After 54 weeks in a hospital, Jerry arrived home a little before 12:30 PM. These pics and video say it all. Welcome home!Saturday, July 9, 2011
Home
After 54 weeks in a hospital, Jerry arrived home a little before 12:30 PM. These pics and video say it all. Welcome home!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Independence Day!
Hey Folks! We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend! Just like last year, Mom and Dad are spending the 4th of July in a hospital facility. The good news... the circumstances are a lot different. This time last year, Dad was just starting his journey down the GBS road. He had no movement in his extremeties, except for his toes, and the doctors were talking about the eventuality of putting a trach in to help Dad breath. One year later, Dad is off the trach, and all the other machines, and is learning how to walk again. Oh that road… what a long and winding course you turned out to be. Luckily, Dad is at the point of really making some significant progress. The facility he is at is teaching him how to care for himself again and working to get his body stronger. Dad’s attitude is to get it done so he can go home ASAP. Of course, that means working through a lot of pain and getting through each day with some sense of accomplishment… not matter how small. To me, this just proves that Dad is the unique man I always thought he was, and he will forever inspire me to be and do better. The video on this post was shot just a week ago, and Dad has already made more improvements. We’re posting this video to show everyone that your prayers and continued support are paying off. Just remember Dad when you’re finding it hard to get through your day or when you are faced with a stack of problems that seem imsurmountable. That’s what I do, and then I think, “What the heck am I worried about? This is nothing!” Take care of yourselves and be sure to drop Dad and Mom a line when you get a chance. Thanks again for all that you do. Team Jerry all the way!!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Just a little closer to home!
Hey everyone!
We've been away for a while and haven't been able to update the blog lately. But there are a lot of good things to report, so let's get right to it.
First, Dad has moved to an Acute Therapy unit here in Danville at the local hospital, Danville Regional. The floor is filled with patients like Dad who are in need of intensive therapy to get them back on their feet. Dad arrived there almost 2 weeks ago, and while things are not perfect (and they never will be), he is making the best of it and working hard to get home. They work him out early in the morning, usually finishing up after lunch time. But each session will continue to get a little longer and a little more intense until Dad is able to walk on his own.
Second, Dad's physical therapy is going well. Yesterday was Anna Leigh's 10th birthday (can you believe it?), and while Dad didn't make his goal of being able to stand up beside his bed and dance a little with her, you can see by the photograph that he was able to sit himself up on the side of his bed and do a little improv-dancing from a seated position. Dad has learned through this whole ordeal that while you might not always reach the goal you set for yourself, it's important to make the best out of the milestone that you do reach. Sounds like a lesson we could all learn from at times... especially me. Dad recently transitioned from the parallel bars to a walker, which is a sign that his body is slowly but surely getting stronger.
Third, Dad is finally rid of all tubes and ties to machines. Because Dad is doing so well with eating whole foods again, the doctors decided it was time to remove the feeding tube. To think it was just a few short weeks ago that Dad was back on the IV feedings because he was so sick and now he is finally rid of it just warms our hearts beyond description. You never know of the of miracles that are just around the corner.
Finally, Dad was able to see his new house in person during his transit from the Chatham facility to Danville. The driver was kind enough to take a minor detour through the subdivision, since it was on the way, so that dad could look at it for the first time. He loves the new house and can't wait to start living with Mom again. While they've been almost inseparable for the past 11 months, they are looking forward to the day when they can be in their own house, fighting over the remote and grilling out on the deck. Ahhh... good times for sure.
Well, that's it for now. We'll continue to update you as things progress. Be sure to drop Dad a line either by mail or phone when you get a chance. He loves to hear from his friends and family, as it gives him encouragement to continue these hard therapy sessions to get better.
Take care of yourselves and know that we are truly grateful to have such great family and friends such as you in our lives.
Team Jerry all the way!!!!
We've been away for a while and haven't been able to update the blog lately. But there are a lot of good things to report, so let's get right to it.
First, Dad has moved to an Acute Therapy unit here in Danville at the local hospital, Danville Regional. The floor is filled with patients like Dad who are in need of intensive therapy to get them back on their feet. Dad arrived there almost 2 weeks ago, and while things are not perfect (and they never will be), he is making the best of it and working hard to get home. They work him out early in the morning, usually finishing up after lunch time. But each session will continue to get a little longer and a little more intense until Dad is able to walk on his own.
Second, Dad's physical therapy is going well. Yesterday was Anna Leigh's 10th birthday (can you believe it?), and while Dad didn't make his goal of being able to stand up beside his bed and dance a little with her, you can see by the photograph that he was able to sit himself up on the side of his bed and do a little improv-dancing from a seated position. Dad has learned through this whole ordeal that while you might not always reach the goal you set for yourself, it's important to make the best out of the milestone that you do reach. Sounds like a lesson we could all learn from at times... especially me. Dad recently transitioned from the parallel bars to a walker, which is a sign that his body is slowly but surely getting stronger.
Third, Dad is finally rid of all tubes and ties to machines. Because Dad is doing so well with eating whole foods again, the doctors decided it was time to remove the feeding tube. To think it was just a few short weeks ago that Dad was back on the IV feedings because he was so sick and now he is finally rid of it just warms our hearts beyond description. You never know of the of miracles that are just around the corner.
Finally, Dad was able to see his new house in person during his transit from the Chatham facility to Danville. The driver was kind enough to take a minor detour through the subdivision, since it was on the way, so that dad could look at it for the first time. He loves the new house and can't wait to start living with Mom again. While they've been almost inseparable for the past 11 months, they are looking forward to the day when they can be in their own house, fighting over the remote and grilling out on the deck. Ahhh... good times for sure.
Well, that's it for now. We'll continue to update you as things progress. Be sure to drop Dad a line either by mail or phone when you get a chance. He loves to hear from his friends and family, as it gives him encouragement to continue these hard therapy sessions to get better.
Take care of yourselves and know that we are truly grateful to have such great family and friends such as you in our lives.
Team Jerry all the way!!!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Arrival
Jerry has safely arrived in Chatham! We will update when we have more to share. We are so grateful for this opportunity!
Team Jerry all the way!!!!
Team Jerry all the way!!!!
Correction!
Jerry is being moved to Chatham, not Gretna! Chatham is even closer to us than Gretna! We are still excited! He will be moved either today or as late as Monday. A few snags with paperwork, but he is coming home very soon! We will update as soon as he is here.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Biggest News EVER!
Tomorrow, Friday, May 20, our beloved father-in-law, husband, dad, and grandfather will be moved from Raleigh, NC to.........GRETNA, VA!!! Fifteen minutes from Mary Sue, 25 from Danville! We are so excited to share this news! It appears that after 15 days in Gretna he will move to intensive (4 times a day!) inpatient rehab at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Please pray for his transfer tomorrow and give thanks to God for this wonderful, incredible news!
Team Jerry all the way!
Please pray for his transfer tomorrow and give thanks to God for this wonderful, incredible news!
Team Jerry all the way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)