Life without casts started with a sense of anticipation and adventure, but only a few hours into it I began to feel the deflation of the elated excitement. Uh. I had arms but I was afraid to use them. I was afraid to have anyone touch them. I was afraid to bump them. It was the weirdest feeling. It almost felt like they were not a part of my body, but some new and foreign glass like objects I was carrying around. Besides that – I could hardly move the wrists and had not much strength in the palm and the fingers either. My right hand was a little stronger then the left, however, I could not even straighten the right wrist let alone extend it back. My left thumb could hardly move and half of the fingers on the left hand I could not even straighten let alone draw into a fist. Neither hand could do the later. And the skin of the top of my arms, where the breaks had been was so sensitive, that washing my hands under warm water felt like scalding. I could not touch the top of my arms without feeling like I was rubbing my skin right off. My hyper sensitive skin reacted to any little touch and movement. I kept my arms in long sleeves and kept tying the splints back on much more then I needed to. I slept with the splints on, because I was afraid to crush my own arms at night. I don’t know what happened to the long and heartfelt wish to sleep without the hard casts. It was just too frightening a prospect.
On top of the challenges of new and improved me, I also had to deal with a sudden virus I managed to catch, despite the fact that I had hardly gone out or seen anyone. I had the whole package – the sore throat, the congestion, the headache, the earache, the cough… So, my handful of supplements with my meals doubled. I hardly needed any food after all those vitamins and minerals.
Recovery was slow, both from the stiff wrists as well as the cold. I was on a mission to find a hand specialist to do physiotherapy with, but was in for a real surprise. It’s next to impossible. I should have put myself on a waiting list the day the accident happened. Ha! The physiotherapy challenge was an eye opening experience and a real learning curve. There are private clinics and hospital clinics, clinics that are free and clinics that cost nearly a 100$ an hour, strict physiotherapy and combined with occupational therapy, sports therapy and hand therapy. And even the stuff that is OHIP covered has all these hidden fees for everything. I soon learned to carry bundles of cash with me everywhere. It’s a crazy world out there. They really should have courses that train people in the lingo and tell them how best to set these things up. I’d hate to be a new immigrant with a language barrier or an elderly person and have to be stuck in this system.
Well, after nearly a week of phone calls I ended up back at St. Mikes with an angel, Ross, who is also a specialist in mild torture tactics and does it with a smile and gives you a shoulder to cry on. She’s wonderful and also extremely tough. She’s my kind of a therapist. Especially once she got me the Tylenol 3’s to help with the pain. Ha! Yup, we’re back to narcotics. I’ve been in therapy with her and an OT every single day now for two and a half to three hours a day. I’m in pain almost all the time, because it seems like that’s the only way these hands will ever move again. It’s draining physically and emotionally hard, too. But I am seeing progress. Slow progress, but progress regardless.
I will try and transfer to a private clinic near my house coming week, because getting to St. Mikes is a challenge. I’m hoping that the insurance will cover the private clinic. I think they are supposed to. We have a wonderful lawyer who is helping us with that whole can of worms. Insurance, I mean. I’m so thankful and blessed to have had friends, who had friends, who had friends… I’ve ended up with a great lawyer through Rita B. and had help in many other ways from other friends. I thank the heavens for all of you out there every single day!!!
So long for now…
beta
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
My casts came off a week ago Wednesday. I know it’s not fare that I have not even taken the time to write about it. But that’s just the way it is. This post has been a long and painful process. At the end of one storey there is always the beginning of another…
Last Wednesday I had a hard time hiding my excitement. I had been waiting for the day the casts come off since I was released from the hospital. Naturally, while I was in the hospital I was only waiting for the day I’d be home. When situations like this strike you never look much further then the next step. It’s probably nature’s way of protecting you. Regardless… I was waiting and hoping to get cast free, but I was also very cautious about being too excited, because the surgeon had warned me that not all people heal in the initially expected time frame. I remember sitting in that waiting room amongst a whole slew of others injured or bound in some way or another and thinking to myself – if only I could start moving my arms.
