Grateful Mom and Sis are alive

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Nancy King
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 04:05 PM

Glad to hear things are going well! Thanks for keeping us updated, Janie!

Love to all of you,
Nancy

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 03:13 PM

All of the above. Best regards from Charlie.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 11:55 AM

We need to see to it that DNA from the women in your family is preserved for future generations. If we could create others with the love, compassion, and determination I see in these three women, it might make pretty strong argument for gene manipulation. ***chuckle***

You, Annie and Mom remain in my prayers, friend Janie.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Jul 11 - 11:30 PM

Good on them! Please let us know when they CAN leap tall buildings in a single bound--or even when they make smaller improvements to their current conditions.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 05:46 PM

Good news, Janie. Sounds like the worst of the physical trauma is over. Thanks for the update.
M

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 02:32 PM

Progress is a GOOD thing! ☺¢¾☺¢¾☺

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: gnu
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 11:54 AM

Me too!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 10:23 AM

Incredible and wonderful! Thanks for the update. What strong and positive wimmin you all are.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: maeve
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 10:04 AM

We're grateful for this cheering news, Janie. Thank you.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 02:54 AM

good news

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 12:53 AM

Annie is on crutches and headed home to the Eastern Shore of Maryland via air this weekend!

She can't drive for a couple of more weeks, but her dear friends in MD are rallying round to see that her needs are met, and are as eager to have her back among them as she is eager to be back in her own home, to see her beloved cats, play music with her music friends, etc.    There is reason to think that with time, PT and diligent self-care and monitoring, she will fully recover in terms of mobility and what she can do in terms of physical activity (climb ladders to clean gutters, hike in the mountains, sit in the car and/or drive for long trips, Kite surf, etc.)

As Mom says, Mom is doing well, all things considered. Her cast is off. Her bones are knitting slowly, but they are knitting, and she is hopeful more surgery and bone grafts will not be necessary. We will know about those prospects in another 4 weeks.

Any of you who have experienced similar trauma or who have family members who have, know they still have a long road ahead of them to reach their maximum level of functioning, and also know how much it means to be approaching the place where they can function completely independently in terms of activities of daily living, even if leaping tall buildings in a single bound is still a ways off.

Optimism and acceptance are powerful allies in the human psyche.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 10:46 PM

Still grateful.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 11:56 PM

Ah, Chantylass. You know better than I possibly can.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 11:49 PM

Continuing to hope for progress for both--and the ability to accept but persevere when progress seems too slow.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 02:12 PM

Good news overall. I hope it flows even moreso.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 12:06 PM

Online Scrabble? I'd be interested- sounds like fun.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:55 AM

Two good updates in one morning. Raptor too is recovering slowly but surely.
Annie must be so frustrated. Maybe we can get an online Scrabble Game going with her. Someone at work told me that Facebook offers one.
SINS

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 05:26 AM

Thanks for the update Janie, still sending positive thoughts!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 04:07 AM

good report about their conditions, & good advice from Eddie

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 01:42 AM

Bless y'alls little hearts. So glad to hear that Mum and Annie are both making progress. Tell Annie that one day she'll look back and the sting of all this will be gone, and she will recognize the itty bitty little steps that permanent healing requires.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 11:52 PM

Brief update.

Mom is progressing pretty dadgum good for an 82 year old woman who got badly beaten up just 4 weeks ago. She was able to go to church on Sunday for the first time since the accident, able to tolerate sitting for an hour on a hard pew. Very appreciative of a friend of Daddy's, not a church-goer himself, and not a particularly close mutual friend of Mom's (tho' they liked each other well enough), who called her mid-week and offered to drive her and sit with her if she wanted to go. She wasn't sure at the time, but did not hesitate to call him on Saturday and say she would very much like that. Meant a lot to both of them to have the opportunity to talk together about how much they miss that Old Man.

