Thank you, thank you, thank you to our “family” and friends for all the visits, cards, email greetings, flowers, plants, gifts of food, best wishes, etc. Your thoughtful acts during Jerry’s recent hospitalization and rehabilitation (in Sioux City and Pender) have been wonderful and most appreciated. What an amazing group of individuals to have “in our family’s corner” throughout this ordeal! Thanks again for your support and assistance. We will never forget it!
It’s been two months since Jerry’s “incident.” It has been quite a journey and it is so good to be home. Things are going very well and Jerry continues to improve.
A special thank you to our wonderful daughters and sons-in-law for everything they have done these past two months. We are certainly blessed and truly could not survive without them.
Jerry and Jean
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
You're Getting Better So Fast
On Friday, it was a beautiful day. Mom and Dad took the dogs out, hosted friends for drinks, and went up to Welsh's for the Fish Fry. Dad was even able to walk without his walker from the car to the bar. Such huge steps in such short periods of time.
On Friday, Dad had physical therapy. His therapist told Dad that she really enjoyed working with Dad. He asked her, "why?", and she replied, "because you are getting better so fast." Dad told her that he was crushed because he thought it was because of his great personality. Very cute.
On Friday, Dad had physical therapy. His therapist told Dad that she really enjoyed working with Dad. He asked her, "why?", and she replied, "because you are getting better so fast." Dad told her that he was crushed because he thought it was because of his great personality. Very cute.
Friday, March 20, 2009
March Madness
For the past several years, my husband has hosted a family and friends March Madness pool - and this year is no different. Of course, the biggest challenge is technology related - can our parents actually figure out how to enter their picks in the computer. Fortunately, we have siblings close by this year that can help!
After day one of picks, Dad is leading the pool - with 15 of 16 picks correct! We'll see if that can continue the rest of the weekend. I was surprised that Dad did not pick Kansas to win - he always seems to favor the Big 12 teams, but not this year.
Dad is improving every day. He is getting around the house without a walker and Denny has been picking him up this week for coffee. He's been able to check his email and has chatted with friends not in the Pender area on the phone.
The goal for the end of April is to make a trip to Ann Arbor for Jacki and Sean's graduation from the University of Michigan. At this rate or recovery, that is a very attainable goal. How special that would be for Mom, Dad, and Jacki.
After day one of picks, Dad is leading the pool - with 15 of 16 picks correct! We'll see if that can continue the rest of the weekend. I was surprised that Dad did not pick Kansas to win - he always seems to favor the Big 12 teams, but not this year.
Dad is improving every day. He is getting around the house without a walker and Denny has been picking him up this week for coffee. He's been able to check his email and has chatted with friends not in the Pender area on the phone.
The goal for the end of April is to make a trip to Ann Arbor for Jacki and Sean's graduation from the University of Michigan. At this rate or recovery, that is a very attainable goal. How special that would be for Mom, Dad, and Jacki.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Less is More
Well, my posts have obviously been less and less the last couple of weeks. This really is good news as Dad is progressing well at home. So, in this case, less is definitely more.
Dad started therapy in Wayne last week and Mom said that he and his OT really hit it off. Jaima stayed home with Dad last Tuesday night so Mom could watch her full moon with friends. Like me, Jaima commented how nice it was to be at home with Dad - just the two of them.
Mom is back to school this week and Dad's sister Nydra is up in Pender helping out. Dad was actually even able to go down to Popo's for coffee today - thanks to a ride from Denny. They were so happy to see him there for coffee - he was definitely missed and got a big hug from the owner when he arrived. We are all so thankful for all the help we have received.
I talked to Dad a couple of times on the phone last week and he sounded really great. He had his appointment with his primary physician in Pender last week and they were able to discuss all the medicine he is on, what to watch for, etc. Fortunately, he is no longer on the insulin and is just monitoring his blood sugar every day. Very good news!
We are thankful for every piece of good news we get every day.
Dad started therapy in Wayne last week and Mom said that he and his OT really hit it off. Jaima stayed home with Dad last Tuesday night so Mom could watch her full moon with friends. Like me, Jaima commented how nice it was to be at home with Dad - just the two of them.
Mom is back to school this week and Dad's sister Nydra is up in Pender helping out. Dad was actually even able to go down to Popo's for coffee today - thanks to a ride from Denny. They were so happy to see him there for coffee - he was definitely missed and got a big hug from the owner when he arrived. We are all so thankful for all the help we have received.
I talked to Dad a couple of times on the phone last week and he sounded really great. He had his appointment with his primary physician in Pender last week and they were able to discuss all the medicine he is on, what to watch for, etc. Fortunately, he is no longer on the insulin and is just monitoring his blood sugar every day. Very good news!
We are thankful for every piece of good news we get every day.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Aren't you glad I got my mind back?
Just a quick update about the weekend at the Karlen household. It was a pretty lazy weekend for everyone - except Mom. She was very busy sorting and organizing. Hopefully, Jaima and I were able to help enough with the laundry, cooking, dishes, etc. Mom and Dad took the dogs out again on Saturday so there was a bit of an outing - which helped to break up the day a bit.
