<< 5:15pm Sunday >>
Dear Family and Friends,
While Boston may be digging out from another 8" of snow, Sherri is digging in to her routine of physical therapy. Some of this occurs with her new physical therapist at the nearby rehab center. More stretching, more stairs, more strengthening, more "this hurts", more courage, and more success. One of the objectives is to get to a point where Sherri can walk with only one crutch. The PT wisely noted that not everybody reaches this objective at the same time and for Sherri it's going to be a while longer. When Sherri isn't doing PT with the therapist, she's working on various exercises at her apartment. This is when she's not catching a nap or visiting with friends.
She continues to be on pain meds and her sleep at night is often good yet not always. Sherri and Wendy shopped for shoes but weren't able to check that off the list yet. They also made a visit to the craft store to pick up some items. Yesterday, Sherri attended the funeral of John Mason, Professor of Economics at Gordon College, who retired in 1997. Sherri tires easily from these activities yet it is good to see her getting out some. One thing is for sure: she needs to allow extra time. She continues to calibrate her expectations with the reality of what she's facing. Many have asked "how is Sherri doing" emotionally. I would characterize her outlook as positive with a healthy dose of realism. The roller coaster ride continues !!
Yes, these are days for digging in to gain strength and steadily work recovery.
Wendy and I appreciate your ongoing encouragement, love, and faith filled prayers on behalf of Sherri.
With thanks,
Steve
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Home again - at last
Dear Family and Friends,
Today, Sherri went home! For this continued forward progress, Wendy and I especially give thanks to God!!!
This past week, Sherri continued to walk the halls and currently remains using both crutches. And yesterday, she made her way down to the car to practice getting in and out of the car. Arrangements have been made to begin outpatient physical therapy beginning Monday morning at 10. She's all set with crutches, a wheelchair, a bathtub chair. Marty and Gwen Connor installed a new shower head for Sherri that will be of great help. And prescriptions were filled for pain meds for the next part of the journey.
Today's "going home" events included packing up the final items in her hospital room and then traveling over to her apartment with Wendy driving. Finding a spot to park and navigate the short walk in was a bit challenging with the foot or more of snow that fell earlier this week.
Sherri's apartment-mates were so helpful (and have been all through these days and weeks) and Kristene flew up again from DC to be with Sherri for the weekend. Among the many differences between hospital life and apartment life is the temperature: hospitals are warm (some would say down right hot) and New England apartments can be quite chilly! But a tasty carry-in Thai dinner helped to dispel the chilly weather.
The week ahead will include many physical therapy sessions and continued strengthening at Sherri's apartment. And Wendy and Sherri will need to find some shoes that will fit over the polypropylene brace on her left foot. These will be days of transition to the new normal. Of course finding the new normal doesn't mean actually arriving at a certain destination does it? Isn't it really a life long process with all manner of circumstances along the way?
As Wendy and I reflect on the past month, we've been sharing together about the road ahead and wondering about Sherri's event of December 11. We've been grateful for what we see as God's tremendous faithfulness throughout this particular journey. Sometimes I've had a few of those 'why' questions. I've noted some parallel stories in a book I've been reading by Kelly Monroe Kullberg "Finding God Beyond Harvard". I think she got it right when she said she continued to "find reasons to believe that both the Author and the story were good, even when things were dark in the moment."
Today begins another new chapter for Sherri. Again, thanks to each and every one for your continued checking in on Sherri. She's expressed how appreciative she is - even if she's not able to get back to everyone. Thanks for continuing to be there for the long haul!!
I hope to update again in a week or so, give or take. Your continued faithful prayers are sought and deeply valued.
Gratefully,
Steve
Today, Sherri went home! For this continued forward progress, Wendy and I especially give thanks to God!!!
This past week, Sherri continued to walk the halls and currently remains using both crutches. And yesterday, she made her way down to the car to practice getting in and out of the car. Arrangements have been made to begin outpatient physical therapy beginning Monday morning at 10. She's all set with crutches, a wheelchair, a bathtub chair. Marty and Gwen Connor installed a new shower head for Sherri that will be of great help. And prescriptions were filled for pain meds for the next part of the journey.
Today's "going home" events included packing up the final items in her hospital room and then traveling over to her apartment with Wendy driving. Finding a spot to park and navigate the short walk in was a bit challenging with the foot or more of snow that fell earlier this week.
Sherri's apartment-mates were so helpful (and have been all through these days and weeks) and Kristene flew up again from DC to be with Sherri for the weekend. Among the many differences between hospital life and apartment life is the temperature: hospitals are warm (some would say down right hot) and New England apartments can be quite chilly! But a tasty carry-in Thai dinner helped to dispel the chilly weather.
