WOW! What a great post by Steve! I won't be quite as poetic but I thought I'd share a bit about my short visit with Beta (and Tania) this afternoon.
This girl is transformed from the last time I saw her (well, that was on her last day in the hospital, mind you)! She looks fresh and lively and has a distinct bounce in her step!
She is empowered as, with every day, she is improving in her mobility. She's adapting to her limits, having just worked out a way, together with Stella, to have her climb up her legs onto her lap. She is overjoyed to have slept solid, until 8am, for the first time in years (thanks to the naturopathic remedies). She speaks of the next days and weeks with positive anticipation. Of course, she recognizes that she has many hurdles to overcome but she is looking forward to her increased independance and eventual recovery.
I showed her the Facebook group which she was quite embarrassed and amused by. I scrolled through the 150+ members, many of whom she does not know. I told her that these are people who know of her, at least, via other friends, all of whom simply want to lend her some support. As strange as it is to see this, she seemed appreciative.
I was uplifted by this visit and drove home smiling!
Christina
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
streamlined arms
Hi,
Well a lot has gone on this week, and it's time for an update.
First of all, last Sunday was Beta's birthday, and Easter. We were flush with visitors and many flowers, too, for much of the weekend.
This week we had a follow up with our orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hall, a pleasant stout 40 something with a humorous demeanor. His delivery is easing and I imagine he has dealt with enough trauma cases to know that people just want the facts, plain and simple. This is what he gave us, and amply showed the post-op xrays, which cryptically show all the metal parts with white hot precision.
When they cut off her casts, Beta nearly queased right out. Even (or especially) as a jeweller, the sight of metal sticking out of her skin at odd angles, and a 3" line of metal staples down her inner wrist. Maybe could inspire a new fashion line ? Or not.
I so wish I could have taken a picture of those staples. What I must post, though is a picture of the new streamlined casts which she will sport for the next month. They are a funky blue, weigh much less and they give her more mobility in the fingers than the clunky clubs she was originally wearing. On May 20, we have an appointment to get those off, and at that point they will pull the pins straight out of the bones - a supposedly painless maneuver.
On top of a physician followup, we were also able to meet the insurance adjuster (the same day), which proved to be an emotionally draining experience as he grilled over every detail of the accident and pulled details from seemingly every angle of Beta's life. I can't imagine how this must feel for the really tragic cases.
Also we have visited a naturopath, who Beta became the client of in a strange reversal of fate. Just 2 days before the accident the aforementioned practitioner had actually contacted Beta on a referral for jewellery (wedding bands), but at the moment her services are more useful to Beta. This proved to be a very informative and inspiring meeting, and if anyone is interested in naturopathic medicine, we will be happy to refer you. This woman knows her stuff and has a masters degree in medicine to boot.
As I write this, I am in Thunder Bay, fulfilling a two night commitment I had with my band. It seemed that we have had enough of a window of recuperation and a chance to commit some troops on the home help front to pull this off. Plus, we has gots to earn some cash here at some point ! Thanks to the 'troopers' who have come to help this weekend.
A word of warning: Stella has begun teething on numbers 7 and 8 (bottom), which has kept her (and us) waking up an extra amount of times this week. We are a little stressed, especially Silvija , who bless her heart has volunteered to sleep upstairs while I look after Beta's nighttime needs, and prepare nighttime remedies for our nocturnally active children. Kaspar has also developed a raspy cough which, though not contagious, contributes heavily to our interrupted sleeps.
We are all a little tired and stressed at home. No kidding this is to be expected.
But nevertheless things are looking up. And I remind myself constantly how much this is all a secret blessing to us in that I get to spend so many hours a day with my beautiful wife ! This is great remedy for any modern busy couple. I get to rediscover and enjoy her charming personality, and when could I or would I have ever really made that time?
This week we will apply for a childcare subsidy. Sure hope it works out !!! We and the kids would really appreciate it.
much love,
Steve
Well a lot has gone on this week, and it's time for an update.
First of all, last Sunday was Beta's birthday, and Easter. We were flush with visitors and many flowers, too, for much of the weekend.
This week we had a follow up with our orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hall, a pleasant stout 40 something with a humorous demeanor. His delivery is easing and I imagine he has dealt with enough trauma cases to know that people just want the facts, plain and simple. This is what he gave us, and amply showed the post-op xrays, which cryptically show all the metal parts with white hot precision.
When they cut off her casts, Beta nearly queased right out. Even (or especially) as a jeweller, the sight of metal sticking out of her skin at odd angles, and a 3" line of metal staples down her inner wrist. Maybe could inspire a new fashion line ? Or not.
