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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

Wed Jan 18th (2 of 2)

Margaret had a very busy day today. Her two caregivers (Christy and Adrian) were at the rehab center today and worked with Margaret and her therapists. It went really well, the caregivers appear very competent, and Margaret is getting along nicely with both of them. She's getting anxious to get home!

Wed Jan 18th (1 of 2)

All,
Forrest has volunteered to pick up Margaret's siter and parents at the airport on friday. Thanks.

Tue Jan 17th (2 of 2)

Margarets friends/neighbors:

Would anyone be available to pick up Margaret's sister and her parents at the airport when they arrive for their visit on Friday, Feb 24th late afternoon? Jo Ann has already offered to take them back on Sunday.

Call Terry 763-432-9090
Thanks

Tue Jan 17th

Margaret rebounded nicely today. She had a lot more energy, concentrated more, so I'm guessing the IV really helped and she was just tired and dehydrated yesterday. She tried climbing stairs today--didn't go so well but it was a start. Practiced getting in and out of cars again today and that went better. Tomorrow when she has therapy, her home caregivers will be there so they can learn first- hand what the therapists are doing/trying to accomplish and what they can do to help Margaret at home. Amelia and Jeremy stopped by tonight, so Margaret was happy to see them again!

Mon Jan 16th

Well, it wasn't a holiday at the rehab center today. Margaret had OT, PT, and speech therapy today. It seemed like she took a tiny step backwards this weekend, she just didn't seem to be concentrating as much. Maybe she was tired? The nurses said she was a little bit dehydrated today, so they were going to start an IV tonight to up her fluids. They said that should probably help...

For those of you asking, we're going to start cleaning/ramp building at 9am this Sat. Any questions, please call 763-432-9090.  Terry Pumper

Sun Jan 15th

Well, it was a relaxing weekend again. I think all the patients on the floor were sleeping most of the afternoon today, including Margaret. Margaret met with her proposed primary caregiver (for when she gets home) and the two of them seemed to along really well. Margaret and I had a nice dinner tonight with Jo Ann and Mark and after dinner, Margaret just wanted to go to bed. Since tommorrows a holiday, she'll probably just have one therapy tomorrow, so another relaxing day....

Fri Jan 13th

Yesterday Margaret just seemed kind of worn out, but she bounced back today and had alot more energy. She asked her Doctor if she could get a "movie pass" and head out with her "movie group" friends to the movie tonight! Needless to say, the Dr had to gently turn her down, athough she was considering sneaking out the back door. Speaking of the movie group, thanks for inviting me tonight to the movie (Iron Lady--I think the group thought it was "OK" but the movie was not like we were expecting) and the generous "Southern Hospitality" by treating me to the movie and drinks afterwards...

Margaret picked a caregiver sevice to help her when she gets home, and will meet a couple of her potential caregivers this weekend to see if they're a good match.

Good news today---Margaret's eating and drinking has improved to the point where her speech therapist cleared her to eat or drink anything she wants today! (although I'm pretty certain she said any gifts of beer, wine, or scotch has to go to her brother)

Just as an FYI, our oldest sister, Mary, is planning on coming down with our Dad and Mom the weekend of Feb 24th (Margaret's birthday) to visit with Margaret. I'm sure they can't wait to see her.

OK, all of you who wanted to help out with the ramps..... We decided tonight that we're going to have a ramp-building/ cleaning house party next Saturday the 21st. I know Jo Anne has already contacted some people about helping clean the house, (I'll see if Amelia can come and she can clean her room too!)  and after the movie tonight we decided Sat seemed the best day to get together to build a ramp too. I figure I'll just stay at the house to help with things, so if one or two people are free to be with Margaret during the day, that would be great!

Wed Jan 11th

Working hard again in therapy. We're going to start trying getting in and out of their "car" on the therapy floor and see how that goes... Margaret again wants to say thanks to all her her visitors, all the gifts you have brought her, and especially the time you have taken out of your day to come and see her. She sure is talking more!

Tuesday, Jan 10th

Well, another good day of therapy. We've sort of settled into our routine now. Margaret's been doing some crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles with one of her therapists, so they really mix it up. We interviewed two home health care agencies today, one more to go on Thursday at 5pm.

Thought I'd give my contact info again if you need it!

Terry Pumper
763-432-9090
terrypumper@yahoo.com

Monday Jan 9th

Well, the weekend's over and back to some serious therapy. Margaret was so funny, she had me help her get in her wheelchair before the PT therapist showed up, so she was all ready to go.... Christy, (the PT therapist) is really funny, but she works Marg hard. Today they were mostly working on her standing, trying to "walk", and trying to get her left leg to move a little more on it's own. So, her left leg has gone from no movement at all, to moving one or two inches. She's also getting some feeling back in her left arm, but I haven't noticed her moving her arm yet.

