Update on Marie - Sept 11th

Hi Friends!

Sorry it has been awhile since we’ve written. We did go back to Iowa for a week, but are back in Nebraska.  Marie is happy to see us.

They told us originally that Marie would make great strides and then hit a bit of plateau…i think that is the case.  She is still doing rehab activities.

Her back is better, but has slowed some of her progress, as it is uncomfortable.  I think she is no longer on pain meds however (as it turned out, it seemed to affect her blood pressure, and she was dizzy when she stood)  Overall, we think her back is better….but not cured.

She still complains about fuzzy eyesight; they are continuing eye exercises to strengthen her eye.  She is discouraged and still a bit teary, as she realizes what capabilities she has lost. 

We still aren’t sure what the next step will be…it is quite evident that she will still not be able to live alone when she leaves here in a few weeks, so her Dad and I are still mulling over various possibilities…not easy to make decisions for someone else….

Thanks again for thinking of her; her Torch group brought over a lap quilt for her and there is an afgan in her room to “wrap her in love”; she is still getting cards and messages.  She (and her parents) appreciate all the thoughts and all the prayers said for her. (and for us…thank you)

Jeanne and Dick

Blog note:  Many thanks to the prayer quilt ministry at St. Mark’s for making and tying the quilt with their many prayers.  Praisefest allowed the folks at First Christian to tie and continue the prayer vigil for Marie and her recovery. TORCH was honored to deliver the quilt and prayer folder to Marie. Many thanks from all of us for your participation and dedication to prayer. –Amy

Cards and well-wishes may be sent to Marie:
Marie Chelikowsky
c/o Quality Living Incorporated
6408 North 70 Plaza, House 4, room 8
Omaha, NE 68104

Better News!!!

Marie is home (to Quality Living, Inc.) from the hospital!  She is in much better spirits now that they have given her pain medications.  They let her get lots of rest this morning, but were going to do as much with her as her back would allow this afternoon.  It is still sore, of course.  She is feeling a bit more shaky today since she is on muscle relaxants and hasn’t walked much for a day or so, but she did walk….and she is eating really well.  This is good news, as she has lost so much weight.

AND we have found out that the bad news we had yesterday, may not be as bad as we first thought. What sent us into a “tizzy” was that the psychologist who had tested Marie told us that she was in the one percentile in two out of the three tests she had administered for cognitive skills. And in the same breath, told us she couldn’t go home by herself and both of us interpreted that to mean…forever!!  Well…we just couldn’t believe it!!! While she was in the hospital, the doctor who was assigned to her, was also skeptical, and had an appointment with the Quality Living psychologist. Then the doctor met with some “experts” on the staff of the hospital, and after interviewing Marie they concurred that she indeed has some cognitive impairments,  and needs to work on that part of the brain, but they felt  the tests really weren’t valid, considering Marie was in so pain due to her ruptured discs….who could concentrate when they hurt that bad????

The other thing the psychologist reported to us was that people are almost never the same after a head injury and perhaps they won’t be the least bit interested in what they did before!  She was skeptical that Marie can go back to teaching, as her injury has affected the front lobe and that is the planning ahead, carrying through etc. area. 

Then when she mentioned she won’t be able to live alone…we were a basket case.

WELL…..the doctor at the hospital agrees that cognitive impairment can be a problem.  But the bottom line is IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL….and I think we have understood that all along. AND we have understood all along that Marie will need assistance when she leaves Quality Living, but the way it was presented to us, we thought Marie would never get to the stage of being self-sufficient.

We have certainly had our ups and downs through all of this;  we think the psychologist meant well and just wanted to be honest with us…but perhaps she “over did” her assessment a bit.  Or maybe we over-reacted…… she gave us a lot of information all at once.

I am so sorry if I distressed you…..but we were upset too.  We are back to our original feeling, that she is progressing just beautifully and we have high hopes that she will have a good recovery….but if we have to make adjustments….we can do that too.  Several of you have shared inspirational stories of people you have known who have almost returned to normal, so, knowing Marie, and her determination, we are hopeful once again.

I’ve mentioned before how much your support and prayers mean to us….
Dick and Jeanne

Update on Marie - August 29th

Hi Everyone!!

Marie has had a bit of a set back in her rehabilitation schedule.  She had been complaining for several days of discomfort in her back and Sunday, it really got bad…she laid in bed most of the day; one of the physical therapists came in and gave her a treatment, but there was no improvement, so Monday Morning they took her (by ambulance) to the emergency room across the street.

After several hours wait (we are getting used to waiting in hospitals) they did an MRI and after a couple more hours, we discovered she has two slipped discs…NO WONDER she hurt.  We were trying to decide if the pain was really that bad, or if her brain was “over-reacting”…but now we know. They have given her a steroid shot, muscle relaxant and pain pill, so she is resting comfortably…as long as she doesn’t move!!!!  We will get updated by the spine specialist this afternoon.

The other news is that we had our meeting with all the therapists and their “take” on their tests of the past week. Marie is doing well physically (before her back) and in speech, but there are brain problems that were just identified as she was tested.

We were shocked to hear she scored really low on short term memory skills and learning new things etc.  It is so complicated, but they are not sure she will ever be able to live alone at this point. Dick and I are “reeling” at this news, because she appears to be making such progress.  We are now trying to process what all this means for the future of Marie and for us too…..  We are so hoping Marie proves the tests wrong.

If you’re not too tired of including all of us in your prayers, we still appreciate them!!! We were going back home to Iowa today, but obviously those plans have changed.  We’re not sure what our next step is…  It will depend on the doctor’s report this afternoon.

Jeanne and Dick

PRAISEFEST THIS SUNDAY!!!!

You are invited to Praisefest, on Sunday, August 27^th.  Here are the details:

What:     Praisefest at First

When:    Sunday, August 27^th 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Where:   First Christian Church Parking Lot (NW corner of 17th & K)

Why:      For Live Praise Music…and FREE Ice Cream and Cookies!

* In case of inclement weather, Praisefest will be held in the sanctuary.

There will be plenty of free parking across the street (northeast corner of 17th & K).  We’ll have tables and chairs set up, but you can also bring your lawn chair if you like. 

We would love for you to join us! 

Update on Marie — August 24th

Hi Friends and Relatives….

Sorry I can’t write each and every one of you.  We are using the computers in the recreation area and they are only available to us when the residents don’t need them…so communicating will be “hit and miss”.

Just wanted you to know that Marie is moved into the facility in Omaha and it is a pleasant place and she likes her room. There are “houses” here, so she is in a house with 7 other people.  Her biggest problems right now are anxiousness and being tired.

Unfortunately, the meds they gave her for anxiety made her worse, so she is going to be weaned off of those meds and they will try something else.  Anxiety is not unusual with a brain injury.  But it is hard on her.

We think that despite her complaints, she is gaining stamina and doing well.  They are going to work on stamina, along with just working on the obvious.  She has a full schedule of Physical Therapy, Occupational therapy and speech therapy.  Her long term memory seems really good.  We are so encouraged.

We are living in another motel nearby; we’re not sure how long we will be here.  She is so busy, we don’t get to see much of her but she seems to appreciate having us “around” so we’ll stay till she is comfortable.

Thanks for being there everyone…
Jeannie and Dick