ah, ch ch ch changes

So the only constant is change in my life right now.  Although I like the security of knowing that I could provide health care for my family, Randy and I have revisited the issue and have decided that I should continue to work at DTOU and not look for outside employment.  It would just be too much change for our family right now.  I just need to work on my faith that things are going to be okay financially for us.
Randy is healing each day.  He is more down than up the last few days, but I am going to take some of the blame for that.  I think my worry has spilled over on to him.  When your main financial provider can no longer work to support a family it can be scary.  Especially without the physical ability to change the situation.  Perhaps we are having a faith building opportunity?
I just read the last few comments.  Thank you Jenny!  Tanner is always up for a new friend so I will try to call you soon.  It would be a big help.  And thank you Tina.  I also appreciate your offer.  I keep meaning to call you for a play date, I just tend to get a bit overwhelmed when I am at home and I forget.
I am going to work on my new positive outlook and keep the faith.  Wish me luck!  We all know I'm going to need it. LOL

what to do?

Randy is having drug with-drawls.  They are hard to watch.  Hard for him to go through.  But I remind him each time that Cooper did the same thing the last month or so of his hospital stay.  To me it's a little bit exciting because this should mean that we are close to the end! (I hope)
He still hurts and sheds some tears.  He is having a down day.  It's so weird really.  Randy is never down.  I was able to cheer him up and get him to eat.  I told him I thought he was immune to being depressed.  He smiled.  He sure is wishing he could do something; anything.
We showered his legs last night and I put lotion on them.  I even shaved some of his leg hair to make it so his ted hose won't pull quite as much.  His hair was too much for my razor so he still has lots of hair.
This morning his blood level was too low.  So his blood is thin.  His right ankle has been hurting and we discovered he has a little crack type bruise on the crease.  I put neosporin on it and it's getting better.
He slept without his ted hose on for the first time.  His sheets were covered in dead skin by morning.  Yuck.  So he was lucky and got two sets of clean sheets in 12 hours.  Isn't his nurse so nice? :)
As Randy won't be able to work full time for at least one year; (even he realizes this now) I have started to look for employment that offers medical benefits for my family.  I currently work at Dyslexia Tutoring of Utah.  I love what I do and it is very rewarding.  The pay is excellent!  There are no benefits however.  So if anyone knows of something that I could do and still be home for my kids after school please let me know.
The bishop has been very kind and offered what help he could.  Even with this help we are still short $650 a month without paying any medical bills.  We can sustain this for a while.   But I really do hate to be on assistance.  Therefore I am just trying to stay open to possibilities.

All of the stitches are out

 The right foot.

All of the stitches are out!  This time they used a knife instead of scissors.  Randy said it didn't hurt as bad as the scissors did.  Less tugging.  After the  stitches were out we put his ted hose back on.  Kara showed me a trick to putting them on.  I was still not able to get them all the way on.  Randy's ankle is just too tender and swollen to make it work out on his right leg.  He doesn't have as much movement as the other ankle.
With all of the stitches out he can now get his legs wet.  NOT soak them, but they could get wet in the shower.  So no more bags if he wants to take the ted hose on and off.  Which he doesn't yet.
Everything looked good. (they only looked at the right leg.)  We got a refill (new prescription) on his pain meds.  His body is going through withdrawals of the medicine.  He is dizzy,  getting headaches, and his stomach is upset.
The doctor said we don't have to uses the oxygen any more.  I called the delivery people to take it back.  They need a doctors note.  I called the doctor to call the delivery people to cancel the oxygen.  No word yet if that happened.  I hope it will be soon so we don't have to pay another month of fee's for it.
The Shelton's van that we borrow is broken.  I took it to Orem to see if Kara's work could fix it.  It needs a new circuit board in order for the ramp to work.  The hinges need to be replaced for the door not to shut on itself in the wind.
We were not able to get the lift to work for Randy's appointment on Tue.  I put some boards down to use as a ramp to put Randy inside.  He didn't go for that.  So I ran inside to get his transfer board.  We finally figured out how to take the seat out of my van.  He was able to get from his chair to the floor of our van.  Then scoot back into the back seat somehow.  I didn't see how he gets from the ground to the seat.  But he was much more comfortable in transport sitting forward.  He said there was less jostling around this way as well.  So it looks like we wont need to borrow anymore.
Later that day I was able to rush off to the DLD to get a handicap tag for our van.  We were lucky enough to have a built in one when borrowing Shelton's van.  But now we have our own temporary one.  We don't plan on going anywhere just yet.  Our next doctor appointment isn't for another month.  I am so happy for this news:)
I was even able to make a doctor appointment for myself and for Cooper.  Imagine that.

