BS: Animaterra's mom's accident

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: ranger1
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 07:55 PM

Great to hear your mom's on the mend!

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 02:29 PM

Good news, Allison. By the time I mail her this book she won't be interested in sitting down to read it.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 11:50 AM

That's wonderful news! Only goes to show, as the song says "All things are possible, if you only believe."

Last year at the age of 97, My mother broke her collarbone, two ribs, fractured a vertebrae in her back and fractured her hip. This happened about five weeks before we went out to visit her. By the time we got there, she was wearing US out. Meanwhile, my brother-in-law who the Doctors were ready to take off life support three years ago is being weaned off the support, and goes for stretches as long as 8 hours without it. He's in good spirits, and did not to have a tube put in his throat, so he can talk. No,w he's been transferred to a facility that specializes in rehab, and they're hopeful that he will be able to come home again.

We're SO happy for you and your Mother, Allison! Prayers will continue to go up..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Alba
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 10:08 AM

Now that is joyous News ma Dear.
Your Mum sounds AMAZING, now we know where you get the "amazing gene".
Love and Light to you Both.
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: jeffp
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 10:03 AM

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 05:50 AM

I think I can safely say that this will likely be my last post on the topic. Just want to let you fine folks know that I went for a visit with my mom, after over a week, and when I walked into the house she got up and walked across the room to greet me!!! It feels miraculous, in two short months, to see her on her own two feet.

She still uses a cane to get about town, but she's on the move! One more time, thanks for all prayers and good wishes!!!
love-
Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:23 AM

Yay!!!

love to both,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:48 AM

That is wonderful news, 2Ls:-)Congratulations to your mom. Please tell her she and her very wonderful daughter continue to be GREAT sources of inspiration.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Joybell
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:30 AM

Good work Animaterra's Mom. Sunshine and warm thoughts to you both. Love, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 06:48 PM

Just the thing I needed to lend a little brightness to a late winter dreary day. Huzzah!!

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 06:34 PM

Just as I was casually clicking here to see what was up, the phone rang- mom's going home Monday! Unbelieveable! She's done so well with 2 weeks of PT that she's deemed ready for the big time! I'll speed over to help with the transition, but wanted to spread the great news.
Thanks again- all those positive thoughts have just kept her going!

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Pistachio
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 04:59 PM

Just noticed the good news. Tell your Mum to take it steady. Best wishes to you both. Hazel.(Hissyfit)

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Peace
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 11:53 PM

Great news, Allison.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 11:31 AM

That's great, Allison! Tell her to keep up the good work. Thanks for posting.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 03:14 PM

That is wonderful news, Allison. She is an inspiration, just as you are.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:19 PM

Great news, Allison. Please PM me your address. I have a book for Mom and your Christmas gift from Pip. Better late then never...

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:13 PM

Thanks be!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:11 PM

Good news! Tell her I want a full report of that garden!

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:10 PM

Joyous news, tell her to take it slowly, somebody said 'Speak softly and carry a big stick' which could be appropriate here.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 01:00 PM

Mom called last night, just ecstatic- she's out of her "snow boots"- big plastic casts- and has permission to start learning to walk again. As soon as she feels ready, she'll be going home! Dunno when that will be, but it was great to hear her in such great spirits.

She's been a pillar of strength, not a complaint, and she's so happy now. Thanks for all your love, prayers, and good wishes. I saw that several folks sent her cds and cards- she keeps forgetting to tell me just who, but consider yourself thanked. I'll do it properly when I can!

Love to all of you,
Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Peace
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 04:24 AM

"Six weeks is too long for one's functioning parts to be idle"

Tell me about it.

Sorry, Allison, I couldn't resist. Hope things are going well for you and your mom. You have many dear friends on the 'cat, and now your mom does too.

BM

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: bbc
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:19 PM

More waiting, dear, but it sounds like good progress. Best to you & your mom!

love,

barbara

P.S.--Nancy's idea's a good one--the less contact w/ ice & snow right now, the better!

