Friday, January 30, 2009

Turtle free and lovin' it!


Today was the first day without the turtle!!! Pinky's attitude was amazing as she cried with joy that she never has to wear that damn turtle again. We thanked the turtle for doing it's good and told it to not let the door kick it's ass on the way out! Good day turtle. 3 months of wearing that thing, I can only imagine. Tomorrow we return to Lovelace for more therapy with our angle Rose.
Go Pinky!!!

Thursday, January 29, 2009


Late night at the rehab. Pinky is really stiff and sore tonight, reminds me of a picture I made for her at the hospital. The Princess and the Pea. She's packed into bed tonight with tons of pillows and some nights it's just never quite right. She worked so hard today that I guess it only makes sense she's hurting. You can theorize the situation all you want but it still sucks to see your mommy in pain. Let's all keep the good mojo flowing and lets get Pinky better. Go team Pinky!

Pinky Walked Today!!!

Great news from Red Neck Rehab: Pinky went to our sister rehab, Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital, to work with her therapist Rose and she walked 13 feet. They wrapped her knees with the most high tech. equipment around (notice in picture: cardboard and duct tape). With just a little help she managed to move her legs and walk. Pinky cried with joy as today really gave her hope that with a lot of hard work she will be rehabilitated. Pinky and Rose really bonded today which will help mom's mental attitude towards this whole progress.
GO PINKY!!!
We just ate some Greek food and are going to watch some TV and celebrate Pinky's amazing first steps to recovery.


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The amazing Pinky


Pinky and Steve. I guess the Red Neck Rehab has a new mascot, The Beaver. Pinky went to rehab today and no code blue!! She got a little faint but the therapist learned her lesson and put mom down for a few minutes. She's pretty tired now and is watching some TV to float away into another world for a little while. I spoke to the neurosurgeon's nurse today who ahvised us that mom can start sleeping on her side once the turtle is off. Pink is very excited since she's had to sleep on her back for the past 3 month. The staff at the rehab is also excited because we hope this will quite the insane snoring that Pink produces. For such a lovely woman she sure can knock back some zzz's.
Pinky is enjoying Gene's company and they enjoy late evening rendezvous while Gene changes mom's diaper.
All in all, things are good, everyday a little better. Yesterday we went out to eat at a restaurant and Mom was so great. She's not letting the wheelchair or back brace get in the way of enjoying life. My mom is so amazing, every moment I'm in awe of her spirit. God save the queen!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sunday in the culd-de-sac


Mom spent part of the day at the local kiddie park watching children playing and laughing. We've been on the look out for our local road runner but no luck today. Pinky is doing a little better everyday and I can't wait for Saturday to throw that damn turtle way!!! Pinky seems to be more relaxed when we don't have to go to the rehab hospital but let's all pray she find her strength to overcome each and every fear.
Another week to conquer...

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Saturday Night Fever

Another day at Red Neck Rehab, it is Steve's Birthday and in typical Pinky fashion we celebrated all day long. Steve (my boyfriend) has been invaluable to Pink's recovery. He has personally taken on building all equipment Pinky might need to recover quicker.
These past few days have been full of adventure...
A "code blue" at rehab that ended with 5 hours in the emergency room only to confirm that Pinky fainted again and that her heart and blood work was completely normal. This injury is strange because Pinky is healthy but has odd side effects to her injury like low blood pressure that can end up with fainting which is quite scary to witness but manageable if you know what to do, head back, feet up. Pinky continues to look forward to all the loving cards everyday so please keep them coming!!!
All our love and thanks for all the support we have been receiving.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy MLK day, hopefully many of you are having a nice day off. Pinky is working hard every day, yesterday Gene came in and Pinky wanted to show off all of her new moves, so it was a good day of PT at the Red Neck Rehab. We have herd that it is really cold back home, the weather in Albuquerque is so nice the temp. is about 55 degrees and the sun is so warm, Mom likes to sit out side in the sun for a while during the day, the neighbors usually come out and chat for a while. On one side of Holly's the neighbor just had a baby on Friday, she had it naturally in her home with only her family, the mid-wife came about 20 minutes after the birth. For everyone who knows Pinky they know that this has been a great event for her spirits. Well it's time for us to do some more PT. Check Spelling

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Today was Saturday and we did go to re-hab at Lovelace. We met Rose, the 4th P.T. person that mom has been placed with. I hope she is the last because she is by far the best out of the 4. She will be seeing her Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I believe that the prior 3 physical therapists were overwhelmed with mom's condition. Rose has had 15 years of spinal cord injury patients. Today Rose placed mom on a table that lifted to almost were she was standing, then she rocked forward and back, with Rose and me spotting her but she put her weight through her legs. It was a very good workout. I am confident that mom is going to be up soon. Along with every one's prayers we might have to thank Mc Donald's too, she has a new craving for fast food. Tomorrow Gene is coming in about 3:00 we are all happy he is back, but no one as much as mom.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

