A Simple Timeline

A Simple Timeline...

March 9, 2014- Admitted to St E with minor symptoms (on eve of move from house to condo*)
March 10- Guillain-Barre diagnosis and progression to full paralysis and intubation
March 12- Transfer to University Hospital NSICU
March 12-26- NSICU at UC
March 26-27- Brief stay at LTAC- Drake Hospital at Christ
March 27- Emergency surgery for bleeding trach, transfer to SICU
March 28-April 14- SICU at Christ (pneumonia and PE treatment)
April 14-19- MICU at Christ
April 19th- Transferred back to Drake Hospital (at Christ) ROOM 3083 (Easter weekend)
July 31- First time outside in 21 weeks
August 25- First meal in 5 1/2 months
October 16- 67th birthday at Drake
October 31- MICU at Christ for treatment of pneumonia and MRSA infection
November 17th- Return to Drake Hospital (at Christ)
Thanksgiving-Christmas-47th Anniversary- New Year 2015
January 17th- Hematoma (dealt with for about a month following)
March 19- 2 weeks off the ventilator! Trach capped for first time ;)
April 4&5- Baptism service and Easter
April 20- "So long" party with Drake staff
April 23- Move to Providence Pavilion rehab center in Covington, KY
May 26- June 10th- St E hospital (trach out, MRSA treatment)
June 10th- moved to Gateway Rehab in Florence, KY (feeding tube removed)
July 2nd- moved to Rosedale Green in Latonia, KY
August 8th- first time sitting in the seat of a car in 17 months
Oct 16th- 68th birthday party at Rosedale
November 26th- Thanksgiving with family+ at the Rickerts
*November 27th- first time in condo since purchase*
January, 2016- began using a motorized wheelchair controlled by head
July 10- move to HealthSouth rehab to prepare for move to assisted living
July 28, 2016- moved to Elmcroft Assisted Living in Florence, KY. After 871 long nights apart finally sharing a roof with wife again!!
August 2018- moved out of Elmceoft. Steve to Emerald Trace. Nancy to the condo.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Update from Becky

I was so pleased to be able to spend four days with Dad this weekend while Alex held down the fort at home. Mom was visiting Aunt Janet, Uncle Eric, Uncle Dick, and Grandpa Ury in Iowa for a relaxing weekend.

 I was made very aware of what Mom's day is like. I continue to be amazed at her ability to be everything she can be for Dad, take care of a condo that always seems to need her attention, deal with the occasional car issues that seem to creep up, AND still pay attention to all the "lingo" that goes with having a loved one in the hospital. (I washed your "superhero cape," Mom ;)  )

Dad was pretty content this weekend, and said things like, "Can you hear TV?" and "Watch what you want" and "It helps to know you are here - I can relax." He also wanted to know, "What's Josh (my 16-year-old  son) up to?" I was driving Mom's car while I was in town and I told Dad I would top it off with gas before leaving, to which he immediately shook his head "no." He never wants me to pay for gas or food when I am there ;) It's just one way he still tries to provide for me. :)

While I was in town, I got a chance to go to the Creation Museum. Dad asked, "What part are you going to see?" so conversational - a great sign. While at the museum in the gardens, I found a bench tucked out of the way and decided to rest a bit. Moments later I was sobbing at the frustration of the situation. My Dad should NOT have to go through this! I was so angry at the illness, at the fact that he "hasn't seen the sun in four months," at everything. But not at God. And not at any of the people also affected by this or caring for him. Just angry because it's not fair. 

But this is normal, and expected. If we didn't have these moments of emotional release, we would explode. I'm certain of it.

Dad had visitors Friday evening - a huge thank you to Dave and Dan!
Visitors on Saturday evening - Sue and Dave Giegler - Thank you! Sorry - I forgot to leave a note that I was at the museum ;) lol
Visitors Sunday afternoon - Lee and Karen Mason <3

Dad LOVES visitors, and  he may not be able to talk very well, but as he told Tim and his family upon their arrival Monday afternoon, "the company is priceless." :)


-- 

Becky :)


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