My wish came true much sooner then I had anticipated.
Steve had barely left to park the car and I had signed in just minutes before, when the nurse called my name and I was shuffled off to the room down the hall and believe it or not the casts were just cut off without anyone ever looking at me twice. I hardly had time to prepare myself. It was mildly shocking to say the least. But if you have ever been in a fracture clinic you might know that the appointment only starts with this and there is more, much more to come.
I was sent back out into the waiting room with my arms as bare as they had ever been in the last seven weeks except for the metal pins sticking out of my flesh in all possible directions and the stench of the dead skin following me down the hall and the itchiness and all the hair and the tiny arms in front of me. I swear I had shrunk to half my size. I had never seen anything quite like it. I must admit that I was warned about the smell of the skin being unwrapped from the casts, so, I was prepared for that. I also suspected that there might be more hair then usual on the skin under the casts, but nothing quite prepared me for the gorilla look I sport these days. And then there was the dead layer of skin that kept peeling and peeling and peeling for the next week to follow. And the whole idea of being so unprotected scared the crap out of me. Really. I was too scared to even lower my wrists let alone keep them at my sides. I held them high like a torch, perhaps expecting some Olympic miracle to take place? Who knows? But it was a truly odd sensation. By the time I was called for an x-ray I had managed to peel some of the dead skin cells, but I had hardly moved from my torch like position. It was too frightening. It was too stiff. And the x-ray in itself was a whole test of patience, because they wanted me to bend my wrists out to have them flat on the table even though for more then six weeks I had been held in a forward flex position. What the hell? I was feeling so week by then that I almost passed out. However, the longer I live the more I realize that the human body can take a lot of abuse. They managed to put me in a flat hand on the table position regardless the pain and regardless of the twisted and weird positions my elbows and body had to endure.
By the time the x-ray was over I realized that my “torch” carrying was not just a mechanism built in to protect me from the fright of having my wrists exposed, but a little more then that. I was stiff. I was so stiff that I could not move either of my wrists a millimeter forward or a millimeter back. My fingers moved, but could not make a fist for the life of me. I could not get my palms to lie flat against my face. I could not even hold a coffee cup. It was such a shock. I never thought that it could be this bad after a few weeks of immobilization. I had no IDEA how bad it could be. I was scared. I was scared but I was not going to show it.
Minutes before I got called in to see Dr. Hall, Steve came into the lobby. I did have a wait, but not as long as the first time. Steve came with me to the same little room I had visited a few weeks before and we were again jammed with a few other patients waiting to see the good doctor for a little word, an explanation or some check-up or another. He was as charming as always, spending just enough time with each patient to make them feel important and good, but just short of giving you time to think about any questions or concerns that might arise from the chat. It’s sad, really. And I cannot blame the doctor, because I have now experienced on my own skin how jammed and overburdened our healthcare system can be at times. It’s not really the doc, but just the way it’s all set up.
Dr. Hall spent a few minutes with me. He was charming, as always. Happy with the way the surgery had gone, happy with the way I had healed, happy with my progress. Told me to stick to physiotherapy and moved on to the next patient. What I had coming next was the removal of my pins, which in fact was not a painful process, but rather one that made me sick to the deepest corners of my being. I was asked to lie down and then the metal pins that were in my wrists were removed by a typical, twist-push-n-pull technique of a dentist pulling a tooth. It was not pain, but rather the feeling of something being pulled out from the inside of me that made me sick. The pins were removed quickly and the holes were just covered with gauze, even though some had fair amount of bleeding, which looked frightening to my naked and untrained eye. But all was fine a few days later. And the best part was having an arm back that had no metal components.
But more on that later… The rest of the storey of the last ten days has not yet been edited. Please be patient. I will do my best amongst Physiotherapy and OT, Chiropractor and Acupuncture, Family doctor and Homeopath, Hospital and Clinic to keep you posted.
