Posted on February 18, 2014
Sorry for not updating sooner, but we've all been very busy since Shelley was released to go home on Friday, Valentines Day. Two days before she was released, Shelley had to have some more plastic surgery. It was only some minor skin grafting to her scalp, but they had to take more skin from her thigh and that has created more pain.
Shes moving around a lot better and using her sliding board more efficiently from wheel chair to bedside commode to the bed. We are having to do a little 'tough love' and encourage her to do more for herself. It makes it difficult with the necrotic tissue on the tips of her left hand, but she's doing better. She still has 4 dressings that need to be changed once a day, that Courtney, Casey and I will be changing. And for PT we are having her do her resistance bands for strengthening.
She sees her primary doctor today and then next week, she will have follow ups with her general surgeon, plastic surgeon and hand surgeon. We will also be seeing a wonderful pain doctor, Dr Hede, that I work with, next week for better pain control.
Her health insurance, purchased through the ACA will kick in on March 1. I'm hoping we can get her in a skilled nursing facility or rehab at that point.
We are also having problems with the plumbing in her house. So if anyone knows of a good, reasonably priced plumber, please let me know.
Thank you you for all the acts of kindness...we have received yummy meals from Dana and Cheri. And McKenzie made several frozen meals. Amy and Katy's grandparents had Shelley's house cleaned and a ramp built. Shelley's boyfriend, Jason, cleaned her carpets. When I went to pick up her tub transfer bench at Medical Tectrronics in Houston, the owner Rick, tore up the invoice. By the way, if you are in need of great discounted medical equipment, you must see him first. http://www.medicaltectronics.net.
My friends Yvonne and Greg Johnson donated 2 weeks worth of dressing supplies, just in time because we used our last gauze roll yesterday. My wonderful neighbors, affectionately called the Creek Girls, have done so many things, that I'm sure I can't even list here. Michelle Jeffers is helping to organize meals for next week and has traveled with me to see Shelley, listened to me for hours on end and offered many a shoulder to cry on. Melissa Cameron has traveled with me to Shelley's, to assess her home for wheel chair readiness and has offered free physical therapy!
Jennifer Fulton, called around and got a very sturdy drop arm commode for us, from her church. She also called Gayla Wigs and they are going to donate a wig for Shelley once her head wound heals.The emotional support the Creek Girls have given to me has been more appreciated than I can even begin to put in to words. We are having a Premiere Jewelry party fundraiser this Friday, with a wonderful host Deborah Raley who has volunteered to give the proceeds to Shelley. Her website is www.jewelrydeb.com. Jennifer Hoiden(Another Creek Girl) has donated several Premiere pieces to be sold on Friday at a discounted price, with all proceeds to be given to Shelley. She has also presented Shelley's cause to her networking group and has given me several names to potentially help with different needs of Shelley's as they arise. Our cousin Robert and Julie Marshall have donated a wheel chair for her to use and offered financial and emotional support. Other cousins Tom and Kay Marshall, Janet, Alice, Chad, Charles, Carolyn, Gordon and Kathy(if I have forgotten someone, please forgive me)have given to Shelley's cause, Along with numerous friends, friends of friends, neighbors, and complete strangers.
I'm sure that I have forgotten someone, so please forgive me. Shelley and her family appreciate all that has been done!
Here is the invite to her fundraiser Premiere Jewelry Show...
https://attachment.fbsbx.com/messaging_attachment.php?mid=mid.1392255718019%3A733c7571a2bba6b882&midroot&aid=062032f4f66fee869fe6daae8a6ee7bc&tid&uid=1064802886&accid=1064802886&ext=1392767196&hash=AQBoRRaLQxy56-X7NwPQ1tS0NTwG0IuTQpSV0Wzg-c-6Wg
Love and much thanks to you all,
Kim, Shelley and family