Margaret is doing really, really well. I hope you will keep up the visits. I know she looks forward to known visitors but I would also suggest that if you have a minute or two just to stop by unannounced. OK you may need more than a minute or two now. But the point is to stop by and visit. I also want you to have your visit in her living room and not the bedroom (I'm being bossy). She has a couple of great caregivers and they will get her out of bed and get her situated to go for a walk if the weather is good which it has been, or at least to get her out of bed. We all know M isn't a bed potato so don't let her be.
The meals have been a great success. Margaret talks a lot about them and she didn't realize she knew so many good cooks. I hope that if you have the time you will be able to eat dinner with Margaret and her kids if they are there. She has been eating the leftovers too the next day.
Rusty
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Fri Jan 27th
Hi Everybody,
Margaret is taking to being home very well. Thanks for all the visitors and food that has been brought over! Her brother, Steve is now here as well and Steve will be here until next Tues. Margaret has occupational therapy this afternoon and she is excited about that.
On another note--we've decided to find her dog Joey a new home. Are you or anybody you know interested in owning Joey? Please call Terry 763-432-9090 if interested.
Margaret is taking to being home very well. Thanks for all the visitors and food that has been brought over! Her brother, Steve is now here as well and Steve will be here until next Tues. Margaret has occupational therapy this afternoon and she is excited about that.
On another note--we've decided to find her dog Joey a new home. Are you or anybody you know interested in owning Joey? Please call Terry 763-432-9090 if interested.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thurs, Jan 26
It is Rusty again tonight with an update. Still can't believe 2 months ago I started this blog.
For a quick update, Margret's brother Steve will be arriving today to relieve Terry. So I will have met all of her siblings by tomorrow yet that was not the plan a couple of months ago. Terry will be going back home Saturday. I wish I had 5 siblings that would take weeks out of the life to help me out. Each have been the most help when they where with Margaret. Liz with her calm and cool collectiveness the first week. Mary the next couple of weeks with trying to change the way a socialized health system (Spain) to live up to American standards. Fighting for her return back to the States. Then Barb to be here from the transitions from Emory Hospital to the rehab facility. A perfect person for that Steve has probably been the perfect person seeing her through her transition to her house Now Terry is being relieved by Steve. I am sure that Steve will be the right sibling for the next phase.
I know the dinner thing is a great hit. And thanks for the awesome meals. Margaret has made me look the last couple of days to see if there was anything in the cooler. I seriously hope the cooler is never used in that you will stop by and say hi to Margaret and put whatever in her refrigerator. I hope you come armed with some tidbit of news that you can share because Margaret is definitely up to talking just about anything now. She has been out of the loop for a couple of months now so if you stop by with the latest gossip about the Sunday ALTA Tennis team, or what is happening with the Down's syndrome group or Fulbright group or whatever. I just never thought I would hear Maragaret talk about Beyonce (sp?)
The biggest help any of her Atlanta friends can give is just to stop by and talk. If you happen to be by just make sure she is out of bed. If there is something newsworthy you should share it. And just be prepared for the Margaret questions. They can be probing. Thankfully speaking from experience.
Bottom line Margaret is doing really really well since she has been home. I would encourgage everyone just to stop by if you get the chance and just say "Hi". Sorry Steve
For a quick update, Margret's brother Steve will be arriving today to relieve Terry. So I will have met all of her siblings by tomorrow yet that was not the plan a couple of months ago. Terry will be going back home Saturday. I wish I had 5 siblings that would take weeks out of the life to help me out. Each have been the most help when they where with Margaret. Liz with her calm and cool collectiveness the first week. Mary the next couple of weeks with trying to change the way a socialized health system (Spain) to live up to American standards. Fighting for her return back to the States. Then Barb to be here from the transitions from Emory Hospital to the rehab facility. A perfect person for that Steve has probably been the perfect person seeing her through her transition to her house Now Terry is being relieved by Steve. I am sure that Steve will be the right sibling for the next phase.
I know the dinner thing is a great hit. And thanks for the awesome meals. Margaret has made me look the last couple of days to see if there was anything in the cooler. I seriously hope the cooler is never used in that you will stop by and say hi to Margaret and put whatever in her refrigerator. I hope you come armed with some tidbit of news that you can share because Margaret is definitely up to talking just about anything now. She has been out of the loop for a couple of months now so if you stop by with the latest gossip about the Sunday ALTA Tennis team, or what is happening with the Down's syndrome group or Fulbright group or whatever. I just never thought I would hear Maragaret talk about Beyonce (sp?)