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 11:24 PM

Rehab folks, by and large, know what they are doing. Whether she is pushing too hard or not hard enough-- they will tell her and they will appreciate you backing them up in how you offer her your support.



Where things tend to need a close look from family is in the basics of nursing care and mind-activating activities and socialization, because these are hard to give en masse and they are essential foundations to recovery and health.

The bigger facilities usually have a series of units, such as for immediate recovery and, later, for rehab-- since different levels of skilled nursing care are required at different stages, they group the people in units and "graduate" them from one unit to the next.

Rehab usually goes well, but it's important not to make promises about what outcomes she can look forward to. She may need to be extra patient with herself-- bones don't always behave the way we would like. The main thing is, all effort in rehab is rewarded, not always how we would like, but it's always better to rehab than not to rehab! :~)

Rehab is hard, hard work.... good idea to let your mom know you have confidence in her ability to sustain it and that it's OK not to be perfect-- such as, she may be too tired to fix her hair the way she usually does, etc., and worry she's letting herself go to hell. (She's not. She's doing hard physical work, that's all.)

You can also let her know, if she needs to know, that one of the most important factors in rehab to keep in mind is, it's to strengthen her to sustain the NEXT physical assault on her independence- Hardi's dad was poorly motivated on his stroke rehab and so when he broke a hip some 15 years later, by then he had lost so much muscle that he could not mobilize for the hip rehab... the consequence of not giving 200% to rehab is, sadly, less strength to meet the next crisis.

Encourage her to just let the professionals take her down the road back to as much independence as possible. Help her absorb the straight talk she is likely to get-- be careful not to dismiss it as her discouragement. She will need to work with them to the best of her ability.

On the other hand, you don't want her to push so hard in rehab that she prolongs her recovery instead of using it efficiently. Bone-knitting is hard work that needs lots of sleep and relaxed rest.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Nancy King
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 10:17 PM

Well, even though the holiday season is a rotten time to be dealing with hospitals and nursing homes, the dead of winter is probably a good time for your Mom NOT to be out in the snow and ice. Hopefully she'll be as good as new by the time Spring finally appears.

And even though this is not the best season to spend time evaluating nursing homes, it is important (I speak from experience...) to check the alternatives out to the extent you can. Of course you never really know how good the care is until your relative has been there a while, but do look for somewhere with a good PT program in-house, and visit ahead of time so you know what the facilities are like. If there is a rehab doctor at the hospital, or some other knowlegeable person you know who has dealings with various nursing homes, ask for recommendations. And, if you can, try to find somewhere convenient enough for you to visit regularly. If you try to go every day (I did for several months), you'll drive yourself insane, but it is important to visit frequently, because that's the ONLY way to keep tabs on how things are going.

Oh, and there's more. If you are the lucky one who will be handling the administrative details (hospital, doctor, and nursing home bills, insurance, medicare, etc., etc.), be sure to keep ALL the paperwork, records, bills, notices of insurance payment -- everything. It's a drag, but it's really important to keep on top of it so you don't get screwed.

I don't envy you this stuff, Allison -- I know how difficult it can be, but your Mom sounds like a real trooper, and so do you, for that matter. Good luck, and I hope you and your family can have a good Christmas in spite of it all. Not to mention a happy new year!

Hang in there,
Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:51 PM

Yeah, some nursing homes have in-house rehab and are combined facilities where the PT is phased in with minimal travel/relocating for the patient.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:17 PM

I just found this thread, Allison, and do add my best wishes and prayers for you and your Mom. Hey, Allison's Mom! Here's hoping a fine recovery for you, ASAP...

Quick story: My husband's father fell down an elevator shaft, two floors, onto the top of the elevator, broke his leg and some ribs and bruised his chest, etc. Scores of family, neighbors and friends visited him, all saying how lucky he had been that it hadn't killed him, thinking to cheer him up. Finally one day, when his best friend again said, "Boy, you are SO lucky!" he yelled out for all to hear, "LUCKY? LUCKY? Man, I'll tell you what LUCKY is- LUCKY is, if I HADN'T FALLEN DOWN THE DANGED SHAFT AT ALL!!!

