tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75187233505124392002024-03-13T11:34:08.203-05:00Patty Schimmer Condition UpdateSchimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-48999292077266144912009-10-22T20:21:00.002-05:002009-10-22T20:33:40.507-05:00Long time....So, I hear I'm in some trouble for not posting for, well, months now. I apologize - I had honestly thought that since Mom was back in school that most everyone would be in touch with what was going on - that now appears to not be the case, so I'll get back on the ball.<br /><br />Let me go back a few months and bring you up to date. We had an ortho visit on May 15 - and we were all hoping that would be the day the docs would let her walk. Much our dismay, not only did they not let her walk, but we took some significant steps backward. It was discovered that the plate supporting her bone graft was bent. The docs felt as though she needed to stop putting weight on the right leg until they came to a conclusion. Eventually, we figured out that the plate would bend when under her body weight. As such, they decided to ponder a while, then determine what the next steps should be.<br /><br />In the meantime, one of those pesky abdominal wall tears required repair. So, Mom had a hernia repaired - and was in surgery about 6 hours! Except for a very unpleasant allergic reaction to the steri strips on her incisions, all went well.<br /><br />Back to the ortho issues...After a few months of pondering, the docs finally decided to do surgery. They weren't sure as they headed to the operating room exactly what they would do. The options were to put some screws through the existing plate (if it was not permanently bent) into the bone graft. Alternatively, if the plate was permanently bent, they would replace the plate with a stronger one. A few minutes after taking her to surgery, the doc called - the plate was not permanently bent. They would straighten her leg, put in 5 screws, then send her home. After a few hours in surgery, and a few more in recovery, she's good to go!<br /><br />I'll try to be better about keeping postings up to date... Life just went and got crazy!<br /><br />Also - a note for those of you who may not know - one of the events of the last few months is that we've welcomed a new member to the family. My brother and his wife welcomed a baby girl about 2 weeks ago! She's as healthy as she can be!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-89852821754655336562009-01-27T14:13:00.004-06:002009-01-27T14:30:30.925-06:00January 27, 2009Ok, I've been horrible over the last few weeks about updating posts. So, here's the latest story.<br /><br />Mom has been back to the trauma docs about the torn muscles in her abdomen. The front tear has healed on its own, and the tear on the back has healed through one layer (there are a total of 3 torn). She'll go back in about 9 months for another CT scan to see how it is healing. There are some risks associated with that being torn, so please keep that in your prayers.<br /><br />Now, onto Ortho! The ruling for now that there won't be any surgery to repair mom's left foot. So, with that, he has started her back on physical therapy, letting her put weight on it. This past weekend, for the first time since September 29th, I saw my mom stand up. She has to support herself, but she's actually vertical! So, she no longer has to scoot herself everywhere she goes. She can get into chairs she couldn't before - I can't begin to tell you how big of a step that was for her. At physical therapy, she was able to take a small step - again, with help, but a step is a step!!<br /><br />We'll go back to ortho after Valentine's and they'll check out her bone graft. We don't really know how long it will be before she's able to put weight on the right leg, but we've come so far in the last couple of weeks!<br /><br />Also, remember that spot on the top of her foot we were worried about healing? I've been working on the scab for weeks, trying to get as much of it off as possible. At physical therapy, the therapist was able to get the entire scab off - IT'S HEALING! While it isn't entirely healed, it has certainly formed over the entire spot - no skin graft will be needed!!!! That's pretty happy news, too!<br /><br />And, maybe best of all as far as Mom is concerned - she started teaching again yesterday!!! She's thrilled to be back with the kids, even if she can't do everything she used to do. She's so much happier there than at home alone.<br /><br />So, suffice it to say we've come a LOONG way. Thank you for all your prayers, and please keep Mom in your prayers going forward - we're not through this yet!! Praise the Lord - she's getting better!!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-50119859034030906982009-01-05T10:14:00.002-06:002009-01-05T10:18:03.912-06:00January 5, 2009 - Bone GraftShe's heading to recovery!