Sat Feb 19= a hard day

Last night Tricia and Justin came for a visit and brought dinner.  We ate together at the table with Randy.  Mark Rosen stopped by and we all had a great visit.  After a while Randy had to go lie down so we moved our party to the bedroom.  It was so nice to feel normal again.  Justin brought his old wheel chair for us to use when Randy can stand.
This morning I had work training, then I went to Mr. Cooper's viewing.  When I arrived home Randy was in tears.  The pain was too great.  He wept for a while so I called his doctor.  When the on call person called me back they said by law they are not able to give out pain meds over the phone or on the weekend.   He said I would have to take him to the E.R.  So I asked what I could do with what we had on hand.
He recommended cutting his pills in half and taking one and a half.  I also took off the boot from his right foot to ease the swelling.  After a while that seemed to do the job.

Karly was willing to let me drive with her tonight.  I had such a great time.  I can't believe my baby can drive!  When I said this Karly said, "see, this is why I didn't want to do this with you."  But really; we did great together and it was fun.

Friday Feb 18

I was able to help Randy put on his new tights today.  It was very painful for him.  The right leg was so painful that they are not all the way on yet.  The nurses came right as we were finishing up with this.  They checked his pulse and wondered what I had done to him.  They thought I had gotten him up!  But it was just the pain of putting his tights on.   His blood is finally at therapeutic levels today as well.
We saws the spine doctor today.  He said Randy's spine is looking like it is healing well.  He has one burst, and one compound compression, and several other compressions.  He didn't tell me how many, just kept saying several.  He also wanted to know all the details of the fall.  He used to climb, he says, and has a bad knee to prove it.

Any how Randy can take off the brace to sleep and shower and we go back in one month for a follow up.  Here are the pictures of his legs from this morning before I got his tights on.

I am asking any body out there for a favor.  I am borrowing Shelton's van and it needs a few tiny things done to it.  The bolts are still in the van from where the seat used to be.  The wheel chair gets snagged on them all the time.  If anyone has  a large enough tool to remove those, and is willing please contact me. (you can call or leave a comment).  Also the one door of her van no longer latches open.  It is on the opposite side of the control switch.  This makes it inconvenient to operate and hold the opposite door open while loading and unloading my patient and her son.  Is anyone out there able to help repair this?
*update*  Kara Kresser has saved the day!  The people where she works said they would work on the van for free!!  Ah, my favorite # and color is now free.  Thank you all so much!!  I will be taking it to Lehi, but that's so worth it.
Kara also mentioned that there is a device for putting on ted hose.  Who knew?  We may have to give this a try for the right foot.  Poor Randy.  What I didn't tell you is that while I was gently trying to put it on I was saying, " this is for not having accident insurance, and this is for not having your friends call me, and this is for not staying home with me."  I was totally joking, and I was really being gentle.  But it still made me smile.  Even funnier is that Cooper keeps saying, "just move dad's ankle with your hand." when Randy is trying to circle his ankle for therapy.  Even Randy let out a laughing No oh oh.. when he says it.  I now stand guard by Randy when his boots are off.  I know the kids wouldn't touch him, but Randy is feeling a little vulnerable about it.  We both explained how hurt Randy is and how we can't 'make' his body move.  They understand.  Even Cooper said he was just joking.

Thursday Feb 17 2011

Today Randy was able to move his ankles a tiny bit.  Not even close to a circle.  More of a twitch.  But enough that it gave him hope.  And it was more than yesterday.  He is getting quite good in the bathroom.  He is even  better in the wheelchair.  His only hang up is that the fridge is too close to the island for him to reach into it.  I have put some food in the door of the fridge for him to ease this problem.  However he still needs me or someone to prepare his meals and put them on the table.
I was able to get the ted socks for Randy today.  (Thank you to you know who)  He is too tired to let me put them on yet, but we will soon.  Even just the effort of trying to wiggle his ankles tires him out.  He is sleeping a lot during the day.  But he is also sleeping better at night.  We have added tylenol to his medicine regiment to help ease the pain.  It is working out well.
I called Tricia today to ask her for some advice.  It was good to hear her voice and she was able to comfort me.  She and Justin are going to visit us on Friday.  I can hardly wait.
I asked my boss if I can do some office hours and she said yes.  This will help out a little bit as well.  If I can just live in the moment things don't look so bad.  It's when I try to  look ahead a month or two that I start to panic.

