I've been so busy getting back into the swing of things. Susan is doing fantastic. She even got out some yesterday to do some window shopping. She said it was nice to get out of the house even though it was cold!! Brrr!!!!
Anyway, I thought I had sent in an update to let everyone know that she was ready for visitors, but it didn't post. If anyone would like to visit her, give her a call.
She is leaving for home (Nashville area) some time tomorrow. I don't want her to go :(, but her mother needs to return home and wants to keep an eye on Susan a little while longer.
She goes to the doctor today to have her staples removed - OUCH! That should ease up some of the tension in her neck and shoulders.
I would like to tell everyone "THANK YOU". I've received a lot of emails and comments from people saying thanks for keeping them informed. It's a blessing for me to have a friend like Susan. She is a miracle and was living testimony.
I thank God for a friend like Susan.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
She's at home
She made it home and is resting. She's trying to get comfortable at home now. I'll let everyone know when she feels like visitors.
GO SUSAN GO!!
She's getting to go home today! She said the doctor told her she was doing fantastic and that he was releasing her. She should be leaving around 10am this morning.
I'll post again once she's at home and resting. She did say that she would still like visitors once she's at home.
I'll post again once she's at home and resting. She did say that she would still like visitors once she's at home.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
An action packed weekend
Susan is doing so well!! Anyone who has come to see her will agree with that statement. They've taken all IV's out as well as her nasal oxygen monitor. She's been working with the therapy group on walking. Everyday she walks double what she did the day before. Yesterday she went up and down 6 steps, which is a huge accomplishment for her.
She was able to take a shower on Saturday. She said that water felt really good and that the heat from the water helped the stiffness in her neck and shoulders. She was also able to wash her hair.
She decided on Saturday that she wanted to see her incision and no one had a mirror for her to use to see the back, so I used my camera phone to let her see. She was shocked and a little emotional because she didn't know what to expect. Her mom, Shaneka H. and I helped her realize that it wasn't nearly as bad as it looks. Her incision is about 8 inches long and it has staples in it at the moment. The staples will be in for about 2 weeks and then they'll be removed.
She does have some muscle weakness (which her doctors expected), so it's been a challenge for her with that. She wants to move quicker than her body will allow her, but she's trying.
She doesn't like asking for help, but she recognizes that she needs it from time to time.
She should be able to go home tomorrow - YAY!!!! She's a little apprehensive, but she really wants to be home in her own bed.
I'll let you know more tomorrow.
Melody
She was able to take a shower on Saturday. She said that water felt really good and that the heat from the water helped the stiffness in her neck and shoulders. She was also able to wash her hair.
She decided on Saturday that she wanted to see her incision and no one had a mirror for her to use to see the back, so I used my camera phone to let her see. She was shocked and a little emotional because she didn't know what to expect. Her mom, Shaneka H. and I helped her realize that it wasn't nearly as bad as it looks. Her incision is about 8 inches long and it has staples in it at the moment. The staples will be in for about 2 weeks and then they'll be removed.
She does have some muscle weakness (which her doctors expected), so it's been a challenge for her with that. She wants to move quicker than her body will allow her, but she's trying.
She doesn't like asking for help, but she recognizes that she needs it from time to time.
She should be able to go home tomorrow - YAY!!!! She's a little apprehensive, but she really wants to be home in her own bed.
I'll let you know more tomorrow.
Melody
Thursday, November 29, 2007
What to expect
There are many different visions that come to mind when you imagine this type of surgery. From the people who have come to visit Susan, the first thing they say is that they are surprised at how good she looks. This prompted me to let people know what to expect when people come to visit her.
1. She looks great!
2. There isn't a bandage around her head, just a small bandage on the back of her head
3. She doesn't have a neck brace on
4. She's not covered in tubes, just a small IV on her neck
5. She doesn't have a lot of range of motion in her neck, so turning her head side to side is difficult right now. This will get better with healing and rest
6. She's got some muscle weakness on her left side, but that too will get better
She's in great sprirts and has been eating, laughing and complaining that there's nothing on TV :)
She's doing very well and hopefully she'll get to go home on either Monday or Tuesday. She's started some therapy today and did very well walking the hallways of the 9th floor.
More updates tomorrow.
Melody
1. She looks great!
2. There isn't a bandage around her head, just a small bandage on the back of her head
3. She doesn't have a neck brace on
4. She's not covered in tubes, just a small IV on her neck
5. She doesn't have a lot of range of motion in her neck, so turning her head side to side is difficult right now. This will get better with healing and rest
6. She's got some muscle weakness on her left side, but that too will get better
She's in great sprirts and has been eating, laughing and complaining that there's nothing on TV :)
She's doing very well and hopefully she'll get to go home on either Monday or Tuesday. She's started some therapy today and did very well walking the hallways of the 9th floor.
More updates tomorrow.
Melody
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Hospital Information
Susan Dowlen is located at:
Methodist University Hospital
1265 Union Ave.
Memphis ,TN 38104
Room - 919
Her mother and I are asking for no phone calls at this time, so unfortunately the phone number for her room will not be posted. While Susan is recovering quicker than anyone expected, she is still in pain and the left side of her body is weaker than the right side. Also, because of the pain medication that she is on, she drifts in and out of sleep and needs all the rest that she can get.
We will both be at the hospital this evening with her and will see if she wants to make some phone calls while we're there. That way she'll have help dialing and holding the phone.
She said that she didn't mind visitors coming by and wanted visitors to come by. Feel free to stop by at anytime. There are no special hours for visitation or limits on the amount of people who can visit at any specific time.
Thank you for continuing to pray for her speedy recovery,
Melody and Nancy
Methodist University Hospital
1265 Union Ave.
Memphis ,TN 38104
Room - 919
Her mother and I are asking for no phone calls at this time, so unfortunately the phone number for her room will not be posted. While Susan is recovering quicker than anyone expected, she is still in pain and the left side of her body is weaker than the right side. Also, because of the pain medication that she is on, she drifts in and out of sleep and needs all the rest that she can get.
We will both be at the hospital this evening with her and will see if she wants to make some phone calls while we're there. That way she'll have help dialing and holding the phone.
She said that she didn't mind visitors coming by and wanted visitors to come by. Feel free to stop by at anytime. There are no special hours for visitation or limits on the amount of people who can visit at any specific time.
Thank you for continuing to pray for her speedy recovery,
Melody and Nancy
She's out of ICU
She got moved into a room about 20 mins ago. She's in room 919 and just finished lunch. She's been resting well. There are no special visiting hours in the regular room, after 7pm you have to check in downstairs.
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