Talking to Annie tonight, she has hit a plateau. Doing OK, and she knew to expect it, but as with any of us in similar circumstances, was also hoping to be the exception to the rule. Also, sounds like she pushed herself a bit too hard and fast, and may also be recovering from that. This busy lady who is normally in constant motion and goal directed activity is also obviously suffering from boredom and enforced inactivity as evidenced by her eagerness for me to get up there this weekend for a fresh face at the scrabble board.   Her brain has improved much faster than her body. She is impatient with the pain that is holding her back from greater mobility, but that signals the need for patience lest she undo the slow process of pelvis and leg knitting themselves back together.

If she can sit long enough in a car and wheelchair, maybe I can get her out of the house and to the park for a little while this weekend. A change of scenery, if only for a little while, might do her some good if she can manage it.

I'll have a better feel for how they are after I get up there this weekend.

We all thank you for your continued encouragement and kindness.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 14 Jun 11 - 01:09 AM

I hope your mother and sister continue to heal and that legal/insurance matters get sorted out quickly and with no hard feelings between the two families. I will continue to keep all of you in the Light.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 04:55 PM

Ditto Mick.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 03:17 PM

Great update, and a wonderful insight for those who don't know you as to why those of us who do know you love you and Annie so much. (Howzat fer a string of words, Pa??) I check this thread very frequently to know how you are doing. Thanks, my dear one, for keeping us posted.

The legal piece is a real quandary and I understand completely. With my daughter's accident I was not even able to reach out to the family of her friend that died in the way I wanted to. It is very sad the state of our legal system.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 08:15 AM

seconding the above

love from sandra

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 11:41 PM

What Sinsull and BillD. said, Janie. You and your family are beautiful people with such compassion. There may come a time when communication will be possible with the other mother.

Much love,

kat

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 10:25 PM

I should say that Mom, Annie and I had a truly lovely and joyous weekend relishing being together.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 09:08 PM

♥♥♥ ∞

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 08:07 PM

Such a sad situation, Janie. Says a lot about your Mom, that her focus is on the other driver's family and their loss while she fights every day to recover.Always in my thoughts and prayers.
SINS

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 08:02 PM

While they both still have a ways to go, Mom and Annie are both feeling sooooo much better than when I was home two weeks ago. Both in much less pain, and more mobile.

One thing I have always admired about Annie is her focus and discipline - (a prime reason she is a good musician and I am not.) That trait is serving her well now. She is a bit ahead of the curve in terms of PT, and has such a positive and hopeful attitude.

Mom is still a couple of weeks away from starting PT for her arm, but is doing all that she can also. Neither of them are wasting any time on feeling sorry for themselves, and are focusing on rejoicing in progress and the retreat of pain as healing progresses. As the worst of the injuries and initial pain subsides, they are now more aware of other pains and problems that they can't figure out if they were already there, but obscured by more acute physical issues, or if they are just now coming to light.

They both still sport an amazing number of technicolor bruises, even three weeks after the accident, but Annie no longer looks like a raccoon!

Their biggest immediate struggles now seem to be dealing with the tedious boredom always involved in physical recovery.

The legal and financial aspects of this whole affair are going to take a long time to play out. The young man had insurance, but had not added the truck he was driving to the policy. Annie had good uninsured motorist coverage with what is considered high limits for medical expenses, and both Annie and Mom have medical insurance, but it is clear, just from the statements that have come in thus far that the medical expenses for the two of them are going to be astronomical. Even though the other driver was entirely responsible for the accident, Mom and Annie will ultimately be financially responsible for the medical treatment they receive if assorted insurance coverages are not sufficient to cover the full cost.

Has me rethinking the medical coverages on my own car insurance for my son and I, which are considered good, but not top of the line. Also has me feeling very grateful that my son has never enjoyed adrenalin rushes or speed, be it on a roller coaster or behind the wheel of a car.

One thing that is really weighing on my mother is that she can not offer her condolences to the mother of the young man who caused the accident and died as a result. The attorney has been very clear that none of us can make any contact with his family until such a time as all claims all settled. Mom understands and accepts this. Still, she is so aware there is another mother out there who lost her father and her son in less than a 24 hour period. Dad died just 7 weeks before the accident, and Mom particularly can imagine the depths of grief that other woman must be experiencing.