<br /><br />They removed the external <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fixator</span> and one pin from her left foot. Based upon what they see, they are not planning to do any additional surgery on the left foot. They will show it to a doctor from Bone and Joint to be sure, but that's the plan for now. The words "walking boot" were thrown out there, but we don't know for certain how soon she could be putting weight on that foot. Major victory!!<br /><br />The bone graft also went very well. They did the graft in three pieces, and it all looks great. She's going to be hurting pretty badly in the hip area (that's where they took the bone), so her pain level is really going to be what determines when she is able to go home, but at least a couple of days is the thought right now.<br /><br />The doctor still hasn't come out to talk to Dad, but one of the residents did. If we learn more when we talk to the doc, I'll let you know!<br /><br />Thank you for all your prayers - today seems to have been a very successful one. Praise the Lord!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-5257699111989833112009-01-04T21:13:00.003-06:002009-01-04T21:17:48.876-06:00January 4, 2009<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span> - here's the story!<br /><br />We have surgery tomorrow. They are planning to do two things. First, they will remove the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fixator</span> on her left foot. She's pretty thrilled - it has been driving her crazy! Second, they are going to do the bone graft in her right leg. They'll take some bone from her hip (the doc said Mom will hate him for a few days), combine it with some donor bone, add some synthetic bone protein, and fill the hole! Surgery should take about 3 hours. It is currently scheduled for 8am, but we all know how that goes. I'll let you know when we hear anything.<br /><br />They've told us she should be in the hospital 2-4 days after surgery, but shouldn't need to go to rehab when she's done.<br /><br />Here we go again!!!!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-80398445199210074532008-12-18T14:36:00.002-06:002008-12-18T14:42:02.799-06:00December 18, 2008<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>... so things change in a hurry around here.<br /><br />They removed Mom's gall bladder <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lapriscopically</span> this morning. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ortho</span> docs and her trauma docs (back from the accident) were not happy about leaving it in for 4-6 weeks - too many risks. So, they took it out this morning. They were not certain if they'd be able to do it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lapriscopically</span>, but they did! That's a big deal since Mom has to move herself around using just her arms - if she had a full incision, the recovery is much longer, and moving around would be extremely difficult! They expect to let her go home on Saturday - she should be feeling much better soon!<br /><br />So! Happy day for us - we still haven't chatted with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ortho</span> doc about his plans for doing the bone graft - so for now, we're hoping we're still on for early January. I'll keep you informed!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-61731095987072384312008-12-16T09:10:00.002-06:002008-12-16T09:18:03.033-06:00December 16, 2008I've lost track of how many days it's been now....<br /><br />Sorry for the long delay between posts.<br /><br />We went to the plastic surgeon in early December. As far as she is concerned, they can do the surgery to do her bone graft any time. She's done with Mom as long as Mom doesn't need her. Good news!<br /><br />A week later, we went to see the ortho docs. MUCH happier news this time. It appears that her body is making bone around the area where she is missing bone in her right leg. That's fantastic news - the doc says that indicates her body will help when they go do to the bone graft. So, when's that going to be?<br /><br />Well.... we're not entirely sure. His plan was to do it around the January 5 /6 time frame. However, we've hit another bump. After being horribly sick for a week, Mom was finally diagnosed with an infected gall bladder yesterday. As a result, they're putting her on antibiotics to get the inflammation down. They'll do surgery in 4-6 weeks to remove her gall bladder. We're still waiting on word regarding whether the ortho docs will want to wait until after the gall bladder is removed to do the bone graft. Mom's in the hospital for a few days right now (back at OU), so hopefully we'll get that answer by the time they send her home.