Well, tonight will be Ken's last night in the hospital since they have plans to discharge him tomorrow afternoon. The doctors and physical therapists have given him the okay to go home since he is now able to get up out of bed with a walker. He is really doing great! He will come stay at my house in West Sacramento, along with my mom who will be helping him out during the day while I am at work. And, I have Wifi at my house so he is looking forward to being able to return e-mail and catch up with the blog. He will also have his cell phone with him too.
We are really excited that he is able to come home and it is so cool to see how much better he is getting everyday. Thanks again for all of your comments. I am sure we will have plenty of good stories to share as we enter this next phase of his recovery. Little did he know he would be living with his little sister and mom again!!!! Lucky him :)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A Day of Visitors
Ken started the day with a big breakfast of fruit and blueberry French toast, followed by 45 minutes of physical therapy. He was able to put weight on his left leg to get the blood circulating. He is not very adept with a walker, because he does not have two working wrists to support his upper body weight. The left wrist has a minor fracture that does not require surgery and should heal on its own in 4-6 weeks. The right wrist has pins and bars to hold it in place and will require significant recovery time and PT.
Today he had the equivalent of a huge party in his room all day long. In addition to the nurses and staff, his mother, me (sister), my husband Joe, and friends Matt, Audrey, Ricardo, Maria, and Bill spent a good part of the day with him. Beware, any people that visit may be required to have their picture taken by my mom. The good news is that she does not work her camera well and there is only a 50-50 chance that you will actually be photographed. Today all photographs were taken in black and white. According to my Mom, that was entirely the camera’s fault. If anyone would like a black and white portrait, please let us know and we can put you in contact with the photographer. LOL
Regarding Bob’s suggestion to add a section called “Ask Ken,” we will do our best to have Ken answer the questions, but there is no WiFi at this hospital so there will be some lag time with a response. (If you would like to donate a Verizon air card, please let us know.)
Ask Ken
No, there are no restrictions on Ken’s diet. He would not have that.
Russ asked about Ken’s camera and luckily he was carrying the point and shoot and it made it out in much better condition than him.
No, there have been no calls to cute nurses. Ken is working on a strictly professional basis.
Ken’s Quotes of the Day
I can do a lot of stuff with a $1.50 device (Referring to his back scratcher)
No, that’s the way I want it! (Referring to listing each person that came by today)
Mom said, “Where did the buttons go?” (Diane was trying to take a picture with the camera upside down).
What kind of hospital is this with no WiFi? You can get it at the flea market for God’s sake.
Today he had the equivalent of a huge party in his room all day long. In addition to the nurses and staff, his mother, me (sister), my husband Joe, and friends Matt, Audrey, Ricardo, Maria, and Bill spent a good part of the day with him. Beware, any people that visit may be required to have their picture taken by my mom. The good news is that she does not work her camera well and there is only a 50-50 chance that you will actually be photographed. Today all photographs were taken in black and white. According to my Mom, that was entirely the camera’s fault. If anyone would like a black and white portrait, please let us know and we can put you in contact with the photographer. LOL
Regarding Bob’s suggestion to add a section called “Ask Ken,” we will do our best to have Ken answer the questions, but there is no WiFi at this hospital so there will be some lag time with a response. (If you would like to donate a Verizon air card, please let us know.)
Ask Ken
No, there are no restrictions on Ken’s diet. He would not have that.
Russ asked about Ken’s camera and luckily he was carrying the point and shoot and it made it out in much better condition than him.
No, there have been no calls to cute nurses. Ken is working on a strictly professional basis.
Ken’s Quotes of the Day
I can do a lot of stuff with a $1.50 device (Referring to his back scratcher)
No, that’s the way I want it! (Referring to listing each person that came by today)
Mom said, “Where did the buttons go?” (Diane was trying to take a picture with the camera upside down).
What kind of hospital is this with no WiFi? You can get it at the flea market for God’s sake.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Ken Moved Out of ICU
Hooray!! Ken was moved out of the ICU today to the Orthopedic Unit at Kaiser Roseville Hospital. He is in room 3111 on the 3rd floor and has a room with a view (the Kaiser parking lot). His room includes a digital television, a curtain, a roll-out bed, and his own bathroom! The room is much more comfortable and seems more quiet.
