Small update

Sorry there hasn't been much to blog about. Dad has another doctors appointment on Thursday with ortho. Plastics will have a follow up meeting next week. So until then, we are just trying to keep dad occupied. We started putting together puzzles and I got him a hand held poker game. Sitting with him I have found a new love for Jeopardy. It is actually really fun to try to figure out the answers. So today, I went home and cut the grass just in time to watch it with him. Dad gets a kick out of me driving Jeff's riding lawn mower and cutting the grass. He laughs when I make the lines in a zigzag and try to go back and find missing spots. I have not perfected the straight lines yet. At least it entertains him for an hour! Dad did say that he has a goal set. He wants to be walking by the first of the year. It amazes me how positive and patient he has been through all of this! Grandma is still in rehab and working on getting some strength back. Other than that, nothing new!

Plastics....

Dad went to plastic surgeons today. Most of the skin graph looks good. They cleaned off the black part and took out staples and stitches. Dad said it hurt really bad while they cleaned it all up. They need a few more weeks to determine if he will need another skin graph. It is looking like they probably will have to do another one in a few weeks. So that means Ortho and rebuilding the bone has to hold off longer. If the timing is as they say, two weeks another skin graph, two weeks from that possibly rebuild bone. So we are thinking at least another month before ortho can get in there....long process but hopefully dad will stay positive like he is and not get so bored in the basement. We are going to try to do puzzles and see if that can occupy his time a bit better. We use to do puzzles when we were younger. Dad said it was worth a shot. He is extremely bored and just wants to be able to walk again. But he realizes it is going to be at least a few more months as of now. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

It's the small things in life that are truly big

Today was a great day. Dad went to the orthopedic doctor and she said she wants to start the bone graphs in a few weeks. He goes to talk to plastics tomorrow to get more information about his skin graph and how that is holding up. When I got to my parents today, dad opened a card we got in the mail from from Uncle Marvin. It was great to see the picture of his family and how they are doing. Dad reads every card and you can tell he gets choked up, especially when it comes from his family. It is hard knowing that we all live so far apart but in times like these, he especially loves seeing and hearing from his brothers and sisters. It makes him feel like he hasn't been away from them as long as it has been.

After we sat and talked about the cards he got in the mail, I cooked dad and mom dinner and mom called to say she was going to see grandma. Right away, dad decided he was in good enough shape to make his first trip to see grandma since their accident. It was crazy in the beginning, right after the accident, because dad truly thought we were all lying and he thought grandma didn't make it. We had to have them talk on the phone to help him believe us. So for him, today was a wonderful feeling to see her alive and healing.

We pulled up to her rehab and  dad spotted her being pushed back from dinner. I pushed him up to her and she could hear our voices. At first she saw me and the nurse said do you know these people and she looked at dad and didn't remember his name. We think it was because she wasn't expecting to see dad there in front of her; we surprised her. Then it registered and dad started getting teary eyed and said, "Well, we survived! We are here! Can you believe it?!?" Grandma was in shock and aww to see dad. It was something so small to have the two of them in their wheelchairs looking at one another but such a big victory for the both of them.

Grandma seems to be forgetting things more and we feel it is because of her being in the hospital and rehab for so long now. Hopefully in a few weeks she will be able to go back home.

Our family can't say thank you enough for all the things people have done that to them, seems so small, but to us they are HUGE! Through all of this you truly begin to realize that it is the "small" things in life that people do for you that you remember the most!

It was a great Fathers Day!

Dad is truly enjoying his basement. He gets to watch his big screen tv, sleep in a comfy bed, and even get out on his patio thanks to our neighbors for making a great ramp! We went out and BBQ for the first time in over a month. For those of you who know dad, this use to be routine at least twice a week. I had to help him BBQ but it was nice because I am learning so many new things. I now know how to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, water and take care of his garden, and put the handle back on his Lazy Boy chair that broke before the accident. Give me the tools and I can fix it now :) I hope dad realizes this will only last as long as he isn't walking....just kidding ;) Our neighbors have also been making dinner for mom and dad! They are truly amazing through all of this, along with everyone else! Dad has doc apt. Thursday and Friday so we will know more later in the week. Grandma is still in her new home at Bethesda Southgate Rehab. No new changes on her condition. We hope you all enjoyed your fathers day!