I so wish I could have taken a picture of those staples. What I must post, though is a picture of the new streamlined casts which she will sport for the next month. They are a funky blue, weigh much less and they give her more mobility in the fingers than the clunky clubs she was originally wearing. On May 20, we have an appointment to get those off, and at that point they will pull the pins straight out of the bones - a supposedly painless maneuver.
On top of a physician followup, we were also able to meet the insurance adjuster (the same day), which proved to be an emotionally draining experience as he grilled over every detail of the accident and pulled details from seemingly every angle of Beta's life. I can't imagine how this must feel for the really tragic cases.
Also we have visited a naturopath, who Beta became the client of in a strange reversal of fate. Just 2 days before the accident the aforementioned practitioner had actually contacted Beta on a referral for jewellery (wedding bands), but at the moment her services are more useful to Beta. This proved to be a very informative and inspiring meeting, and if anyone is interested in naturopathic medicine, we will be happy to refer you. This woman knows her stuff and has a masters degree in medicine to boot.
As I write this, I am in Thunder Bay, fulfilling a two night commitment I had with my band. It seemed that we have had enough of a window of recuperation and a chance to commit some troops on the home help front to pull this off. Plus, we has gots to earn some cash here at some point ! Thanks to the 'troopers' who have come to help this weekend.
A word of warning: Stella has begun teething on numbers 7 and 8 (bottom), which has kept her (and us) waking up an extra amount of times this week. We are a little stressed, especially Silvija , who bless her heart has volunteered to sleep upstairs while I look after Beta's nighttime needs, and prepare nighttime remedies for our nocturnally active children. Kaspar has also developed a raspy cough which, though not contagious, contributes heavily to our interrupted sleeps.
We are all a little tired and stressed at home. No kidding this is to be expected.
But nevertheless things are looking up. And I remind myself constantly how much this is all a secret blessing to us in that I get to spend so many hours a day with my beautiful wife ! This is great remedy for any modern busy couple. I get to rediscover and enjoy her charming personality, and when could I or would I have ever really made that time?
This week we will apply for a childcare subsidy. Sure hope it works out !!! We and the kids would really appreciate it.
much love,
Steve
Friday, April 10, 2009
superhero shoutouts
This is one day I can reflect on the amazingness of friends.
On top of the aforementioned S, S, S, (see below) , This Good Friday 5 superheroes came over and rocked our world.
First, our gregarious world class hair dresser neighbor Pino surprised us by offering Beta a hair makeover.
Then Liga came and took our son Kaspar to the park, went shopping, and came home to make a lovely salad and BBQ for everyone.
Finally Kaiva and Crystal came and moved our beds from one room to another, the last leg of a bedroom restructuring that's been going on since before the accident.
The 5th superhero was Crystal's daughter Lydia, who just being herself, managed to entertain and keep spirits lifted, especially my kids'.
Alas all good things must come to an end... this evening I went off to work for the first time since the accident, and got only one bite of that terrific dinner.
I might add that my mood has also been elevated from having had the first reasonably good sleep in many nights.
-Steve
shit, shower and a shave
sorry, dont mean to be offensive....but well, beta just had a fab haircut by Pino, preceded by an amazing spa like bath and thorough wash by hubby steve..and .....you know..
beta's bad cough does not seem to be pneumonia..thank goodness. doc's just recommended that she get a bit of walks in.
well we tried to go out today but everything else took place instead...maybe another day...all good.
beta feels like a million bucks though and says that everyday she feels better and better..yaaaaay beta!
she looks amazing- the haircut is super!
sunday is her birthday by the way.
talk soon!
kaiva
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
addendum to she's back: about the meds
they were whacked at st mikes yesterday to have had her on a self administered dosing of morphine, especially after coming out of that surgery...
so of course every time she fell asleep the dose would expire and when she awoke she was in crazy pain pushing the button to get as much as she could to help with the pain...
so that is perhaps why it seemed so bad yesterday and this morning? she was up down up down. ..someone finally smartened up and got her on a regular dosage which would have been the smarter option yesterday...
kaiva
so of course every time she fell asleep the dose would expire and when she awoke she was in crazy pain pushing the button to get as much as she could to help with the pain...
so that is perhaps why it seemed so bad yesterday and this morning? she was up down up down. ..someone finally smartened up and got her on a regular dosage which would have been the smarter option yesterday...
kaiva
she's baaaaack!
yes, beta is at this moment sitting in her kitchen. the people around her with a glass of wine (omcis, steve, me, liga) and beta with champagne gingerale.
