Friday, February 3, 2012

PROGRESS

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Love the comments about the bag. Michael: “I don't know the purpose of the bag, but I do know a bag on the toe is much better than a tag on a toe!”

Then along comes Kris with this comment:  “Maybe he needed a pedicure.”

Thanks guys for giving me a good laugh. I had never see the bag in action before either but the nurses here use it to help them get those horrible white socks on. They say it’s easier to get the sock over the heel and ankle. I guess I’ll find out when he gets home.

IMG_4144 We got him moved to the rehab facility today. He’s feeling pretty good and getting stronger every day. They are going to work with him on stairs because that is going to be his biggest challenge in the fifth wheel.

IMG_4145 Take a look at this room. I’ve stayed in a lot of motel rooms that weren’t anywhere near this nice. Of course, this one is probably costing us a whole lot more.

Advanced Health Care of Mesa is a whole lot closer than the hospital was. It’s only about 15 miles one way. The only problem is I had to make the drive twice today. I had just barely walked in the RV after getting Jim settled when they called and asked me to bring his Byetta (insulin) in because their pharmacy didn’t have any. So back I drove. Not a big deal except for the fact that I really don’t like to drive our truck. It’s not so much driving the truck as it is trying to park it. I am really lousy. By the time this is over I should be a whole lot better.

WARNING: The following picture is of Jim’s back and it’s a little gross looking. But I wanted a record of it in our blog. So you can just not look. Personally I don’t think it looks too bad.

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He loves all the attention he’s getting.

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We’re not sure how long he’ll have to stay here. It all depends on him and how fast he gets his strength built up.

24 comments:

  1. It looks like such a nice place that some of these folks might even want to vacation there!!

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  2. Is he in a rehab center or a hotel? His back looks wonderful. So glad he is doing so well! Keep up the good work Jim!

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  3. So the bag is to help get the sock over the toes that need a pedicure? :)

    When I had my knee replacements I had a gadget they called a sock assist to help me put my socks on without having to bend my knees too far. I still had to bend my back, though, so that maybe wouldn't help Jim as much as it did me. I also wore sandals that had Velcro closures so I could use my grabber to get them on and off. They didn't tell me someone from PT was coming up to see if I could dress myself yet so I was already dressed when she arrived. :)

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  4. Keep up the good work Jim. Thats a nice room$$$$

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  5. The back looks great. Keep improving Jim so that you can park the truck for Sandie. Sandie - I know all about that.

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  6. keep up the good work,Jim..soon you will be home again!

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  7. I always parked my truck in the read of the lot wherever I was. There are usually fewer cars and you have more room to maneuver, plus if you are on the line or a little bit over it doesn't anger as many people.

    I think Jim's back looks like it's healing nicely.

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  8. Sandie - Glad Jim is doing so well and that room really does look nice! Thanks for keeping us all in the loop regarding his progress and get some good rest.

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  9. Yea, parking a big truck takes a lot of getting used to.
    Keeping the positive attitude is what it takes and he will be all better sooner than you can imagine.

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  10. Hope Jim gets good food there too. The room sure looks nice and his bad doesn't look too terrible. Glad he is doing well.

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  11. Jim's scar on his back is definitely prettier than my open-heart surgery scar on my chest was! Can he sleep comfortably on his back with that incision? I'm glad he's doing better. You are bound to get pretty good at parking that truck now that you have to drive it every day. ;) Nice rehab room--I like the quilt covering--nice touch!

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  12. Yes his incision seems to be healing nicely and quickly. And its not too big compared to what they installed on the front of me.

    Nice room, but with some work perhaps you can get beyond it and on home.....

    Rod

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  13. Ouch!

    Yeah, I get it...a plastic bag to help the sock slide on easier. Good idea! Glad he's doing better.

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  14. Ouch!

    Yeah, I get it...a plastic bag to help the sock slide on easier. Good idea! Glad he's doing better.

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  15. Don't know about women but men have a tendency to carry their scars with a bit of pride. That one might be in a difficult spot to show off to the boys though:)) Speedy recovery.........

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  16. Glad Jim is doing so well. Hope he is able to start navigating the steps so he can get home to you and the girls. Hopefully, next winter he and Ed will get the chance to fish together.

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  17. Sounds like Jim is doing well. My husband had a 4 level lumbar fusion in March'08 and by Memorial Day we were able to take our 30' travel trailer camping for the weekend. The only problems he had were early on with side effects from pain meds. Tell Jim that the physical therapy is very important as far as gaining flexibility and function.

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  18. Nice to be in a place that looks the least like a hospital as possible. Good to hear that he is making good progress.

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  19. I tell ya the scar on my back is a whole lot bigger than Jim's - but then again my surgery was 20 years ago.

    So glad to read such a great progress report. And now nice is it to be able to recover in such nice surroundings. He won't want to go back to the 5'er !! LOL

    And goon on ya for tackling that truck ! You'll be a PRO in no time.

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  20. So glad to hear he is improving and moved to the rehab hospital. I actually love driving our truck and can back it up to park better than my hubby. I use to drive it a lot before we went out on the road but now not so much.

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  21. Great report! I'm glad Jim is doing so well. The rehab room looks very nice, but still not the same as home with you and the girls.

    The incision looks good - before you know it, all he'll have is a scar and a memory. :)

    I'm glad you're closer to the facility. That will be so much easier for you.

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  22. Good luck to you both..Jim up the stairs and Sandie parking the truck. Both challenges in my book. We thinking of you!

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  23. It may be as nice a quality hotel room, but I am sure he will be in a hurry to be out of there:)

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  24. I got the plastic bag treatment when I had surgery. I had already had an "I don't care" injection at that point and thought that bag on my foot was the funniest thing I'd ever seen.

    It's good to hear that Jim is healing well and has a wonderful facility to recoup. I don't envy him the physical therapy. There will be days when he will want to quit but keep encouraging him. (I know you will but I just had to say that.) The results are worth every long, painful, trying session in therapy.

    My prayers are with you.

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Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.