Last Wednesday I had a hard time hiding my excitement. I had been waiting for the day the casts come off since I was released from the hospital. Naturally, while I was in the hospital I was only waiting for the day I’d be home. When situations like this strike you never look much further then the next step. It’s probably nature’s way of protecting you. Regardless… I was waiting and hoping to get cast free, but I was also very cautious about being too excited, because the surgeon had warned me that not all people heal in the initially expected time frame. I remember sitting in that waiting room amongst a whole slew of others injured or bound in some way or another and thinking to myself – if only I could start moving my arms.
My wish came true much sooner then I had anticipated.
Steve had barely left to park the car and I had signed in just minutes before, when the nurse called my name and I was shuffled off to the room down the hall and believe it or not the casts were just cut off without anyone ever looking at me twice. I hardly had time to prepare myself. It was mildly shocking to say the least. But if you have ever been in a fracture clinic you might know that the appointment only starts with this and there is more, much more to come.
I was sent back out into the waiting room with my arms as bare as they had ever been in the last seven weeks except for the metal pins sticking out of my flesh in all possible directions and the stench of the dead skin following me down the hall and the itchiness and all the hair and the tiny arms in front of me. I swear I had shrunk to half my size. I had never seen anything quite like it. I must admit that I was warned about the smell of the skin being unwrapped from the casts, so, I was prepared for that. I also suspected that there might be more hair then usual on the skin under the casts, but nothing quite prepared me for the gorilla look I sport these days. And then there was the dead layer of skin that kept peeling and peeling and peeling for the next week to follow. And the whole idea of being so unprotected scared the crap out of me. Really. I was too scared to even lower my wrists let alone keep them at my sides. I held them high like a torch, perhaps expecting some Olympic miracle to take place? Who knows? But it was a truly odd sensation. By the time I was called for an x-ray I had managed to peel some of the dead skin cells, but I had hardly moved from my torch like position. It was too frightening. It was too stiff. And the x-ray in itself was a whole test of patience, because they wanted me to bend my wrists out to have them flat on the table even though for more then six weeks I had been held in a forward flex position. What the hell? I was feeling so week by then that I almost passed out. However, the longer I live the more I realize that the human body can take a lot of abuse. They managed to put me in a flat hand on the table position regardless the pain and regardless of the twisted and weird positions my elbows and body had to endure.
By the time the x-ray was over I realized that my “torch” carrying was not just a mechanism built in to protect me from the fright of having my wrists exposed, but a little more then that. I was stiff. I was so stiff that I could not move either of my wrists a millimeter forward or a millimeter back. My fingers moved, but could not make a fist for the life of me. I could not get my palms to lie flat against my face. I could not even hold a coffee cup. It was such a shock. I never thought that it could be this bad after a few weeks of immobilization. I had no IDEA how bad it could be. I was scared. I was scared but I was not going to show it.
Minutes before I got called in to see Dr. Hall, Steve came into the lobby. I did have a wait, but not as long as the first time. Steve came with me to the same little room I had visited a few weeks before and we were again jammed with a few other patients waiting to see the good doctor for a little word, an explanation or some check-up or another. He was as charming as always, spending just enough time with each patient to make them feel important and good, but just short of giving you time to think about any questions or concerns that might arise from the chat. It’s sad, really. And I cannot blame the doctor, because I have now experienced on my own skin how jammed and overburdened our healthcare system can be at times. It’s not really the doc, but just the way it’s all set up.
Dr. Hall spent a few minutes with me. He was charming, as always. Happy with the way the surgery had gone, happy with the way I had healed, happy with my progress. Told me to stick to physiotherapy and moved on to the next patient. What I had coming next was the removal of my pins, which in fact was not a painful process, but rather one that made me sick to the deepest corners of my being. I was asked to lie down and then the metal pins that were in my wrists were removed by a typical, twist-push-n-pull technique of a dentist pulling a tooth. It was not pain, but rather the feeling of something being pulled out from the inside of me that made me sick. The pins were removed quickly and the holes were just covered with gauze, even though some had fair amount of bleeding, which looked frightening to my naked and untrained eye. But all was fine a few days later. And the best part was having an arm back that had no metal components.
