Update

Mom is getting a little bit better each day. The antibiotics seem to be helping along with the rest. We'll try for another visit to the chiropractor tomorrow and try to get her some relief that way. I'll post again once I've seen her.

Pneumonia

Well, the chest x-ray showed a touch of pneumonia. They gave her a shot of antibiotics and a 10 day supply of oral antibiotics and sent her home to rest. I guess rest is not the most appropriate word here since she still has to do 8 hrs a day on the 'torture machine', but no visitors or outings at least. It sounds like they caught it early and she will be just fine. I just feel bad because recovery is hard enough without getting sick too. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Love to you all.

It was going too well...

Mom has had a great couple of days. Yesterday I was able to help out in the morning and then when I went to get the kids from school, dad came home. Overall, she was doing as great as you can after such a major surgery. We were all impressed.

Today we decided to try an outing to the chiropractor because, while the knee seems to be coming along well, the machine she has to use is throwing her hip out of place and causing problems with her sciatic nerve. So, after her physical therapy appt in the morning, we took a short trip out into the world. She had a small cough that seemed to be coming from down in her chest, but wasn't too worrysome. By this afternoon, she was feeling horrible. The cough has worsened terribly and she is running a fever. Dad will be taking her to the doctor first thing in the morning for a chest x-ray. The physical therapist was also concerned this morning because she seems to be losing some range of motion instead of gaining it. All of a sudden, the optimistic direction of her recovery has taken an abrupt turn. Please keep her in your prayers and I'll try to update the site as soon as I know more.

Saw Mom Today

Thanks to my friend Howie I got to go visit mom today. The kids have been coughing and sniffling a little, so we have been keeping them away from her. Matt's friend took him to the Braves game today, so I was home with the kids until Howie offered to come over and stay with them so I could make a mom visit. Thanks Howie!!

So mom is definitely doing better this time around. I couldn't believe the things she was able to do on her own. She can lift her leg, bend it a bit, walk around the house with the walker, and do her exercises. While we are impressed with her abilities, we definitely don't forget that she is in a lot of pain and still a good bit nauseous from the drugs. And of course, it totally sucks to be strapped to a machine that pushes her to her limit 8 hrs a day.

She said that the visits from her kids and grandkids helped to pass the time more quickly than just being there on her own (no offense dad).

I definitely believe in the power of prayer, and I thank all of you for your prayers, thoughts, kind words, and phone calls. They worked! I'll be spending some time with mom tomorrow and I'm sure she'll want to post an update herself, so stay tuned.

Successful so far

Mom has made it to her room and I spoke with her on the phone. She sounds drugged, which is good, of course. She'll be in and out all night, so not much to tell other than it seems like the surgery was successful. Now for the recovery.

Out of Surgery

Dad just called and mom is out of surgery. This one took less time than the first. The doctor told dad something about knowing what sizes to use or something. Sounds like she'll be in her room in about 2 hrs, and then the doctor will come by and check on her later tonight. I'll post more details as I get them.

Big Day

Mom is on her way to the hospital now. Arrival: 8:30. Surgery: 1:30. Check back for updates!

Busy Week

This last week was incredibly busy. Mom is driving herself to physical therapy 3 times a week and is still going strong on her machine. She's reaching that point where she is tired and weary of all the pain and work, and is trying not to be discouraged with the slow progress, but it is tough. We just keep trying to remind her that it has only been 3 weeks, and that it will be worth it in the long run.

As for me, I haven't been much help to her this week because Gavin has had a bad asthma exacerbation. We were afraid it had turned into pneumonia, but after a trip to the ER and his pulmonologist, the x-rays just show severe inflammation and mucus. The poor guy has been on steroids and breathing treatments for a week and is not himself.

The highlight for all of us this week was the arrival of Heidi and Brendon's new baby boy Richard Barton Schwartz II (Richie). He was born on Wednesday night just after 6pm and weighed 7 lbs 8 oz. I haven't seen him yet due to the illness on our end, but I hear he is absolutely beautiful. They are at home now and trying to adjust to their new schedule (or lack of).

I hope all of you have a fantastic week.
Love,
Elise

Direct from the source

We're coming up to three weeks since my surgery, and I am beginning to feel better. It has been a challenging time for me. The days have been filled with 8 hours on the range of motion machine and exercise in between those sessions. I am pushing my limits on everything. The physical therapist is working me hard and it is just going to take time and hard work to get my range of motion back. Some days are easier than others and I just try to forge ahead. The kids are all continuing to be my strength and inspiration. Hello to all and more later. Love, Sandie

Sorry for the delay!

Hi everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting so long with no update. I've actually been 'off duty' since last Wednesday. Adair came in Thursday and Friday, and then Dad took over for the weekend. I spent some time getting stuff done and spent most of the weekend at dance rehearsals (long story). Anyway, today is Monday and we're back to business here. Unfortunately, mom has been working hard all day every day with no break, so take a moment and say a little 'awwww' for her. The highlight of the weekend was her outing to the hospital to have the staples removed from her knee and the stitches removed from her head. I don't know if it was the act of having them removed, the outing, or both, but she seemed to be feeling a tad bit better on Saturday. I'm in the middle of making chicken and dumplings compliments of my best bud Kori in Alaska, so dad is excited. I'll see if mom has anything she wants you all to know and post more later.