<br /><br />So, that's the story of late. Prior to getting this gall bladder issue, Mom was really doing well. She's very mobile - she can get herself all over the place very efficiently. She is in pretty good spirits, but definitely ready to be on the road to improvement. She was even going to try to make some schnetka on Sunday (that was when we still thought she'd be getting better!!). So, she's getting more active and doing things that she truly enjoys.<br /><br />So, please keep her in your prayers - we've still got a LOT in front of us. I'll put up another post when we get word on what ortho plans to do.<br /><br />Until next time...Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-56102572465414593982008-11-25T08:15:00.002-06:002008-11-25T08:41:11.106-06:00Day 57 - November 25, 2008Alright - we've had some doctor visits.<br /><br />We went back to the trauma doctors, and they informed us that Mom will need surgery to repair one of the abdominal muscle tears. Apparently, it is completely severed, and unless they repair it surgically, it will begin to bulge as time passes. Please keep this muscle in your prayers. Mom really doesn't want to have the surgery. This would be a nice miracle! We'll go back for an MRI in January to see how it looks and make some decisions from there.<br /><br />We also saw the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ortho</span> doc. Suffice it to say, we're all discouraged. Let's start with the antibiotic and infection. As many of you know, she's been on an IV antibiotic for almost six weeks, due to the infection that attacked her right leg. She'll discontinue that antibiotic on Monday. We'll wait two weeks, then do blood work. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ortho</span> doc tells us that if the infection is going to come back, they'll see the signs of it within two weeks. If no infection comes back after two weeks, we'll start making plans to repair the right leg (the one missing the piece of bone). There are several options for repairing the right leg. At this point, we're leaning toward the bone graft. They'll take some bone from her hip, donor bone, and grind it to a paste. They add synthetic bone protein, and pack it into the gap in her bone. Then, we wait. If all goes according to plan, her body will calcify around this graft, and she'll have a solid bone. If there is no infection after the two week period, we'd probably be planning this surgery in January. Best case scenario, it would be about 4 months after they do the graft before she would be putting any weight on that leg.<br /><br />So, then there's the left foot. She's still got a pretty big wound on her foot. They don't want to do anything to the foot until that scab goes away. They want to be sure there is sufficient skin under it for them to be able to close any wounds they might have to make if they do surgery. It is possible that the bones in her foot may calcify on their own in a manner that is acceptable to the docs. If they do, the only surgery they will do is to remove the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fixator</span> and pins from her foot. If that is the eventual outcome, she would be able to begin putting weight on it shortly thereafter. If it doesn't calcify on its own, and they have to do surgery, it would be 3-5 months from that surgery before they will let her put weight on the left foot.<br /><br />So, you can see why we are all discouraged. We have many, many, many days and weeks of this ahead of us. Which leads into my next topic. It would seem that Mom will be in a similar condition to what she is now for an extended period of time. She's doing better and better on a daily basis of being able to do many things for herself. So, on an on-going basis, it may not be necessary to have someone with her 24 hours a day for medical reasons. However, for those of you that know Mom, she won't be in very good spirits if she is at home by herself all day, every day. So, now we're approaching that time that we've talked to many of you about over the past two months. So far, we've had a good arrangement having her home. The lady teachers from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CBA</span> have been wonderful to come keep her company during the day. However, that's obviously not a long-term solution (School must go on!!). So, here is my request. If you are willing / able to go to the house and stay with Mom for a couple hours, half a day, or a whole day, please let me know your willingness / availability. I think we are largely squared away through the first week of December, but haven't really planned much beyond that. I'm sure you're wondering what staying with her would entail. Largely, it is keeping her company. If you're around during lunch time, it would be immensely helpful if you'd make her sandwich or