But more on that later… The rest of the storey of the last ten days has not yet been edited. Please be patient. I will do my best amongst Physiotherapy and OT, Chiropractor and Acupuncture, Family doctor and Homeopath, Hospital and Clinic to keep you posted.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
not much longer
it's finally me. yes. i can type. with two fingers already. but i'm too lazy to try and do the 'capitals'. so, bare with me.over the last week i've been getting more and more emails asking me how i'm doing, so, i've decided it's time for a personal update. especially since my next appointment with my surgeon is tomorrow and i'm crossing my fingers (and my toes) that perhaps i might get my casts off tomorrow. hoping, hoping, hoping... for a new chapter.
yes. i'm tired of being totally dependent on others. i'm tired of sleeping with hard and heavy arms next to my face on my pillow. i'm tired of not being able to stroke my kids heads without being told "it's scratchy, mommy!" i cannot wait to take a shower on my own. or even soak in a tub and not get pins and needles in my arms that are being balanced on top of my head for most of the time. i'm sick of peeling skin and itchy forearms under the casts. i want to be able to wash my own face. i'm dying to cook and even washing dishes seems like something i would love to do. i cannot wait to do all those little things we all take for granted in life. the little every day things like pouring your own cup of coffee.
however, i have to admit that i have progressed immensly over the course of the month. if i started by drinking through a straw, then now i can lift a cup to my mouth. i needed to be fed in the beginning but now i can even feed the kids, if need be. i can use a public bathroom on my own, as long as i wear the right pair of pants. i can open a door, even if i need to twist the door knob. i type with two fingers not one. i brush my own teeth. i can put on 50% of my own clothes. and no more painkillers. no more waking up with sore arms. no more nightmares. no more swelling. oh. what a blessing.
i'm extremely lucky to have friends, amazing friends, who carried me through the hardest of times at the very beginning, right after the accident. and they have been there for me, for all of us all this time... i will forever feel greatful to each and every one of you! i do not have the words to express the feelings i have, because i just get this overwhelming sense... of love.
thank you!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Bounce in her step...
WOW! What a great post by Steve! I won't be quite as poetic but I thought I'd share a bit about my short visit with Beta (and Tania) this afternoon.
This girl is transformed from the last time I saw her (well, that was on her last day in the hospital, mind you)! She looks fresh and lively and has a distinct bounce in her step!
She is empowered as, with every day, she is improving in her mobility. She's adapting to her limits, having just worked out a way, together with Stella, to have her climb up her legs onto her lap. She is overjoyed to have slept solid, until 8am, for the first time in years (thanks to the naturopathic remedies). She speaks of the next days and weeks with positive anticipation. Of course, she recognizes that she has many hurdles to overcome but she is looking forward to her increased independance and eventual recovery.
I showed her the Facebook group which she was quite embarrassed and amused by. I scrolled through the 150+ members, many of whom she does not know. I told her that these are people who know of her, at least, via other friends, all of whom simply want to lend her some support. As strange as it is to see this, she seemed appreciative.
I was uplifted by this visit and drove home smiling!
Christina
This girl is transformed from the last time I saw her (well, that was on her last day in the hospital, mind you)! She looks fresh and lively and has a distinct bounce in her step!
She is empowered as, with every day, she is improving in her mobility. She's adapting to her limits, having just worked out a way, together with Stella, to have her climb up her legs onto her lap. She is overjoyed to have slept solid, until 8am, for the first time in years (thanks to the naturopathic remedies). She speaks of the next days and weeks with positive anticipation. Of course, she recognizes that she has many hurdles to overcome but she is looking forward to her increased independance and eventual recovery.
