Diaries

Warm and sunny today, We always get an afternoon thunderstorm. Today’s was just a couple of big claps of thunder and five minutes of rain.

I had both OT and PT today. Then later in the afternoon Al and I did a couple of laps around the driveway. Still sorting paperwork and balancing June’s bank statement.

I had the nurse out this morning to change the dressing on my pic line and the OT person came to help me with my shower.

With Al helping to get the stuff our of the fridge, I made my salad for lunch.

This afternoon I walked up and down the driveway and couple to times.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Things are moving along at a slow pace, I try  do something light and easy each day.

Frances headed back Winston this afternoon. Al is still here to help me.

I am working on getting into a home routine. I have to use my pic line to get my antibiotics three times a day. We adjusted the schedule to more reasonable hours for that.

I had both OT and PT come today. I still need assistance with the shower right now.

A slow process but We will get there eventually.

I was released from rehab this morning. Al drove my car down to pick me up since I could not climb up into his Ford 150. Spend the afternoon talking with the home health nurses. One will be my home visit nurse the other came out show me how to do my antibiotics with my pic line.

Still a long road ahead. I’m still on the walker and have a lot of back pain. As the infection goes down I should loose some of the pain and mobility issues.

Great to be back home. Al is staying with me.

Hello all, I got this from Frances regarding Barbara–

Hey Nick.  She is settled and ready to start a new chapter in getting better. Address is —

Novant Health Rehabilitation Hospital.
2475 Hillcrest Center Circle
Room Number 137
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103

Frances mentioned that Barbara has been doing adult coloring and that she likes doing the crossword puzzle. I’m sure a card would be appropriate too….

n

Hello all, Nick here passing along some info from Frances…

There is good news.  They are transferring Barbara to a rehab facility.  That means that outside of the picc line, she’s off of IV meds, and the infections are taken care of.  The exception being the one in her spine that is causing the pain and disability.  She’s looking at 6-8 weeks of treatment for that, hopefully with prompt and continued improvement.  They are not setting a schedule for when or under what conditions she can return home, she needs to get more mobile, get daily living chores under control, and get the pain under control before then.  However, she’s making progress, and getting out of the actual hospital.   Once she’s settled into the new facility, I’ll pass along contact info for cards or treats.  She’s aware of and grateful for the concern and support from our community.  I should have another update in a day or two.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,  nick

Hello to all of Barbara’s friends and relations.

This is Nick posting, with an update on Barbara’s condition and progress.

According to Frances, she’s making great improvements. The medical interventions are decreasing, and her pain is greatly reduced but still significant. She is able to be up and moving around, has asked for her books to read, and is hoping to move on to a rehab facility soon for more help before moving home. She knows so many people are concerned and asking about her.

Due to the restrictions at the hospital on staffing and visitors, waiting a bit longer before sending cards or other encouragement would probably be best. Frances and Al will forward anything sent to the house in the mean time.

Let us all hope and pray for Barbara’s continued recovery.

Thanks,

Nick

Hey everyone, Nick F here (sort of a co-admin for Barbara).

I just heard from Frances and the reason for Barbara’s lack of posting is that she’s in the hospital in Winston-Salem. Her condition is serious, but not dire at this point. They are working diligently to identify her problem and start addressing the causes and not just the symptoms. In the mean time, she is exhausted and in pain and won’t be posting until they can address those issues.

She has been tested several times for Covid-19 and is NEGATIVE at this time.

She doesn’t like being fussed over, so is not looking for cards or flowers at the moment, but if you send them to her home in Sparta they will get to her. (Although, again, she isn’t looking for that.)

There’s never a good time to go into a hospital with a serious illness and these times are scarier than normal, but she’s getting care and attention from the staff and family.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Thanks,

Nick

Update – 21 Jun 2020

Doctors have decide that Barbara has a staph infection and they are going to treat that with antibiotics. It will be a couple of months if everything goes well until she’s finally done, but hopefully she’ll see some improvement right away.