Dear Family and Friends,
Anita is still making progress. The pace is slow, but when she does something new she hasn't done before, it's duly noted! She has been going to outpatient rehab for four weeks now, about 20 minutes from the house, 2 hrs at a time, twice a week. Getting in and out of the car is going very smoothly now; she can raise her left arm up over her head, but only with the help of her right arm. The left hand is slowly limbering up thanks to a hand rehab specialist. Anita walks with a four prong cane and a waist strap that someone holds on to. Her distance is getting longer.
We've been to church three or four times and even to a committee meeting last Monday evening. Several weeks ago my sister, my nephew and family and our son and his family were all here for a Sat. night cookout. A house full, but it was good. (Kayla stayed over Friday night just to make it interesting) Did I mention she got back in the groove and completed our taxes on time ?! Hope life finds you well, and if you get a chance, give us a few lines the next time you're emailing . Take care, ed
Ed and Anita
A nice night to remember
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Monday of the Easter season
Dear Family and Friends,
It was a very good week. Anita participated in the Palm Sunday parade around our church block ( she rode for the first time in her life), we joined the Croslands ( Daddy Bill) with their parish group for a very enjoyable potluck dinner and Maudy Thursday Service led by Caroline Kelly. I surprised Anita with a "day early" birthday cake while we all sang, well , you know. On Friday , Anita's real birthday, I went bowling with Forrest Palmer, his birthday too!, and then we picked up Anita and Barb ( Forrest's wife) and went to OutBack Steakhouse for a joint birthday celebration. Anita's appetite gained some momentum with all that delicious opportunity, including a surprise hot fudge sundae and the singing wait staff. Our stuffed selves came home and played a rousing game of phase ten, which Anita won. ( I forgot to mention Anita saw all her rehab people between 11 and 3 and had the sad job of saying that she was moving on to outpatient services the next week. She will miss their personal attn.) (( 2nd thing I forgot, Allison and Kayla came over with a birthday lunch and lots of flowers for Grandmom!))
We joined many in the joy of our Easter worship service , getting to see many church friends in the before and after time. Ruth and John Ensign's granddaughter , Liz, sat with me as Anita stayed in her wheel chair in the narthex. " She doesn't have to sit as still when she is just outside the entrance door." Late in the afternoon, Kenny, Allison and Kayla came over for a cookout , an Easter egg hunt and distribution of some Christmas gifts Anita had gotten prior to Dec 1st. It was a long day, but a very enjoyable one.
Today we had a regular doctor's appt for Anita , did some lab work and got a referral for an eye doctor ( easier to spell then O... ). Anita is still dealing with that, BUT it is improving. Tomorrow we have our first outpatient rehab appt., just around the corner in Conyers,GA. A new step up in Anita's recovery. Please continue your prayers. Progress and new adventures are just around the corner, by the grace of God. Take care, ed
It was a very good week. Anita participated in the Palm Sunday parade around our church block ( she rode for the first time in her life), we joined the Croslands ( Daddy Bill) with their parish group for a very enjoyable potluck dinner and Maudy Thursday Service led by Caroline Kelly. I surprised Anita with a "day early" birthday cake while we all sang, well , you know. On Friday , Anita's real birthday, I went bowling with Forrest Palmer, his birthday too!, and then we picked up Anita and Barb ( Forrest's wife) and went to OutBack Steakhouse for a joint birthday celebration. Anita's appetite gained some momentum with all that delicious opportunity, including a surprise hot fudge sundae and the singing wait staff. Our stuffed selves came home and played a rousing game of phase ten, which Anita won. ( I forgot to mention Anita saw all her rehab people between 11 and 3 and had the sad job of saying that she was moving on to outpatient services the next week. She will miss their personal attn.) (( 2nd thing I forgot, Allison and Kayla came over with a birthday lunch and lots of flowers for Grandmom!))
We joined many in the joy of our Easter worship service , getting to see many church friends in the before and after time. Ruth and John Ensign's granddaughter , Liz, sat with me as Anita stayed in her wheel chair in the narthex. " She doesn't have to sit as still when she is just outside the entrance door." Late in the afternoon, Kenny, Allison and Kayla came over for a cookout , an Easter egg hunt and distribution of some Christmas gifts Anita had gotten prior to Dec 1st. It was a long day, but a very enjoyable one.
