Finally he’s home now!

Twostep said:
SO piped in about the cold toes. Repurposed beany hat or whatever you call it. Watch cap!
Glad to hear that he is home!
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@Twostep im laughing at your hyperfocus on his toes! 🤣 and very much appreciate your concern. ❤️

I have a beanie that I pull I’ve his foot and secure with a rubber band. Mostly though he’s snuggled up in a down blanket that tucks under his feet so they stay toasty, along with the rest of him.
 
hollydolly said:
Ronni, how are you both coping ?... have you managed to get useful gadgets for Ron ? how is his pain levels ?
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Thanks for asking @hollydolly❤️

I have all the gadgets either on their way or here already.
Scooter
Wheeled walker
Transfer bench for bathub
Waterproof boot to go over his leg
Safety frame for toilet.
And other random bits and pieces

I have wide pants for when we have to go to appointments, and male nightshirts that hang over his knees to make bathroom visits easier.

Made a written schedule so we don’t forget any of his meds, doing food prep such that he can easily access snacks, trying to make him as independent as possible both for his morale and also to keep him moving.

His pain levels are very manageable. That may be partially the result of the various meds he’s on, though he’s staying away from the heavy duty oxycodone except at night to help him sleep. He’s frustrated at his limited mobility.

I’m fried, frankly, dealing with a degree of brain/decision fatigue. There’s so much to do, think about, plan, get, organize, jockey and it’s just a lot. So many follow up appointments to make, prescriptions to fill or refill, planning or changing plans for the many things that were lined up through Christmas and the new year.

I spent every minute this last two days that I haven’t been tending to Ron, building a ramp with his daughter Sheri. I HAVE to be able to get him out of the house myself, and it is impossible without ramps … there aren’t a lot of steps but still, no way to navigate them in a wheelchair or with a walker.

Need to get back to work. Going from two incomes to none isn’t sustainable for long.

Keep reminding myself that it could have been SO MUCH WORSE! 🙏

Here’s the finished ramp before it was painted and treated with ani-slip. Two ramps actually. One to the front porch, and then another from the porch to in the front door because there’s a step up there too.
IMG_2918.jpeg
 
Ronni said:
He was prescribed low dose aspirin 2x daily to aid in blood flow/anti coagulation. He may have gotten heparin in the hospital, I lost track of the dozens of meds they were pumping into his IV, giving him in pill form, and subcutaneous injections.

We are both also very aware of the need for him to keep moving, both to aid in his circulation and also to minimize muscle loss. He’s hit our home gym already this morning, and done a couple sets of his prescribed leg exercises.
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He looks very well minus the broken foot. So glad he’s back home with you. I’m sure you are also. It’s great that he’s already doing the exercises prescribed to him. That’s most important in his healing.
 
Ronni said:
I have all the gadgets either on their way or here already.
Scooter
Wheeled walker
Transfer bench for bathub
Waterproof boot to go over his leg
Safety frame for toilet.
And other random bits and pieces

I have wide pants for when we have to go to appointments, and male nightshirts that hang over his knees to make bathroom visits easier.

Made a written schedule so we don’t forget any of his meds, doing food prep such that he can easily access snacks, trying to make him as independent as possible both for his morale and also to keep him moving.

His pain levels are very manageable. That may be partially the result of the various meds he’s on, though he’s staying away from the heavy duty oxycodone except at night to help him sleep. He’s frustrated at his limited mobility.

I’m fried, frankly, dealing with a degree of brain/decision fatigue. There’s so much to do, think about, plan, get, organize, jockey and it’s just a lot. So many follow up appointments to make, prescriptions to fill or refill, planning or changing plans for the many things that were lined up through Christmas and the new year.

I spent every minute this last two days that I haven’t been tending to Ron, building a ramp with his daughter Sheri. I HAVE to be able to get him out of the house myself, and it is impossible without ramps … there aren’t a lot of steps but still, no way to navigate them in a wheelchair or with a walker.

Need to get back to work. Going from two incomes to none isn’t sustainable for long.

Keep reminding myself that it could have been SO MUCH WORSE! 🙏

Here’s the finished ramp before it was painted and treated with ani-slip. Two ramps actually. One to the front porch, and then another from the porch to in the front door because there’s a step up there too.
View attachment 386019
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Good job on the ramps. Ron is lucky to have you.
 
Ronni...you know I've said it before and I'll say it again.. if ever I was in need I'd want you in my corner , but no need to tell you.. the whirling dervish to try and slow down...before you too have an accident , god forbid.
I'm sure Ron is extremely frustrated...but you've done amazing things in just days...that ramp is awesome...so try and just do things a little slower now 🤗
 
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Ronni said:
Thanks for asking @hollydolly❤️

I have all the gadgets either on their way or here already.
Scooter
Wheeled walker
Transfer bench for bathub
Waterproof boot to go over his leg
Safety frame for toilet.
And other random bits and pieces

I have wide pants for when we have to go to appointments, and male nightshirts that hang over his knees to make bathroom visits easier.

Made a written schedule so we don’t forget any of his meds, doing food prep such that he can easily access snacks, trying to make him as independent as possible both for his morale and also to keep him moving.

