Travel, travel, travel...

Monday, October 24.

I am home briefly, then back to Atlanta. Gary's brother Randy came down from Ohio to see Gary and spend time with him while I am gone. It was so good to see Randy, he is a strong and positive person. Gary is very happy to have him there.

In the 2 days before I left Gary was slowly making some progress in the breathing and eating categories. His voice is rather weak so he doesn't talk much. His spirits are OK. Understandably Gary is frustrated by his medical issues and his spirits are certainly improved when he feels better. He is adapting well to the temporary wheelchair. No noteworthy collisions. He will get his own custom made chair later so this is a loaner for now until they figure out exactly what he needs.

Gary just called from Atlanta. He is supposed to be starting his first real therapy today and he is looking forward to it. "Maybe I'll finally get something done. I am tired of laying around." That's the Gary we all know and love!

We owe so many thank you's to folks who have reached out to help us, including the entire staff at the Shepherd Center. Gary and I thank them all. We have made an observation that ALL of the staff at both hospitals (Shands and Shepherd) DO their job well. However there is a distinction between those who DO their job well and those who really CARE about the patient as they do their job well. Interesting.

On the Angels list :Thanks to Susi, Carol, Marilyn, South Dakota ShellWoman and Hali for talking me all the way from Atlanta to home. It was REALLY sad to get home with no Gary. Our little dog Trevor (Gary's favorite-shh, don't tell the other 2 dogs) kept running up to the truck and looking for Gary to come out. Then he just sat by the truck and waited.

There are so many tears in this process.

My father and his wife Dorothy came to stay at the house with Bax for a few days.  Thanks to them for their help.

I am so glad to have my son Bax staying with me!!! He is great company.

Thank you all for caring.

Judi

Showers are good; especially with 3 women;)

Sat, Oct 22

Yesterday was a such big day that I did not have a chance to write anything.

The good news is Gary was up and in a wheelchair for the first time here at the Shepherd Center. The unfortunate component is that apparently he had reinjured his "bad shoulder" in the accident. The orthopedic surgeon feels this will hamper his ability to use both of his arms to push his wheelchair and transfer in and out of it. Surgery is a possibility, but not right now...so this means he is in a motorized wheelchair. Gary was disappointed about this but so happy to get up and about.

I also had a big day yesterday. (I will have more stories for you all later.)

I was in the family training program all day long.

Because this hospital specializes in spinal cord injuries they are very good about training the family and the caregiver. I have to be certified to do Gary's care and have to learn ALOT of information about the predictable, probable and possible problems I will encounter when I bring him home. The highlight of the program was the wheelchair maintenance class. Good thing the last segment of the day was psychological and emotional issues!

Today so far was an amazing day, Gary had his first shower.

Those of you my age or older will remember those little hammocks you put in the sink to bathe your baby. Well, they have this giant one which we rolled into the huge shower room. One tech, one nurse and I all got a shower with Gary. It was actually kind of fun, but no one seemed to think I was so funny when I suggested the best way to get dry might be to run down the halls naked. Party Poopers!

Ok, that's all for now.

Hugs to all of you,

Judi

Out of ICU :)

Thurs, Oct 20

It is early am and I haven't seen Gary yet today. He did call me early and tell me he is feeling better and has eaten breakfast.

Gary was moved from ICU last evening at 10:30pm. We both consider this a good development. He is still uncomfortable but it appears the care he is receiving is moving him in the right direction. He should be receiving a temporary wheelchair today also and he is excited about that.

Yesterday should really be titled "The Never Ending Meeting Day". There is so much to absorb about the program he is enrolled in for both us.  We were having ANOTHER discussion with ANOTHER helpful person when the HELPFUL person had the following discussion with Gary.

HELPFUL PERSON: "You look so worried, why is that?" 

Gary: "I am always worried."

HELPFUL PERSON: "What are you most worried about today?"

Gary: "What this is all going to do to Jude."

(Yesterday's sweetest moment)

Anyway, here is an address for those of you wanting to send a card.

Gary Gammage

c/o Shepherd Center

2020 Peachtree Rd NW

Atlanta, GA

30309

I will try to keep updates coming. Again we both thank you for caring.

Judi

"A LOT better" :):)

Wednesday, October 19

We arrived safely in Alanta. Gary by ambulance and Judi by Gary's truck. The most stressful part of the trip was trying to park the behemoth (Gary's truck) in a parking spot.

Thanks to Wig (my BFF from jr hs) who talked me almost all of the way from Melrose to Alanta and actually got me to laugh. And to Ken and Cathy who talked me through the rest of the trip. With the snacks Danielle packed the trip flew by.

I will try to write more later, but this is a fine place and Gary is glad to be here.

I was speaking with Hali on the phone and said "Gary is feeling a little bit better" and he corrected me that he is " alot better". I consider that a good sign, he is beginning to differ with me again - hehe.

New angels: all the nurses and techs at Shepherds Center, Monica, Annika, Josh, Don, Robert, Cornelia. Thank you.

Hugs to all of you,

Judi

Gary with his buddy Trevor; Christmas 2010:)  He can't wait for Gary to come home!!!

Arrival in ATL!

On Tuesday, Gary arrived at Sheppard's House in Atlanta.  He had a long ride in an ambulance and was feeling very sick when he finally got there:(  The staff was attentively at his side trying to help and by bedtime he was feeling slightly better.

We will try to have an update up before the end of the week.  Judi is very busy with paperwork and getting Gary settled.  When I spoke with her she seemed to feel as though they had made the right decision.

Thanks again for your patience and support!!!

-Hali

Shepard's House

Tuesday, Oct 18

Today we are moving Gary to the Shepherd's Hospital in Atlanta .

We have heard wonderful things about this hospital which specializes in brain trauma and spinal cord injuries. The rehab facilities are varied with swimming pools, gymnasiums and state of the art technology.

We feel very fortunate that we were able to get Gary accepted and are hoping for the best rehab possible.

I will be driving there independently of the ICU ambulance, so I can have transportation.

As far as Gary's progress is concerned, he is still in a very weakened state. He is still having trouble breathing, has a fever which comes and goes, and his blood pressure is a bit irregular. On the bright side the digestion issues are a tiny bit improved. He is still not eating, and it has been almost 2 weeks. He feels pretty crappy and I am amazed by how little he complains. I can see in his eyes how miserable he is.

Todays list of angels include Danielle and Mike staying with Bax and me. They have taken care of the dogs, not only cooked and cleaned, but cooked weeks worth of meals for Bax!!! Gary has wanted to buy a laptop for years now and couldn't decide what to get, so Debbie ordered one for him and charged it to her own credit card! Bax is continuing to be the live-in handyman and emotional support for me. I am amazed at how Hali is able to go to school, do her job and do what she is doing for Gary and me. 

At the hospital so many nurses and Drs have helped us that they are too numerous to name. Valerie and Lourdes have spent the most time making Gary comfortable. Hedy and Angella made sure no stone was left unturned in getting Gary to Shepherds. Thank you to Wendy, Karen, Sharon, Tim, Matt, Kwame, Justin, Scott, Lauren, June, Ryan, Vikie, Barbie, Mareesha, Laura, Melissa, - my apologies to those of you whom I have left out. We are so grateful to all of these folks.

Once we are safely situated in Atlanta, I will hopefully be able to post Gary's address for those of you wanting to send a card.

This will probably be my last entry for a few days while Gary is getting settled.

Thank you all,

Judi