DAY 68 - OCTOBER 29

Yes, another month is almost over. I thought I would be unable to blog bec. I would be without a computer, but Robb was nice enough to leave his with us until he came back. Joe has had another good day of progress. Last night, the last of the antibiotics for his infections was administered. This morning, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control were in and swabbed and deemed that the infections were, indeed, under control. Thus, the last line (placed in his big saphenous vein in his foot) was removed this morning. That's right. Absolutely no more tubes or needles poking into or out of anywhere. It is a very freeing feeling. So, shortly after that, the OT and PT girls were in, dragged him up into a sitting position (again, not so easy. Since he's had to be inactive since the last 2 surgeries, he had lost a lot of ground that he had made. He will have to work hard to get back where he was and then move forward.) and had him dangle his feet over the side of the bed. This was enough to almost make him pass out - dizzy, light-headed and nauseous again - the usual. But they managed. They were a little disturbed by the situation of the muscles in his back and left arm. All in kind of rough shape. They are thinking that the position he must have had to be in for the surgery on his arms has gotten things out of shape. Unfortunately, being totally immobile for so long has caused a lot of muscle deterioration, as well as other things, to say nothing of all the muscle and tissue that had to be removed in different surgeries. He will have lots of rehab to do, but is anxious to get started. Dana and I had done some investigating the last time she, my sister and Stacy were here and had pretty much decided on an acute rehab hospital in this area, mostly bec. his doctors are in this area. It seems like the most practical thing to do at this point. This afternoon, someone came from the 8th floor (they do have a rehab floor here, but we felt that Joe would be better served at this other hospital, since Rehab is what they do there, as well as being a hospital. We are waiting for the results of the X-Rays that they took Friday night for his main orthopedic doctor to make a decision on his weight bearing status. His rehab is hinging on that, but because he is also non-weight bearing on his upper body also bec. of the surgery on the elbows, he will need to start rebuilding his upper body so that he will have the strength to move his own body, use crutches or a walker. He has lots and lots or work to do. He also needs to continue to rehab his jaw and mouth and possibly a little speech therapy, bec. we have noticed a little bit of trouble speaking now and then anda teensy bit of aphasia. I think this is all minor and should be addressed fairly quickly. At any rate, when the Case Worker came to discuss a Discharge Plan, she said he could be transferred to the 8th floor and we told her where we wanted him to go and she told us he could go right to the 8th floor and we told her again where we wanted to go and she gave us some song and dance again about the 8th floor and we told her again where we wanted to go. I think she finally got the message. I asked if I had to call the facility myself and she said she would call them tomorrow and have someone come over and evaluate Joe. Now we have to hope that he gets accepted and that they will have a bed. We may be moving into our next phase sooner than we had even hoped. Joe knows he is very weak, depleted and has lost a lot of weight, but I don't think he realizes just how much he has deteriorated. It will be a rude awakening, but he is excited to at least get the process of rebuilding started. If he is able to get in, my plan is to stay here at the Fisher House at least until he gets settled in and we have a time frame and a schedule. For now, we are so lucky to have been the recipients of all of your prayers and good wishes. We think of all of you and know how lucky we are. Will keep everyone posted. For now, JUST MANY, MANY THANKS !! Love, Cindi