Ken has had a good day. Joe brought him a Peach Pleasure Jamba Juice and he received another two pints of blood. That should pep him up for his physical therapy tomorrow.
Ken has discovered “Ken’s Quotes of the Day” but it has not seemed to have affected the quality or quantity of comments.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"I don’t look like the Unibomber anymore." (after receiving a nice, clean shave)
"Don’t be cheap on me." (Referring to mom pouring him Jamba Juice)
"Mom, I have a fun job for you if you choose to accept it."
"This thing sounds like it is brewing coffee." (Referring to his blood transfusion this afternoon)
"Joe, you don’t want to do that." (Referring to attaching the climbing dolls to the fire sprinkler)
My Mom said, “Please don’t leave me out in the hallway when I’m old. Joe replied, “Don’t worry Diane, we’ll set you in the stairway.”
Ken said, "I like the quotes of the day. That way people don’t think I am sitting here miserable in pain, even though I kind of am."
“I like this room. I feel more comfortable here.”
Ken has had a good day. Joe brought him a Peach Pleasure Jamba Juice and he received another two pints of blood. That should pep him up for his physical therapy tomorrow.
Ken has discovered “Ken’s Quotes of the Day” but it has not seemed to have affected the quality or quantity of comments.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"I don’t look like the Unibomber anymore." (after receiving a nice, clean shave)
"Don’t be cheap on me." (Referring to mom pouring him Jamba Juice)
"Mom, I have a fun job for you if you choose to accept it."
"This thing sounds like it is brewing coffee." (Referring to his blood transfusion this afternoon)
"Joe, you don’t want to do that." (Referring to attaching the climbing dolls to the fire sprinkler)
My Mom said, “Please don’t leave me out in the hallway when I’m old. Joe replied, “Don’t worry Diane, we’ll set you in the stairway.”
Ken said, "I like the quotes of the day. That way people don’t think I am sitting here miserable in pain, even though I kind of am."
“I like this room. I feel more comfortable here.”
Friday, June 26, 2009
Transfer to Kaiser in Roseville
Today Ken was released from Sutter Roseville and was transferred to Kaiser Roseville. We will miss the nurses and staff at Sutter...they were fabulous! At Kaiser, Ken is in the ICU (West), 2nd floor, room #13. They expect that they will move him to the orthopedics floor shortly since he will begin physical therapy. He is still in quite a bit of pain, mainly with his wrist, but they are trying to get that under control.
This entire hospital experience has brought a lot of firsts for Ken, including his first ambulance ride. Ken and I rode over to Kaiser together. Twice he asked if they could go Code 3 with full lights and sirens, but he was denied both times.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"Let me tell you, I am burning up the keyboard here" (regarding his attempt at typing with one hand)
"Take a look at these legs!"
"I've still got my game!" (in reference to hitting the happy face line with the breath tester)
"I'm glad I was able to provide you with a fun packed day"
The orthopedic surgeon said, "Yes, basically you have three flats."
"Whatever it takes to get better"
This entire hospital experience has brought a lot of firsts for Ken, including his first ambulance ride. Ken and I rode over to Kaiser together. Twice he asked if they could go Code 3 with full lights and sirens, but he was denied both times.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"Let me tell you, I am burning up the keyboard here" (regarding his attempt at typing with one hand)
"Take a look at these legs!"
"I've still got my game!" (in reference to hitting the happy face line with the breath tester)
"I'm glad I was able to provide you with a fun packed day"
The orthopedic surgeon said, "Yes, basically you have three flats."
"Whatever it takes to get better"
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tough Day
Today Ken had his roughest day so far. It started with a bad night (last night), largely due to a pretty crappy nurse. His care at Sutter up to this point has been amazing, but this one particular nurse took it upon himself to change Ken's pain management plan. My husband Joe has offered to break several of the nurse's bones so that he might gain some perspective on proper pain management.
Later in the day Ken had surgery on his wrist. The surgery took longer than expected due to the severity of the breaks, however, the surgeon was pleased with the overall outcome. He expects Ken to make a full recovery. When we left Ken tonight he had recovered from surgery and was resting comfortably. We left fthe hospital feeling confident that he was in good hands.