We watched some basketball - a couple college games and the finals of the Nebraska Girl's State Tournament. TV is a bit much for Dad right now, but we were able to keep him involved with score and time updates. Jaima and I were even able to watch two movies on Saturday - I can't even remember the last time I watched one movie. Oh, the luxuries of having no kids around (Jaima's kids were with her husband visiting his parents in Grant, Nebraska for a few days).
What a great time Jaima and I had hanging out with each other and Mom and Dad. Dad was making us laugh with his commentary during the basketball winner interviews. His spirits have been great since returning home - just as they were in the hospital.
We did some physical therapy exercises over the weekend and Dad also read all of the cards and letters he received since his stroke (some occupational therapy for the weekend). He was surprised by all the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. Thanks to all for helping to keep his spirits up.
Dad started therapy in Wayne on Monday and has an appointment with his family physician tomorrow to track his progress, meds, etc. It is amazing how much work goes into making sure one stays well - thankfully the Karlen women have it under control!
And to wrap up with some Dad humor...We were trying to figure out the correct eye drops to be giving Dad. We have yellow caps, blue caps, orange caps, and generic versions. Apparently, his drops were switched in the hospital and we were going to give those drops to him. He proceeded to tell us what happened with his last visit to the opthamologist and then commented, "Aren't you glad I got my mind back?" Yes, Dad - we are very, very glad.
We watched some basketball - a couple college games and the finals of the Nebraska Girl's State Tournament. TV is a bit much for Dad right now, but we were able to keep him involved with score and time updates. Jaima and I were even able to watch two movies on Saturday - I can't even remember the last time I watched one movie. Oh, the luxuries of having no kids around (Jaima's kids were with her husband visiting his parents in Grant, Nebraska for a few days).
What a great time Jaima and I had hanging out with each other and Mom and Dad. Dad was making us laugh with his commentary during the basketball winner interviews. His spirits have been great since returning home - just as they were in the hospital.
We did some physical therapy exercises over the weekend and Dad also read all of the cards and letters he received since his stroke (some occupational therapy for the weekend). He was surprised by all the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. Thanks to all for helping to keep his spirits up.
Dad started therapy in Wayne on Monday and has an appointment with his family physician tomorrow to track his progress, meds, etc. It is amazing how much work goes into making sure one stays well - thankfully the Karlen women have it under control!
And to wrap up with some Dad humor...We were trying to figure out the correct eye drops to be giving Dad. We have yellow caps, blue caps, orange caps, and generic versions. Apparently, his drops were switched in the hospital and we were going to give those drops to him. He proceeded to tell us what happened with his last visit to the opthamologist and then commented, "Aren't you glad I got my mind back?" Yes, Dad - we are very, very glad.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Home Sweet Home
Dad arrived home on Thursday afternoon. We were discharged in the early afternoon and then we saw a cardiac specialist before we left for Pender. A couple visitors stopped by to welcome Dad home, and Dad enjoyed some non-hospital food - guess Mom and I can at least cook better than the hospital!
I'm glad to be here to help Mom get the house ready to have Dad home - everything from moving furniture, figuring out his meds, what food to make, etc. Being home is a whole new level of care and it is a lot of work for Mom. It is nice that she is home next week so she can figure out coverage going forward. We've also got his therapy scheduled in Wayne starting on Monday. He'll be attending physical, speech, and occupational therapy.
Dad is doing really well with the stairs in the house. They are a lot of work for him, but because he is able to do them, he is able to get into his favorite chair in the family room.
We had another cardiac appointment this morning up at the hospital. It was nice to get a couple different opinions as the best way to treat dad's atrial fibulation. Both doctors do not recommend going back on the blood thinners so we are trying to figure out what we can do to best manage his condition.
Today, Mom and Dad took the dogs out to the airport and I think Dad really liked getting out of the house again. It is a good thing they took the dogs out as Pepper was coughing after her run. They took her down to the vet and she was diagnosed with pnemonia and got some antibiotics.
We all enjoyed an afternoon nap and then some dinner. Jaima came over after work and it was nice to just be "home" with Mom and Dad. We're looking forward to the healing process getting even better now that Dad is home.
I'm glad to be here to help Mom get the house ready to have Dad home - everything from moving furniture, figuring out his meds, what food to make, etc. Being home is a whole new level of care and it is a lot of work for Mom. It is nice that she is home next week so she can figure out coverage going forward. We've also got his therapy scheduled in Wayne starting on Monday. He'll be attending physical, speech, and occupational therapy.
Dad is doing really well with the stairs in the house. They are a lot of work for him, but because he is able to do them, he is able to get into his favorite chair in the family room.
We had another cardiac appointment this morning up at the hospital. It was nice to get a couple different opinions as the best way to treat dad's atrial fibulation. Both doctors do not recommend going back on the blood thinners so we are trying to figure out what we can do to best manage his condition.
Today, Mom and Dad took the dogs out to the airport and I think Dad really liked getting out of the house again. It is a good thing they took the dogs out as Pepper was coughing after her run. They took her down to the vet and she was diagnosed with pnemonia and got some antibiotics.
