Physical Therapy Introduction

Today, Paul had the pleasure of meeting Ron, my physical therapist (pt). I know Ron well from last year when Lauren tore her bicep tendon. Of course there is both good and bad news, so we decided to set goals. I am absolutely stir crazy here at home, and I need to go back to work Jan. 20. I always pray that I will be healed quickly and for wisdom as I anticipate my return to work. I will have an awesome student teacher to assist me as I transition back. She is well qualified and will be able to begin teaching lessons almost right away. When I spoke with her the other day, we were like two peas in a pod!
Well, back to a few of the goals... 1. sitting in a chair with no pain for 30 min. 2. Walking approx 300 yards unassisted. 3. No more pain! I can take motrin, but they are currently weaning me from the medications I was/am on. I may be able to return to sunday school this week for a portion of the time. This will help me take baby steps toward goals 1 and 2 as well as brighten my spirits to see some very wonderful and supportive friends.
The next few weeks will be filled with many PT appointments, so I am looking for a few people who would be willing to be my taxi so Paul doesn't have to take off any more work. The appointments are at the Savi Ranch Kaiser office next to Costco, Kohls, and Best Buy. So, my driver could even shop while I have PT. :)
Thanks for all your prayers, meals, and the housekeeper (from my staff). You have made this journey much easier!
Love always from Terri (the determined and positive thinker!)

Moving Forward! 12-29

Today Terri had her first appointment with physical medicine. Her doctor is wonderful. It was nice to have a doctor whose own husband has the exact same thing happening to him that Terri has. She spent an hour with us answering questions. We actually got to see the MRI and saw her herniated disc. What a good education that was for us to see what actually happened. Terri does have degenerative disc disease in this area of the back. This will be something she will have to deal with the rest of her life. To answer the big question about surgery, the answer is maybe. Surgery might be a possibility, but not in the near future (crossing our fingers). She will be having an epidural cortisone shot very soon possibly in the next few weeks. Terri really wanted to be weaned off the morphine but no such luck. She does get to start lessening the diazepam which I am really happy about. That med really makes her very forgetful. She will ask me a question that she just asked me 10 min. ago.
We have been taking some very short walks outside (with help of a walker with flaming tennis balls) which gives her a mental boost that she is progressing. She can sit now for about 10-15 min. a couple times a day. Terri still rolls a lot due to the fact that she really can’t bend at all. She will not be able to go back to work for some time longer. The doctor did say with this kind of injury any wrong move or stress could cause a step backward. Terri really didn’t want to hear that but understands because of what the MRI looked like. She wants all who reads this to pray that she can go back to work ASAP. Terri really misses her class and staff.

12-27

We have a pain med appointment on Monday and I will blog more after that about and Christmas . Please pray for me! I am .......... well having a hard time with what Terri wants to happen and what may be reality. It is sometimes hard being a cheerleader. Paul

12-23 Patience

Hi all,
I do have things I would like to post but first here is an update on Terri's Doc's appointment yesterday. She did not need the wheel chair this time she used the walker. She was able to sit while they took her temp and blood pressure. (Sounds trivial but that is a huge accomplishment) We were disappointed that the doc did not want to reduce her pain meds. He told us that her next appointment (12-29) with physical medicine aka pain management will do the weaning. It sounds like the rest of her appointments will be with them. We have a family friend who goes to the same pain management doc as Terri will and has said nothing but great stuff about her. I see another epidural in the future but that is just me (Dr. House Hanna). She also has a physical therapy appointment with another great doc (the same one that Lauren went to) on 12-31. We are having more good days than not. I think waking up every two hours to get her to roll make the mornings much better for her.