when i arrived for dinner much had changed since lunch...much to my surprise. apparently beta was free now to go, and once beta had found out that there was to be a new 82 yr old roommate in critical condition that would be having her vitals checked all night beta was ready and wanted to get checked out!
silvija arrived with some more dinner, but once it was decided between the 3 of them that beta would go home, silvija returned home to let steve come and pick her up. steve got to st mike's around 8pm. beta and i had been sitting with bags packed since 6pm!!! i bundled beta in her first clothes since the accident- the fab wife beater, big baggy cardigan sweater and baggy pants. and she was ready to roll. except for the socks. both omcis and steve forgot the homecoming socks. oh well. the car was warm enough.
the drive home was a little tense for me, as we did not put a seatbelt on beta, as it would have been perhaps jostling on her arms. i think we all may have been over aware of the fragility.
but steve drove carefully and slowly avoided bumps.
now here we are. liga showed up with a bit of wine. steve is getting beta's meds.
kabits tried to stay awake but crashed before mama got home.
beta signed her own release papers. yes she did.
kaiva
oh- and we stole a bed pan for just in case and got some waterproof tape to boot.
when i arrived for dinner much had changed since lunch...much to my surprise. apparently beta was free now to go, and once beta had found out that there was to be a new 82 yr old roommate in critical condition that would be having her vitals checked all night beta was ready and wanted to get checked out!
silvija arrived with some more dinner, but once it was decided between the 3 of them that beta would go home, silvija returned home to let steve come and pick her up. steve got to st mike's around 8pm. beta and i had been sitting with bags packed since 6pm!!! i bundled beta in her first clothes since the accident- the fab wife beater, big baggy cardigan sweater and baggy pants. and she was ready to roll. except for the socks. both omcis and steve forgot the homecoming socks. oh well. the car was warm enough.
the drive home was a little tense for me, as we did not put a seatbelt on beta, as it would have been perhaps jostling on her arms. i think we all may have been over aware of the fragility.
but steve drove carefully and slowly avoided bumps.
now here we are. liga showed up with a bit of wine. steve is getting beta's meds.
kabits tried to stay awake but crashed before mama got home.
beta signed her own release papers. yes she did.
kaiva
oh- and we stole a bed pan for just in case and got some waterproof tape to boot.
The Energizer Bunny
I'd like to send a shout out to Steve- a fixture in the hospital, walking around with an armful of papers and brochures and dossiers while rattling off the name of one resident who is now on holiday... and another who is taking over that aspect of her care... and that she has a follow up for her sinus injury on that day... and a follow up with Dr. Hall, the surgeon, on another...! Essentially, he's learned a foreign language (from a very distant planet) over the past 10 days.
This man is the Energizer Bunny of Beta's care (just in time for Easter). He is exhausted and overwhelmed yet he presses on to make sure that everything that can be done for Beta is done. Steve- you're wonderful! Please lean on us and allow us to support you too!
Christina
This man is the Energizer Bunny of Beta's care (just in time for Easter). He is exhausted and overwhelmed yet he presses on to make sure that everything that can be done for Beta is done. Steve- you're wonderful! Please lean on us and allow us to support you too!
Christina
Monday, April 6, 2009
PLATES & PINS
I was able to summon the resident doctor within about an hour post-op, who clearly laid out the procedures that were done:
Right elbow - stress tested and determined not fractured enough.
Right wrist - 3 pins to be removed in two weeks
Left wrist - more complicated, requiring a plate and 3" incision on underside, 2 pins, and a wire used from the outer side to place the bone that is supported by the plate.
Sinus injury - could not be addressed because the MRI or CT was not sent from Mt. Sinai to St. Mike's with the rest of her file.
Tomorrow I will be at St. Mike's at 6 AM convincing a doctor to assign a social worker on our case (it's not automatic at this hospital). Then it's over to Mt. Sinai to physically obtain her MRI CD, and on to floor 11, where I will politely press the team there to tell me WHY THE !@#$ DID YOU NOT SEND AN MRI OF BETA'S FACE INJURY WITH HER TO ST. MIKE'S ????
It's unbelievable that the doctor's at St. Michael's never received this with her file. Though it may be a stroke of luck to delay her release a bit longer (for recovery reasons), her sinus injury seems to have been mishandled the whole way along. The main focus by all has been the wrists, but some acquaintances have illustrated, and I will second, that such a sinus fracture could still have potentially harmful consequences. Look it up.
As Crystal just blogged below, Beta, and her associates are all relieved that the surgery has now taken place. it really feels like we can begin on the road to recovery. Soon enough we'll be again one happy family back home, with but one extra mouth to feed.