Not good grammar but you must know what he meant. Love and hope, Jean Ritchie

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Mudlark
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:13 PM

Allison...have just come upon this thread and send my thoughts and well wishes to both you and your Mom. What a rotten time to be stuck in a nursing home for 6 weeks, but she sounds like a strong, resilient woman, and the rest, recouperation and good PT is the best thing to get her back on her feet and independent again. Hang in there, both of you. Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: georgeward
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:34 PM

So glad the surgery went well. And I can echo everything Susan said from within my own family. It's a step forward, however frustrating, in the uninvited process.

One thing I'd hope for (nay, nag for if necessary) is a good physical therapist AT the nursing home. Six weeks is too long for one's functioning parts to be idle :-)

- George

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Alba
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:01 AM

Oh Allison.
I am sorry to hear about your poor Mom's accident but I am glad that she is in capable hands and on the mend. Healing thoughts go to her from Maine.
I am also thinking of you ma Dear Allison. Be good to you. You are amazing and deserve many blessings. I am asking for them to come to you...priority delivery:>)
I am holding you in my Heart and thoughts.
Love and Healing energy to your Mom and to You.
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 07:53 AM

We have a townful of women her age who have taken their turn rehabbing one thing or another at the The Green Home, and who have successfully managed to go back and enjoy living at home for years and YEARS. Just tell her (from me) to go enjoy having some help getting back to being able to KICK ASS.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 05:58 AM

Thanks for the wonderful emails, PMs, and prayers and warm wishes. Mom is ok. The surgery turned out to be on BOTH ankles. She just got the news yesterday that she's going to need to spend at least 6 weeks in a nursing home before she can go to rehab- the feet need to be able to bear weight, and it will take that long. That's what I'm guessing, but no one had told her, so she's a little bummed- but not unbowed. What a woman!
She doesn't know when the nursing home will happen. She's hopeful that it will be by the end of the week- but every time she's projected a time-line, it's been a little overly optimistic.

I haven't been to see her since last week, probalby won't get there before Christmas Day. But she's inundated with visitors still.

Thanks for the love and prayers!

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 06:15 AM

You got 'em! (What are you doing up so early?) ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 05:54 AM

Surgery today on her smashed ankle. She'll have general snesthesia. I'd appreciate good thoughts.

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 05:38 PM

just to echo pistachio's thoughts, lots of people out there thinking of you-keep well and safe Linda

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Juan P-B
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 05:31 PM

Loving thoughts and HUGE hugs from The Phatts too.

Awful thing to happen at any time to anyone but....... And you take care of y'self too 'terra!

One thing never ceases to impress me is the waves of love that pour out of these pages (?) when they're needed

I wanna tell all of you that I am SSSSSOOOOOOOO proud to be a Mudcatter and to be linked with all you lovely people

Juan P-B

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 06:05 AM

Me? pretty sleepless, but feeling better inside. I'm eating ok, but yes, pushing myself pretty hard. I did go to see Nowell Sing We Clear last night with an old friend- we went out to dinner beforehand and found ourselves next to the long table occupied by John, Tony, Andy and Fred and families (Nowell fans will know whom I mean!). My friend and I both have a friendly acquaintance with them, so it was like the party before the show.

I was buzzing so much I couldn't get to sleep till after 2:30 this morning.

But I'm well cared for. Another friend surprised me with a gift certificate for a massage. Another friend was running errands Sunday and made me sit down and write out a list. So I'm in good hands.

So's mom- and good spirits. Thanks for all the warm wishes!

I remember last year when Byron died I felt lifted and cradled by so many loving thoughts and prayers. Guess what- I'm feeling it again!

Love you all-


Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: dianavan
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 02:28 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's accident. My mom is approaching 80 and has a perfectly healthy (except for a little wear and tear) body. The last thing they need is to be hit by a truck!

