Going Home!

Good evening family and friends,

It is Wednesday night, April 17, 2013.  Since Monday, I have been paralyzed by the sadness of the Boston Marathon tragedy.   So, so tragic for everyone!  My little surgery recovery seems so insignificant compared to the depth of the damages inflicted on all the victims....and our entire nation.

Andy's visit this week was a great diversion for us and tomorrow, Thursday, I am going home. I am very much looking forward to my discharge, to say the least.  I will continue to receive occupational and physical therapy through a home health agency at home.  Pat and I will have help at home by a friend,  which is wonderful, and our life will continue on.

I am walking fairly well now, and without a limp, mostly.  I will improve more each day.  I need to bond with this very new and shining prosthesis.  It matches the one on my left side and leg!

Mother's Day is coming soon - and if you are flower farmers as we are, it's a very important flower holiday.  So, we are hoping that sun, water and flowers cooperate with the calendar!  And it's always recuperative to look forward!

Thank you from our hearts: mine and my husband who is always at my side!  Your wishes, visits emails and support have been wonderful during this ordeal.!

And, oh yes,  I have learned how to "blog!"

Much love,
Judy and Pat

Moving Right Along!

Hello Everyone,

It's Sunday night, April 14, 2013 and this is my first attempt to add to my "Fabulous Hip Blog" that Danna created - Here goes!

I've settled into Emeritus Carlsbad rehab facility for a few days and of course, hope to leave as soon as I am able to.  I need to satisfy the discharge criteria of being  "safe and able."  That comes about by doing well in physical and occupation therapy sessions,  recommendation by the house doctor for discharge and home/health/therapy contacts arranged.   Hopefully, I achieve well and quickly.

Between my new Mac Air, IPad and Iphone I have on my bedside table, I am totally "wired"- grounded by the 19 staples at my hip.

Loving thanks to Pat for being at my bedside until 11 every night this weird week, taking care of everything that goes on at home and getting me absolutely everything I need, many times a day..and loving thanks to Danna for creating an environment/organizing my entire life for a healthy recovery, including  stocking my rehab bedside table with treats for everyone and ordering those hospital socks in many pretty fashionable colors!

Andy comes tomorrow for a few days, and that will be wonderful!

Thank you for all the calls, emails, happy photos and visits from friends and family.

OK, body - heal... and teach that brand new hip how to work for me!

Much love,
Judy

One Step Closer to the Bonsall Flower Farm!

Happy Friday everybody! The weekend is finally here!

Here's the Friday afternoon update. My mom is in a nice rehabilitation facility, Emeritus Carlsbad, close to the Vista Costco. She has a private room with a western view so the room is filled with lots of sunshine.

She's not planning on staying here very long as she's anxious to get home. Most likely, she'll be going home next week.

I'm headed back to Miami Beach tomorrow morning as my mom is in good hands and is medically stable. Pat is now first in command for Caregiver duties, or as I've been affectionately calling the Caregiver position, "Judy Sitting."

Lots of love to everyone and again, thanks for all the good wishes and support!

XOXOXO

Judy, Pat and Danna

ps - My mom will be updating this blog from now on. I hope she can figure it out!

pps - Please feel free to call or email my mom if you wish...she's back up to her usual verbal abilities!

Scripps La Jolla Graduation Photo

Here's Judy's official "Scripps La Jolla Graduation" photo! She's on her way to rehab at Emeritus Carlsbad!

http://www.emeritus.com/california/carlsbad-assisted-living-community/emeritus-carlsbad

Rehab here I come!

Quick afternoon update: This afternoon, my mom is being discharged to the Skilled Nursing section of Emeritus Carlsbad in north Carlsbad where she will be staying temporarily. She will be doing physical therapy there for about one week if all goes well. Please google Emeritis Carlsbad for more info....

I think my mom will be up for phone calls starting this evening and is happily reading (but not responding) to emails. 

My guess is that by tomorrow she will be ready for visitors.

More later as I’m facilitating the discharge and transfer...:)

Lots of love!

Judy, Pat and Danna

A "Joint Project" between the brain and the hip!

Happy Thursday everybody!

After this morning’s physical therapy session which included walking up and down four stairs with a railing, the therapist’s recommendation is that Judy should stay in a rehabilitation place for a few days, to continue improving the use of her new hip. 

