Another day closer to going home

Another day closer to going home.  We had good day of physical therapy although Jane did get a nose bleed in the morning which was difficult to stop. Nosebleed was caused by the dry state of her nose (supplementary oxygen is very dry). And because of her blood thinners was hard to stop. Finally did after using a decongestant. But starting bleeding again tonight which was stopped in about an hour.  They will hold her blood thinners for a day or so to give it a chance to heal.

 

Appetite a little better but the gluten free food here doesn't have a lot of choices. But the ensure drinks are still working out well. :)

 

A lot of you have been wishing us congratulations for getting home pretty soon thank you very much for that! We will be home in week and it is a major milestone. However the hardships of recovery are far from being over.  We will have home health nurse visit to give medicine and change bandages from surgery.  We will have hospital visits at least once  week. As time goes on things will slowly get back to normal.

Still no tube feeds

Got another strong day of physical therapy under our belt today. They started Jane practicing things she would be doing when home. Like taking things out of refrigerator, stepping up and down off of curbs with walker, getting in and out of shower etc. The exercises have been very helpful. Jane is not using oxygen at rest just when gets moving and winded.  Still working on getting her appetite back but at least she has the ensure drinks. Still no tube feeds. Coming right along as expected. Endurance is slowly increasing each day. 

 

Friends have been telling me that even though we may not be here for the actual air show. We should see them practicing before we go :)

No time to eat

Today they kept Jane so busy with physical therapy and doctor visits she barely had time enough to eat. But then again her appetite is very small. Supplementary ensure drinks are working well she has enough calories to forgo the nightly tube  feedings.  Also today Jane is feeling comfortable enough to not use oxygen all the time. Now only when she feels out of breath.

Thanks for everyone's prayers!

El No Trach-o

Today they removed Jane's trach (Tracheostomy)  She has had it since the first week of the transplant and was used to connect her up to the ventilator. Remember those ventilator days? Now she has been off the ventilator for almost 3 weeks and won't going back so there is no need for her have the connection in her neck. All that remains now is 6mm hole which is bandaged and will heal over in a few days. 

 

Also today Jane walked 30 feet more in 6 minutes than last time. So slowly but surely getting stronger as we prepare for our discharge. In about 10 days. We are still working on her appetite so tube feeds can be totally stopped.  Dietitian started her on Ensure drinks to help her oral calorie intake.

Friday August 14th

Our official discharge date is set for Friday August 14th. Both Jane and I are glad we get an extra week of therapy and prep before we going home.  And just as much we are looking forward to be home again. 

 

We had another strong day of physical therapy today. Having a clear discharge date goal has given us more focus and plan on how to get most out of the remaining therapy. 

 

The only bad part of this date I just miss the Chicago air show  which is on 8/15. Could have watched from our window!

full two weeks

As of today we have been at RIC for a full two weeks. It has been a great place for physical therapy. They say it is the best in the country but for that I thought it would impress me more. But regardless we are very thankful for being here.  

 

I had mentioned earlier that they set an initial discharge date of 8/715. We are pretty sure that date will pushed out at least a week or more. Which is good.  We are relived . Both of us need a lot more rehab before we get sent home. 

 

And today was a good day. Got good physical therapy and did extra on our own. Jane walked the longest and fastest she had ever with me.  Still very far from where she was before transplant but slowly getting there. Her appetite is better but enough to sustain the work she is doing so she gets tube feeds at night to compensate...which by the way is one of the things we want to be free from before we go home. Thanks for all your friendship and prayers!

that pesky edema

Another quiet good today. We did not get scheduled for any physical therapy today which were disappointed in...but today is our scheduled day of rest.  We did therapy on our own to make up. We also had a visit from friends at church which made the afternoon very enjoyable. 

 

That being said if you ever want to come visit us please do we love the company. Only restrictions are no kids and don't come sick. And then stay around to enjoy for yourselves the lake, excellent restaurants and or shopping literally blocks away.  Parking is cheap.

 

All medical things with Jane are stable. Just that pesky edema (swelling) of her lower body.  And continued efforts to strengthen up.