Happy Aniversary #20

(picture of the stitches they took out today)
So today was our anniversary.It was such a long day it felt like two.   So I am giving it two posts. Our doctor appointment was at 7:30 am.  We arrived home at 10:30 am with his nurse waiting in the driveway.  His blood is still too thick even with all the blood thinners.   Randy's parents have been so great throughout this whole thing.  They took the kids and brought us in some dinner.    I celebrated by sleeping the whole time, and Randy ate ate the table.  He was able to get their on his own power.  Then the kids came back and we watched the end of biggest looser.  That is the most time we have spent together.  It felt to great to me to do something normal.  I haven't watched television with anyone for weeks.
Before bed I helped Randy take of his new air casts and he tried to turn his ankles.  He can't move the right one at all.  The left one he can just move.  But not in a circle.  We put the casts back on because they hurt too much with them off.  They hurt with them on.  His meds are not doing the job.
He was very emotional as he was drifting off to sleep.  He is upset that he can't move his right ankle.  He is frustrated at our financial position.  I have been quite depressed the last few weeks, yet some how having a nap has helped me out.  I have also decided that I will ask the bishop for some financial assistance.  I was adamant about not asking for help before.  But I have realized that if we could get some help I will have less resentment.  I don't mind using our savings to pay for medical bills.  What I hate is that we will be penny-less at the end of this adventure.  And that we don't know if or how much Randy will be able to work.

I can't work full time and take care of Randy right now.  Plus I don't want to work full time until Tanner is in school all day.  Not to mention I don't think I can be a good mom and work full time.  But that might not be a choice. (picture is of right leg after taking out half of the stitches.  )
Cooper could hear Randy crying tonight.  He was so cute about it.  He says, "so how is dad doing?"  I told him he was hurting.   I explained that it was because of the doctor appointment and how they took out most of the stitches.  He grimaced and then said, "I've never heard dad cry before."  I said, "I know, I hadn't really either.  When you were in the hospital the other kids told me he would come home from seeing us and cry but I didn't see it."  He grinned and asked, "Did he cry when they took the stitches out?"  No, I told him.  He did really well with it.  He nodded.
Then he went in to the bedroom to see Dad's new casts.  He had the blanket on all day so no one had really noticed.  After that I showed him the pictures on my camera.  He says, hey he will have big scars like me.  I told him that when I saw his legs it reminded me of his stomach.  He said, ya, but on his legs.

How was the doctor visit?

Today we saw doctor Higgins for Randy's hip and feet at the U.  I borrowed the Shelton's van with a chair lift.  We woke up at 6:30 am.  When we went to get into the van I couldn't get the lift to work.  Becky was kind enough to run over when I called.  Turns out there is a little short in her controller, but it worked great when she came over.
Our drive was nice and uneventful.  The doctor took x-rays of Randy's pelvis and said it was "hanging tight".  Meaning nothing had moved since the last time.  He said it would heal up before Randy could learn to walk.  They took all the stitches out of his left foot.  And every other stitch of his right leg.  He can get the left one wet, but not the right.  He is to move his ankles in a circle for therapy twice a day.

He has some new air boots to wear.  They are much lighter than the old casts.  He is allowed to remove them to sleep.  I still need to pick him up some special dr. prescribed socks to wear to keep the swelling under control.  I did have time to pick up his medicine (thank you sis Bigler for tending Randy and Tanner so I could do that).

We go back to see Dr. Higgins in a week.  On Friday we see the spine specialist.

