Baby Steps and Bounds

Jennifer made wonderful progress today. She spent the night on her own last night and did a great job. The staff was kind of short due to the weather we are having here and the fact that it was a Sunday so she did have to wait a bit when she was requesting assistance. The nurse she had last night was much better though than the previous nurse.

When I saw her this morning the fellow had already been by and removed the dressing from her incision and the two drains that were in place. She was also advance in her diet from the IV nutrition to clear liquids to solid food all in a matter of 18 hours. She is also totally off of IV pain medication and is on oral meds which has helped tremendously with her nausea and allowed her to be more alert. She is also making great strides in her physical therapy and walking further and further each of the three times that the therapists saw her today. Two times by the physical therapist and once by the occupational therapist. She also learned how to use her assistance devices so she will not have to reach once she gets out of the hospital.

She has also begun using the bathroom again on her own. It seems like a minor detail but is probably one of the largest steps toward regaining her independence and leaving the hospital. The fellow thought that at the rate she was progressing that she would be out of the hospital either tomorrow or the next day.

I am very proud of her for never saying she would not try something and for constantly pushing herself toward making a successful recovery from this major undertaking.

Jonathan