This morning, Sylvija and I chose to surprise Beta (pre-op) by bringing in Stella. We broke our own rules because originally we thought it would be too upsetting for our formerly suckling infant to witness. As it turns out, the morning visit upset Beta at first, who could've sworn that Stella didn't recognize her ! I think on the contrary, Stella was just cautiously sizing her mom up. Even our baby seemed to know that you can't just jump into a person's arms who is lying down wearing two casts and hideous blue frock.
And finally, as Crystal was speaking of Beta's humourus spirit towards the situation, I believe I can quote her half joking that she will be in a "painorama of pain" for the next couple of days. Anyone who doesn't agree should try putting 1/8" pins through their wrist bones.
goodnight,
-Steve
Right elbow - stress tested and determined not fractured enough.
Right wrist - 3 pins to be removed in two weeks
Left wrist - more complicated, requiring a plate and 3" incision on underside, 2 pins, and a wire used from the outer side to place the bone that is supported by the plate.
Sinus injury - could not be addressed because the MRI or CT was not sent from Mt. Sinai to St. Mike's with the rest of her file.
Tomorrow I will be at St. Mike's at 6 AM convincing a doctor to assign a social worker on our case (it's not automatic at this hospital). Then it's over to Mt. Sinai to physically obtain her MRI CD, and on to floor 11, where I will politely press the team there to tell me WHY THE !@#$ DID YOU NOT SEND AN MRI OF BETA'S FACE INJURY WITH HER TO ST. MIKE'S ????
It's unbelievable that the doctor's at St. Michael's never received this with her file. Though it may be a stroke of luck to delay her release a bit longer (for recovery reasons), her sinus injury seems to have been mishandled the whole way along. The main focus by all has been the wrists, but some acquaintances have illustrated, and I will second, that such a sinus fracture could still have potentially harmful consequences. Look it up.
As Crystal just blogged below, Beta, and her associates are all relieved that the surgery has now taken place. it really feels like we can begin on the road to recovery. Soon enough we'll be again one happy family back home, with but one extra mouth to feed.
This morning, Sylvija and I chose to surprise Beta (pre-op) by bringing in Stella. We broke our own rules because originally we thought it would be too upsetting for our formerly suckling infant to witness. As it turns out, the morning visit upset Beta at first, who could've sworn that Stella didn't recognize her ! I think on the contrary, Stella was just cautiously sizing her mom up. Even our baby seemed to know that you can't just jump into a person's arms who is lying down wearing two casts and hideous blue frock.
And finally, as Crystal was speaking of Beta's humourus spirit towards the situation, I believe I can quote her half joking that she will be in a "painorama of pain" for the next couple of days. Anyone who doesn't agree should try putting 1/8" pins through their wrist bones.
goodnight,
-Steve
Sunday, April 5, 2009
On the road to recovery...
I went to see Beta this evening and she is doing really well. She is sleepy from the anasthesia and the morphine they are giving her for pain management, but still has a great sense of humour. Her spirits we uplifted by the doctors suggestion that she might only have the casts on for a month.
Crystal
Crystal
Two Superheroes and a Pirate
Well, I'm at home with two superheroes (mine) and a pirate (Beta's). The three of them are having a ball. K was surprisingly unaffected by Steve leaving him in my care. Phew!
Meanwhile, Beta should be in surgery as I write this, if all went ahead according to this morning's plan. Steve is taking care of the other little one while Silvija waits at the hospital.
Say a little prayer for a successful surgery!
: )
Christina
Let's operate !
Today was yet another exercise in the futility of waiting. Another day of Kaspar and Stella feeling mom's absence. With Kaspar it has been words, and a bit of a break down at school this morning. He hugged me, bawling so hard he made me cry. Stella is doing her best to say "ma-ma" almost as well as she can say "oh-oh".
Menwhile Beta has spent another day of hoping/waiting, and has furthered her abilities to get up and down off the bed by herself (all hail those early childhood sit-ups !). Also she is getting her fill of visitors, and catching up movies, something a new mom with two jobs never could enjoy otherwise. Best so far I think - "Juno"
Let's hope that Sunday will be the final "no feed" day, and Dr. Hall will get a chance to get in there and operate.
This morning members of Beta's tight support group convened at our place to discuss methods of helping my wife through the coming challenge of operating hands free. Namely Sylvija, Liga, Crystal, Christina, Kaiva, Allison, and Tania.
These people are indespensible.