Today we had a regular doctor's appt for Anita , did some lab work and got a referral for an eye doctor ( easier to spell then O... ). Anita is still dealing with that, BUT it is improving. Tomorrow we have our first outpatient rehab appt., just around the corner in Conyers,GA. A new step up in Anita's recovery. Please continue your prayers. Progress and new adventures are just around the corner, by the grace of God. Take care, ed
Saturday, March 15, 2008
a story of progress
Dear Family and Friends,
You'd think that if I traveled less to see Anita, I could write more. That doesn't seem to be the case however. We are hanging out at the house. Last weekend, BJ, Anita's sister, came for a visit to help out with the daily routines AND inventory the refridgerator and freezer AND do some cooking of meals AND do some cooking ahead to put into the refridgerator and freezer. It was a good visit for Anita and Ed took a few off from cooking,etc. BJ's visit was very appreciated. ( they even caught up a bit on family doings )
Phy and Occup Rehab come in twice a week each and this past week we had two doctors appt., one with the doctor that fixed a lot of Anita's bones and one with the doctor that supervised her rehab at the hospital. We discovered that some of Anita's tendons healed by having bone tissue replace the orig. tendons. Don't fully understand that situation, but the bottom line is there needs to be more agressive efforts on the left elbow, hand and knee. Even putting them in warmish water or wax and then massaging and stretching them as much as possible in conjuction with her pain pills!
Anita has stretched her left knee to almost 90 degrees so that she can now get into the car without my assistance. ( sitting down, sliding back and pulling the left and right leg in ) Progress.
She even went shopping today at WalMart for the first time in over 110 days, and you wondered why the economy was slightly depressed !
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and even with all the weather calamity last night in Atlanta not too far from our church, we and two other neighbor churches will gather together and parade around
our block waving palms. This is a tradition that will occur for the 20th time. Anita will get to ride, but not on a donkey.
We continue to be ministered to by friends that don't realize fully how far it is to our house. Besides "sitting" with Anita there takes place some great getting to know you conversations. Your cards, emails ( Anita can work the computer with one hand ) calls and prayers continually support us in Anita's slow, but steady and frequently surprising, recovery. We are looking forward to the highlight of this special holy season this coming week and plan to participate fully with a wonderful community of believers at our church. We wish you a season of peace and renewal, all year long.
Ed
You'd think that if I traveled less to see Anita, I could write more. That doesn't seem to be the case however. We are hanging out at the house. Last weekend, BJ, Anita's sister, came for a visit to help out with the daily routines AND inventory the refridgerator and freezer AND do some cooking of meals AND do some cooking ahead to put into the refridgerator and freezer. It was a good visit for Anita and Ed took a few off from cooking,etc. BJ's visit was very appreciated. ( they even caught up a bit on family doings )
Phy and Occup Rehab come in twice a week each and this past week we had two doctors appt., one with the doctor that fixed a lot of Anita's bones and one with the doctor that supervised her rehab at the hospital. We discovered that some of Anita's tendons healed by having bone tissue replace the orig. tendons. Don't fully understand that situation, but the bottom line is there needs to be more agressive efforts on the left elbow, hand and knee. Even putting them in warmish water or wax and then massaging and stretching them as much as possible in conjuction with her pain pills!
Anita has stretched her left knee to almost 90 degrees so that she can now get into the car without my assistance. ( sitting down, sliding back and pulling the left and right leg in ) Progress.
She even went shopping today at WalMart for the first time in over 110 days, and you wondered why the economy was slightly depressed !
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and even with all the weather calamity last night in Atlanta not too far from our church, we and two other neighbor churches will gather together and parade around
our block waving palms. This is a tradition that will occur for the 20th time. Anita will get to ride, but not on a donkey.
We continue to be ministered to by friends that don't realize fully how far it is to our house. Besides "sitting" with Anita there takes place some great getting to know you conversations. Your cards, emails ( Anita can work the computer with one hand ) calls and prayers continually support us in Anita's slow, but steady and frequently surprising, recovery. We are looking forward to the highlight of this special holy season this coming week and plan to participate fully with a wonderful community of believers at our church. We wish you a season of peace and renewal, all year long.