The week ahead will include many physical therapy sessions and continued strengthening at Sherri's apartment. And Wendy and Sherri will need to find some shoes that will fit over the polypropylene brace on her left foot. These will be days of transition to the new normal. Of course finding the new normal doesn't mean actually arriving at a certain destination does it? Isn't it really a life long process with all manner of circumstances along the way?
As Wendy and I reflect on the past month, we've been sharing together about the road ahead and wondering about Sherri's event of December 11. We've been grateful for what we see as God's tremendous faithfulness throughout this particular journey. Sometimes I've had a few of those 'why' questions. I've noted some parallel stories in a book I've been reading by Kelly Monroe Kullberg "Finding God Beyond Harvard". I think she got it right when she said she continued to "find reasons to believe that both the Author and the story were good, even when things were dark in the moment."
Today begins another new chapter for Sherri. Again, thanks to each and every one for your continued checking in on Sherri. She's expressed how appreciative she is - even if she's not able to get back to everyone. Thanks for continuing to be there for the long haul!!
I hope to update again in a week or so, give or take. Your continued faithful prayers are sought and deeply valued.
Gratefully,
Steve
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
In search of "a new normal"
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you, each one, for your prayers and support for Sherri in these days of recovery. A month ago today, Sherri experienced an event that has changed her life in ways that she is still beginning to further understand. With enhanced understanding also come more areas requiring further change and therapy and energy and investigation and decisions. Many of you have worked through this type of process as you faced challenging experiences in the past: now Sherri is working her way through the gauntlet of physical, emotional, professional, recreational and spiritual issues. These matters are mentioned not for drama but because this is the current daily agenda for Sherri. So many have reached out to her in so many ways and this is tremendously encouraging for her. Keep it up. After all, we're in this for the long haul!
Speaking of the long haul, another chapter is about to begin. Sherri's team has set this Saturday as the target date for her to leave Spaulding and go to her apartment. This will be a huge 'step' as she returns just a little closer to a more normal life. But she'll be exploring "the new normal" as she navigates the stairs on her own, figures out how to carry a backpack or otherwise get something up the stairs while holding the railing in one hand and crutch in the other. Not to mention carrying out regular tasks inside her apartment as well as eventually catching and getting on the bus to get to work!!
How is she doing right now?
Sherri is now "walking" the full length of the hallway using her two crutches as walking aids. This style of walking is not what many are used to as in the case of a broken leg or sprained ankle where both crutches are planted at once and then you "hop" on one foot. Instead, she places each crutch just ahead of each foot as she walks to provide support and balance.
During her therapy in the mornings and afternoons, she stretches and bends her legs and then the therapists help her go even further. Sherri is courageous in these sessions and, all things considered, is pretty patient in the repetitions. That being said, she has asked several of the therapists if they have had their legs pushed and bent further than natural and is wondering if perhaps this should be part of their training!! This week she will be working on using just one crutch to walk and will leave Spaulding requiring the continued use of a crutch.
Yesterday, Sherri went up and down the stairs (20 steps) 3 times in the manner as previously described. She's beginning to build a little strength. It was a pretty good workout and afterwords she quickly enjoyed a 30 minute power nap.
The reduction of Sherri's meds have resulted in some restless sleep the last few nights and some pain that may have previously been 'covered' over by the meds. And of note, all of Sherri's staples are now gone with plenty of evidence left behind.
In the midst of these challenges, Sherri continues to be concerned how others are doing and is resolutely determined to keep moving forward. She continues to be energized by your calls and visits and contacts in every way. Keep it coming.
Wendy and I continue to ask you to remember up all these aspects of Sherri's recovery in your prayers. And we remain grateful for your love and support in the journey.
With love and thanksgiving,
Steve
Thank you, each one, for your prayers and support for Sherri in these days of recovery. A month ago today, Sherri experienced an event that has changed her life in ways that she is still beginning to further understand. With enhanced understanding also come more areas requiring further change and therapy and energy and investigation and decisions. Many of you have worked through this type of process as you faced challenging experiences in the past: now Sherri is working her way through the gauntlet of physical, emotional, professional, recreational and spiritual issues. These matters are mentioned not for drama but because this is the current daily agenda for Sherri. So many have reached out to her in so many ways and this is tremendously encouraging for her. Keep it up. After all, we're in this for the long haul!
Speaking of the long haul, another chapter is about to begin. Sherri's team has set this Saturday as the target date for her to leave Spaulding and go to her apartment. This will be a huge 'step' as she returns just a little closer to a more normal life. But she'll be exploring "the new normal" as she navigates the stairs on her own, figures out how to carry a backpack or otherwise get something up the stairs while holding the railing in one hand and crutch in the other. Not to mention carrying out regular tasks inside her apartment as well as eventually catching and getting on the bus to get to work!!