One more day on the machine. This sucks! The only good part is having my wonderful children around to take care of me. We're giving Elise a break today. Adair has come in for two days, which is a real treat. Flowers keep coming in, Richard brought me a bouquet last night and A GORGEOUS bouquet of spring flowers (that look like they came from Grand Gilbert's garden) including snap dragons and all from my precious family in Minnesota. Connie Pantelides and I had a wonderful afternoon chat remembering Nick and all the good old days in Fox Hills. It's now time to get back to the exercise routine. Still stuggling with nausea. The best help is having an Herbalife shake, thanks to Nancy. The pills have too many negative side effects so I am trying to stop those- all but the Percocet for pain, for now. More tomorrow.
Love, Sandie

More from Sandie

What's today? oh yeah, they all run together and now I have to get back to the land of the living. So, here we are just one week from the surgery. I am feeling better, but still struggle with the nausea. The range of motion in my knee is the biggest challenge. Yesterday we focused on pushing the limits with the physical therapist. I was in tears by the end of the work-out, which is good. That means progress is in the works. Today will be a repeat of yesterday. Elise and I are getting my schedule organized so we can stay on track. Gavin is playing quietly in the background with his toys. He is so good. Kaylin is at pre-school and will usually play with her toy kitchen and serve up yummy food when she gets back. They are sweet and add a touch of joy no matter how awful I feel. Gotta get back to work now so have a good day. More later. Love ya, Sandie

From Sandie...

Hello everybody! I have one thing to say about knee replacement surgery...It sucks!!! But, I will survive. The past few days have pretty much been miserable and now the real work begins. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. They really have made a difference. My family has been so supportive. It is always uplifting to hear from you. My cousin Nancy is my greatest cheerleader and inspiration. She has survived double knee replacement surgery- I can't begin to imagine how she did it. She has guided me in the important things I need to do. I've had calls and flowers from many of you far away- cousins Mary, Tom, Shirley, Aunt Alma, Susan and Shel just to name a few. Today has been a day to really get down to a schedule and focus on the instructions of the Doctor- which means if there are no tears I am not pushing hard enough. So- it's back to the torture machine for me. Thanks again for the support you've shown. We sent Richard back to work and Elise and the grandkids are taking great care of my every whim. Love to all, Sandie

Not so lucky

Unfortunately, last night was not as good as the night before. The Ambien didn't do the trick, and it took mom 5 hrs to fall asleep. The nausea is still a problem, so maybe we'll call the doctor today and see if we can change up the meds or get something to help with the nausea. More later.

Sleep, it does a body good

Last night mom finally got a stretch of uninterrupted sleep, and it did her good. She's still nauseous and in pain, but she feels a little bit better, and that's the best we can hope for right now. Dad made us all blueberry pancakes and we had what Gavin calls 'pajama day'. The physical therapist came by in the afternoon and answered some of mom's questions. Now she knows just how far she needs to push her exercises and which ones she needs to focus on the most. She will have home therapy 3 times a week for 2 weeks, and then we'll have to start going to outpatient therapy. We all hope she has another good night of sleep. Amen for Ambien. :)

Exhausted

It's 8 pm, the kids are in bed, and we're all ready to drop. Mom made it through the day, but it sure wasn't one she'd like to do again. She is still feeling sick and hurting all over. I'm sure it's a combination of the fall, the remnants of the anesthesia, the surgery of course, and as always, the weather. The highlight of her day was a visit from Brendon and Heidi. Brendon's broken toe seems to be healing well as long as he stays off it, and Heidi's contractions have gone from annoying to painful. It seems as though I will have a new nephew very soon. That's about all I have the energy for tonight. More in the morning.

The rest of the story

Everyone is awake and starting the day now. It took 11 stitches to close the wound, but the good news is that she didn't damage her knee during the fall. She's pretty much miserable though. She's still nauseous and hurting all over. She's now starting the machine that flexes her knee, which she has to do for 2 hrs 4 times a day. The home health nurse should be making a visit at some point today. I sure hope today goes better than last night. More soon.

Not a good night

Last night did not go so well. At 1:00 am mom was headed to the bathroom and fell. She cut her head just above her left eyebrow. Dad was able to stop the bleeding, but it was a big gash, so he took her to the hospital for stitches and to have them check her knee. They are both back home and sleeping, so I don't have a post-hospital update yet, but I'll post again as soon as I know her status.

She's Home!

I haven't had much time to get this blog started, but the good news is that mom made it through the surgery and after a few tough days in the hospital she is home. As you can imagine, she's a trooper and has been blowing away the physical therapists with her determination and ability despite the pain. I'll post more later!