I want to say thanks to my family and friends, my understanding band and Beta's friends, clients and working partners for showing sympathy and support, and keeping her in their thoughts and prayers.
It been some long days. I must now sleep.
-Steve
Menwhile Beta has spent another day of hoping/waiting, and has furthered her abilities to get up and down off the bed by herself (all hail those early childhood sit-ups !). Also she is getting her fill of visitors, and catching up movies, something a new mom with two jobs never could enjoy otherwise. Best so far I think - "Juno"
Let's hope that Sunday will be the final "no feed" day, and Dr. Hall will get a chance to get in there and operate.
This morning members of Beta's tight support group convened at our place to discuss methods of helping my wife through the coming challenge of operating hands free. Namely Sylvija, Liga, Crystal, Christina, Kaiva, Allison, and Tania.
These people are indespensible.
I want to say thanks to my family and friends, my understanding band and Beta's friends, clients and working partners for showing sympathy and support, and keeping her in their thoughts and prayers.
It been some long days. I must now sleep.
-Steve
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Waiting, waiting, and more waiting...
I spent several hours with Beta this afternoon and overlapped with Steve and two other friends. She is in a semi-private room with no neighbour, which is a huge improvement over the conditions at Mt. Sinai.
Beta's demeanour was a little low having hit the one week mark since the accident. That pretty much adds up to one week of waiting. And the waiting continues as her doctor is ready to go with the operation but they are waiting for an available operating room. She is in a very central urban hospital which takes on many trauma patients. They take priority with the o.r.'s, which Beta understands, of course. But it's not easy. When I left she was losing hope that the operation would happen today. If so, we'll hope for tomorrow.
She's no longer on the morphine drip but, instead, taking Percocet orally which her doctor, with good humour, informed her has a very high street value. Me, I know nothing about these things having only heard of Percocet from being an avid fan of the tv show 'House'.
We spoke a bit about life after the operation. She remains positive that she will recover fully but also realistic that it will take time. I reminded her that the support that awaits her is very broad and very strong.
I told her about our blog and the Facebook page. Although she's embarassed by all the attention I explained that these have been created to manage the outpouring of well wishes and offers of help. It just goes to show how valued she is by so many people.
I will likely see her again on Tuesday, if not sooner. I will try to take a laptop along (and hope for wireless internet) so that I can share the blog and the FB page with her.
Tomorrow her son will spend the day at our house with my two boys. That'll be a whirlwind!
Christina
Beta's demeanour was a little low having hit the one week mark since the accident. That pretty much adds up to one week of waiting. And the waiting continues as her doctor is ready to go with the operation but they are waiting for an available operating room. She is in a very central urban hospital which takes on many trauma patients. They take priority with the o.r.'s, which Beta understands, of course. But it's not easy. When I left she was losing hope that the operation would happen today. If so, we'll hope for tomorrow.
She's no longer on the morphine drip but, instead, taking Percocet orally which her doctor, with good humour, informed her has a very high street value. Me, I know nothing about these things having only heard of Percocet from being an avid fan of the tv show 'House'.
We spoke a bit about life after the operation. She remains positive that she will recover fully but also realistic that it will take time. I reminded her that the support that awaits her is very broad and very strong.
I told her about our blog and the Facebook page. Although she's embarassed by all the attention I explained that these have been created to manage the outpouring of well wishes and offers of help. It just goes to show how valued she is by so many people.
I will likely see her again on Tuesday, if not sooner. I will try to take a laptop along (and hope for wireless internet) so that I can share the blog and the FB page with her.
Tomorrow her son will spend the day at our house with my two boys. That'll be a whirlwind!
Christina
Friday, April 3, 2009
I went to see Beta this evening at St. Mikes. The accomodations are much better as she is alone in a double room. She went for new x-rays and had a good dinner as she is on do not feed as of midnight. There is a 80-90% chance that the surgery will take place tomorrow. She was in amazing spirits considering the week she has had.
Crystal
Crystal
Welcome!
As many of you already know, Beta had a very serious accident while riding her bike on March 28th. She sustained two broken wrists, a fractured elbow, and a broken cheekbone. She remains in hospital awaiting an intricate surgery to repair these injuries.
Since Beta has a very broad circle of family and friends all over the world, we have set up this blog to share with you news of what is going on towards her recovery.
The great outpouring of love and support that has been sent her way this week has not only kept Beta positive, it has also helped Steve and Silvija during some very stressful days.
Please check in regularly as her family and friends on the front lines will provide all updates in this forum. We encourage you to send back a comment on this blog for Beta and her family. We will read these to her on a regular basis.
Christina
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)