June 11, 2008

• The New Normal

  Last Wednesday my dad went into the hospital with extreme back pain. Thursday he had emergency surgery for a shattered vertebrae-- a large piece of which had been pressing against his spinal cord, rendering him completely paralyzed from the waist down. Going into surgery, things looked very grim. The surgeons said that there was a 1-2% chance he would walk again.

  Yesterday, five days after surgery, the surgeon told my mom that he thinks that dad will walk again. He is able to move both legs slightly, has regained bowel function, and has touch sensation in almost every area of his legs. His strength is returning more every day, and his spirits are high. He will be discharged today to rehab, either Allied (in Scranton, about 30 min. away) or McGee in Philly (2 hrs. away). We are hoping he'll be able to stay closer, but of course want him to go where the rehab will be the absolute best possible. His rehab will be intense, off and on for pretty much 8 hours a day. The surgeon said to expect full recovery to take up to a year, so we are all adjusting to our new "normal".

  We take turns going down to visit, sitting with him, talking, watching movies, bringing food, typing emails as he dictates. Emily, Anna and I have taken on the 5 younger ones... I've hosted and coordinated multiple sleepovers and cookouts and playdates. I also was able to get a list of people who were willing to bring dinners, and so have meals taken care of for the next week +! (Thanks, everyone!!!) Mom is spending most early mornings and evenings with dad, and the rest of us (and lots of other people) fill in the days. But it's good-- we're all super busy and running here and there, but dad is getting better, so it's all worth it.

  • 9:41 am
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