Valentine's Day

Some people have expressed concern over Randy's activities.  So let me tell you about it.  He eats 3 meals a day.  Two of which are in the kitchen at the table. He has snacks at his bedside, and he can ask for anything.   He often wheels to the front window or door to look out.  However he doesn't want to go out for a wheel chair walk because he is worried the pain of the cracks in the cement will be too great.  He has read the paper, and he is king of the remote.  He is also borrowing a lap top so he can surf the web anytime.
He uses the restroom when ever he wants to.  He only uses the bedside urinal at night because it's too inconvenient for everyone, including Randy, as he would have to put his brace on to sit up.
When he takes his medicine as scheduled his pain is under control.  When he tries to 'wean' himself he hurts.  He sleeps most of the day, and naps at night.  He said he is starting to go a little stir crazy, but not too much as he is sleeping a lot, and because our house is very busy.
He has in home Physical therapy and someone comes to check his blood levels 3 times a week due to his blood thinner he has to be on.
He is now able to move his legs better and can sometimes put them back into his bed after being in the chair.  He can slide them over by himself when he uses the restroom.  He really does get stronger each day.
We have a nice new friend who is going to let us borrow her van with a wheel chair lift to take Randy to the doctors  which for this week is Tuesday and Friday.  She also told me about a place where I can maybe rent a shower wheel chair for free.  This would be so wonderful!  Then Randy could recline back and not have his brace on to shower.
I have put food in the fridge that Randy can reach in the shelfs.  As he can not reach all the way into the fridge in his chair.
If I am not at home Randy ALWAYS has a babysitter with him.  My mom, the kids, his family, etc.

Last night we figured out our bills (NOT including medicine and doctor bills) .  We are short 2,500 each month.  This is on my income and Austen's rent money.  We live a simple life.  We have never had cable or shopped fancy stores for clothes.  We rarely eat out.  We never go to a full price movie theater.  There is really nothing to 'cut back' on.  We are discussing selling Randy's car as he won't be able to drive for some time.

How in the world does he think he wants to go rappelling again?  Take this risk of loosing his life, ruin his quality of life, and burden his family, all for a few moments of fun?  I don't think I will ever understand.  I have been on trips with them.  I had fun.  But there were times I felt like the risk was too great and have wanted to turn back.  The problem is that when you are in a group, there is no where to turn back.  And I have to trust these people that the path we are taking is 'safe'.  I am not sure I can ever go again.  This thought weighs heavily on my mind everyday for over one year now.  It is all I can think about this Valentine's day.

breaking news

At 10:30 tonight Randy was able to wipe by himself.  Super exciting news for me! (and for him) He said he is feeling better today.  Stronger.  He can still do a hard transfer from chair to toilet and back.  Only needs the board from the soft bed.  He still needs help with putting the wheel chair legs on the chair, but most of the time takes them off by himself.   He also needs help lifting his heavy legs in and out of the bed and chair.  His pain is managed overall  and his pelvis only sends him shooting pain sometimes.  His right foot hurts constantly along with the hip.  He says it's like a dull throb.
We are getting good with the log rolls.  Most of the time he says they are pain free.   This always makes me happy.  He is quite good at maneuvering the wheel chair.  It's about a 20 point turn to get from the hallway into the bathroom, but Randy makes it look easy.  And it is getting to be more of a 10-15 point turn.  Really, with his legs needing elevated it is quite a squeeze.  So we have resigned to keeping them down for the hallway.
He is getting stronger each day with his physical therapy.  Staying awake a little longer each day.  We are both looking forward to his Dr. appointment on Tue to see his surgeon.  We are hoping for lighter casts.
He will see the spine doctor on Friday.
Ron was kind enough to come and fix our door bell.  Brook brought over more food.   I put some primer on the front room walls.  Barbara took me out to dinner while Nikki watched Randy.  Things are getting a bit more routine.  Sometimes boring is good.

thanks

I want to send a shout out thank you to Dan Willes for coming over last night and giving Randy a shower.

Thanks to Sherron for bringing over a remote holder for the bed, and for bringing me a rubber maid shelf for my bathroom to hold my items and stack the towels on.  Now my front room is free of clutter!

I had a work meeting last night and they both came over so it made it so Randy wasn't alone while I was away.  Nice timing.

Thank you to everyone who have brought in meals, and continue to bring in meals.  It has been so helpful, as going to the store would take time away from helping Randy.  Not to mention I hate to cook.

Randy is getting better each day.  Today physical therapy is coming in at 10 or 10:30.  I have work in the afternoon but Austen will be home (and hopefully awake) to handle Randy duty as Tanner will be at school.

I still can't believe that if you have over 3,000 in savings you can't qualify for disability.  Doesn't that seem crazy?  If anyone knows anything different please let me know.  Savings only lasts for so long when your income is less that your outgoing bills.  I don't say this to worry anyone.  I really think we will be fine.  It just came as a surprise to me that's all.

I am finished with my calls...for now

Yes!  I just got off the phone with my last call on the bills and disability.  It is 4:11.  Two different people were kind enough to take my younger boys so I could finish in the nick of time.  Tanner just walked in at 4:12.
Bad news, we don't qualify for disability or any other resource.
Good news, I think I have the insurance dealt with and my bills are paid for; for now at least.
We will have to pay our out of pocket,  plus co-pays, plus medicine, and the durable medical is not included.  Insurance stops paying at the 5,000 mark for equipment and then we have to pay 100% of the rest after that.