Roosevelt Woods has never looked so good!!!

He is home!!!!! Our neighbors, Jim and Kathy helped us get him in the home. The neighbors built an awesome ramp that allowed dad to get into the house with ease! Dad was ready to go when I got to rehab. The nurses were literally chasing us down the hall trying to get us to sign papers before he escaped :) Dad is home and comfortable in the basement and reunited with his favorite chair.

Grandma was transferred to a step down unit at Bethesda Southgate off of telegraph. It is the same place that her mom was in for independent living in 83. She is in a brand new tower of the rehab center.

We are moving in the right direction! Dad has appt. next Thursday to find out about his skin graph. The doctor didn't come in again, his official doctor who did the skin graph. Other doctors have looked at it but we are hoping Dr. Smoch looks at it next week. But for now, we are just happy he is home for at least a week!

Ready and waiting!

Dad practiced transferring into and out of a car today. We got plywood that we will line up to make rolling him into the basement door a lot easier. A few of the neighbors are helping out and building dad a ramp. We are so Thankful to you guys!!!! They probably figured out that my mom and I would have a difficult time doing this! Dad is excited and ready to come home. He has doctors appt tomorrow and we are hoping that plastics will give us more information like when his next surgeries will be. They haven't been very helpful in letting us know more details about the skin graph and when it will be ready to move on to the next steps. But, we are trying to be as patient as can be and just working on him getting home for at least a few days. I will update tomorrow if there is any new information about surgeries or the progress of his leg. If not, I will let you know how Friday and coming home went!

Almost time for ACTUAL home!

Aunt Joan's 80th birthday party was wonderful! It was great to see all the family and be a little distracted from everything going on. As soon as we went to dad's the next day, the first thing he asked about was the party and how everyone was doing.

Dad was told today he will go home this Friday!! He still has to meet with the plastic surgeon to double check this, but rehab has done all the rehab they can do for now so he gets to go home. They aren't able to start the surgeries needed to reconstruct the bone yet because the skin graph is not done healing. One doctor told him it looks like 50% has survived and 50% has died. So on Thursday, they will give him a better idea of what the next step is for the skin graph. It sounds like it will be another few weeks before they can do the major surgeries to see if they can actually save the leg. Dave came home this weekend and we got everything in order in the basement to be wheelchair friendly. A new shower head, furniture moved, patio furniture moved, and recliner fixed (The handle broke right before dad got in the accident so we ordered a new one today) We still have to build a small ramp on the back patio for dad to get in. That will happen this week hopefully. Going to try to come up with something :) Then Dave and Mom's company sells this material they lay down on yards when they bring heavy equipment in on grass so we are going to order some of that and lay it down so it is easier for him to get into the back yard, rather than trying to push him over the grass. On Wednesday, I am taking my car up to rehab to help dad learn how to transfer into a car. Too bad mom and I both have small cars for him to get in and out of but he said it will be fine and they will figure out the best way to do it.

Grandma is moving to a new rehab tomorrow. We went to visit her and took her outside in the garden. She was in great spirits getting to see Chase and Jack, her great grand children. She also was exciting to see Sandy and her family this weekend.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers! Our family is very lucky to have friends and family that are so supportive!!!

Doctor visits

Dad had a busy day. He had therapy all morning and then was carted to St. John's to meet with orthopedics and plastics. Ortho is ready to start rebuilding the bone but the skin graph isn't ready to reopen so they have to wait till the skin graph heals more. The plastic surgeons, the one's who did the skin graph, had an emergency surgery this morning so they weren't there to give us an update on his skin graph and if it is surviving. They rescheduled for tomorrow morning. I will keep you posted!

