I apologize for the delay in postings. I (Arliss) returned home from visiting her 3 days ago. Linda arrived again the day after I left. Of course, Marlo, her friend Charlie, and son Kel have been there for her as well.
The first couple of days while I was there, Marie was still in excruciating pain. She would cry out that her legs felt like they were going to "explode". She had five horrible nights (post surgery of her left leg) of trying to sleep and balance pain medications and anxiety.
At the first of the week, Marie was doing well. She has started a regular daily regime of physical therapy. Marie has been a champ at gritting through the pain as they bend her knees and lift her legs. She then is moved to a wheelchair beside her bed. This is more of a challenge then most of us realize. For instance, Marie cannot lift or support her own legs. It takes three people to lift her and slide her to the chair. She is forced to trust someone to "hold" her legs, without bending, raising, or lowering, or even dropping them. Bending them even half an inch causes excruciating pain. She is so funny as she has learned to trust only certain people to do it properly. The poor little (skinny) nurse that tried to help one day was surprised to hear Marie say, "She is too small to help me!" The nurse was very sweet and understood that Marie was speaking out of fear of pain.
Marie's own physical strength amazes the therapists. She is able to grab on to her trapeze and lift her own body upwards with her arm strength. She can also lift her own legs upwards and in and out, even with the heaviness of the casts.
Every other day we wash her hair. So sorry to the housekeeping. We have found it easier to do it as she sits up in the wheelchair. With a plastic bag behind her head and back, we let a ton of water roll into a trash can. Having clean hair is one thing that has helped her spirits.
Marie still cannot feel her left toes and foot. Doctors best diagnosis of this for now are still nerve damage from her upper leg, and possibly due to a previous condition she has had for years, called leg parasthesia. Leg parasthesis is a restriction of blood flow in her left leg. Time will tell.
It was hard to leave her incredibly sweet spirit, frail, broken body behind. As I left her in tears, her last words to me were, "I will be okay." Oh, how does a mother leave a child? Perhaps it is like when our Father in Heaven said good bye to his only begotten son as he was sent to earth to experience so much pain and torment. Did the Savior turn to his Father and say, "I will be okay?"
Good spirits and occasional smiles lasted a couple of days more, but now Marie is faced with another challenge. The doctors says she is ready to move to a rehabilitation center. Linda has been researching the options. Based on Marie's circumstances, an acute care rehabilitation center (which would be an optimum facility with a trauma based emphasis) is not one of them. What is left is an alternative nursing home type of a facility. This has been a set back for Marie. She now struggles with facing the move, changes, trust, homesickness, and depression. Marie has always been one to love, love, love her privacy as well as the comfort of her own bed, linens, and blankets. We know this is part of her challenge, and we know that the Lord will not leave her comfortless. We just pray to find the best facility possible, with good people to help her continue to fight a good fight.
We love you Marie. You are a survivor. Let nothing stand in your way to overcome this trial in your life. Trust in the Lord and that he has a plan for you. He wants all of us to find happiness in this life and in the next. We all need to trust him. Marie, none of us know your pain, your heartaches, and struggles, however, your Savior does. Pray for help, comfort, and strength. We must go through the pain to become stronger. He loves you as we all do... and we will be by your side.
Her current needs are: Love, support, encouragement, visitors, and as always, prayers.
The first couple of days while I was there, Marie was still in excruciating pain. She would cry out that her legs felt like they were going to "explode". She had five horrible nights (post surgery of her left leg) of trying to sleep and balance pain medications and anxiety.
At the first of the week, Marie was doing well. She has started a regular daily regime of physical therapy. Marie has been a champ at gritting through the pain as they bend her knees and lift her legs. She then is moved to a wheelchair beside her bed. This is more of a challenge then most of us realize. For instance, Marie cannot lift or support her own legs. It takes three people to lift her and slide her to the chair. She is forced to trust someone to "hold" her legs, without bending, raising, or lowering, or even dropping them. Bending them even half an inch causes excruciating pain. She is so funny as she has learned to trust only certain people to do it properly. The poor little (skinny) nurse that tried to help one day was surprised to hear Marie say, "She is too small to help me!" The nurse was very sweet and understood that Marie was speaking out of fear of pain.
Marie's own physical strength amazes the therapists. She is able to grab on to her trapeze and lift her own body upwards with her arm strength. She can also lift her own legs upwards and in and out, even with the heaviness of the casts.
Every other day we wash her hair. So sorry to the housekeeping. We have found it easier to do it as she sits up in the wheelchair. With a plastic bag behind her head and back, we let a ton of water roll into a trash can. Having clean hair is one thing that has helped her spirits.
Marie still cannot feel her left toes and foot. Doctors best diagnosis of this for now are still nerve damage from her upper leg, and possibly due to a previous condition she has had for years, called leg parasthesia. Leg parasthesis is a restriction of blood flow in her left leg. Time will tell.
It was hard to leave her incredibly sweet spirit, frail, broken body behind. As I left her in tears, her last words to me were, "I will be okay." Oh, how does a mother leave a child? Perhaps it is like when our Father in Heaven said good bye to his only begotten son as he was sent to earth to experience so much pain and torment. Did the Savior turn to his Father and say, "I will be okay?"
Good spirits and occasional smiles lasted a couple of days more, but now Marie is faced with another challenge. The doctors says she is ready to move to a rehabilitation center. Linda has been researching the options. Based on Marie's circumstances, an acute care rehabilitation center (which would be an optimum facility with a trauma based emphasis) is not one of them. What is left is an alternative nursing home type of a facility. This has been a set back for Marie. She now struggles with facing the move, changes, trust, homesickness, and depression. Marie has always been one to love, love, love her privacy as well as the comfort of her own bed, linens, and blankets. We know this is part of her challenge, and we know that the Lord will not leave her comfortless. We just pray to find the best facility possible, with good people to help her continue to fight a good fight.
We love you Marie. You are a survivor. Let nothing stand in your way to overcome this trial in your life. Trust in the Lord and that he has a plan for you. He wants all of us to find happiness in this life and in the next. We all need to trust him. Marie, none of us know your pain, your heartaches, and struggles, however, your Savior does. Pray for help, comfort, and strength. We must go through the pain to become stronger. He loves you as we all do... and we will be by your side.
Her current needs are: Love, support, encouragement, visitors, and as always, prayers.