I showed her the Facebook group which she was quite embarrassed and amused by. I scrolled through the 150+ members, many of whom she does not know. I told her that these are people who know of her, at least, via other friends, all of whom simply want to lend her some support. As strange as it is to see this, she seemed appreciative.
I was uplifted by this visit and drove home smiling!
Christina
Friday, April 17, 2009
streamlined arms
Hi,
Well a lot has gone on this week, and it's time for an update.
First of all, last Sunday was Beta's birthday, and Easter. We were flush with visitors and many flowers, too, for much of the weekend.
This week we had a follow up with our orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hall, a pleasant stout 40 something with a humorous demeanor. His delivery is easing and I imagine he has dealt with enough trauma cases to know that people just want the facts, plain and simple. This is what he gave us, and amply showed the post-op xrays, which cryptically show all the metal parts with white hot precision.
When they cut off her casts, Beta nearly queased right out. Even (or especially) as a jeweller, the sight of metal sticking out of her skin at odd angles, and a 3" line of metal staples down her inner wrist. Maybe could inspire a new fashion line ? Or not.
I so wish I could have taken a picture of those staples. What I must post, though is a picture of the new streamlined casts which she will sport for the next month. They are a funky blue, weigh much less and they give her more mobility in the fingers than the clunky clubs she was originally wearing. On May 20, we have an appointment to get those off, and at that point they will pull the pins straight out of the bones - a supposedly painless maneuver.
On top of a physician followup, we were also able to meet the insurance adjuster (the same day), which proved to be an emotionally draining experience as he grilled over every detail of the accident and pulled details from seemingly every angle of Beta's life. I can't imagine how this must feel for the really tragic cases.
Also we have visited a naturopath, who Beta became the client of in a strange reversal of fate. Just 2 days before the accident the aforementioned practitioner had actually contacted Beta on a referral for jewellery (wedding bands), but at the moment her services are more useful to Beta. This proved to be a very informative and inspiring meeting, and if anyone is interested in naturopathic medicine, we will be happy to refer you. This woman knows her stuff and has a masters degree in medicine to boot.
As I write this, I am in Thunder Bay, fulfilling a two night commitment I had with my band. It seemed that we have had enough of a window of recuperation and a chance to commit some troops on the home help front to pull this off. Plus, we has gots to earn some cash here at some point ! Thanks to the 'troopers' who have come to help this weekend.
A word of warning: Stella has begun teething on numbers 7 and 8 (bottom), which has kept her (and us) waking up an extra amount of times this week. We are a little stressed, especially Silvija , who bless her heart has volunteered to sleep upstairs while I look after Beta's nighttime needs, and prepare nighttime remedies for our nocturnally active children. Kaspar has also developed a raspy cough which, though not contagious, contributes heavily to our interrupted sleeps.
We are all a little tired and stressed at home. No kidding this is to be expected.
But nevertheless things are looking up. And I remind myself constantly how much this is all a secret blessing to us in that I get to spend so many hours a day with my beautiful wife ! This is great remedy for any modern busy couple. I get to rediscover and enjoy her charming personality, and when could I or would I have ever really made that time?
This week we will apply for a childcare subsidy. Sure hope it works out !!! We and the kids would really appreciate it.
much love,
Steve
Well a lot has gone on this week, and it's time for an update.
First of all, last Sunday was Beta's birthday, and Easter. We were flush with visitors and many flowers, too, for much of the weekend.
This week we had a follow up with our orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hall, a pleasant stout 40 something with a humorous demeanor. His delivery is easing and I imagine he has dealt with enough trauma cases to know that people just want the facts, plain and simple. This is what he gave us, and amply showed the post-op xrays, which cryptically show all the metal parts with white hot precision.
When they cut off her casts, Beta nearly queased right out. Even (or especially) as a jeweller, the sight of metal sticking out of her skin at odd angles, and a 3" line of metal staples down her inner wrist. Maybe could inspire a new fashion line ? Or not.