I got some sleep

Today is so much better because I got some sleep.  I had some great help yesterday to take care of the small things that were feeling big with my lack of sleep.  Tanner was able to help Randy go to the restroom.  It was a successful trip with just the two of them!  I was awake for the trip, but so exhausted that Randy wouldn't let me help.  Randy said it went well and he didn't get hurt.
Thank you to everyone for coming over to help!  Both mom's, dad Willes, Brook and Kevin Workman and Sherron.
Later that night Tanner was able to help Randy put his brace on.  Tanner is amazing!  He loves to help and is really great at it.
Stephanie is back from her vacation so she was able to drive carpool today.  Which made it possible for me to go back to bed and take a nap.  Oh happy day.
Randy gets up in the night, but he really doesn't need me.  I have everything he needs in his reach.  I just hear him and want to help out.  He is quiet.  I am just a light sleeper.  So we talked about me sleeping in another room tomorrow night to see if that helps me to sleep better and chase away the grouchies.
Randy is doing amazing.  He was able to get himself from the bed to the chair by himself.  He has eaten a few meals at the kitchen table.  He is getting a lot more upper body strength.  Soon he will be able to wipe on his own.
He is a bit saddened that his right leg is smaller than his left.  Both of them are getting skinny.  He is worried about how long it will take to build his legs back up so he can walk.  I know he is strong and determined, so it won't take too long.  He has remained so positive through this whole thing.  He is really amazing!
I can see how this experience can bring us closer as a family.  Even though it isn't the funnest thing we have ever planned.  As soon as I can get the finances figured out I think my mental fatigue will lighten up and I can join Randy on the happy side.  It isn't the daily tasks that are wearing on me.  It's the paper work and phone calls and how to get out of the red that is worrying me the most.

Today is going to be a great day for Randy and I to finally spend some alone time together while Tanner is at kindergarten so we can talk about our new future together and make some plans.

what can I do?

It is 5:30 a.m.  I am awake because Tanner 'slept' in my bed; which is Cooper's old bed.  A twin bed for a wiggly boy and me doesn't work out.  Not to mention the oxygen machine is incredibly loud.  Tanner had one for a while but I don't remember it being so noisy.  Cooper was crying last night at 11:30.  He couldn't sleep/hadn't slept yet , because of the noise.  I went into comfort him and fell asleep on my nice queen bed with him.  I woke up at 5 to check on Randy.  He had texted Austen  to empty his pee in the night so I could sleep.

Here is what I need:
 - time away from Tanner during business hours so I can make calls to figure out if there is a way for us to get temporary disability.
-time away from Tanner to pay my 'normal' bills that I have not had time to look at since the accident
-my bathroom put back together so when someone needs a towel, or a band-aid I can find it! (shelves please)
-door knobs installed (Ron is doing that today.)
-a door bell that works!  Therapy people and others have stopped by.  I could not hear them as I was downstairs doing laundry.
-loud bell for Randy to beckon me. (same problem as above)  My mom is bringing one today when she babysits for me while I work.
-baseboards out of Coopers room and installed to a wall (with my bed in his room it is squished to ridiculous in there.  No room to move to get dressed.  Forget play.  No telling how long before the boards are stepped on and crack. (Kevin is going to install them tonight)
-uninterrupted sleep!!! I can not function without it.  I tend to need more than some people can get by on.  And I have been sleep deprived for weeks now.
-For someone else to do homework with Tanner.  He hates to work with me normally anyhow.  And now I don't have the time or energy now to fight with him on it.
-To find Randy's leg exercize paper from the hospital.  I swear I knew right where it was but I looked all over without any luck. (therapy people came today and gave him a hand written one)
-light switch plates on.  I am so tired I find my hand stuck in the openings a few times now. (Brook will try to do these today.  She doesn't know I need to buy/find some more.  Mine have been broken)
-Time.  I was too busy before the accident to even make a doctor appointment for myself.  I am past due for my yearly and out of some of my medicine because of it.  But now, it seems impossible.
- normal household chores

I know it all seems so simple.  But without my sleep it seems impossible.  Here is what I think the difference is between a sudden tragic accident and having a baby.
Baby= 9 months to prepare every needed thing, and a book to tell you what that would be
accident= too sudden to plan, no one tells you how to prepare

Baby= helpless, yet can use diaper without help (diapers are a quick chore to change)
accident= helpless, can't get to restroom alone, even if we used a diaper I couldn't change him quickly or painlessly.  I can't lift him or move him in that way.