This morning Pinky got up early and told us to get her out of bed, so this feels like it is going to be a banner day. She is next to me and she would like to post her own blog so her she is; I would like everyone to know that it was your prayers that have been getting me better (ahead of schedule). I want to thank everyone for all your generosity, I am even overwhelmed how loved I am. Know that I can not wait to come home and spoil everyone rotten. Please keep the cards coming I LOVE them. Yours truely, Pinky.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Well we met with Dr. Turner today and it was all good news! The swelling in her neck has gone down and her mid-back looks so good that he said the brace can be removed in 2 weeks. I believe that her healing has been so good, mostly thanks to all of the prayers she has received from all of her wonderful friends. Now it is up to Pinky, she has to do a lot of hard work to re-circuit her nerves system so she can use her arm and legs again, but I am sure the prays will still be wanted and welcomed.

Monday, January 12, 2009

c-spine MRI, my mommy is so pretty

Greetings from Red Neck Rehab. Today Pinky was showing her inner red neck by demanding McDonald's for dinner and lunch. We feed her what ever she wants since an appetite isn't something she has had. We met with a new physical therapist today, Leslie. Scheduling has been a nightmare since Pinky isn't sleeping because she keeps peeing all night. Peeing in bed is GREAT in her case because this means the bladder is starting to work on it's own. Good for Pinky's bladder but bad for Pinky and the rehab staff that have to wake up and change her multiple times a night. Skin break down (bed sores) is enemy number one so keeping Pinky's skin clean and mean is a priority here at the Red Neck Rehab. Pinky had an MRI yesterday (oh boy). Tomorrow is a big day, we meet with doctor numero uno, Dr. Turner her neurosurgeon at 1 pm. He'll hopefully will give us an insight on how much longer Pinky will have to where the damn turtle brace. Pinky HATES the brace, who wouldn't. Womens liberation has given women the freedom from girdles but poor Pinky is confined to a hard plastic bustier. Lets hope the turtle shell can be burned sooner than later. Thanks to everyone of Pinkys friends, she misses all of you so much. I believe missing her friends is the hardest thing for her to deal with. I'm sure our continued constant company may get a little dull. To another day to conquer...

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Today is Saturday at the 'Red Neck Rehab'. Pinky did her physical therapy on the P.T. table that Steve made for her. We got new exercises yesterday at rehab. At rehab they put her through a very vigorous workout, she did great, no matter how hard it is for her she does it, she wants to get better. Some of her exercise are to sit on the edge of the P.T. table and find her center of balance and sit by her-self with out any aid. She also has leg exercises and many arm and hand. For the last week Pinky has been experiencing muscle spasms in her hands and wrist this leaves her hand very stiff. The doctor yesterday upped her medication for this it seemed to help last night and today. Spasms, we have been told, are signals that the brain is sending information to her limbs but the signal is interrupted so the body spasms, to try jump start the connections.
My partner, Page is leaving us tomorrow for a week so the quality of the blog is most likely going to drop since he has written it up to now.


Rosie, Pinky, Page and Reggie

Wednesday, January 7, 2009






Pinky went to outpatient rehab today for about 2 hrs. The Physical Therapist evaluated her flexibility, and stretched out all of her muscles. She also gave us a set of exercises to perform at home to make sure that all muscles are excercised to keep her body in balance and make sure that the muscles that get used often don't overwhelm the muscles that are used infrequently. She perscribed a minimum of 5 minutes per hour of these exercises as well as 5 minutes of sitting up in bed balance exercises.
We talked to Minnie the Director of the rehab facility, former Colonel, and straight shooter. She gave us the useful tip of the day, "The bed is our emeny". Meaning, stay out of it as much as possible.


After rehab we drove around Albuquerque for about an hour and a half sightseeing.

Reggie has begun to make friends with the Steve and Holly's dogs. This is a big step for him.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

today mom needed to go get her blood tested, we got her in the car and Holly got the blood tech to come to the car to take it. This allowed mom to have more energy so we drove town and stopped at an Indian reservation. We got back to the "red neck rehab" in time for mom to get a wonderful massage. We are going to have dinner together and do a little more P.T.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Summary from 30 Oct 2008 - 4 Jan 2009 (Read from bottom of page to top)

2009-Jan-04 Sunday
Pinky is sore from the previous days PT and sleeps in. She’s up in the chair at 12:00 and stays up until 6:00. She is now able to help fold some of the smaller laundry which includes ~100 washcloths.
We have dubbed Holly and Steve’s house “Redneck Rehab”. Steve finishes construction of a wooden PT table with wheels and we bring it in the house and rearrange the furniture to accommodate it.
Today the spasms have subsided, whether it is due to the cranial sacral work or her own body recovery who cares, today was a better day.

