We Have Started the Countdown

Five days and counting until "freedom day" and it can't get here fast enough for John. He is doing very well, but getting anxious for the disconnect surgery and the outcome. The doctor couldn't X-ray the thumb last week when we saw him because it is still attached so we still don't know how well the bones are meshing. We have been walking each day - about 6 to 8 blocks are his limit. Still waiting until we can do the beach trail. All in all everything is great.

John is back in HMB

We are all back in HMB and John got to sleep in his own bed last night. Not as restful as he had anticipated as last night was the first time he slept under covers. Only got up once, but was able to sleep in until 9:15 a.m. That's my boy!! I'm always given a rough time when I get up late and this time I beat him out of bed. Probably the only time that will happen. It continues to be difficult for him to find a position sitting up that keeps his thumb in the proper alignment. May 3rd can't get here fast enough for him, but he is such a trooper and never complains. We just move around until we find one that works. Please keep those emails, phone calls, visits and notes coming. They ate a real boost to his spirit.

Decision Made

John has decided that Tuesday is the day he will be heading back to HMB. He has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday morning where the drain will be removed and some of the staples. I think he is ready to break out of jail and head home to his own bed, shower and a different meal plan. The p.t. at Lytton Gardens was great, but not great enough to warrant 23 more hrs. per day there. He said that he learned a lot and that he can do what he needs to do at home or we will head over the hill to the club. I can't wait to have him home. Mom

Decisions Decisions

Another day at Lytton Gardens. John is so enjoying the p.t. there, but reevaluating whether one day of GREAT p.t. is worth 23 hours at "God's Waiting Room." He is constantly saying "I don't want to get old and end up in a place like this" even though the staff is caring and very kind it's still been very hard on him seeing people in wheelchairs sleeping and his roommate who is 92 talking about wanting to go home. He is talking about coming back to HMB after the. drain is removed on Tuesday. We can take him up to the club each day for p.t. and he will definitely have some input on food when I am cooking. Bernie and I have been bringing lunch each day and Jane and Mike from O.C. have brought dinner the last two nights. After one dinner we decided that lunch and dinner will be provided by family and friends. We can't get in early enough to bring breakfast, but at least he is getting two edible meals. Guess old folks don't care what they eat but we care about what he is eating. All in all it's not as bad as I thought it would be and they really trying to accommodate his needs. Part of the problem is that the population is at least 35 years older than John and their needs are different. Tomorrow is another day and John will be making his decision about whether he will stick it out or vote to go home - hopefully the later. Mom

From the Ritz Carlton to Motel 6

John survived his first night at Lytton Gardens. After being at Stanford for 7 days this is definitely a step down, but it is very clean, the staff is great, but the food certainly leaves a lot to be desired. Stanford is certainly the Ritz Carlton of hospitals and we all got spoiled. He went to p.t. today and said that the therapist is great. Worked a lot on his range of motion on this right arm and had John riding on some kind of special bike that allowed John to work on building up his left leg (where they removed the bone)and also working on his gait. He goes to the doctor on Tuesday to have the drain removed and then 10 days later will be "freedom day" when the thumb will be removed from his groin. Then lots and lots of physical therapy-which I think he is actually looking forward to. His spirit is great and he is very positive. Thanks for all the text messages and emails to him. He so loves hearing from friends. Mom

John taking the skilled nursing facility by storm...

Folks,

John got settled today at Lytton Gardens in Palo Alto. It seems like a nice place near University Ave. It has a nice courtyard area and after being stuck inside the hospital for almost a week, John is happily hanging out in the courtyard!

On to a New Home-away-from tomorrow

John will be leaving Stanford Medical Center tomorrow for his "new digs" at 11:00 a.m. He will be driven there in his own "limo" - a hospital transport vehicle. He is moving to Lytton Gardens described as a "senior community" but they have a skilled nursing wing which is where John will be for the next two weeks. It is located about two miles from Stanford. I think he will be happy to get out of the hospital, but I'm not too sure he is going to be loving his new place. Time only will tell.

He is up and walking around without assistance and only has one drain that has to go with him. We will be seeing the doctor on Tuesday for the removal of the drain and some of the stitches.

Both his primary surgeon and his associate were in today and they are super pleased with his progress and so are we. More tomorrow from the "new digs". Mom