Baby = sleeps quietly most of the time
accident=needs noisy machine each time he is asleep

Baby= I would have planned my remodel to be finished before giving birth (we moved one week before I had Austen.  He was a week early.  Yet I still had everything put away, cleaned and I was prepared for is arrival)
accident= bring husband home during remodel.  Waited for toilet to be installed to use it.  Used a bedside commode while we waited.  I thought that taking a bag of poo to the trash was worse than taking out a dirty diaper.  Just so ya know.

Baby= anyone can change their diaper.  They don't mind
accident= not anyone can restroom their 'diaper area'.  Too embarrassing.
I suppose this last one is more like breastfeeding.  Which I didn't do for this reason.  It ties you down too much.  If the baby is hungry only mom will do.  Which means I would have only had two hours to be away at a time.  So this is  very much like the restroom ordeal.  Only worse.  So I would have to say this one doesn't count.

Okay, enough of my ranting.  Now I'm off to take my sweetie to the bathroom, take kids to school, and go to work for the day.  Then pick up from school and start my new life with a smile.  And hope that on Thursday I will have time to do all of the above on my day off of work.

 

Tue Day two

Today I tried to take Cooper to school.  He refused.  Randy tried to help from the bed.  No luck. After 30 minutes I gave up and took Tanner to the dentist.  (After I took Randy to the restroom...long process...and fixed his breakfast)  Came back home and Cooper was still asleep.  He slept until noon.  We all have been working on very little sleep with the house remodel for so long it is getting to us.

Then I made some phone calls, took Randy to the restroom again and fed everyone.  Cooper was up and showered.  I put a few more things away from our 'move' and took both boys to school.  Came back for one hour, talked with Randy a bit.  Then picked boys up early for another dentist appointment.  Then I took advantage of having both boys with me and got their hair cut!  Then home for bathroom and dinner for all.

Daniel is here now and he is showing us a better maneuver for getting the wheelchair in and out of the bathroom. By the time we get the transfer board under Randy, slide him over, put the legs on the chair, try to get around some tight corners, take off the legs, put the board on toilet, transfer again, take out board, pull down pants, do the 'job', wipe (that's my least favorite part, baby bums are cuter) then do it all in reverse order.  Whew!  my back hurts and Randy's body aches.

I can't wait for Randy to sleep through the night.  He wakes for restroom moments and medicine.  It is very much like having baby.  Just without the rocking and the bottles.  I just wish there was a nap time for me:)  I used to nap with my babies.  But when Randy naps I am taking care of my babies, and or working.

Using the ramp for the first time

On Monday my mom was the first to arrive.  The boys and I slept in the basement.  Mom put posters up for Randy's welcome home.  Randy's parents were next.  Then my brother came with a borrowed van.  We needed one with a chair lift.  NO WAY we could have done it without him.





Trevor was a great driver.  He waited patiently with us for discharge.  The drive home was rough on Randy.  He even got a little bit car sick.  But it was so good to be going home.

Randy's parents waited at the house for the hospital bed to arrive.  By law they were not able to deliver it to the garage.  While they waited Ron was kind enough to put furniture guards on all of my furniture.  Here is the view coming home from the back seat.

After getting Randy settled in the rest of us went to work.  There was so much to do.  Move furniture of course, but also to clean up from the construction mess.  Dust on everything. etc.  We all spent a good four hours cleaning before it was time to stop and have dinner.  Then later that evening the men showed up and installed the toilet and doors.  I continued to clean some more.  Austen helped me get the boys in bed and Randy to the bathroom.