2009-Jan-03 Saturday
Pinky is a little banged up today and thinks she might have overdone the PT on Friday. She pushes through and does PT in the morning and OT in the afternoon. She has a cranial-sacral therapy at around 6:00 PM. She is having some spasms in her legs and arms.
The family wraps up the day with another episode of “Brothers and Sisters”. Note. This television series is not recommended for the homophobic.

2009-Jan-02 Friday
Friday was a good day including an hour or so of PT in the sun. A short ride around the neighborhood in the wheelchair and several hours of OT at the table.

2009-Jan-01
Gene returns to NJ today after a month in ABQ caring for Pinky.
Rehab begins first thing New Years Day. Beth, Holly, and Steve are providing round-the-clock care for Pinky and well as performing physical therapy and occupational therapy. Steve turns out to have a great aptitude, enthusiasm and positive attitude towards the difficult tasks at hand. Everyone in the family is showing great strength and compassion under these trying circumstances.

Today was Pinky's first full day at Holly and Steve's house.

The day went well. Pinky spent a couple of hours in the New Mexico sunshine this morning where she relaxed and then did some PT with coach Steve. Highlights including throwing a rubber ball into a 5 gallon bucket.

In the afternoon Pinky did some OT and watched a slideshow of Beth, Page, and Reggie’s drive to N.M.
Dinner was mesquite smoked burgers.
We wrapped up the evening with a family viewing of the series "Brothers and Sisters"

2009 is off to a good start. Tomorrow is another day!




2008-Dec-31
Pinky leaves Rehab. The rehab center she is in is a state of the art facility but is not allowed to take in long term patients. The family has to decide whether to place Pinky in a nursing home or bring her to Holly’s house and continue rehab and care on their own. After visiting the nursing home, the decision is made that Pinky’s best chance for recovery is to bring her home to Holly’s house.
Pinky arrives at Holly’s house at around 2:00 on New Year’s Eve.

2008-Dec-30

2008-Dec-29
Beth, Page and Reggie arrive in Albuquerque. Beth notices great improvement in Pinky’s physical wellbeing, during the month that she has been away.

2008-Dec-28
2008-Dec-27
2008-Dec-26
Beth, Page and Reggie set out for Albuquerque. Pinky has requested that her beloved dog Reggie be brought out to help with her rehabilitation. Reggie, as many of you know is Beth and Page’s incredibly cute but ill-tempered Chihuahua.

2008-Dec-25
2008-Dec-24
2008-Dec-23
2008-Dec-22
2008-Dec-21
2008-Dec-20
2008-Dec-19
2008-Dec-18
2008-Dec-17
2008-Dec-16
2008-Dec-15
2008-Dec-14
2008-Dec-13
2008-Dec-12
2008-Dec-11
2008-Dec-10
2008-Dec-9
2008-Dec-8
2008-Dec-7
2008-Dec-6
2008-Dec-5
2008-Dec-4
2008-Dec-3
2008-Dec-2
2008-Dec-1
2008-Nov-31
2008-Nov-30
2008-Nov-29
Beth returns to NJ.

2008-Nov-28

2008-Nov-27
Gene travels to Albuquerque to help with the care of Pinky.

2008-Nov-26
New medicine is tried for spasms. Roboxin. In rehab, with assistance of an apparatice with counterweights draws her first 3 post-accident portraits.

2008-Nov-25
2008-Nov-24
2008-Nov-23
2008-Nov-22
2008-Nov-21

2008-Nov-20

Beth returns to Albuquerque.

2008-Nov-19
Gene returns to NJ.

2008-Nov-18
This is the first night that someone from the family doesn’t spend the night with Pinky.

2008-Nov-17
Pinky contracts an urinary tract infection from her catheter.

2008-Nov-16
Pinky’s neck brace is removed. Pinky is having some muscle spasms. Neurontin is prescribed.

2008-Nov-15

2008-Nov-14
Pinky is released from the hospital and admitted to Lovelace Rehab. Center.
Pinky finds the rehab environment much more soothing than the hospital.
Stipulation of being in this rehab facility is a minimum of 3 hrs. of rehab/day. This is very difficult for Pinky at this time. She puts in the effort because this facility is her quickest road to recovery.

2008-Nov-13
2008-Nov-12

2008-Nov-11
Gene arrives in ABQ.

2008-Nov-10
2008-Nov-9
Beth returns to NJ.

2008-Nov-8
Pinky starts taking Percocet and it is working for the pain. Dr. brings in copies of the MRI for the family.