heat up a bowl of soup for her (you don't need to bring anything - we even have lunch for you!). If she needs something that is out of reach (or in another room), you can get those things for her. If you're really feeling adventurous, you could water her plants. On occasion, there may be other things she needs done, but that's the gist of it. So, if you are willing / able, please let me know. You can always email me at <a href="mailto:adtetrick@gmail.com">adtetrick@gmail.com</a> . Also, feel free to call my cell phone and leave a message. For obvious reasons, I don't want to post that phone number here, but many of you have it already. If you don't, feel free to call the house to get it. I'll handle the scheduling so Mom doesn't have to worry about it, but she's happy to pass along the cell phone number. Don't get frustrated if I can't answer the phone (that pesky day job...) - feel free to leave me a message, and I'll get back to you when I can!<br /><br />As always, thank you for your prayers. We continue to need them. It seems this adventure is just beginning. Also, the first two weeks of December are going to be big - we need this infection to stay away - please keep that in your prayers.<br /><br />In the event that I don't get another post up before Thanksgiving, please have a very happy Thanksgiving. Also, give those loved ones a hug and make sure they know you are thankful for them - you don't always have as much time as you anticipate.Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-56943759769019933992008-11-18T09:34:00.002-06:002008-11-18T09:41:21.707-06:00Day 50 - November 18, 2008So we've been home almost a week now, and Mom is doing pretty well. We do have a couple of prayer requests, however. The antibiotic really makes her nauseated in the mornings. So, mornings aren't much fun for her. Additionally, she just doesn't feel great. This isn't anything new - she's been pretty much this way since she has been awake enough to know how she feels. But, she's getting tired of feeling "eh". So, please pray that we can get over the nausea and get to feeling better all around.<br /><br />We go back to the docs on Friday, so maybe we'll start to have a better idea of timing for the remaining surgeries.<br /><br />Also, as we rapidly approach the holidays, please keep the other family involved in this tragedy in your prayers. I've been pondering how I'd be feeling this Thanksgiving if we had lost Mom, but I know I can't even begin to imagine the pain that family is feeling. So, please keep them in your prayers this holiday season.Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-13903006634606127242008-11-13T21:45:00.002-06:002008-11-13T21:49:35.969-06:00Day 45 - November 13, 2008"Free! Free at last!"<br /><br />That's what Mom had to say on our drive home yesterday. She did just great on our trip home. She wasn't apprehensive at all, and the travel didn't hurt her. We got her home, had our visit from home health care, and started to get her settled in. We certainly had to make some adjustments - moving furniture, taking the bed off the frame - but she is so happy to be home. She watched the sunrise out her patio window this morning. She could see our cattle out in the pasture. She got to sleep in her own bed!<br /><br />While there are a few things that have been a little difficult about being home, I must say that today has gone pretty much flawlessly! She said earlier today that she felt like this was the best morning she'd had since this all started! We've gotten her medicine figured out, figured out where we have to put all the furniture so she can maneuver through the house, but all in all, it has been fantastic!<br /><br />That's all for now! Praise the Lord... we're home!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-59180793253172577902008-11-12T12:13:00.003-06:002008-11-12T12:15:44.151-06:00Day 44 - November 12, 2008WE'RE GOING HOME (for now, at least)!!!<br /><br />We're taking Mom home this afternoon!!! She's excited, but a little nervous. There will obviously be some challenges, but we're going to tackle them!!<br /><br />So, we'll take her home for awhile, then she'll have to come back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OKC</span> for some additional surgeries. We're not sure when those surgeries will be, so for now, we're taking her home!!!!<br /><br />I'll keep you posted as to how we're doing at home!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-12860690348135933292008-11-10T07:51:00.002-06:002008-11-10T08:03:14.341-06:00Day 42 - November 10, 2008Good Morning!