The First "Walk Around the Block"

One lap around the pod.  A great first effort.

Don's Day Three

Today is a better day.  Don's pain is still high in his hip and thigh, but subsiding.  His pain meds have been kicked up another notch and we expect that will help.  He was more alert this morning; actually pretty normal from my view.  He got up and used the bathroom with help from the caregiver, sponge-bathed and changed gowns, so he's starting to feel better.  He has also started PT.  Had a 20 minute session this morning and will have another this afternoon.

Things are looking up!

Love to all!

Charlie

Don's Day Two Update

With the severe pain that Don has in his thigh and hip, the Pain Management doctor ordered a more serious pain relief drug.  Fentanyl was not doing anything to dull the pain so he is now on Dilaudid.  This has reduced the pain by a couple of points on the 10 point scale used.  But it has also made him even more drowsy.  He slept on and off for most of the day.  And the most pronounced effect is slurred speech.  Those are some good drugs!  I think by later tomorrow or Friday they will wean him from the drugs and he'll be on his own.  The doctor suspects his thigh and hip are reacting to the tournaquet that is applied to the thigh to minimize bleeding during the procedure and is unconcerned about lingering effects.  With all his pain today, he didn't do much in the way of physical therapy or movement of his leg and knee joint.  I'm sure he will be expected to pick up the pace on these actions tomorrow.  At this point we are targeting for him to return home on Saturday, but will keep you posted on how that goes. 

Love to all!

Charlie

The Patient: Day 2

Day 2 has confirmed that this recovery will be quite different from the first.  With the first surgery Don's pain level was quite low, but today his pain level is very high.  Mostly centered in his quad and up into his hip.  Perhaps with the additional work the doctor reported to get his knee cap properly located he was strained more than before.  So he's using the morphine pump more frequently and, as a result, sleeping alot.  That should be good for him since he got hardly any sleep last night.

Having said that, his spirit is high and I'm sure he'll take this in stride.  I'll keep you posted on progress.

Hugs,

Charlie

Happy Birthday Eric!

Best wishes for a fun birthday.  We're sure the ladies in your life will make it special for you!  The Froehlichs are coming over for dinner tonight and we will have a special toast in your honor.

Love,

Charlie and Connie

Happy Birthday Caitlin!!

The Birthday Girl had a fun day.  She started the day wearing her special birthday shirt to school.

After returning from school where they had a birthday celebration for her, she opened her birthday presents.  She had quite a few to open!

We think she liked all her presents!

After dinner at McDonald's, we returned home and played some of the new games that she received as gifts.  Then we had the birthday cake ceremony.  Bryan made a yummy chocolate pudding cake for her.

She went to bed with big smiles tonight and is already talking about her 7th birthday next year.  Birthdays are some of her favorite things!

The weather is warming up here.  Hope it moves to the east for the rest of you soon.

Love to all!

Spring Lake Ice

We went down to the big lake to explore

the ice chunks.
The edge of the ice was about 200 yards out. As far West as you could see were iceburgs floating towards Wisconsin.

The ice was soild & we didn't get real close to the edge. But then we found this hole and I got a little nervous.
There is about a 3 foot hole straight down to open water. Yikes ...time to go back to shore.

Happy Spring  to all
(I hope it's soon)
Love,
Randy