2008-Nov-7
PT. All doctors visited today.
Current drugs: Morphine, Oxycontin, Dexamethasone, docusate sodium, famotidine, bisacodyl, Lovenox, Pepsid, colace, Coumadin.
Talked to doctor because pain medication wasn’t sufficient.

2008-Nov-6
Dr. Davis come in and switches Pinky from injected blood thinners to orally administered Coumadin. Blood tests are required for tests every 2 days initially and every week thereafter.
Pinky is fitted for compression stockings. The family is told to exercise her arms and legs passively every hour when not sleeping. She was also given a machine to blow into to exercise her lungs and prevent pneumonia.
Pinky has a neck brace put on.

2008-Nov-5
MRI’s results arrive and reveal that Pinky has suffered a neck injury. There is swelling in the neck that has caused damage to the spinal cord.
This was the first day of Physical therapy. Therapy entailed determining the ability to determine which parts of her body were being touched while she kept her eyes closed. Most of her perceptions of the places touched were incorrect at this time. Therapist says that these perceptions will get better over time.
Thoracic Support Shell (Turtle) is fitted and manufactured for Pinky. This device is basically a removable body cast that she must wear whenever she is not lying flat in bed. Once the turtle was in place the therapist attempted to bring Pinky to a 90 deg sitting position. Pinky’s heart rate dropped to 29 and she passed out.
Met with Neurosurgeon and he informed the family that the broken vertebra at T9 would not require surgery at this time. If there is still pain in the future the vertebra could be fused without major loss of motion. He stated that he would re-evaluate the neck after rehab and surgery may be necessary if blockage still remains.
Pinky is put on heavy steroids to reduce swelling in her neck.


2008-Nov-4
Pinky has surgery to install a filter in her artery to stop blood clots coming from the legs and prevent the clots from traveling to her upper body.
Pinky has low blood pressure which drops when we try to raise her to the sitting position in the bed. She also has low blood oxygen and requires external oxygen.

2008-Nov-3
Pinky is taken out of the ICU and moved to a semi-private room.

2008-Nov-2
MRI’s are taken. There is swelling in the neck that has caused damage to the spinal cord. She has very limited use of her arms and legs but has feelings in all of her extremities. The doctors are optimistic and say that there is a good chance of recovery but it will be a long road and a lot of work. Pinky is in a lot of pain; she can’t walk, sit up or move herself significantly in bed. She doesn’t have control of her bowels or bladder.

2008-Nov-1
Pinky leaves the ER and is admitted to the hospital and put in ICU.
Thus begins many long nights spent in the hospital by the family providing comfort to Pinky and getting few hours of restless sleep in stiff hospital chairs.

2008-Oct-31
Pinky continues in the ER. The Hospital is minimally staffed since it is the weekend.
Pinky’s daughter Beth immediately flies out to help.

2008-Oct-30
Pinky is spending a wonderful week visiting her daughter Holly in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Holly and her boyfriend Steve are in graduate school studying architecture at the University of New Mexico. Pinky wanted to spend more time with Holly and has been making regular visit over the past year or so. As the visit nears its end, Holly, Steve, and Pinky decide to spend a day in an area of natural hot springs near Santa Fe. They described the day as one of the most wonderful and beautiful days they have ever spent. The day was spent relaxing in various natural pools under the cloudless New Mexico sky. As the day winds down they leave the springs and start to head back to their car. At some point during the journey back Pinky loses her footing, gains momentum going downhill, veers off the trail and takes a serious fall. She is badly injured. Steve goes down to check on her and immediately tells Holly to go for help. Holly runs down the trail and eventually catches up with another person who had left the hot springs a few minutes earlier. He drives her towards town until they can get cell phone service. Eventually a rescue team arrives at the scene and determines that the severity of the injuries necessitate a helicopter rescue. By this time the day was winding down and daylight was fading. The first helicopter arrived but was unable to land due to the waning daylight. Eventually, a second helicopter arrived with night vision gear on board and Pinky was evacuated to UNM hospital. This was approximately 2 hours after the accident. There isn’t room on the helicopter for Holly and Steve so they make the 2 ½ hour drive back to the hospital in Albuquerque. Once at the hospital Pinky is evaluated. She has a deep 3” cut on her forehead, a broken nose and a cut lip. During the fall she had tumbled several times and was eventually stopped by coming face to face with a large rock. X-Rays reveal that she also has a cracked vertebra in her back. At some point in the emergency room Pinky complains about pain in her chest. The machines that are attached to her immediately alarm and she is rushed to another area of the ER to be revived. She had flat-lined. A few minutes later the doctor greets Pinky’s return to consciousness with the comment “Welcome back.”