<br /><br />Went to the plastics doc on Friday. Until now, Mom hasn't been able to bend her legs at the knees (so they're stuck out in front of her, even in the wheelchair) or really move her feet at the ankle very much. This has been a plastics restriction because those movements could tear the grafts loose. As of Friday, she has no restrictions on movement or anything related to her plastic surgery. As far as the surgeon is concerned, these are successful grafts! She now pretty much keeps the skin grafts unwrapped, and she can get them wet, put lotion on them - pretty much everything except soak them in a bath!! So, this is very good news for us! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Maneuvering</span> in the wheelchair will be much easier without her feet stuck out straight in front of her. It takes a lot of room to turn a corner like that!!<br /><br />So, then this weekend, the therapists began working with her on bending her legs. Since she hasn't done this in about 6 weeks, they were very concerned that it would be painful and difficult. With the first attempt, she could bend them almost to 90 degrees. Even when she can't bend them any further, it isn't pain; rather, it is tightness. So, they are thrilled to pieces with that bit of information!!<br /><br />I know that this might not sound like a very big deal to many of you. Let me tell you, being able to bend those legs is a really big deal as far as her ability to do a lot of things - get in a car, sit in a chair, maneuver in the wheelchair - this is a big deal for her and comfort!! Praise the Lord yet again - more positive steps forward.<br /><br />The hope is that we'll be able to take her home sometime this week. Please pray for us - going home presents its own set of challenges. We do have it arranged such that she can get a wheelchair in and maneuver through most of the house. For those of you who have been in our home, she obviously won't be down in the basement or in the lower den area of our home. Also means she won't be doing laundry (small victory for her - probably the first time in at least MY lifetime that someone else will be doing the laundry on a regular basis for her!!). But, she can maneuver into her bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Bathroom maneuverability is still be to be determined, but we have some strategies in case that doesn't work. However, it is just going to be a little different for her in that she probably won't be able to just take off and go outside or zip down the stairs - as I said, it will have its own set of challenges. So, please just keep her and those of us who will be helping her in your prayers.<br /><br />We don't know much regarding timing of additional surgeries. We go back to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ortho</span> docs next week, so we'll see what they have to say. Hopefully we'll start to get an idea of timing of next steps.<br /><br />That's all for today! More as we know anything!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-91764791214092508722008-11-06T11:08:00.003-06:002008-11-06T11:20:27.038-06:00Day 38 - November 6, 2008We had doctor appointments yesterday!<br /><br />We saw both the orthopaedic doc and the spinal doc.<br /><br />The spinal doc took out the staples, and was very pleased with her progress. He'll want to see her again in about 4 weeks to do some x-rays. But, he's happy so far!<br /><br />The ortho doc spent a great deal of time with us. He undressed all her wounds and took out all the remaining sutures. They also removed the staples from her left leg. The staples in her right leg remain since that's a plastic surgery wound rather than an ortho wound. He wants her to be working to gain more ankle motion - so, pending a discussion with plastics tomorrow, she'll start working on getting motion back in her ankles. Additionally, he wants her doing more bending at the knees. His plan is to look at her again in 2 weeks, then start to make some decisions regarding timing of remaining surgeries. The surgery to do the bone graft will depend at least somewhat on plastics. Since the bone graft will be directly under the muscle graft, ortho wants to be certain they won't damage the graft when they do surgery. As such, plastics may have them hold off awhile longer before beginning that repair. He also informed us that it may take more than one surgery to get her right leg fixed. As much as we all want to think that just one more surgery will get it, it is entirely possible that it will require more than one. He also reminded us that if they are unable to get that bone to heal, an amputation is still a possibility. As far as the left foot goes, they're still not sure what they are going to do. They'll continue to watch how it is progressing and determine if and when they will do surgery. It is possible that her foot could begin to heal in a "satisfactory" manner. If it does so, she won't require surgery. This probably isn't the most optimal situation on a long-term basis, however. They would be able to better repair it surgically, but will just watch to see how it behaves. He also reminded us that on a long-term basis, the left foot is the biggest threat to her mobility.