I am totally blown away by all the generosity! Thanks for all the meals, Terri sitting, cleaning lady, and prayers. That has helped me a lot! I would like thank the 2nd grade team from Golden for your gift that brought Terri to tears. For reasons I won’t get into, you gals really made Terri feel special. It was great thing that you did. That was truly a random act of kindness when Terri really needed it.
Thanks Paul

12-21

Hi all! Terri is slowly getting better. Yesterday she was able to sit in a chair for 12 min./ of course she paid for it for about an hour, but nothing but a little of morphine could not fix. Her spirits are getting better as the intense pain is starting to lessen, but her frustation level is growing because she is tired of being waiting on. She really wants to be more mobole and contribute to the human society. Tomorrow we see her general doctor for a med check. It is Terri's pray to start weaning off the strong pain meds. I am a little aprehensive about that but she is the patient not me. I just want her comfortable and to never ever see the insane pain again. We are not sure of our Christmas plans as of yet. We were suppose to be in Tahoe for a white Christmas. We have been saving for two years for that trip but........ may be I can now get the 50 inch plasma.........:) I have been reading Rick Warren's new book The Purpose of Christmas and a quote I would like to leave all of are wonderful friends who have been showing us your love for us. "Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." Proverbs 17-17

Hell on Earth

Let's just keep those good days coming! I have been very faithful to do all that the doctors have instructed, and I have been minding Paul;) This has been very hard for me to lay down all day and night!

I definitely take note of the scriptures that make it clear to all of us that God loves us not for what we do, but because of who He is. He's my dad. I can sit around (I mean lay around) for the rest of my life and God will value me just as much as if I were Billy Graham. I am pretty chatty while on these pain killers though. I say some profound things. Here's one of my favorites: While shreiking in horrible pain waiting for the paramedics/ambulance after calling 911 , I grabbed tightly onto Katie's arm and began to explain the horrors of Hell (which I was certain I was in!)Then, very calmly, I told both of my girls (15 &17) to go out right now to all their friends and neighbors and tell them about Jesus and how He will save them from the pain, agony, crying, and seperation from God, Hell! I have never been so serious in all my life! I felt like God had abandoned me as I lay screaming on that couch. TRUE HELL. Nobody could help me; I was alone. Of course I knew God was there with me. I knew people were praying for me. I knew that the pain would go away with the right medicine. (Yes, it would be very spiritual of me to say that the medicine would be JESUS.) BUT I was thinking more along the lines of morphine...

12-16 A Good Day!

Hi all--Terri had her first good day since being home from the hospital. Her mornings are still very painful with lots of tears. When I got home today she was in the kitchen getting some juice. Watch out crazy lady with a walker (we are looking for tennis balls with flames for her walker any ideas?). She wants to update soon so stay tuned. We do have an appointment on Monday with her general doctor. Terri wants to cut down on her meds. I am very concerned about this. God gave us meds for a reason and I think it might be too soon to cut down. She hates the way they make her feel. Her hips are starting to bother her a lot but I think it is from being in bed so much. She can only sit for about 3-5 min. at a time which has many challenges. I would like to give a shout out to Ellen Bonneau! You are an awesome women! Eventhough you are doing battle with cancer you take the time to stay with Terri and make her laugh for a while. Your laugh is very contagious. Thanks! Paul :)

Sat. 12-13

Terri had a painful morning. By the afternoon she walked the house a couple of times. The whole family had a few good laughs (even Terri) when she was tring to be silly. Meds do have bad side effects but every once in a while Terri is just plan silly. It was good to laugh a little. Terri is determined to go back to work after Christmas break. I say...will see.

Welcome

This has been created to keep all of our loved ones up to date on Terri's back condition. I will try to update often. I do want to thank all of our school staffs, church friends, and family for all of your help! It has been truely appreciated. For all who read this blog you need to know that I am (Paul) not the best writer. I am keep to the facts type of person. Terri, who is a great writer, will also update when she can.

Now for the facts: Terri did not rupture her disk. She has a disk bulge (10mm) between the S1 L4 L5. Her disk is resting on a major never. She did spend 13 days in the hospital for pain management purposes. For right now the plan is meds and physical therapy in hopes that the disk will slip back in. There is no set time when this will happen. We do have some important appointments after Christmas coming up. This has been a roller coaster ride from the beginning. We have good and bad hours, mornings, evenings, and days. As of late she is able to roll, and walk for about 1-3 min. at a time. She still can't sit without serious pain issues. This is going to be a long recovery and possible surgery down the road. Please continue to pray for her healing.