The biggest help any of her Atlanta friends can give is just to stop by and talk. If you happen to be by just make sure she is out of bed. If there is something newsworthy you should share it. And just be prepared for the Margaret questions. They can be probing. Thankfully speaking from experience.
Bottom line Margaret is doing really really well since she has been home. I would encourgage everyone just to stop by if you get the chance and just say "Hi". Sorry Steve
Wed Jan 25th
This is Rusty. I started this blog 2 months ago to share information about Margaret. I never thought there would have been 10,689 page views from 10 different countries to date. And I didn't think I would be calling the Chief Pilot to get off of my Thanksgiving trip to go to Spain to spend time in a hospital. I also didn't know the awesome group of friends she has. I missed the meal signup for a couple of days and the first day available was a month away.
Margaret is doing really well. I think there has been a noticeable change she has been home the last couple of days. She has really progressed since the days in the ICU in Spain when we were happy for a hand squeeze in response to a question. She is now fully able to have very meaningful and extensive conversations. She may be a little slow in talking and you may be a little cautious because of her physical condition. Don't let the helmet, if she is wearing it or the wheelchair distract you. Her mind is really working so be prepared for a full conversation. I would encourage everyone to visit like they would normally. Or just stop by to say hi even if it is for a few minutes. She doesn't have a schedule yet so if it isn't a good time her caregiver will tell you. She does have a full time caregiver, actually 2 that split the week. I think any visits at any time will be welcome and very helpful.
I am still awed by the tremendous support that all of her friends have provided. The cleaning of her house and the ramp last weekend are just a small example. And the captains for each day of the week. Plus the meals. She will be able to go to the Friday movie club, and hopefully play tennis again (thanks for the flowers from the Sunday Alta Team). Margaret does have long road of recovery but I know that she will make it. And it will be with the help from her many friends.
Thanks for all everyone has done and for keeping Margaret in your prayers.
Margaret is doing really well. I think there has been a noticeable change she has been home the last couple of days. She has really progressed since the days in the ICU in Spain when we were happy for a hand squeeze in response to a question. She is now fully able to have very meaningful and extensive conversations. She may be a little slow in talking and you may be a little cautious because of her physical condition. Don't let the helmet, if she is wearing it or the wheelchair distract you. Her mind is really working so be prepared for a full conversation. I would encourage everyone to visit like they would normally. Or just stop by to say hi even if it is for a few minutes. She doesn't have a schedule yet so if it isn't a good time her caregiver will tell you. She does have a full time caregiver, actually 2 that split the week. I think any visits at any time will be welcome and very helpful.
I am still awed by the tremendous support that all of her friends have provided. The cleaning of her house and the ramp last weekend are just a small example. And the captains for each day of the week. Plus the meals. She will be able to go to the Friday movie club, and hopefully play tennis again (thanks for the flowers from the Sunday Alta Team). Margaret does have long road of recovery but I know that she will make it. And it will be with the help from her many friends.
Thanks for all everyone has done and for keeping Margaret in your prayers.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tue Jan 24th
Margaret made it home around lunchtime today. She was so happy to be home and was greatly impressed by her ramp and how clean the house was! Thanks to all who stopped by today too! Margaret is in great spirits and we're figuring out what we need and how to do things around the house again--little by little we'll get it! Tomorrow she starts her in-home therapy and her kids will spend the night tomorrow too!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Mon Jan 23rd
Well, tomorrow is the big day, Margaret can't wait to get home (I think everybody else feels the same way) We should be leaving around 11-12 if everything goes well with check-out. Margaret saw a nurse practitioner in the neurology dept today---not much to report, she just reviewed several items, got more background info, asked Margaret several questions about how she was doing etc. She's looking forward to seeing you in her own house again!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sat Jan 21st
First of all, we want to offer a HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to everybody that stopped by today to build the ramp and clean the house. Margaret has some wonderful friends, and we greatly appreciate your time and effort. The house looks simply awesome!
Margaret was Very alert this evening when I saw her, probably the most alert I've seen her. She's very excited about coming home and can't wait to see the clean house! She said she had a good day in therapy and learned a new exercise to help strengthen her weak arm. She went a couple times today to sit on the couch in the family room--I think she really enjoyed that.
Margaret was Very alert this evening when I saw her, probably the most alert I've seen her. She's very excited about coming home and can't wait to see the clean house! She said she had a good day in therapy and learned a new exercise to help strengthen her weak arm. She went a couple times today to sit on the couch in the family room--I think she really enjoyed that.
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