<br /><br />So, we're back to rehab for now. She's progressing well on the rehab front. She's able to do many things on her own, which is more than the rehab folks thought she would be able to do. The report from this morning is that she will probably be able to go home early to mid week next week!<br /><br />That's all we know for now. Please keep Mom in your prayers. She definitely has times when she gets worried about all the challenges that still lie ahead. I think she's looking forward to getting to go home, but also nervous about the challenges that will present. We also need to add another request to the list - please pray specifically for the ability of her body to heal her bones and accept a bone graft. That truly appears to be our biggest challenge of the moment. It's a big unknown and has significant implications for her long-term. We need as successful of a graft as possible - on the first try. Please keep that specifically in your prayers!<br /><br />Alright - I'm going to get back to being productive at the office. As usual, thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers. We truly believe they make a difference!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-22867550414281006562008-11-03T13:17:00.002-06:002008-11-03T13:25:37.595-06:00Day 35 - November 3, 2008Happy Monday!<br /><br />Mom had a really good weekend. She's getting stronger and stronger. Please pray for her cough, though. She has a cough that nobody really understands. Her lungs are in good shape, but when she starts talking, she has a coughing fit! Now we need rid of that cough!<br /><br />Her legs are really looking a lot better. For those of you who have been enjoying "bovine" jokes, the "bovine" was peeled off like a scab on Saturday, so you'll have to come up with a new joke. :-) The donor site looks very good, and the swelling in her legs has really reduced. The stitches have pretty much all come out (but we still have staples), and the incisions are really looking good. I haven't seen the grafts lately to give an update on those.<br /><br />She's getting very good at being able to do things herself; stronger and stronger all the time. I think she has mixed feelings about going home. She is really looking forward to being able to be in her own home, but very nervous about what all that will entail. The hospital is built for mobility with wheelchairs and such. There is always someone around to handle whatever she needs. We all know it is going to be a big challenge to be at home without all the convenience a hospital provides. So, steps forward, but steps forward to a new set of challenges. That's one thing we've certainly figured out with this process - every improvement has its own set of challenges. I think we're all ready for some steps forward WITHOUT any new challenges!<br /><br />We still don't have a timeline for getting her home. All her therapists think she's improving very well, but still no commitment for a "graduation" date. We do have a follow-up with the plastic surgeon on Friday, then with the ortho docs on Wednesday of next week. We'd like some happy news out of those!<br /><br />That's all the updates for now!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-45411723363255974082008-10-31T15:37:00.001-05:002008-10-31T15:42:30.848-05:00Day 32 - October 31, 2008Ok - so I've officially skipped a day on the blog. Now that she's in rehab, there's not as much new news to report every day. We do have some today, though!<br /><br />We've stopped her respiratory therapy for now. She's got a really dry cough, so they're trying to get rid of that.<br /><br />They finally took out all the sutures. She still has staples in various places, but all the sutures are removed. She says it all kind of feels like she's been in a cat fight. I can only imagine!!<br /><br />She's getting more and more mobile all the time. I know there's only so much you can do when you can't really move your legs much, but she's working on doing as much of that as possible!<br /><br />She finally got to see Aaron today for the first time since the accident. He was in OKC for a check-up, and his dad took him by to see Mom. She really enjoyed that! She seems to really enjoy the visits from all of you who come by - I think she is also very humbled by how much people care about her. Thanks for letting her know how much she is appreciated!<br /><br />That's all for now. I probably won't post over the weekend unless there is some major breaking news. She won't do much therapy, so she'll just get to enjoy visitors and get some rest.<br /><br />More later!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-76853830119103208342008-10-30T12:44:00.003-05:002008-10-30T12:46:44.519-05:00Day 30 - October 29, 2008More of the same!