Finally, it's done

We are glad to report that Mom had her skin graft done yesterday. It was a little more extensive then we thought with her going down for surgery at 7:30 am, going in at 9:00 and not coming out of recovery until 4:00 pm. They used some skin and some blood vessels from her underarm and replaced her underarm with some skin and blood vessels from her right hip. As you can imagine, when blood flow is involved, it takes some time.


She is now connected to an "erector set" as my dad would say keeping her arm elevated as the skin on top and below tries to heal. The doctor expects the contraption for 2-3 weeks. Very uncomfortable for mom and really limiting her movement. Last night was the first night she really seemed to be in pain and experiencing some discomfort. The nurse came in and was able to give her some additional pain reliever, but I am not sure how well it is working considering she has been on continuous drugs for over a month now. Getting some sleep last night helped and each day will help continue the healing of her arm.

As for the right arm, it has improved and has been fitted for a smaller cast brace that is providing her more mobility. Though she is left-handed, she has now signed her name a couple times with her right and Dad teases possibly neater then with her left.

Thanks to Amy and Allen Mast for coming on short notice yesterday so Dad could run an errand. Dad is thoughtful to make sure Mom had someone with her after surgery while he was gone. He tries to stay with her each night until after she is asleep so that she has everything she needs and knows he is there. I know so many of you would do the same thing for a loved one, but it is something touching to witness it first hand.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Busy Day - Another try Friday

Dear Family and Friends,
Anita had a busy day with Rehab, final speech visit ( they determine diet to some extent) and some nice visits from friends from Central Presbyterian. Tomorrow they will again examine her open wound and decide if it is a high percentage time to close it with a graf. Let's pray it will be ready, Anita is starting to wear out from the preparation steps.
The doctor for her eyes finally came in to give her an exam and decided that there is a good chance that with time and rest the eye condition will heal itself, but if not to come in his office for another look in four to six weeks. Let's hope and pray that's a good intial assessment.
We're hoping that Anita will be fully mobile in time for Central Presbyterian's big 150th aniversary celebration weekend from the 14th to 17th of Feb. ( by mobile I mean able to move with the best of them in a wheel chair, anything more will be a bonus and a true sign of determination on Anita's part.
Until tomorrow eve, Take Care, ed

Two Days Behind

Dear Family and Friends,
Catching up time. Monday was busy for Anita, first an angiogram which is a process to check the blood flow in her left arm, all in preparation for the final steps in closing the open wound next to her elbow. Today, Wed, may be the date they do that closing. Also Mon. there was an MRI to make sure no problems with her neck vertebrae, etc. That was OK , Dr said see me in 3 months for a followup check.
New Years Day was quiet, except for keeping track of some football contests, not Anita's first choice. We had a surprise visit from family on the Elberton, GA side of Anita's family (Jean and Kristin), she enjoyed catching up. Anita keeps enjoying cards that I bring and read to her. The vision thing hasn't been officially diagnosed yet, but she is wearing a pirate patch on her right eye to rest the muscles and to avoid the double vision. Her spirits are good and her voice is getting stronger. No more supplemental O2!! These steps in the positive direction are all great and we thank God for these blessings.
Take care, let's get 'O8 off to a good start. ed
Hi Ted!

Great to see, Great to share!

Just a quick update from today from the long distance Carwile. I happened to be calling in when the doctor came in and said the MRI looked OK that they had taken on Monday to look at her neck. They will continue to monitor in 3 months, but for now we can enjoy keeping the collar off of Mom. I know that it is helpful to not have that restriction and there has been no pain so that is a nice step in the right direction.

We had a nice visit while down there for the holidays and as Dad and Allison have mentioned Mom definitely did some aiding of local economies before this unfortunate incident. There were three little girls that still had plenty of gifts to open and we were still able to have enough room in the car where nobody had to ride home on top of the car! I believe the car packing gene is definitely from Mom's side of the family and was very necessary this weekend!

I'd like to thank everybody that has been able to visit as now that Mom is in her room and awake visitors are even more appreciated as Dad and Allison can't be there 24/7 so being able to break the boredom is helpful. Hopefully now that all of the holidays are over the doctors will all be around all the time and more decisions and activities can take place. Mom has really appreciated her care and she shared that with the doctors. I know they appreciated that.

I hope everybody has had a wonderful holiday. It was different this year of course, but still a great opportunity to witness the results of strong faith as well as a time to see a family's true wealth which is not measured in the checkbook, but in the thoughts and visits and prayers of so many. We are very blessed. I have enjoyed seeing such a great example of how to be a man and love your wife. That is a gift that we take for granted too often. Thank you Dad!

I hope everybody has a safe 2008 and buckle up!

Quite a Day !!

Dear family and friends,
It was a very eventful day for Anita and the Carwile Family. From the time I arrived at the hospital things started to happen. Eric and Lisa somehow got all their gifts and things into the car and arrived about 11:30. Thank goodness there is a family room on the floor for visitors and guests to wait in if they can't be in the patient's room. That's where lunch was for part of our family. Cheryl, Frank and Kenny rolled in to avoid the crowds on our anniversary celebration, then Allison, Kenny and Kayla came with all the food and decorations for Anita's door and the room. Anita passed on hospital lunch to eat fried chicken, potato salad, and cherries along with some iced tea. Oh yes, she did have one or two pieces of shrimp cocktail, ed ate the rest of her share. Decorated chocolate cake for dessert and a toast in special champagne glasses of sparkling apple cider. The gift of the day was a framed picture of Anita and myself taken in wedding attire, forty years ago. It was a grand take over of our section of the hall which the staff graciously allowed along with offering their congratulations to us. Other visitors included The Kimes, The Stewarts, St.Johns, Palmers and Barbara Marshke. Anita enjoyed it all and I'm sure will rest well tonight, as will I. Allison and Kenny took a big siesta today along with Kayla. Their house started to get back to normal, with me getting to move back downstairs.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and Anita will be have some testing done on her left arm to determine if there is good blood flow to support the soon to be repaired wound next to her elbow. She's a pretty brave girl when is comes to knowing about these things ahead of time.
We are looking forward to 2008 where the buzz word will be rehab. Dr Spence checked in for a brief moment to wish us a happy anniversary and to remind Anita to keep me straight. He said she was looking good, but I've known that for more than forty years ! Take care and keep the faith, its' that important. ed