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Post by Mini Mia on May 10, 2016 22:34:18 GMT -6
That is such good news! So glad to hear it. I pray she continues to improve.
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Post by Phalon on May 11, 2016 5:51:26 GMT -6
Thanks for the update, Stepper - I've been wondering how she is doing, and how your brother is coping. Hoping things continue to improve for them both.
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Post by stepper on May 11, 2016 20:13:11 GMT -6
The rest of the story is quite long and I wasn't up for that. Here's more of it though. First - Bro-1. He retired. He retired some years ago - he worked at the artificial island where they have the nuclear plant - but they asked him to come back when they have 'outages' because he's pretty good at his job. He said no but they offered him a ton of money so he went back. He's been working for some time now, but SIL's problems took up what ever free time he had - and it was too much. He wasn't getting anything like enough sleep; his life was work-hospital-home for a nap and that's been happening three months. She was sick before going to the hospital so, well, you can put it together. He's retired again. Now he's helping more with her physical therapy and gets home early enough for an actual meal and more than a nap. He's coping by completely rearranging his life to help her through this.
SIL - The ventilator did all the breathing for her for about three months - partly because her lungs were damaged and she required the assistance. Getting her free of that happened within the last week and it's a big step. Also, they've worked her down through trachea tube sizes to the smallest one. This is partly how they got her off the ventilator. She's breathing on her own some as she regains strength and her lungs heal. They put a 'tent' over the hole and have it giving her oxygenated air (a higher percentage of oxygen) which she then breathes on her own through the tube. As of yesterday she's down to 28% oxygen - 21% is pretty much normal. The higher percentage is partly because her lungs are still weak and scarred - she needs the assistance to keep her oxygen exchange functioning well enough. Another thing they're doing for her is they given her a plug for the hole in the trachea. It's a one-way plug so when she inhales she gets the oxygen mix, but when she exhales the air goes over her vocal cords so she's able to talk. This has relieved a bad source of frustration because she had a terrible time communicating. She isn't strong enough to do this full time - it's one of the things she's working on - but she can speak again even if it is not full time. Part time is better than no time. The distance between her bed and the chair where she sits is about three feet. Using her walker this takes her something akin to twenty minutes where you would cover this in two seconds. Making this journey tires her out even more, but she's making the journey.
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Post by Mini Mia on May 11, 2016 20:54:38 GMT -6
I can't imagine how frustrated she must be. Will continue to keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
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Post by stepper on May 12, 2016 16:59:13 GMT -6
Appreciate that.
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Post by Mini Mia on May 13, 2016 2:12:08 GMT -6
You're more than welcome.
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Post by Phalon on May 13, 2016 5:54:26 GMT -6
I'm sure to both of them, it's got to feel like it's taking forever. Rehabilitation though, can be a very slow and long process. The last thing anyone in this type of situation would want, is too push themselves so much that they have setbacks. Sometimes "slow and steady" really does win the race.
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Post by stepper on May 13, 2016 21:42:58 GMT -6
Bro-1 has the patience to do whatever it takes at whatever pace works. SIL is frustrated but she's got little to no choice. They tell me her memory has improved too - it means her lungs are healing and circulation is better now too. Still, I get the idea this is going to really cramp the yearly Christmas party. It's been at their house for many years as have several other celebrations.
I'm just curious how they'll work things out or if this will sort of doom the gatherings. It's been my experience that when the people who do the work are not available, someone fills in for a year or even two, but the whole thing falls apart and becomes one of those memories you talk about as the years go by.
You are bang on the money here:
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Post by stepper on May 19, 2016 17:12:57 GMT -6
SIL has been moved to another rehab facility - but this one is only twenty minutes from home as compared to an hour twenty. One of the things they've been doing is having someone from the family stay with her during all visiting hours. This has cost them a lot of time off and sick time. That she is so much closer to home means it will be much easier to have someone with her because more people can get to her now. She's otherwise still tubed up but making very slow gains.
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Post by Mini Mia on May 19, 2016 18:37:37 GMT -6
Good news. Being closer will no doubt take some pressure off and she can relax more and that will surely help her health improvement.
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Post by Phalon on May 20, 2016 6:07:34 GMT -6
Having her closer has gotta be some relief for everyone - less running around to and from means more time for rest, which equals less stress.
Speaking of stress...Joxie, I hope your doctor's appointment went well, and that you don't have an ulcer.
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Post by Mini Mia on May 20, 2016 17:14:41 GMT -6
I went to see a family doctor. She will set up an appointment with another doctor to check about any ulcer. Haven't gotten a call about it yet.
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Post by stepper on May 20, 2016 19:22:51 GMT -6
They tell me that she's made significant improvement in the past couple weeks, but at this stage it's still up to her. She HAS to try to do things - like walk - to regain her strength. That's why she needs all the assistance - she needs encouragement from people who will make her do things for herself. Too much pity and gentleness - too much help in the form of 'I'll do that for you' or 'Okay, you don't have to do such and such' - is bad for her.