<br /><br />More rehab! Mom is getting better at being able to move herself around, so that's a really good sign. She'll be popping wheelies in her wheelchair before long!<br /><br />Don't really have any more new news to report - still no word on when she gets to go home, but hopefully we'll know more next week!<br /><br />Thanks for your prayers - they've meant a lot (and obviously made a difference) thus far in the process. I do want everyone to please keep us (and Mom in particular) in your prayers. This is where the truly hard part start, and without the continued prayer and support, it will be very difficult for Mom to get through all of this.<br /><br />I'll give you more updates when we learn anything new!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-66278388524850792662008-10-29T08:19:00.002-05:002008-10-29T08:26:03.754-05:00Day 29 - October 28, 2008Rehab begins!<br /><br />They started working Mom pretty hard today. She's learning how to get herself moved from bed to wheelchair, then wheel herself around. She spent a big part of the day with her out of bed and in the wheelchair. She seems to be doing very well with that, but it wears her out moving from one to the other.<br /><br />She says the food is really good (thank heavens! How are you supposed to get healthy if the food isn't worth eating??), so we like that. They really seem to be taking very good care of her!<br /><br />Not much more than that to tell - hopefully we'll start to have some idea of when she might get to go home soon!!!<br /><br />I'll keep you posted!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-31158627281467726222008-10-27T18:17:00.001-05:002008-10-27T18:22:29.246-05:00Day 28 - October 27, 2008 - PM UpdateWe've moved!!!! We're now in rehab at Baptist Hospital room 373!!! So, if you go looking for her at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OU</span>, you won't find her!!<br /><br />We got moved about 1pm today, so we're moving forward! No real news yet, other than we're working on getting her ready to go home! We've been told that it will probably be a couple of weeks, but that will be evaluated as we proceed through this process.<br /><br />Just a couple of notes - they do not allow visitors much during the day (between 9 and 4, it seems) since they have the patients in and out of a lot of rehab. So, if you're planning a day-time visit, you should aim for the lunch hour. If you're aiming for an evening visit, it should be after 4pm.<br /><br />I'll update more when I know exactly what's going on, but for now, that's the story!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-51485404313816736292008-10-27T08:44:00.001-05:002008-10-27T08:46:55.400-05:00Day 28 - October 27, 2008Mom has lots of activity planned today! More physical therapy (which pretty much just involves getting her up into a wheelchair), a swallow test (to determine once and for all she can eat and drink whatever she likes), potentially a scan of her legs (to be sure no blood clots are forming), and hopefully news of her release to rehab soon!<br /><br />She's doing well, and still in good spirits. I think she'll be a lot happier when she gets to rehab and gets to start doing some things. In the mean time, we're trying to get her as rested as possible.<br /><br />When they changed the dressing on the skin / muscle grafts this morning, they continued to inform us they are as happy as can be with the progress on the grafts!!<br /><br />If we get any kind of new news today, I'll be sure to let you know!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-60115976175423117352008-10-27T08:42:00.000-05:002008-10-27T08:44:07.813-05:00Day 27 - October 26, 2008Sorry this post is a day late. Not a whole lot to report - skin / muscle grafts still looking good!<br /><br />Mom was able to stroll around in a wheelchair today again for awhile, and felt pretty good!<br /><br />So, we're continuing to make progress. Hopefully we'll know Monday exactly when she is heading to rehab.<br /><br />More later...Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-30909075652106538762008-10-25T19:18:00.002-05:002008-10-25T19:21:21.229-05:00Day 26 - October 25, 2008Sorry this post is so late!<br /><br />Today has been a pretty good day. Nothing big to report. The plastics docs re-dressed her grafts, and she said she's even happier with them today than she was yesterday. She's pleased that they are healing very well.<br /><br />Mom was able to get up into a wheelchair and sit up pretty straight for about an hour today. Each day is a little more progress! Her back is also hurting her less today!<br /><br />She's looking forward to moving to rehab next week and beginning to get herself moving.<br /><br />That's the story for today! More tomorrow!