Sunday = the floors are done

Last night I thought we could sleep at home.  I knew everyone was planning on doing a lot of work on the house.  Tanner was still not asleep at 12pm when the work on the bathroom started.  He had to be right in the thick of it and help.
 The bathroom looks amazing!!  I felt like the home makeover show where the people say they could not have imagined it that beautiful.  That's exactly how I feel.  The counter top is gorgeous.  The tile is elegant.  I am in love.  It almost makes me forget I don't have a tub for Tanner.  The tub is about the only place to contain him these days.
The floors are so warm and pretty.  I really like the color!  It's hard to believe it's the same wood in the kitchen and front room.    Even Jordan kept asking if the wood was new.
The bathroom crew moved bedroom furniture around to make room for Randy's bed and chair.  They did the sink, grout and  then it was 3:30 a.m. and I took Tanner over to the neighbors with me and asked if we could sleep over.  Niki said yes and Tanner was asleep in about 5 minutes.  I was asleep shortly after.  We woke at 11 and came home just as the floor people were putting on the last coat of finish.  This is getting real now.  The hospital bed should arrive at 2.  It will be delivered to the garage as the floor needs 8 hours or so to dry.
We left a basement window unlocked so we can live at home for a little bit.  Tanner was just getting too wound up being gone from home with all the other changes.  The smell is a little bit strong, but not unbearable.

Tanner and I visited Randy last night.  He was doing well, but getting nervous to come home.  He is finally well enough to want his privacy (as he is using the bathroom in bed).  He now has a grabber and another gadget to help himself move his very heavy feet.  This helps him feel a bit more in control.  We are still hoping that ortho will look at his feet before they discharge him.  The doctors on rounds promised me it would be done by Friday, but that was a no go.

Randy shaved! Saturday

 Randy is currently shaving!  Yay for me.  His hair grows fast

  Karly had her first driving range. She got rear ended softly.

 It's all about the slushie for Tanner.  Can't visit without one.

Looking good!
We all get to move into our house on Monday.  Home sweet home.  I can't wait. 
Randy and I have discussed visit's at home.  We decided that people can drop in whenever they want.  If we are sleeping or busy we will put a sign on the door.  Please do not ring bell if the sign is up.  I will also put a book outside that you can leave a note just in case things didn't match up.  I just don't know what to expect at this point.  I hope you can all understand.
Thank you for your love and support.  We could not have done it without all of you.  Discharge time is usually 10 a.m. but because Randy will need two new casts before he leaves we are unsure of an exact time that we will be arriving home.

Randy is coming home

 Randy and Dad.  Ron has been so good to stay with Randy so much.  Thank you!

Attempted a care transfer.  It was a no go.  We will need to find a van with a wheel chair lift for transport.  Discharge will be Monday at 10a.m. The house wont be ready until Sunday night late. The hospital bed will be delivered on Suday sometime. I think it will have to be delivered to the garage.

Thanks for all of your help! Randy got his catheter out today and he was able to pee on his own power. So exciting. We are on our way. Kelly Willes texted me to say that it would be 16 days in the hospital for Randy. I can't believe it has been so long.

Schedule

Now that Randy is in therapy all day we no longer need a sitter for those times.  Visitors are welcome any time but recommended after 3 pm due to him being a the gym.  The very early am needs to be family only so that we know what the doctors tell us.  Evenings/nights are still welcomed as the night shift doesn't seem to take as good of care of him.
We will know by the end of today when he will be discharged!  I can't wait:)

Today is better

I am having a better day today.  The demolition is finished (yay).  Now many nice men are putting the house back together.  There really is a team of people.  Some to finish the tile in the bathroom, others to sand the floors.  Dreu was kind enough to put a big rush on the project because Randy may be home sooner than we thought. 
In fact while I was with Randy at the hospital today I got a call from the medical people to let me know that Randy's hospital bed was coming to the house on Saturday because he was being discharged that day.  Hu?  Then I explained our situation and he said he would call the hospital and get back to me.
Our floors wont' be ready to walk on until Sunday.  I guess if a bed comes early it goes in the garage. 
It's so funny because one person says Randy can't go home until they send someone out to check the house, he can pee on his own, etc.  Then another one says your going home tomorrow.  Ah, the life in a hospital.
He still has his catheter in.  They say they will take it out tomorrow. (I've heard them say this for 3 days in a row now.)
He is doing amazing work in P.T.  Randy is amazing.  He can lift his legs up off the bed.  His casts are giant and heavy so this is really great.  He can transfer from bed to chair with very little assistance.  He stays awake longer each day.  Randy needs help log rolling and doing other things but I feel better being able to see him.

??? what the ??

 My things are in the basement

The boys helping to take off the railings in the front room.

Dreu the rock star laying the beautiful tile.