How is she doing right now?
Sherri is now "walking" the full length of the hallway using her two crutches as walking aids. This style of walking is not what many are used to as in the case of a broken leg or sprained ankle where both crutches are planted at once and then you "hop" on one foot. Instead, she places each crutch just ahead of each foot as she walks to provide support and balance.
During her therapy in the mornings and afternoons, she stretches and bends her legs and then the therapists help her go even further. Sherri is courageous in these sessions and, all things considered, is pretty patient in the repetitions. That being said, she has asked several of the therapists if they have had their legs pushed and bent further than natural and is wondering if perhaps this should be part of their training!! This week she will be working on using just one crutch to walk and will leave Spaulding requiring the continued use of a crutch.
Yesterday, Sherri went up and down the stairs (20 steps) 3 times in the manner as previously described. She's beginning to build a little strength. It was a pretty good workout and afterwords she quickly enjoyed a 30 minute power nap.
The reduction of Sherri's meds have resulted in some restless sleep the last few nights and some pain that may have previously been 'covered' over by the meds. And of note, all of Sherri's staples are now gone with plenty of evidence left behind.
In the midst of these challenges, Sherri continues to be concerned how others are doing and is resolutely determined to keep moving forward. She continues to be energized by your calls and visits and contacts in every way. Keep it coming.
Wendy and I continue to ask you to remember up all these aspects of Sherri's recovery in your prayers. And we remain grateful for your love and support in the journey.
With love and thanksgiving,
Steve
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Beginings
Dear Family and Friends,
So many things are happening in this New Year:
* Sherri continues her physical and occupational therapy. She particularly values the professionalism and methodology her physical therapist brings to the process. It's a trying, frustrating, valuable, and very necessary activity.
* Pain management has improved with an increased "background" long lasting med combined with less short term pain meds. Sherri has intentionally skipped a number of her short term pain meds and this represents progress towards eventually decreasing reliance on the powerful drugs.
* Sherri continues along a path of realizing progress on one hand yet also understanding more and more that things will not be the same for now. This is a dynamic that is more quickly understood by those who have been through this type of experience.
Another milestone was reached today as Sherri began working with using crutches to walk. Up to this point, she's exclusively used a walker to support herself. She also has begun to work on how to navigate several steps. She's taking them pretty slowly and deliberately for now!
Her left ankle and foot continue to experience very strange sensations ranging from no sensation to an "angry nerve/shooting pains" to a tingling sensation (think of your foot falling asleep with that tingling feeling).
What's coming up? Soon Sherri's rehab team will huddle and set an informal discharge date. While not set in stone, the informal discharge date will act as a catalyst to get everyone really focused on getting Sherri ready - as best as possible - for the transition to being outside of inpatient care and eventual return to living in her apartment.
Sherri continues to welcome friends and colleagues from ACCION and her Amigos amigos and associates as well and other friends and family. She is energized by people for sure!
Thank you for your continuing part in Sherri's recovery. Many, many - literally from around the world - have shared of their prayer support for Sherri. And so many have written and messaged and 'texted' and for sure facebooked and perhaps tweeted.
With gratitude,
Steve
So many things are happening in this New Year:
* Sherri continues her physical and occupational therapy. She particularly values the professionalism and methodology her physical therapist brings to the process. It's a trying, frustrating, valuable, and very necessary activity.
* Pain management has improved with an increased "background" long lasting med combined with less short term pain meds. Sherri has intentionally skipped a number of her short term pain meds and this represents progress towards eventually decreasing reliance on the powerful drugs.
* Sherri continues along a path of realizing progress on one hand yet also understanding more and more that things will not be the same for now. This is a dynamic that is more quickly understood by those who have been through this type of experience.
Another milestone was reached today as Sherri began working with using crutches to walk. Up to this point, she's exclusively used a walker to support herself. She also has begun to work on how to navigate several steps. She's taking them pretty slowly and deliberately for now!
Her left ankle and foot continue to experience very strange sensations ranging from no sensation to an "angry nerve/shooting pains" to a tingling sensation (think of your foot falling asleep with that tingling feeling).
What's coming up? Soon Sherri's rehab team will huddle and set an informal discharge date. While not set in stone, the informal discharge date will act as a catalyst to get everyone really focused on getting Sherri ready - as best as possible - for the transition to being outside of inpatient care and eventual return to living in her apartment.
Sherri continues to welcome friends and colleagues from ACCION and her Amigos amigos and associates as well and other friends and family. She is energized by people for sure!
Thank you for your continuing part in Sherri's recovery. Many, many - literally from around the world - have shared of their prayer support for Sherri. And so many have written and messaged and 'texted' and for sure facebooked and perhaps tweeted.
With gratitude,
Steve
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