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-32113697611147738902008-10-24T14:42:00.002-05:002008-10-24T14:49:15.107-05:00Day 25 - October 24, 2008 - Graft Results!So, they've taken the bandages off the skin / muscle grafts.<br /><br />Let me preface this by saying I've never seen anything like what I saw when they took the bandages and wound vacs off the grafts. I pray that none of you ever have to see anything like that, either. However, if you are ever presented with the need for a skin graft, I pray yours are as successful as Mom's. :-)<br /><br />The doctor was very happy with the results, both on the skin grafts and the muscle. Mom will have a very big scab at the skin graft donor site, but no more bandages! She'll have the bandages on the actual grafts changed daily from here on out. The doc said it should take about 2-3 weeks for the flesh to re-form over the wounds. Yippee!!! She still needs to be careful about the movement in her legs for the time being, but all-in-all, we're doing great!!<br /><br />Additionally, it really didn't hurt her much at all when they did all the unwrapping, which is a blessing in itself.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your prayers. We continue to have reason to praise the Lord! We're moving forward and will hopefully be in rehab sometime next week!!!<br /><br />More tomorrow!!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-25463150459325299572008-10-24T08:23:00.003-05:002008-10-24T08:25:28.818-05:00Day 25 - October 24, 2008Today the bandages come off the skin / muscle grafts!!<br /><br />Not a lot to report yet this morning. Mom had a good night and seems to be hurting less this morning than she was after surgery yesterday.<br /><br />The plastics docs will come this afternoon and unwrap her legs to see how everything took. I'm planning to go over when they do it, so I'll get you updated as soon as I can thereafter!<br /><br />So, the prayer request for today is that everything looks great when they unwrap and that it hurts as little as possible (the whole unwrapping procedure seems to be a bit painful - the doc said it will feel like "fire" for about 15 minutes).<br /><br />More when I have an update!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-65035921407682698672008-10-23T16:06:00.001-05:002008-10-23T16:09:14.497-05:00Day 24 - October 23, 2008 - Post SurgeryPRAISE THE LORD!<br /><br />Surgery went very well, and she doesn't have to wear a brace!!!!! The doc was very pleased with the surgery, and expects her to have a full recovery. They'll obviously keep an eye on things over the coming 6-8 weeks, but she's on the road to recovery!<br /><br />On an interesting side note, the doc that performed the surgery has actually been to Corn and knows all about the school! He was very good with us, and we liked him a lot. It has been very interesting to us through this ordeal how small a world it really is.<br /><br />Thanks for your prayers - this is another big victory!!<br /><br />Wraps come off the muscle / skin grafts tomorrow. We're praying for good news there, as well!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-79182432222363020162008-10-23T13:17:00.003-05:002008-10-23T13:19:31.156-05:00Day 24 - October 23, 2008 - Urgent Prayer RequestMom went into the operating room shortly before 1pm. They'll be fusing 3 vertebrae, and determining during surgery if a brace will be necessary. Please pray that a brace is not required. It will be a rather unpleasant 6 - 8 weeks for Mom if one is required. Given the location of the vertebrae being fused, the brace would require the inclusion of a thigh (that is, the position of at least one leg would be fixed for the 6-8 week period.<br /><br />Surgery (once they get started) will take just over an hour, then at least an hour in recovery.<br /><br />More post-surgery! Please pray in the meantime!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7518723350512439200.post-51668565852857128522008-10-23T08:49:00.002-05:002008-10-23T08:51:57.245-05:00Day 24 - October 23, 2008Good morning!<br /><br />Mom had a pretty good night last night, despite the repeated interruptions from all the folks to get her prepped for surgery today. Looks like they'll take her around noon (so, sometime this afternoon...). Once the surgery gets underway, it should take approximately an hour and a half. Then, they'll send her to recovery. So, it may be late this afternoon/evening before we have much news.<br /><br />Thanks for the cards and notes you've sent to Mom / us. We've been reading them to her, and they really lift her spirits. Thank you so very much!!<br /><br />I'll let you know when she actually gets headed to surgery... More later!Schimmer Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039439253298689309noreply@blogger.com2