Today we went to the doctor's office from rehab, which required transporting Caren. Ugh!
Michigan roads are truly dreadful this winter.
     The above picture of a scapula is similar to the 3-D image we saw today of Caren's scapula - except Caren's scapula is broken in four places.  The black space you see in the above image is similar to today's image, only Caren's space is larger because of the severity of the breaks.  The doctors were excited, stating that they rarely see the severity of this injury on a live person.  With this type of damage, there are often torn muscles which further exacerbate the pain.  Good news:  The ball and socket joint are intact, and none of Caren's movements can do any further damage.  Also, we now have an image in our mind - a whole scapula and a shattered one - to visualize healing in the R scapula as whole and well.
     The broken wrist is still broken, and remains in a cast.  Good news:  In about two weeks the cast can be taken off, and weight bearing on the wrist will be "as tolerated."
     We also saw a 3-D image of Caren's ribs.  Boy, howdy!  They are displaced and fractured, for sure.  Good news:  Again we have a visual to meditate on wholly restored ribs. There is greater understanding of the damage, and the time element usually involved in healing these injuries.
     Truly we were encouraged by the doctors' enthusiasm for Caren's progress, by their reassuring words, and by the images they shared.  Today was an amazing day - tiring, painful, exhausting - but filled with hope and heartened by the news we received.
     For the scapula - probably six months before the pain is resolved.  Probably another six months just for range of motion.
     The ribs - probably another 6-8 weeks for healing. The lungs still have diminished capacity/volume.
     Austin's friend's family sent a card. Caren also received a card from Judy, Sandy (our neighbor), Dick and Betty, Dar and Bill,  friends at work, and from Benjamin's class.  Those are the ones I can think of right now.  Thanks ever so much for your love and support.
     Today Caren received red tulips, and a lovely African violet - perfect tokens of her bravery.  (Red Tulips: love, prosperity, belief; Violets: healing, love, family)  
     Thank you for continued prayers.
     Yep, today was an amazing day!  Thank you, Spirit of Heaven!   [...]

From the police report:  "UPON MY ARRIVAL, WYOMING FIRE AND AMR PARAMEDICS WERE ALREADY ON SCENE AND IN THE PROCESS OF TREATING BOTH PATIENTS. I NOTICED THE DRIVER OF ONE VEHICLE WAS LYING IN THE MIDDLE OF GEZON PKWY WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD NEAR HER HEAD. HER HEAD WAS ALSO COVERED WITH SEVERAL BLANKETS AND HER FACE WAS CONCEALED."[...]

The scapula is the attachment site for 18 thoracic, spinal, and upper extremity muscles (Goss).
     The scapula is actually the shoulder blade.The scapula actually connects the humerus and the clavicle (the arm and the neck), ultimately creating a strong joint. Many muscles connect at this point and have a great amount of influence in upper body mobility. [...]

     Nelson Mandela has said, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
     PT today was teaching Caren how to get out of bed by herself, using just her left arm (as opposed to the injured side).  Caren not only got up and out of the bed, PT wanted her to walk - WITHOUT the walker.  Scary stuff!  Our courageous Caren walked out to the hall, into the hall holding just the railing along the wall, past the nurses station, and back to her room again.  Wow!   
     She was so exhausted when she called to tell me that her words were slurry.  No, you sillies, not from the meds.  Caren was tired out from the sheer exertion!  Remember that roller coaster descent we were talking about?  Well, I think we are just at the bottom of the ascent, slowly but steadily making progress upwards.
     *standing ovation*  You go girl!
     When I got to her room today she had finished lunch, and was sitting up in bed and on her computer.  We will see what adventures still await Caren today, for the day is young, :-)
     By the way, last night before she left Mary decorated Mom's room with all these wonderful affirmations.  The "Wish it, Dream it" is above the bathroom door.  Every where Caren looks whether in bed or out of bed, she'll see messages of hope and encouragement.
     AND, for those who have asked about visiting, Caren is ready to receive visitors.  Visiting hours are 9 a - 9 p, every day.  The address is listed below under "Mailing. . ."[...]