I so wish I could have taken a picture of those staples. What I must post, though is a picture of the new streamlined casts which she will sport for the next month. They are a funky blue, weigh much less and they give her more mobility in the fingers than the clunky clubs she was originally wearing. On May 20, we have an appointment to get those off, and at that point they will pull the pins straight out of the bones - a supposedly painless maneuver.
On top of a physician followup, we were also able to meet the insurance adjuster (the same day), which proved to be an emotionally draining experience as he grilled over every detail of the accident and pulled details from seemingly every angle of Beta's life. I can't imagine how this must feel for the really tragic cases.
Also we have visited a naturopath, who Beta became the client of in a strange reversal of fate. Just 2 days before the accident the aforementioned practitioner had actually contacted Beta on a referral for jewellery (wedding bands), but at the moment her services are more useful to Beta. This proved to be a very informative and inspiring meeting, and if anyone is interested in naturopathic medicine, we will be happy to refer you. This woman knows her stuff and has a masters degree in medicine to boot.
As I write this, I am in Thunder Bay, fulfilling a two night commitment I had with my band. It seemed that we have had enough of a window of recuperation and a chance to commit some troops on the home help front to pull this off. Plus, we has gots to earn some cash here at some point ! Thanks to the 'troopers' who have come to help this weekend.
A word of warning: Stella has begun teething on numbers 7 and 8 (bottom), which has kept her (and us) waking up an extra amount of times this week. We are a little stressed, especially Silvija , who bless her heart has volunteered to sleep upstairs while I look after Beta's nighttime needs, and prepare nighttime remedies for our nocturnally active children. Kaspar has also developed a raspy cough which, though not contagious, contributes heavily to our interrupted sleeps.
We are all a little tired and stressed at home. No kidding this is to be expected.
But nevertheless things are looking up. And I remind myself constantly how much this is all a secret blessing to us in that I get to spend so many hours a day with my beautiful wife ! This is great remedy for any modern busy couple. I get to rediscover and enjoy her charming personality, and when could I or would I have ever really made that time?
This week we will apply for a childcare subsidy. Sure hope it works out !!! We and the kids would really appreciate it.
much love,
Steve
Friday, April 10, 2009
superhero shoutouts
This is one day I can reflect on the amazingness of friends.
On top of the aforementioned S, S, S, (see below) , This Good Friday 5 superheroes came over and rocked our world.
First, our gregarious world class hair dresser neighbor Pino surprised us by offering Beta a hair makeover.
Then Liga came and took our son Kaspar to the park, went shopping, and came home to make a lovely salad and BBQ for everyone.
Finally Kaiva and Crystal came and moved our beds from one room to another, the last leg of a bedroom restructuring that's been going on since before the accident.
The 5th superhero was Crystal's daughter Lydia, who just being herself, managed to entertain and keep spirits lifted, especially my kids'.
Alas all good things must come to an end... this evening I went off to work for the first time since the accident, and got only one bite of that terrific dinner.
I might add that my mood has also been elevated from having had the first reasonably good sleep in many nights.
-Steve
shit, shower and a shave
sorry, dont mean to be offensive....but well, beta just had a fab haircut by Pino, preceded by an amazing spa like bath and thorough wash by hubby steve..and .....you know..
beta's bad cough does not seem to be pneumonia..thank goodness. doc's just recommended that she get a bit of walks in.
well we tried to go out today but everything else took place instead...maybe another day...all good.
beta feels like a million bucks though and says that everyday she feels better and better..yaaaaay beta!
she looks amazing- the haircut is super!
sunday is her birthday by the way.
talk soon!
kaiva
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
addendum to she's back: about the meds
they were whacked at st mikes yesterday to have had her on a self administered dosing of morphine, especially after coming out of that surgery...