That would be good news...tell us about how it's not only not an ulcer, it was easily fixed.
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Post by stepper on May 30, 2016 11:11:36 GMT -6
Latest update on SIL. She's been moved to another facility but this one is much closer to her home. More company and encouragement from friends and church seems to be helping as she's much better - and she is getting stronger every day. They think she will be home (with nursing care) in a couple weeks. And the trachea is gone! Only a gauze pad remains and that comes off tomorrow (Tuesday). Great news for someone who - over the past few months and more than once - the doctors called in the family to put out the warning she might not survive more a day or so.
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Post by Mini Mia on May 30, 2016 17:38:00 GMT -6
Such great news, Stepper. Hope her recovery continues to improve at lightning speed.
... ... ... ... ...
I really need to start my slow start at adding exercise into my daily routine. Need to get out the books, search the net, and pick out exercises to start with.
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Post by Phalon on May 31, 2016 4:01:35 GMT -6
Oh-my-gosh, Step. So glad to hear how well your Sister-in-law has improved. It's been a long time coming, and hopefully it won't be too much longer before she's back home.
Me too. Except the research part. I follow Nike's advice, and will "Just do it"...when I get around to it.
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Post by stepper on May 31, 2016 18:28:45 GMT -6
I'm too sleepy to exercise - recently power naps are doing me as much good as anything else.
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Post by Phalon on Jun 1, 2016 6:12:23 GMT -6
Move it on over, cuz I'm right there with you.
Have to say that I get plenty of exercise at work, because we've been so insanely busy. I'm physically exhausted at the end of the day, and if I sit down after dinner, I'm pretty much down for the count.
Did something this year that's been both a positive and a negative contributor to keeping "fit and healthy". We're on our feet all day, and because we've been working through breaks and lunches most of the time, we don't even get those brief periods to sit down. My feet though, which have always been sore in previous years from all that running around, feel great! After years of trying various types of walking shoes, this year I bought a pair of leather, waterproof, above the ankle, rugged hiking boots - they've been wonderfully comfortable, and "my dogs aren't barking" when I get home.
Only problem....about 3pm, it feels like I'm wearing anvils. The boots weigh a ton!
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Post by stepper on Jun 1, 2016 20:08:34 GMT -6
If I nap early, then I'll get a second wind but if I wait, napping could easily turn into a night long event.
I suspect this is wasted since you've most likely already done it, but did you look on line for the same manufacturer to see if they make a slightly smaller/lighter version? Or perhaps purchase another, lighter shoe or sneaker that you can put on later in the day when the 'good' ones get too heavy. They only have to be comfy for a couple hours.
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Post by Phalon on Jun 2, 2016 6:24:08 GMT -6
Same!
I've never been able to buy shoes online that fit properly; they're definitely something I have to try on because I've got small but wide feet, and it's difficult to find my size in a wide width. The extra pair of shoes idea is a good one, but I keep thinking somehow I'll get used to wearing the anvils!
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Post by stepper on Jun 2, 2016 18:12:10 GMT -6
When I went through basic one of the pairs of shoes they gave us were call chukka boots and they sound very much like the ones you describe except that they weren't anvils. I wore them for PT and the jogging track. I remember the weight being between regular shoes and boots - but I wasn't accustomed to the ankle fit so I wasn't a fan. Now days I purchase a dressier version on line because they are okay for work and meet the requirement for riding a motorcycle - over the ankle.
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Post by stepper on Jun 9, 2016 21:42:36 GMT -6
The good news on SIL!
"She is home now. there is still a lot of physical therapy to do but she is happy to be home. Fixing up the house to accommodate the wheelchair and bathroom modifications(nothing major)"
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Post by Mini Mia on Jun 9, 2016 21:55:38 GMT -6
So glad to hear that. I know how she and her family feel.
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Post by Phalon on Jun 10, 2016 21:49:53 GMT -6
Awesome news, Stepper!
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Post by stepper on Jun 11, 2016 15:52:46 GMT -6
I have to confess to a certain amount of surprise. It's a good surprise of course, but still a surprise. She really was very sick and that close to not going back home. Her work isn't done yet, but the fact that she's home is good news all around.
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Post by stepper on Jul 26, 2016 21:33:48 GMT -6
SIL had a serious setback. She was doing well until this past weekend. Her throat swelled and she had to be readmitted to the hospital. They're working on doing something about the swelling but they say they should be able to fix this.
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Post by Phalon on Jul 27, 2016 4:13:16 GMT -6
Hope everything goes well, and she has a quick recovery.
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Post by stepper on Jul 27, 2016 18:12:12 GMT -6
Thanks - we are all hoping for the best.
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Post by Mini Mia on Jul 28, 2016 18:27:18 GMT -6
Hope there is good news soon.
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Post by stepper on Jul 28, 2016 21:14:04 GMT -6
Thanks. I'll let you know when the situation changes; we're expecting that she'll be headed home within a few days.
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