     For the second time in five days Caren called me, in tears.  She was left wet in bed this morning after using the bed pan.  The aide insisted Caren was dry.  The nurse came in with Caren's meds, and asked why Caren was wet,  Caren told her.  
     When we came into Caren's room, pillows were on the floor at the foot of the bed, Caren was uncovered, ill positioned, wet, and in pain.  Do the CNA's not realize that urine is very damaging to the skin. . .and the effects of these excretions [urine and/or feces] causing skin breakdown and is similar to a rash or chemical burn?  (Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach - Basics By Barbara Hegner, Barbara Acello, Esther Caldwell)
     Negligence of any patient is unacceptable.  When a patient asks for toileting, and is told to wait, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is forgotten in the bathroom to the point of panic and told they were forgotten, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is told that basic needs can not be met because the facility is understaffed, that is unacceptable.  When a patient who can not move without assistance is left in the same position hour after hour, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is toileted and not dried, that is unacceptable. When a patient is told there is no time to be taken to the bathroom, use a bed pan, and left wet, that
is unacceptable.  When a patient explains they are wet, and the aide argues that they are dry - and left in that condition, that is unacceptable. When a patient puts on a call light, and that call light is repeatedly ignored, that is unacceptable.  Perhaps some CNA's require further training.  
     Finally, Simone returned from dining room duty, and I told her, "Someone left our girl all wet, and didn't position her."  Simone was kind enough to apologize for their actions, and asked if she could help.  By this time, Mary and I had the situation well in hand, so Simone went to help Caren's room mate.
     Mary and I gave Caren the bed pan, and removed it; removed her soiled clothes; gave her a full bed bath, removing soiled linen; and got her dressed in a clean caftan from home. Simone helped Mary and me to transfer Caren to the Cadillac (special recliner chair), and Mary and I positioned her, and brushed her hair.
     By this time, lunch trays were being served, and Caren had missed breakfast time.
     Mary and I pushed Caren to the dining room for a change of scenery, bringing along her food trays.
     On a positive note, when Rick brought the boys this afternoon to see Mom, they were ecstatic to see her in a familiar caftan, and in a setting other than a hospital-type room or
bed.
     Pain is very debilitating, and as soon as I left with the boys, Caren was totally worn out and Mary and Rick were transferring her down the hall and to her room.  
     Thank you for your loving prayers and support.  We are all so very grateful.[...]

     This is Caren's new card wall, just to the left of the bathroom door.  Her mailing address: Spectrum Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, Room 417, 4118 Kalamazoo Ave., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49508.   She would love to hear from you.
     Thank you![...]

     Today has been super busy for Caren.  By 9:30 am, she walked across the hall to sit in a shower chair for a good head to toe warm shower and shampoo.  After that, she walked back to her room, and we got her all comfy in bed.
     Just as Caren was relaxing in bed, PT showed up with Caren's Cadillac, and we got her up and secure in the recliner.  I was able to push her around the facility to get the 'lay of the land'.  :-)    Caren also got to see the gym - both the regular and the low stimulation gym; sit in front of the windows and see all the snow; then, relax in the dining room beside a faux tree. It was truly wonderful for her to actually leave the confines of an institutional room setting.  Notice the street clothes!  We take so much for granted.  Imagine the joy of wearing street clothes for the first time in nearly a month, and ditching the hospital gown. All this may seem at first rather elementary, until one remembers her injuries.  Every movement, every new twist or turn, moves those broken ribs, or hurts that broken scapula, or stabs her in the back from the broken vertebrae.  Muscles spasm and ache, and the pain sky rockets.  So many days are bittersweet: the joy of leaving the room in her Cadillac, the pay back of suffering and pain.  It's all like riding a roller coaster.  Today was a descent on that roller coaster.
     Caren is my hero.  I don't know if I could accomplish her victories.  She is determined, she is goal-oriented, and she possesses the desire to move forward, sometimes moment by moment.  In her situation, I think I'd sit and cry a month before attempting to walk or sit or move.  Saturday was a good day for me.  Although Caren was expecting more family to visit, we did enjoy the intimate time - just the two of us.  This is the first day since the accident that we've shared such precious moments together.
     Thank you for your prayers that uphold and support her in her endeavors, and keep us all uplifted.[...]

     Wednesday I was on my way to the hospital to prepare Caren for transfer.  The first song that played on the radio that morning was Oceans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI-Z0lq-LIE
     That set me to thinking: about the oceans of emotions raging through Caren to learn that she was laughing one minute/w Austin, and in torrents of unexplained pain the next moment as she realized she was in the hospital.
     That set me to thinking about the depths of my own emotions and the lessons presented; about the turmoil of emotions affecting the children, as they come close to drowning in confusion; about the unfathomable gratitude that Caren is alive.
     From gratitude sprang a fountain of love deeper than all the oceans: love of family, healing, reconciliation; love of church community as they reach out in love and assistance; the levels of intercessory prayers from so many compassionate, caring, giving, abundantly generous folks who have supported and helped us during this time of crisis in our family.
     Truly this is a testament of the limitless Spirit in which we abide as one.
     When we exercise faith, keeping our eyes on the prize of our greater good, our mind to God Mind, we truly walk on the Waters of Spirit. 
     "When oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace."
     Caren, you are loved and supported.[...]