As most of you know by now, our trip to Australia and New Zealand scheduled for September 28 had to be postponed. Janie had a fall and did some serious damage to her hip and leg 5 days before the trip. She had surgery on September 25 and spent a total of 25 days in the hospital and rehab. She came home Monday! We expect the next several months to be challenging but we are both committed to making progress as quickly as possible.
Our first day home was challenging to begin with because we had to get used to doing things differently from at the skilled nursing center. You don’t realize how complicated simple tasks can be or how much difference an inch or two in furniture height can make until you have to negotiate getting in and out of a wheelchair. And I’m not even the one who has to do it! We also didn’t have all the right equipment at first. It’s amazing how many miscommunications occurred between health care providers along the way. We’ve found already that we are improving quickly in our transfer techniques with practice, and Janie has started home physical and occupational therapy. Her attitude remains upbeat and eager to work, in spite of how much it takes out of her.
Leslie has been a great help, and considering that she is working full time and lives 20 miles away, she is going above and beyond! Our nephew, Pete, has also been quite helpful, and we’ve had offers of help from many others, so thank you all.
We expect that our excursions will be very limited for a while. At this point, Janie has not practiced getting in and out of a car, and she’ll need to build up her strength in order to do it. She’ll need a great deal of help around the house, so thankfully, I am retired and available. As a result, we will not be traveling and I will probably not be doing much in the way of woodworking or taking pictures.
I did have a chance to make a step platform for her based on one they had at the rehab facility, so I am able to include one picture with this post!
I don’t mind staying home—we feel closer to each other when we have to help each other out. Also, I have lots of things at home that I never seem to get around to, including editing and posting pictures from several past trips. So I am looking forward to using the time to catch up on those things. You will probably see several posts from me in the near future with new pictures from old trips.
I’m so sorry to hear about Janie’s fall. She sure has had her share of problems in that regard. She seems pretty resilient though. It’s fortunate that you are retired and able to be there for her. I was looking forward to “traveling” to Australia and New Zealand with you as Frank and I had once talked about going there but will never make it. However, what’s more important is Janie’s recovery and well-being. I wish you both well.
Friday aft 10/23/2015
Hi Rich and Janie and Leslie,
I am also catching up and have enjoyed your recent blog. You do have a lot to catch up with. I know it will take awhile. I am feeling sort of OK but not much energy for extras. Love to everyone. Mom/ Gramma