so of course every time she fell asleep the dose would expire and when she awoke she was in crazy pain pushing the button to get as much as she could to help with the pain...
so that is perhaps why it seemed so bad yesterday and this morning? she was up down up down. ..someone finally smartened up and got her on a regular dosage which would have been the smarter option yesterday...
kaiva
so of course every time she fell asleep the dose would expire and when she awoke she was in crazy pain pushing the button to get as much as she could to help with the pain...
so that is perhaps why it seemed so bad yesterday and this morning? she was up down up down. ..someone finally smartened up and got her on a regular dosage which would have been the smarter option yesterday...
kaiva
she's baaaaack!
yes, beta is at this moment sitting in her kitchen. the people around her with a glass of wine (omcis, steve, me, liga) and beta with champagne gingerale.
when i arrived for dinner much had changed since lunch...much to my surprise. apparently beta was free now to go, and once beta had found out that there was to be a new 82 yr old roommate in critical condition that would be having her vitals checked all night beta was ready and wanted to get checked out!
silvija arrived with some more dinner, but once it was decided between the 3 of them that beta would go home, silvija returned home to let steve come and pick her up. steve got to st mike's around 8pm. beta and i had been sitting with bags packed since 6pm!!! i bundled beta in her first clothes since the accident- the fab wife beater, big baggy cardigan sweater and baggy pants. and she was ready to roll. except for the socks. both omcis and steve forgot the homecoming socks. oh well. the car was warm enough.
the drive home was a little tense for me, as we did not put a seatbelt on beta, as it would have been perhaps jostling on her arms. i think we all may have been over aware of the fragility.
but steve drove carefully and slowly avoided bumps.
now here we are. liga showed up with a bit of wine. steve is getting beta's meds.
kabits tried to stay awake but crashed before mama got home.
beta signed her own release papers. yes she did.
kaiva
oh- and we stole a bed pan for just in case and got some waterproof tape to boot.
when i arrived for dinner much had changed since lunch...much to my surprise. apparently beta was free now to go, and once beta had found out that there was to be a new 82 yr old roommate in critical condition that would be having her vitals checked all night beta was ready and wanted to get checked out!
silvija arrived with some more dinner, but once it was decided between the 3 of them that beta would go home, silvija returned home to let steve come and pick her up. steve got to st mike's around 8pm. beta and i had been sitting with bags packed since 6pm!!! i bundled beta in her first clothes since the accident- the fab wife beater, big baggy cardigan sweater and baggy pants. and she was ready to roll. except for the socks. both omcis and steve forgot the homecoming socks. oh well. the car was warm enough.
the drive home was a little tense for me, as we did not put a seatbelt on beta, as it would have been perhaps jostling on her arms. i think we all may have been over aware of the fragility.
but steve drove carefully and slowly avoided bumps.
now here we are. liga showed up with a bit of wine. steve is getting beta's meds.
kabits tried to stay awake but crashed before mama got home.
beta signed her own release papers. yes she did.
kaiva
oh- and we stole a bed pan for just in case and got some waterproof tape to boot.
The Energizer Bunny
I'd like to send a shout out to Steve- a fixture in the hospital, walking around with an armful of papers and brochures and dossiers while rattling off the name of one resident who is now on holiday... and another who is taking over that aspect of her care... and that she has a follow up for her sinus injury on that day... and a follow up with Dr. Hall, the surgeon, on another...! Essentially, he's learned a foreign language (from a very distant planet) over the past 10 days.
This man is the Energizer Bunny of Beta's care (just in time for Easter). He is exhausted and overwhelmed yet he presses on to make sure that everything that can be done for Beta is done. Steve- you're wonderful! Please lean on us and allow us to support you too!
Christina
This man is the Energizer Bunny of Beta's care (just in time for Easter). He is exhausted and overwhelmed yet he presses on to make sure that everything that can be done for Beta is done. Steve- you're wonderful! Please lean on us and allow us to support you too!
Christina
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