March 27

Well, the date is set for Leslie to come home - SATURDAY March 31! I am excited and Leslie is a bit nervous, but I think it will be better to be home than in the hospital. Of course it will! Duh! I will be spending a few days with her to help her acclimate from hospital to home as well as being surrounded by her loving family Ray, Keith and Alice. The hard part is that Leslie can't get her brace on without help and she can't get up without her brace until the end of April. So let's stat counting down those days for her: 34 more days until "de-bracing". Every stage of healing has its milestones and its victories. Let us endeavor to support her throughout all her challenges.

March 25 up and down stairs

Dear friends it has been awhile since I have written and I have much to tell you. Leslie is working hard! The therapists are pushing her more and more and she is now going up and down stairs while holding on to rails. The "committee" originally has set Saturday March 31 as her discharge date, 6 more days! That would be 64 days from her accidental encounter with the bus. I am sure feelings are mixed about going home, but as Auntie Em said (or was it Dorothy?), "there is no place like home." We will keep you posted. Keep praying because the next change will have many challenges as well.

March 19

I got to spend most of the day with Leslie today and she is walking up a storm, BUT a bit of a setback today... she is having some GI issues and some kind of skin infection, I think. We are all a little puzzled by it and the hospital has done some tests. So Leslie was not feeling great today, but she did get her hair washed and that felt good. It was great being with her and I think even though it was a hard day she continues to see the progress she is making. Please pray that these minor issues will get worked out soon. I know even a little downturn can be especially difficult. All in all this is a difficult thing to go through! Understatement of the year. So my prayer for Leslie is that she will know and experience God's shalom, that is His peace and total healing of her body, soul and spirit.

March 17

Today more progress and more progress. Leslie did some "kitchen" stuff like getting cups and saucers out of the cupboard and fixing tea! She also walked down a long hallway with a walker. More importantly Leslie is excited about her progress. If you want to bring dinner and eat with her some evening, give her a call. I think she would love that since the hospital food leaves much to be desired. It is so good to hear HOPE in her voice. Thanks LORD for answering our prayers.

March 16 BIG NEWS

WOW I really missed BIG news yesterday. I just spoke with Leslie and she told me SHE WALKED ACROSS A ROOM, 16 STEPS, using a walker. Way to go. She is so excited and encouraged at this progress that you can hear her smiling. Not only that, but she ate a full meal which included a delicious steak that Alice had made for her. We are talking MAJOR progress. She had no pain in her leg as she walked. Her days are very structured with different therapies, so visiting is better in the evening times. After being in bed for so long, her physical strength is down so pray that it would be built up.
THANK YOU LORD!

March 15

Okay, so I missed a day. Life is busy. Leslie had a skin problem yesterday from wearing her brace for 2 days while lying down during her visit to various appointments. I honestly don't have news to report on today since we only connected in the morning, but I do know she loves calls, cards, and visits. And remember to keep praying for healing of her heart, soul and body. The road is shorter but it still stretches out through probably most of 2007.

March 13

Well I have not been able to get the pic on yet, maybe tomorrow. BUT TODAY, we went to the ortho doc and Leslie got a blue cast on her leg and the go ahead to start weight bearing on it, so that means tomorrow she will start standing on BOTH legs and maybe even taking a step. It was a long day at the doctors and there were some funny moments, like almost not being able to get into the elevator with the gurney. Our 2 ambulance drivers were great though and they hung in with us until we returned at 5:00 pm (we left at 11:45). I think we will all sleep tonight, so here goes zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Picture of Happiness

I am attempting to add a pic of Leslie and Ray. here goes................

March 12

Can you believe I forgot yesterday. I am getting old, but not as old as the Birthday Boy (Ray). Anyway, life is settling in at Herrick and Leslie got a brace that fits and she is getting up. Today she went to Alta Bates for an ultradsound and tomorrow she goes to her ortho doc for a foloow up appt. She is progressing, Praise God. I thank you LORD for Leslie's life and health and healing day by day.

March 10

It is a new day in a new place. Leslie has been very busy today with evaluations, getting her new brace, physical therapy,and getting settled. I am excited about her being there because I think they are going to help her achieve greater success and mobility. It won't be easy and we all need to keep cheering her on the road to recovery.