Make sure that you tell your mom to breathe deeply and often. The worst thing about these injuries is the imobility that follows. It makes them ripe for pneumonia. Make sure she takes lots of deep breaths to keep he lungs functioning properly. Get her up and walking as soon as possible.

Sounds like she is in good spirits. Hope your holidays are happy. Remember to take some time for yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 05:15 PM

Glad she is out of ICU. Now, how about you? Are you eating? Sleeping? Behaving?
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 02:27 PM

Hi Allison!

Glad to hear that your Mom is out of the ICU and has folks knowing that they need to tend to her injuries as well as her non-injuries (keeping the rest of her healthy)!

Tell me, how did your concert go? Hmmmmm???? Was it a serious concert or a Christmas concert or a mix of both serious and fun stuff? Do you guys do skits and dress up or strictly music? Curious minds want to know.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Pistachio
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:01 PM

Sorry, I know that message wasn't on my screen a minute ago so I resubmitted it....anyway, TWO messages, TWICE the thoughts...Hazel

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Pistachio
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 11:53 AM

Allison,
Best wishes to you both, glad your Mum is out of ICU. I second all the advice above and, like Yorkshire Yankee, tho' I don't know you apart from on this ether, I have followed your thread since last year. Your in my thoughts more often now - take care.
PS I'll send over the CD that Linda and I recorded earlier this year-enjoy.
With love,Hazel.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 05:21 PM

Oh, your poor mom! What a hard thing for her to go through. I hope that she will get better and better and better. Please take one thing at a time yourself, and try not to be overwhelmed. Get good sleeps and eat well. You have a huge heart but you'll need to nuture yourself through this busy season too, with no feelings of guilt for things left undone and traditions unfulfilled.

Love and hugs,
~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Pistachio
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 04:42 PM

Allison,
Best wishes to you both, glad your Mum is out of ICU. I second all the advice above and, like Yorkshire Yankee, tho' I don't know you apart from on this ether, I have followed your thread since last year. Your in my thoughts more often now - take care.
PS I'll send over the CD that Linda and I recorded earlier this year-enjoy.
With love,Hazel.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:21 PM

Great.... And how is Allison doing then? :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: bbc
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:09 PM

One step at a time. I'm glad to hear she's out of ICU. Praying for complete healing & patience for both of you!

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 06:44 AM

Well, mom's out of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and on the orthopedic floor. She'll be there at least through Christmas. I had a good talk with the head nurse yesterday and she made it clear that these are serious injuries. The biggest concern is keeping the rest of her body healthy while the bones and bruises heal.

Mom's in good spirits, mostly, thanks in part to the miracle of modern medicine.

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes!

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: jacqui.c
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 02:42 PM

Sorry to hear this Allison. Best wishes and a speedy recovery to her from Kendall and me.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: Hollowfox
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 02:21 PM

Has she read Thirteenth Night by Gordon Allen? It's a follow-up on Feste, the fool in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It may not be a profound mystery, but it more or less fits in with the season, sort of.

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: RangerSteve
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 11:07 AM

She's in my thoughts and prayers, too. Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Animaterra's mom's accident
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 08:41 PM

So very sorry to hear this. I don't know you really (not like I think most of the folks posting here do) and vice versa, but I started reading Mudcat shortly before you lost your beloved Byron and I have enjoyed reading many of your posts – and my heart really goes out to you.

You say your Mom likes mysteries; I'm in England and have (thanks to digital radio) not only access to the BBC's wonderful treasure trove of stuff, but have digital recordings of a bunch of great stuff: novels read out loud, short stories, dramas (including mysteries: Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, etc) literary classics, poetry, comedy programs, panel games, factual programs and much more. If you think your Mom would be interested in listening to some of these things, PM me with some ideas on what she'd like best and we'll put together (and send) a few CDs for her to listen to.

Good luck (you sure deserve some by now!) and sending warm thoughts in your – and your Mom's – direction(s).