As a family, we also think it likely the family of the young man is having similar thoughts and feelings of wanting to reach out to Mom and Annie. It is only human to want to do so.

But stupid to do so.

Makes a sad and grievous situation for two families even more so.

All of your thoughts, prayers, good wishes, good intentions, care and concern make a difference. I know those of you who post, and those of you who may check in and offer some of the above without posting know that.   

I say this often because I mean it, and because it has meaning not only to me, but to my loved ones - thank you. I am grateful.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Kent Davis
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 09:58 PM

Great news! I'm praying for y'all.

Kent

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 05:47 AM

Thinking of you all on this lovely morning.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 12:04 PM

Janie, we've never had any contact (even here on Mudcat, although I have liked what I've seen of your posts), and I am hesitant to post to these kinds of threads when it's someone I don't know and who doesn't know me (maybe that's silly but I guess I'm afraid of seeming not quite sincere or even presumptuous), but I wanted to say I have been checking this thread every time I visit Mudcat, and really feeling for you and your family, especially as I can see you have all been through a lot even before this happened.

Anyway, I wanted to say that I have been rooting for Mom and Annie (and you), and really care about what happens. I am sincerely hoping that they recover quickly and that your lives are back to "normal" (good normal!) very soon. I so admire your positive attitude(s) and am sure that will speed healing and recovery.

I wish you all good things, and better to come.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 11:30 AM

Keep us informed of their progress, OK, Janie?

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Jun 11 - 02:02 PM

That is good news, Janie. Your name came up last night over dinner. We are all as concerned about you as Mom and Annie. Take it easy now that they are together and home.
Mary

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Jun 11 - 06:54 AM

Wonderful! Together they will heal.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jun 11 - 06:52 AM

another Yea! or Yah!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 11:17 AM

Yea!!!!!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Nancy King
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 09:50 AM

Hooray for Annie! And love to all of you!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: maeve
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 06:05 AM

Splendid! And it's typical of you to share the good news. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 03:10 AM

Wonderful news!

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 12:14 AM

'o frabjous day callooh callay '

Annie, hard working, courageous Annie, is home at Mom's.

Both sound so much lighter in our phone conversations.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 02:59 PM

On behalf of Janie, Annie and Mum: 100.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 11:19 AM

Good points, chanteyLass. We put in more grab bars around the toilet and also had hand held shower nozzle installed. I use an 8 dollar plastic chair for a shower chair. love, hg

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 05:03 AM

a lot of good info here to assist anyone with mobility problems.

sending more good wishes to the invalids & family members & friends

sandra

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 11:19 PM

As a result of personal experiences, I have a lot of respect for physical therapists and occupational therapists. They should be able to suggest what equipment will be needed. Their advice is especially good if they visit your family's residence with them. Due to previous problems for other relatives and me, I already had most of the equipment I needed: commode that could go over the toilet, a shower stool, a walker, crutches, a cane. My condo unit already had a railing on one side (both sides would have been better) to enter the front door and a shower with handheld sprayer as well as the overhead sprayer. I needed cushions to make it possible to get off seats and grips to get in and out of the shower. They suggested other grips and railings, but I managed without them. I was able and willing to crawl and go up and down cellar steps on my bum! What is needed is very individual based on each person's condition and their residence.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Janie
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 09:18 PM

So grateful for all of you.

Thank you Friends.

Janie

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: gnu
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 03:11 PM

Ditto jacqui. T&Ps.

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 02:48 PM

Your post was an excellent hand-off report, Janie, and the prayer warriors are ON it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Grateful Mom and Sis are alive
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jun 11 - 01:24 PM

Janie, when I had to bring my Da home and tube feed him, take care of a stage 4 bedsore on the coccyx, and supervise his physical rehab (his Medicare Part B had runout), while concurrently nursing Mom's PT from the effects of a stroke, Visiting Nurses Association was invaluable. I would strongly suggest you contact them. This wonderful organization sent a case manager once a week, as well as a nurse to assist me with wound care, and a separate PT specialist. It was all covered by insurance and Medicare. Look them up.

Be assured that you are in my thoughts and prayers, dear friend. Give Annie my best, please.

Mick