My bedroom is full of heavy front room items.
The house remodel is in full swing.  I thought we were going to re-due the hardwood floors way down the road.  But surprise, it's starting today.  So I had a bunch of men show up and we moved all of my furniture out of the front room and kitchen.
The hallway carpet has been ripped out.  Ned H. has been painting the hallway and bedroom.  Drue K and Jeff D and workers have been prepping and tiling the bathroom.
I went to work today.  My first student has the sweetest baby brother.  I always hold him after I tutor his big brother.  Today I couldn't wait to hold him.  I cried it felt so good.  I wish I could have borrowed him.   I only have ten minutes in-between people and I had to tell the mom how well he did.  So I cried for maybe five minutes.  But it was so good.  I couldn't wait to go home and cry some more.  My 1:00 canceled so I drove home to have a good cry.  However that didn't happen because I had a worker at the house.  Then it was back to work, pick up kids, come home to...surprise!  A remodel.  It is now 9:30 p.m.  with no hope of any alone time in my future for a good cry.  Oh well.
The nice part is that I think and hope I am past the angry stage.  On to sorrow.  I so wanted to be with Randy today, but the house took over.  I called and called but he was always away from his room.  I did get to speak with him tonight.  He sounded tired.  His parents and my mom were with him today.  They both said they worked him hard, and he was tired.  My mom had another surprise.
Our insurance won't cover an extended rehab stay so they said they will release Randy on Mon or Tue!  Holy Crap!  He still has a catheter.  How in the world will this work out!?  The nurses meet as a team on Friday to discuss it.

Randy is settled in to his new rehab room Feb 1st

Randy and team made it from bed to chair.

He was able to wheel himself to the door.  Then it was back to bed for the room transfer.

Randy is settled into his new room. The nurse was quite nice. Randy parents arrived right as he was wheeled into the hall so they went with us. I asked the nurse to show us around and she did. We now know where everything is located. The rehab work out room is on floor 1. His room is floor 2. It is a nice quiet room with a wider door to the bathroom.  Much smaller however than the 6th floor room.

The nurse showed us the shower wheelchairs. Quite a sight to see. It is like a shower chair on wheels combined with a camping commode. Crazy things that will soon be a part of my new life. The nurse also told me to pass along word that they will be doing rehab 3 times a day or so and to limit visitors to evenings as to not hinder the work they need to do with him. She did say that it was okay for him to have one sitter with him like we have been doing with the schedule. Here is a link again:https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuUEDxyAz9CWdFByQnh6c2RHdGtlN0MtQ0JFWE9Ccnc&hl=en#gid=0

Thank you very much to all of you wonderful people who have helped with this. I can't be everything to everyone so I appreciate the help. Between, work, hospital and home I am hitting a wall.

Today Randy was able to get himself from the bed to a wheelchair with little help. I videoed this adventure. It took quite a long time. He was then able to wheel himself to his door. They wanted to see how far he could go solo and that was it. Then the nurse helped him by pushing him back to his bed. They wanted him to slid back from chair to bed. Randy was so fatigued by this. He was pale and passed out for a second. I called out his name and he whispered back Hu? Then the three of us plus Randy worked and worked to get him back into bed.
He received more pain meds and slept for the next 3 hours.

The upstairs people thought Randy would be coming home in a week or less. The rehab 2nd floor nurse laughed when I told her this. She said she would be quite surprised if a patient with his type of spinal injury would go home so soon. She said to plan on at least two weeks. But that anything can happen.

My mother in law told me today that she and my Father in law were talking about our anniversary. This month Randy and I would celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. She said that wherever we are she will kidnap the kids and let Randy and I spend some time together. Maybe even bring us dinner. All I could do was laugh. It seems unimaginable to me to even try to celebrate in any way shape or form. Although I do appreciate the thought. And maybe IF things improve there will be a chance that we could even hold a conversation. But for now, one long day at a time.

That reminds me. The 2nd floor nurse mentioned that they may put Randy in speech therapy. They said they would asses that tomorrow. She said it is amazing how many things a spinal injury affects. The pain meds do make him slur from time to time. When we had our tour of the rehab exersize room there were two speech rooms. Interesting thought. I would't have ever guessed it could do that to a person.

I think Randy is in the right place to get well. The nurse was very knowledgeable about his spinal injury as well as his pelvis. He seems to be in good hands. I am not as worried about them moving him.

Shout out to the blogging world. How can I post my video's on here?

moving

Randy is moving to rehab on the 2nd floor. They tell us it will be room 2611. It took me 3 hours to get internet and now I will have to unplug to move. grr. Just a quick post so he can be found! If the room is different I will try to update. We haven't moved just yet.