the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is going through my head: ". . morning by morning new mercies I see. ."

Saturday-Lunch on the Terrace....

When we pulled up to the rehab hospital today, Jamie (and Dad) were waiting for us out front! It was such a great surprise to see Jamie hanging out outside enjoying this nice weather. He told us that he was working Dad out having him wheel him all over--they even went down to the bridge in front of CMC!

We brought cuisine ala Chick fil A and all of us (including Oscar and Henry) all ate together out on the patio. I know this doesn't sound like too big of a deal, but it was nice to feel so 'normal' and so wonderful to see Oscar and Jamie sharing a pack of nuggets together. Since Jamie's getting so much stronger, and sitting up regularly you can also get in and get a good hug which is fabulous--Oscar and I got some good ones in today!

When we were walking back to Jamie's room, Dad challenged me to a race--he with Jamie and me with my double stroller, however after he told me that he'd already taken someone into the wall that morning and that he'd happily take us into the wall in order to win, we retreated back!

He was going to have a shower this afternoon--so all in all a good day!

Two Weeks from Today!

Jamie's proposed discharge date is Thursday, September 27th. He's got a gorgeous red-carpeted ramp awaiting his entry into the house. And it's just in time for my birthday! What a great present!

Jamie's had a couple of good days in a row. Today they let him bear weight on his right leg for the first time. This will make all his transfers easier. He has changed from a high back reclining wheelchair to a regular low-back style. He will get another one the first of next week, that will have two rims on the right wheel, made to drive with one hand--one rim works both wheels, and the other works one wheel, for turning. If this new chair is a good fit, it'll be the one he brings home.

The headaches and nausea are gone, and he's eating better. For the next two weeks he'll be getting stronger and stronger and ready to come home. Hooray!

Tuesday was a good day

Jamie's headaches and nausea are lessening. He had a long, full day Tuesday, highlighted by a shower and a haircut. Jamie's hair now matches on both sides - he's buzzed all over, and looks quite handsome! Every day in therapy you can see his growth in strength and movement. His care team meets this afternoon (Wednesday), and they will determine his discharge date. I'm hoping it will be in time for my birthday (Mom) at the end of the month - will let everyone know as soon as we find out. There's a team of carpenters from our church coming to the house this morning to build a temporary ramp to prepare for Jamie's homecoming. There are angels everywhere!

Monday- Update

One week post-surgery and it's back to a full rehab schedule this week! Jamie had a pretty good weekend--he's able to eat a little more each day which will help with his strength. He basically has a constant headache that the Doctors say unfortunately could be around for a few more weeks.

He was able to see Puella (our boxer) over the weekend--Dad took her out to the courtyard for a visit to Jamie. She really wanted to get up in Jamie's lap (which he's just not quite ready for yet!)--but she only jumped once and luckily Dad caught her!! Needless to say there was lots of tail wagging going on!

Friday Update

While Jamie is still not feeling great, he was able to do some work at rehab today. His knees are pretty stiff from taking it easy during his surgery and recovery earlier this week. He even sat in his chair this afternoon for about 3 hours. He's not wanting to eat too much, but Mom has been keeping him filled up on liquids all day.

He had a great visit with some of his work buddies yesterday which boosted his spirits. His post-surgery swelling is just about gone and even though he doesn't feel it, he looks great. (and his head is back to being perfectly round!)

Stay tuned...we're hoping that he's back on the upswing!

Thursday Update

Jamie is doing a little better today and he's moving back to rehab this afternoon. He had some X-ray's done on his legs to see about being able to try and put some weight on his right leg, so we'll see about that tomorrow. He's also been able to eat a little bit today. He's tired but a bit better!

Tomorrow he's back to work with his therapies!

Tuesday Update

Well if you ask Jamie how he's doing today, his answer is "I've been better." Poor guy is just not feeling good. He's in a lot of pain and his stomach is upset and he's not keeping much down. Earlier tonite they gave him some anti-nausea medicine and some additional pain medication and he seemed to be doing a little better. He's got ice packs on his head and a cold compress on his eyes. He's had a lot of swelling where his surgery was but the Doctors say it's all normal and should go down fairly quickly. Also, his vitals are all doing great, so that's good news. He's still in the hospital on the neuro floor (where the nurses are our favorites!) and he has a sweet room (it's actually a suite!). Much better than the trauma wing if you ask us! Mom told his nurse tonight that we've been everywhere except the Maternity and Psych floors...and Jamie chimed in "not yet". He's still being Jamie!

We got an old family favorite movie going in his DVD player to help him drift off to sleep and hopefully he'll be able to rest tonite.

Thanks again for your prayers...please keep 'em going for Jamie!