Sunday January 8th

Another lazy, relaxing weekend day. Our big event today was going up to the therapy rooms and they had a bunch of dogs for the patients to pet and interact with. Two of them ended up licking Margaret's face! Amelia and Jeremy got to come again, and Amelia, being the typical teenager, decide the best thing to do was snuggle up with her Mom and take a nap with her all afternoon!

Saturday, January 7th

The weekends are more laid-back around here. Only one-two therapies and more time to relax. Margaret had lots of visitors today and enjoyed seeing you all. Jeremy and Amelia were able to spend most of the day with her too. Amelia took Margaret to the the "piano room" and played a few pieces for her. We also had another "first" today.  I was able to Margaret outside this morning for a little fresh air and sunshine on her face!

Friday January 6th

Not much new today---Margaret finished painting/glazing a ceramic coffee mug which is part of her recreational therapy, they'll fire it in the kiln next week. Her highlights of the day were a visit from her her priest from St. Jude's who brought her communion, and Jeremy and Amelia stopped by for a short visit tonight.

I had a request for Margarets address:

Center of Rehabilitation Medicine
1441 Clifton Rd Ne
Room 444
Atlanta, GA 30322

Wed/Thur January 4/5

Margaret continues to impress me! Yesterday when I arrived, she was laying in bed with her head turned slightly to the left (she had never had her head past midpoint before) She continues to improve her/eating swallowing and is eating more and more varieties of food. Today she was practically doing "half" sit-ups with the physical therapist! There's a piano in one of the family rooms and today Margaret went down there and started playing some sheet music.

It dawned on me that some of the visitors may not know what to expect when they first see Margaret, so I thought I'd give you a heads up.

First of all, you'll probably notice she now has a "crew cut" and there is a large "bump" on the side of her head where her brain was swelling. her face looks thinner because she has lost weight and her smile is a little crooked due to the stroke. Her speech is much better, and you can understand her almost all the time. Margaret can carry on a conversation, but will sometimes just stop talking as she processes what she will say next. As you all know, Margaret loves to read, but it is difficult for her to read with her vision problems right now due to the stroke. (Today we were reading headlines in the paper and looking at pictures in a magizine) Margaret also likes being read to and then talking about the articles or the book. Margaret also has what i think they call a "flat mood/tone/emotions". This is common in the type of stroke she had and will appear unemotional (althought we do get get a grin now and then!)

Again, Thanks to all her visitors who have been bringing her flowers/food/magazines/DVD's etc etc.   Margaret can eat alsmost anything now as long as it isn't dry or sticky and can be swallowed fairly easily. We're still coming up with things margaret can do when she has visitors to interact with them--one good idea was working together on crossword puzzles, reading to her, playing cards, going thru a magizine/book with her, or even watching/talking about the news with her. Always looking for more good ideas!

Tuesday, January 3rd

Margaret continues to improve little by little. The big news today, was during her therapy session, she was moving her left leg a little bit on her own. This is a great development, as it shows some of the nerves/muscles are beginning to work again. Margaret says thanks to all her visitors over the holidays, she has really enjoyed you stopping by.

Monday January 2nd

Hi, it's Terry, Margarets brother. I got here Friday afternoon and just got the passwords so I now can keep you all updated. I am just blown away by how many visitors Margaret has had and how many calls, and offers of help, and recommendations, and referals, and cards and prayers she has had. She truely has a wonderful group of friends, neighbors, and co-workers! Many of you have offered to help fixing up the house--I know ramps will be needed, but don't know what else at this time. I will hopefully find out later this week now that the holidays are over and the regular staff will be at the rehab center.

The target date for Margaret moving back home is Tue Jan 24th. That could change based upon her progress. She'll have 24 hour care once she's back at her house, and will continue with the rehab with probably of mixture of in-home and at the rehab center. Those are details still to be worked out.

Margaret still keeps improving little by little every day. I've noticed a change since I got here on Friday, and many of her visitors have commented on her improvement since Margaret arrived back in Atlanta. A huge step for her was being able to start eating solid food. It still has to be cut up into small pieces, and she can't have dry or sticky foods yet. Basically, she needs to stick with foods that are easier to swallow.

Funny story: On New Years Eve, Margaret had one of the nurses wake her up at midnight, so they could watch the ball drop at Times Square at midnight!

Again, thanks for all your help with Margaret and the rest of our family.
Terry Pumper