Ed
Friday, February 29, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
Before I get too far away from remembering the seventy seven days I was visiting Anita at the hospital I need to thank Allison and Kenny for their very significant contribution to this time of caring for Anita. Being much closer to the hospital saved a lot of time, gas , wear and tear. It was very comforting to have a place to stay and family I could talk with and share with each day as the uncertain time went on. They have their house back now and if they need a sitter I'll have to drive a bit further to stay with my granddaughter, but there's a good chance it could happen. ed
Before I get too far away from remembering the seventy seven days I was visiting Anita at the hospital I need to thank Allison and Kenny for their very significant contribution to this time of caring for Anita. Being much closer to the hospital saved a lot of time, gas , wear and tear. It was very comforting to have a place to stay and family I could talk with and share with each day as the uncertain time went on. They have their house back now and if they need a sitter I'll have to drive a bit further to stay with my granddaughter, but there's a good chance it could happen. ed
a big weekend, then setting a weekly routine
Dear Family and Friends,
Anita is alive and well, but we haven't you told much about the in between. There are three people that visit two to three times a week, the Phy Therapist, the Occup Therapist and the nurse. In between times its cook a few meals (ed), practice what the therapists have told Anita, Anita talking with friends who call to see how she's doing and getting Anita near the computer to start paying the bills ( formerly done by Allison) and seeing first hand some of the news and messages that come our way. In between all of the above, Anita is taking an assortment of pills, from pain to a good daily supply of vitamin types. We've been to the office of the plastic surgeon - he said the graf is doing very well, but he is concerned about her left hand being swollen and in need of some specific therapy to help it regain full use. We may have to find another therapist unless the occup therapist can spend some specific time on the hand. We'll see. Next week we go to see the doctor who did the elbow, right hand and left knee surgeries for a followup visit, that's Tues. A few folks have been in while I was meeting an obligation at church or elsewhere. Thank you for being in touch with your calls, cards, thoughts and prayers. We look forward to seeing folks in the future, as fast as we can get it to come. Take care, ed
Anita is alive and well, but we haven't you told much about the in between. There are three people that visit two to three times a week, the Phy Therapist, the Occup Therapist and the nurse. In between times its cook a few meals (ed), practice what the therapists have told Anita, Anita talking with friends who call to see how she's doing and getting Anita near the computer to start paying the bills ( formerly done by Allison) and seeing first hand some of the news and messages that come our way. In between all of the above, Anita is taking an assortment of pills, from pain to a good daily supply of vitamin types. We've been to the office of the plastic surgeon - he said the graf is doing very well, but he is concerned about her left hand being swollen and in need of some specific therapy to help it regain full use. We may have to find another therapist unless the occup therapist can spend some specific time on the hand. We'll see. Next week we go to see the doctor who did the elbow, right hand and left knee surgeries for a followup visit, that's Tues. A few folks have been in while I was meeting an obligation at church or elsewhere. Thank you for being in touch with your calls, cards, thoughts and prayers. We look forward to seeing folks in the future, as fast as we can get it to come. Take care, ed
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Anita's home and on the go
Dear Family and Friends,
Friday, Feb 15th was the big day, after 77 days, it was home, here I come!! It wasn't a quick ride home, that stop at the drug store was a killer. Thank goodness the druggist was a friend of mine and worked very hard to figure out what the doctor said, find some generics, etc. Anita was in the car for about 2 and a half hrs, with rush hr traffic, picking up a few essential groceries, etc. We have a rented hospital bed to help with the transition.
Sat. evening was the main banquet for Central Presbyterian's 150th anniversary celebrated at the train depot across the street from CPC, where Allison & Kenny had their wedding reception. Anita wasn't sure she was up to it, but encouragement from me and a phone call or two from friends and the preparation to get ready was go. ( After two days of getting ready, believe me, preparation to travel is a BIG thing!) There were 450 people there and when Martin Lehfeldt, the master of ceremonies announced that Anita was in the house, there was a standing ovation. Quite, Quite an emotional moment for Anita, one that she will not soon forget. So many friends came by our table to greet Anita throughout the evening, it was amazing and heartwarming, plus. She did quite well in her tennis warm ups and wheelchair. We didn't stay for the dancing, but the program for the evening was great and Anita ate all her steak. Her first in over 77 days !
We decided to attend our special church service on Sunday, but again, prep. caused us to be a few minutes late. The church was full. Anita sat in her wheel chair in the narthex where she could see and have a bit more air circulating around her. Ted's sermon was great as was the music and leadership of all who assisted. Afterwards Anita hung out in the narthex and had her receiving line along with Ted and other pastors. It was without a doubt, "another great day at Central"!