We all enjoyed an afternoon nap and then some dinner. Jaima came over after work and it was nice to just be "home" with Mom and Dad. We're looking forward to the healing process getting even better now that Dad is home.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
My Day with Dad
I was getting ready for bed and had time to think about the day I just spent with Dad. Although one never wants to be in these situations, it really was a nice day today with Dad. When will I ever have Dad to myself again? No children to deal with, no siblings or others to drive the conversation one way or the other, no place to be. Just time with my Dad.
Of course, Dad attended several therapies and did very well at all of them today. He was walking without the walker several times during physical therapy, balancing with ease for extended periods of time, coming up with answers in speech therapy that were almost always correct - even if it wasn't the answer in the therapist's "book". When having to name another word for "disaster", Dad and I both came up with the word "calamity" - not the standard answer of "catastrophe". There were other examples like this and Dad and I joked that we must be blood relatives to come up with the "wrong, right answer." When we went back to the room, Dad was joking that he wasn't so sure that he was already sharper than his therapist.
He was also able to read and comprehend the checklist given to him by the speech therapist. And although a difficult task, he did complete a lego type structure in occupational therapy (looking at a 2D picture and making it a 3D object) as well as some peg work and geometric shape exercises (where they had to move on to more difficult ones because he completed the easy ones). He's still dealing with double vision and that is one of the main reasons these tasks are difficult.
We enjoyed a pizza party over lunch with some other rehabilitation patients and Dad chatted at ease with the others. Later, Dad commented what a long road many of those in the room had - all but one younger than Dad. It makes you keep things in perspective and be so thankful for how hard Dad is working and how far he has come.
We had his assessment with the staff this morning and all the therapists and nurses commented on Dad's progress. It is truly amazing the strides he is making. I know Dad is a very proud man and many of the tasks he is completely are humbling to him, but he also knows that he is getting better every day -- and these are the things that will help him recover.
I definitely inherited my competitive spirit from my Dad and you can see Dad's competitive spirit come out in his therapies. And through it all, Dad has had a wonderful disposition - joking with the staff, making people smile, and still taking his recovery seriously. This truly is a testament to who my Dad is as a person and I am so thankful for him. And right now, I am especially proud to be his daughter happy about the day we had together. Just the two of us.
Of course, Dad attended several therapies and did very well at all of them today. He was walking without the walker several times during physical therapy, balancing with ease for extended periods of time, coming up with answers in speech therapy that were almost always correct - even if it wasn't the answer in the therapist's "book". When having to name another word for "disaster", Dad and I both came up with the word "calamity" - not the standard answer of "catastrophe". There were other examples like this and Dad and I joked that we must be blood relatives to come up with the "wrong, right answer." When we went back to the room, Dad was joking that he wasn't so sure that he was already sharper than his therapist.
He was also able to read and comprehend the checklist given to him by the speech therapist. And although a difficult task, he did complete a lego type structure in occupational therapy (looking at a 2D picture and making it a 3D object) as well as some peg work and geometric shape exercises (where they had to move on to more difficult ones because he completed the easy ones). He's still dealing with double vision and that is one of the main reasons these tasks are difficult.
We enjoyed a pizza party over lunch with some other rehabilitation patients and Dad chatted at ease with the others. Later, Dad commented what a long road many of those in the room had - all but one younger than Dad. It makes you keep things in perspective and be so thankful for how hard Dad is working and how far he has come.
We had his assessment with the staff this morning and all the therapists and nurses commented on Dad's progress. It is truly amazing the strides he is making. I know Dad is a very proud man and many of the tasks he is completely are humbling to him, but he also knows that he is getting better every day -- and these are the things that will help him recover.
I definitely inherited my competitive spirit from my Dad and you can see Dad's competitive spirit come out in his therapies. And through it all, Dad has had a wonderful disposition - joking with the staff, making people smile, and still taking his recovery seriously. This truly is a testament to who my Dad is as a person and I am so thankful for him. And right now, I am especially proud to be his daughter happy about the day we had together. Just the two of us.
Coming Home!
Just a very quick post to let everyone know that Dad is going to be coming home on Thursday. We will be discharged on Thursday afternoon and then see a cardiologist before we head home. Dad had his assessment today and all the therapists continued to talk about the great progress he is making.
We will be setting up his on-going therapy so he can continue his progress once we get home. I'll be here until Sunday to help Mom with the transition back to home. Fortunately, Mom has spring break next week so will also be able to manage the transition home a bit more easily.
Sorry for the lack of updates - having all of us home, the time here with Dad, and trying to get some work unfortunately cuts into the blog time. But, this is great news and we are excited about this giant step forward!
We will be setting up his on-going therapy so he can continue his progress once we get home. I'll be here until Sunday to help Mom with the transition back to home. Fortunately, Mom has spring break next week so will also be able to manage the transition home a bit more easily.
Sorry for the lack of updates - having all of us home, the time here with Dad, and trying to get some work unfortunately cuts into the blog time. But, this is great news and we are excited about this giant step forward!
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