March 9 The Move

Leslie moved to Herrick Acute Rehab today:

Outpatient Rehabilitation - Herrick Campus
2001 Dwight Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 204-4599

The facility is nicest yet, a step up in the world so they say, and the staff has been very kind. Best news is that Leslie was measured for a new brace that will arrive tomorrow and hopefully will fit much better, thus making getting out of bed a less painful endeavor. She is one step closer to being HOME.

March 8

Not too much to say today. Leslie had lunch with a cousin and friend outside on the patio and was up in her chair for about an hour. Not very comfortable due to the brace. latest news on the move to Herrick: it may be Monday. Cards, visits, calls welcome, but most of all your prayers.

March 7 - a 2 stand up day

Yessirree you heard it first on blogspot: Leslie stood up TWO times today. And as you will remember that is one more than yesterday. Progress progress progress. The RN from Herrick came today and said Monday might be the move over day. I know the right decision will be made at the right time. This RN has been following Leslie's progress since before she left Highland and I know she wants the best possible outcome for her. Leslie will be seeing an ortho doc next week as well and that will give us more info on the status of her healing process. Today as I was sharing with a fireman friend about her accident, I was reminded of the LORD's blessing to Leslie and to all of us inasmuch as Leslie had no brain damage, no paralysis, no severed limbs, no internal organ damage apart from her lung damage r/t broken ribs, and SHE IS ALIVE. Thank You LORD. Is not God gracious to us? May we all be cognizant of His abundant blessings poured out upon our lives every day.

March 6 onward and upward

Progress every day is occurring at Elmwood. Today Leslie got out of bed 2 times and stood up again for a longer time. Now you might think getting out of bed 2 times in one day is not much, but it is. Leslie can only sit up with a brace on and putting the brace on is a minor ordeal. Then she gets help to the sitting position, a board is placed under her and SHE scoots over to the wheelchair. It is a tiring process and the fact that she did it twice today is definitely a milestone. Of course there is the getting back to bed as well. All this takes great effort on her behalf which is strengthening her for Herrick. Tomorrow she will get reevaluated for her readiness for the transfer. Keep those encouraging cards and visits coming. Visits especially needed in the afternoons after 4 pm. I believe the Lord is helping Leslie every day accomplish these small but significant steps in her recovery. Your prayers on her behalf are very appreciated.

March 5 a stand up day

Yes, you read it right: Leslie stood up today for the first time since Jan 27. All in all it was a day of firsts. We had lunch outside int he beautiful warm sun. Leslie and Alice and I played some cards (trying to help pass the time until the PT was available for Leslie's session.) I watched her get out of bed and into her wheelchair and I was pleasantly surprised at her strength and determination. Leslie does not think she will be ready for Herrick this week and we will have to see how that goes. I know when she feels strong enough, she will want to move out of Elmwood to Herrick which will be the step before HOME. She is in need of visitors after 4pm, so call and sign up for a visit time. Leslie's cel is back working, so you can call her and let her know when you can come. Keep those cards a comin;

March 4th oops

Well I am sure you are all wondering where the blogger has been the last 3 days. I went to LA for the weekend and forgot my user name for the blog so I could not post from LA. So let's play catchup. For those of you who have not been able to see Leslie the past few days, she is doing better and better. So what else did we expect anyway? This morning she told me she felt stronger and this afternoon she told me she was "HAPPY". Me too, when I hear that. A nursing student was hired to spend most of the day with her and help her with basic needs. She is a real asset to Leslie's healing process, physically and emotionally. So there you have it. Also this coming week she will probably move over to Herrick Acute Rehab Facility on Dwight in Berkeley. When that stint is over, home again, home again jiggety jig. What a joy that will be. Keep visiting, sending cards,and praying for physical, emotional and mental healing and endurance, but especially that Leslie would know God's love and shalom (peace) in the midst of her journey.

March 1 "It was easier today"

As I heard those words from Leslie's mouth I smiled and shouted hooray. Physical therapy today was better. Leslie said she felt stronger as she got into the wheelchair and she maneuvered herself around the unit. Wow! The intake RN from Herrick came by to reevaluate and she thought Leslie would be moved over in about 2 weeks. I bet Leslie will surprise us all and be there sooner. Another 3 weeks at Herrick and then HOME. Good good news. Keep those prayers a comin'. Visits and cards and lots of love.