Lunch was a bit crowded, so we came home to a quiet lunch and a short nap. Tomorrow Anita is planning on just hanging out. We are planning on rehab coming to the house several times weekly and some scheduled visits to doctors over the next two months. Thanks for being with us in such a special way over these last recovering days. Many more to come until she gets behind the wheel and heads for the tennis courts. Take care and be there for those who need your ministry. So many little things you can do are appreciated more than you are aware. ed
Friday, Feb 15th was the big day, after 77 days, it was home, here I come!! It wasn't a quick ride home, that stop at the drug store was a killer. Thank goodness the druggist was a friend of mine and worked very hard to figure out what the doctor said, find some generics, etc. Anita was in the car for about 2 and a half hrs, with rush hr traffic, picking up a few essential groceries, etc. We have a rented hospital bed to help with the transition.
Sat. evening was the main banquet for Central Presbyterian's 150th anniversary celebrated at the train depot across the street from CPC, where Allison & Kenny had their wedding reception. Anita wasn't sure she was up to it, but encouragement from me and a phone call or two from friends and the preparation to get ready was go. ( After two days of getting ready, believe me, preparation to travel is a BIG thing!) There were 450 people there and when Martin Lehfeldt, the master of ceremonies announced that Anita was in the house, there was a standing ovation. Quite, Quite an emotional moment for Anita, one that she will not soon forget. So many friends came by our table to greet Anita throughout the evening, it was amazing and heartwarming, plus. She did quite well in her tennis warm ups and wheelchair. We didn't stay for the dancing, but the program for the evening was great and Anita ate all her steak. Her first in over 77 days !
We decided to attend our special church service on Sunday, but again, prep. caused us to be a few minutes late. The church was full. Anita sat in her wheel chair in the narthex where she could see and have a bit more air circulating around her. Ted's sermon was great as was the music and leadership of all who assisted. Afterwards Anita hung out in the narthex and had her receiving line along with Ted and other pastors. It was without a doubt, "another great day at Central"!
Lunch was a bit crowded, so we came home to a quiet lunch and a short nap. Tomorrow Anita is planning on just hanging out. We are planning on rehab coming to the house several times weekly and some scheduled visits to doctors over the next two months. Thanks for being with us in such a special way over these last recovering days. Many more to come until she gets behind the wheel and heads for the tennis courts. Take care and be there for those who need your ministry. So many little things you can do are appreciated more than you are aware. ed
Friday, February 15, 2008
A call for assistance
Friends,
With Anita returning home there will be many ways for us to help Ed and Anita in the transition and her continued recovery. I have been in conversation with members of Central Presbyterian's choir, the down-yonder parish, and the women's circle who all want to help with meals. I hope to be able to coordinate a few meals a week for the next couple of weeks as we gage what assistance the Carwiles will need. Ed has requested someone to sit with Anita next Thursday afternoon when he goes to a doctor's appointment. If you would like to make some food or visit with Anita please email me at jscanlon@cpcatlanta.org.
thanks,
Jonathan
With Anita returning home there will be many ways for us to help Ed and Anita in the transition and her continued recovery. I have been in conversation with members of Central Presbyterian's choir, the down-yonder parish, and the women's circle who all want to help with meals. I hope to be able to coordinate a few meals a week for the next couple of weeks as we gage what assistance the Carwiles will need. Ed has requested someone to sit with Anita next Thursday afternoon when he goes to a doctor's appointment. If you would like to make some food or visit with Anita please email me at jscanlon@cpcatlanta.org.
thanks,
Jonathan
Thursday, February 14, 2008
One more night, no more hospital rehab
Dear Family and Friends,
Today was Anita's last day of rehab and I attended the seniors luncheon to start the official celebration of our 150th anniversary. Lots of folks were there, told everyone that Anita was coming home in less than 24 hrs. Food was great, program was very entertaining, lots of creative people did their thing. Looking forward to doing some more participating these next three days, will see how Anita feels after a ride home in a car. Hope to reconnect soon with friends at Central Presbyterian and all of you blogger readers out there. Keep the faith and stand by for rehab adventures at the next level. ed
Today was Anita's last day of rehab and I attended the seniors luncheon to start the official celebration of our 150th anniversary. Lots of folks were there, told everyone that Anita was coming home in less than 24 hrs. Food was great, program was very entertaining, lots of creative people did their thing. Looking forward to doing some more participating these next three days, will see how Anita feels after a ride home in a car. Hope to reconnect soon with friends at Central Presbyterian and all of you blogger readers out there. Keep the faith and stand by for rehab adventures at the next level. ed
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