His pain levels are very manageable. That may be partially the result of the various meds he’s on, though he’s staying away from the heavy duty oxycodone except at night to help him sleep. He’s frustrated at his limited mobility.

I’m fried, frankly, dealing with a degree of brain/decision fatigue. There’s so much to do, think about, plan, get, organize, jockey and it’s just a lot. So many follow up appointments to make, prescriptions to fill or refill, planning or changing plans for the many things that were lined up through Christmas and the new year.

I spent every minute this last two days that I haven’t been tending to Ron, building a ramp with his daughter Sheri. I HAVE to be able to get him out of the house myself, and it is impossible without ramps … there aren’t a lot of steps but still, no way to navigate them in a wheelchair or with a walker.

Need to get back to work. Going from two incomes to none isn’t sustainable for long.

Keep reminding myself that it could have been SO MUCH WORSE! 🙏

Here’s the finished ramp before it was painted and treated with ani-slip. Two ramps actually. One to the front porch, and then another from the porch to in the front door because there’s a step up there too.
View attachment 386019
Click to expand...
Nice job! And I love your house. I hope Ron recovers at a steady pace and you take care of yourself along the way. 🤗
 
Ronni said:
He’s home!!! ❤️🎉🤩 And so very happy about that!

He has a long road ahead, his broken foot will be non-weight bearing for 8-12 weeks, (so crutches/walker/wheelchair) then a lot of physical therapy after that to rebuild the calf, foot and ankle muscles.

But it could have been so much worse and I’m so thankful it wasn’t! ❤️
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Great news Ronni, keep tabs on him though, doing nothing can become very tedious. When my wife saw her surgeon at an outpatients appointment recently, he asked: "Have you overdone things, at all?" To which she honestly replied: "Once or twice." The surgeon wagged his index finger but also understood how monotony leads to boredom. Try and keep his spirits up, prayers for his recovery.
 
Michael Z said:
Something like this might be helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dialysis+sweatpants&crid=K46NBRYQ1OVE&sprefix=dialysis+sweatpants,aps,142&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
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Hey, aren't those pants used by male stripers? That is a good idea. 😉
chic said:
Ronni, these are wide leg martial arts pants. They are available for men and for women. He should definitely be able to get these on. Make sure you specify WIDE LEG. They're super comfortable and will offer his legs some warmth. Tell him he looks great.

View attachment 385676
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I really like those pants. I wear baggy clothing in the gym and didn't know someone is making them specifically for that purpose. 👍
 
Twostep said:
How are patient and staff doing today?
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Today was his best day so far. Not as much pain, we finally have all the equipment for him to take an actual full shower, and that really boosted his spirits. We have various doctors appointments through the week next week, and we’re set up for that with the ramp and wheelchair.

My sweet daughter organized a Meal Train for us, so we have lunches and dinners taken care of for the next couple of weeks, and there are still folks signing up.

Not sure yet how we’re going to deal with our various Christmas and new years plans but we’ll know more after the doctor’s appointment tomorrow. All in all he’s doing well, all things considering.

Now if I could manage some actual deep sleep instead of the feeling I’m dozing all night (hyper sensitive to every move of his through the night) that would be excellent. 👍
 
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Ronni said:
View attachment 385647

To respond to various things from this and the other thread…
@Twostep you've given some great ideas! I installed the toilet seat with arms yesterday. That’s made things much easier transferring him to it when needed.

We already have motion activated night lights, and I’ve taken up all the rugs, including the bath mats. I ordered the shower protector a couple days ago as I was trying to forward-think all that would be needed, along with shower chair/transfer bench.

Jury is still out on the bear spray, but it’s becoming increasingly tempting! 😉🤣

@AnnieA @papa tiger you mentioned the iwalk device. Ortho wants us to wait a while for that. Even though it’s his heel that’s broken, there’s a lot of swelling at the knee and up his leg from the impact, and putting any pressure on his knee till that’s resolved isn’t a good idea.

@Redrose @Remy he initiated a conversation with the PT guy about being able to continue to work out on our home gym. They discussed some modified leg exercises because he can’t do any weight bearing leg workouts currently, but there’s no problem continuing with all the upper body and core strength training.

@jujube im not sure if you’re talking about the iwalk device others have mentioned and I talked about, or a knee scooter. I’m picking up the scooter today.

He used a walker with two front wheels at the hospital and that was helpful. They ordered one for him which should get delivered today.

He’s having to rethink his wardrobe 🤣 Had no idea we’d have to be digging out his loose summer shorts in this 30 degree weather we’re currently experiencing! None of his jeans fit over the bandages. His joggers have a skinny cuff so that won’t work. Also, he’s so bruised and contused everywhere that loose clothing is a must.

There’s a lot we’re figuring out as we go, even to things like having to switch which sides of the bed so there’s room for the wheelchair and he’s closer to the bathroom!
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He looks really good, glad it wasn't any worse and he is home, on the mend. To help with the blood circ while sitting for long periods tell him to do butt cheek squeezes to keep the femoral arteries pumping!
 

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