Rehab update

Sorry I haven't updated. Apparently my computer decided not to work any more. I will hopefully be getting it fixed soon but until then, posts might be every few days. It actually works out great because dad is making slow and steady progress.  In rehab, he is able to move from his bed to the wheel chair and then to the toilet. He has learned how to shower and keep his leg lifted on the chair. He felt amazing after being able to have a some what normal shower. Dad also enjoyed when I brought up my dog, Jada to visit. It's the little things in life you realize you miss! Rehab is telling him he can go home next Friday. On this Thursday, Dr. Cannada (ortho) and plastic surgeons are having a meeting to let him know the next steps for surgeries and rebuilding the leg bone. I will update you on how that meeting goes Thursday. As of now, dad is in much better in spirits. He still refuses to take pain meds because of what they did to him, but we keep telling him a little now will probably be okay compared to before because at least now he is up and moving around. He is sticking to smaller pain meds to help his sternum and ribs recover. His pneumonia did get worse but he has been coughing up a lot these last few days because he is moving around so much so hopefully that is better today. His skin graph looks great and so does the donor section of his upper thigh. There are two spots that are very tender on the skin graph and look pretty black and gross! We are hoping the skin survives and there will be no more reason for skin graphs. Thank you for everything you guys have helped us with! A ton of family will be in town this weekend because we have Aunt Joan's big birthday bash! Dave and Kelly are coming in for the party and Jeff will be in next week. They will begin the rebuilding process of dad's "man cave" in preparation for his arrival back home!!!!! I will keep you posted if his day to come home changes. We are almost over another hurdle. Hopefully the rebuilding of the bone goes smoothly so he can start back to normal life in the next few months! All our love- The Greeninger's

A New Home

We are in a new home at St. John's Rehab at 40 and Timberlake. Dad is doing well, he has PT and OT at least 3 times a day. He is mainly learning life skills like getting out of bed, getting to the bathroom, dressing and moving around independently. Dad sounds like he is comfortable here and said the people are really nice. We don't know how long he will be here but when he is done, he will come home for a bit and then in about 4 weeks from now, he will have his next surgery. The next step is to start rebuilding the bone. After that surgery, he will probably be back at rehab. We haven't talked much about what happens after his next surgeries. The skin graph still looks good and is holding better. We have follow up appointments next week back at St. John's hospital with the orthopedics and plastic surgeons. Have a safe weekend! It's warm outside!!!!

He's Back!!!

After a few crazy days of comments and jibber jabber.....he is beginning to act more like himself! His CAT scan on his brain came back normal and so did other test to see what was causing his sudden change mentally. The doctors figured it was just the meds and being in here for so long but they wanted to make us feel comfortable and make sure they covered everything. They completely took him off the big pain meds and he is being a trooper. No pain meds in two days and he is still caring on with the pain from his ribs and sternum. Today, he was out of his bed and got to sit in a chair. His leg was down for a while, with permission of the doctor, and it started to bleed a bit more. They told us this is expected because there is more blood going to the area. The hope is to get him in rehab tomorrow or Saturday. They made phone calls to insurance and rehab today to get it all organized! Dad is very excited to get out of here. We took down all the cards, pictures, and sent the flowers and plants home. He is packed and ready to move. So hopefully they will follow the plan and transport him, via ambulance, to St. John's rehab off of 40 and Timberlake.

Dad doing his rehab today in his chair

Last 48 hours

So dad's leg and lungs are doing better but now we have a new challenge. His medicine and lack of sleep is causing him to see/hear things. He says things a lot about his family and people being here who aren't here. My uncle said that this is normal because he hasn't been outside and has had so much medicine in him for the last three weeks. They are lowering his medicine to help with the random thoughts. The doctors were hoping to get him into rehab this weekend so hopefully it will allow him to get out of the mental state he is in and start thinking clearly again. It's sad to see your dad not being himself but we all have hope that this is just a phase and once he gets out of the hospital, he will be back to himself.