In other words, she is learning new, necessary habits now that she has a functional hip, albeit one with surgical pain instead of “old, rusty hip pain” which is what she is used to. Even simple things, like getting in and out of bed are more of a challenge than actual walking. 

Her hospital graduation will most likely occur this afternoon, and I will keep everybody abreast of her new, temporary home. It will most likely be in coastal Carlsbad.

Too Hip For The Hospital!

Well, it’s almost 5pm on Wednesday and Judy has gotten up three times and walked down the hall to her neighbor and back. Every hour she has more strength and confidence.

There has been no decision made with respect to where she’ll be discharged tomorrow. She’s medically in good shape but orthopedically not as good. 

She loves to read everybody’s emails and posts and can’t wait to get back to the Bonsall Flower Farm!

Another update will follow tomorrow morning when we know more...

Lots of love!

Judy, Pat and Danna

Wednesday Morning Update

Good morning everybody!

Judy had a good night of rest, thanks to Percocet. She’s had a busy morning so far with her physical therapy session over by 8:30am, sort of like going to an early gym class without the loud music and skinny people everywhere. 

The physical therapist will be back this afternoon where the goal is for Judy to stroll down the hall unassisted.

She is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Later this afternoon, the physical therapist will make a recommendation to her doctor as to whether or not she is safe and strong enough to be discharged back to home. 

The other option would be she’s discharged to a rehabilitation facility for more physical therapy until she’s deemed strong enough to be at home. 

The goal for the medical staff is that she is able to SAFELY scoot around the house and meet her normal daily needs with the walker, unassisted by a caregiver. That means going to the kitchen unassisted, etc.

Here’s to wishing Judy greater mobility and functionality, sooner rather than later!

Lots of love from sunny SoCal!

Judy, Pat and Danna

Posting comments on the Blog doesn't work so well...

Here's the last post of the day (per Judy). It seems as though many of our dear friends and family are having trouble posting comments on Judy's blog, particularly if they don't have a gmail account. Sorry about that! It appears that one of Google's products is not perfect. (wow!)

Regardless, I'll continue updating the blog most likely twice daily with Judy's medical progress...

Love to all!

ps - Judy is picking up emails on her iPhone and happily reading them, but typing back responses are still a challenge at this time.

Important Baby Steps Today!

Here's Judy's afternoon update: She got out of bed and took a few steps forward, backwards and to the side using the walker as support. Pat stood behind her as a confidence builder, and the physical therapist gave her instructions.

All in all, it was a good day for her!

I requested a cot for my afternoon nap and it came faster than the Xanax mom had requested prior to the physical therapist showing up. We all had a good belly laugh about that!

If you'd like to get a message to Judy, please use the comment section on the blog rather than email. It's easier for her with the pain killers - she's a bit loopy.

Lots of love from us all and again, thanks for your love and support. It is truly appreciated! Judy, Pat and Danna

Tuesday morning's update

Please "bookmark" Judy's new blog's so you can check back as often as you like!

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Here's is today's update, twenty-four hours post-surgery:

The surgery went well. Dr. Croop, Judy's orthopedic surgeon spoke with Pat and I yesterday and he said, "Judy's old hip was crummy, and the new hip works great and looks terrific. We expect her to do great!"

It's now Tuesday morning and Judy is resting comfortably here at Scripps Green in La Jolla. She has a lovely, private room and has just resumed eating. Her first meal was last night at 11pm and it was super sweet, orange jello. She now remembers why she doesn't like jello! 

Physical therapy starts today. Judy is expected to get out of bed twice today and walk down the hall, with help. Needless to say, Judy is very apprehensive about this so I guess we'll have to cancel the upcoming half marathon she was planning to do...

I'll probably add an update to this blog later this afternoon. The physical therapist JUST walked in so I'm going to observe Judy's first attempt at getting out of bed. 

Love to all!

Day Two

Danna here everybody!

In keeping up with today's technology, we thought it would be a good idea to create a "blog" (also known as a temporary website) about Judy's progress post-surgery.

This blog, which you are now reading, will be in lieu of me emailing everybody which is so 1990's if you know what I mean...

You will also be able to post comments that Judy can read and respond to.

My mom and I hope you like this idea!

What's a blog you may ask?

Here's the official definition, courtesy of Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

Definition of BLOG

: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also : the contents of such a site

— blog verb

— blog·ger noun

— blog·ging noun