As I write this I know it sounds negative but it is just one day. We have had a lot of good days and anticipate many more good days in the future as Ken continues to get better. Thanks for your thoughts and support. It means a lot to Ken and us as well. Keep the comments coming....he looks forward to hearing them each day. Thanks!
Ken's Quote of the Day
"I knew I was in trouble the minute I saw him"
Later in the day Ken had surgery on his wrist. The surgery took longer than expected due to the severity of the breaks, however, the surgeon was pleased with the overall outcome. He expects Ken to make a full recovery. When we left Ken tonight he had recovered from surgery and was resting comfortably. We left fthe hospital feeling confident that he was in good hands.
As I write this I know it sounds negative but it is just one day. We have had a lot of good days and anticipate many more good days in the future as Ken continues to get better. Thanks for your thoughts and support. It means a lot to Ken and us as well. Keep the comments coming....he looks forward to hearing them each day. Thanks!
Ken's Quote of the Day
"I knew I was in trouble the minute I saw him"
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Another Surgery Down!
Today Ken had surgery on his pelvis. The surgeon was very pleased with the outcome and said that he was stable throughout the entire surgery. His pain level is very high today but he just received some meds so its party time! Right now, he is holding his breath which is setting off an alarm in the room. It is pay back for my mom who was making fun of his hospital dress.
The nurses are getting a kick out of a doll that Beth Lawson delivered to the room. The doll is a bendable stick figure rock climber that Beth appropriately bandaged around the head, pelvis, and arm.
A lot of people have asked about visiting Ken. At this time, he is in a lot of pain and we ask if you could give him a couple days to rest and recover. But we appreciate everyones concerns and he is really enjoying the blog comments. We are taking it one day at a time and when he starts feeling better, we will be sure to let everyone know.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
“Compliments my dress nicely!”
“I swear that that thing is going to pop my kneecap off. Watch my patella fly off into the parking lot. Did somebody lose a patella?”
“Sounds like my car doors open”
“ I heard a screwdriver running”
“I like the name of that, vomit center”
“That’s okay the socks match the dress"
The nurses are getting a kick out of a doll that Beth Lawson delivered to the room. The doll is a bendable stick figure rock climber that Beth appropriately bandaged around the head, pelvis, and arm.
A lot of people have asked about visiting Ken. At this time, he is in a lot of pain and we ask if you could give him a couple days to rest and recover. But we appreciate everyones concerns and he is really enjoying the blog comments. We are taking it one day at a time and when he starts feeling better, we will be sure to let everyone know.
Ken's Quotes of the Day
“Compliments my dress nicely!”
“I swear that that thing is going to pop my kneecap off. Watch my patella fly off into the parking lot. Did somebody lose a patella?”
“Sounds like my car doors open”
“ I heard a screwdriver running”
“I like the name of that, vomit center”
“That’s okay the socks match the dress"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Today was a good day. Ken felt pretty good most of the day and enjoyed the visitors and blog comments that he received. He is scheduled for surgery on his pelvis tomorrow morning at 7:15 so please have him in your thoughts.
Marin had a great idea to include a "Ken's Quotes of the Day" Section in the blog which we thought was a great idea. In order to ensure originality and lack of censorship by the source, we thought it would be a good idea to keep this section of the blog a secret from Ken until he can access it on his own. So, please enjoy, but do not spill the beans!
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"Okay Mom, don't peak!"
"That's as far as skin can stretch right there!"
"Mom, don't believe anything Mike says."
"When did I have that last Vicodin?"
"That knee cap is going to pop right off....spizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!" (sound effect provided by Ken)
"I don't know about you guys, but I had fun today!" (and he really meant it. Thanks to all who made what could have been a boring, miserable day, a fun day for him)
Marin had a great idea to include a "Ken's Quotes of the Day" Section in the blog which we thought was a great idea. In order to ensure originality and lack of censorship by the source, we thought it would be a good idea to keep this section of the blog a secret from Ken until he can access it on his own. So, please enjoy, but do not spill the beans!
Ken's Quotes of the Day
"Okay Mom, don't peak!"
"That's as far as skin can stretch right there!"
"Mom, don't believe anything Mike says."
"When did I have that last Vicodin?"
"That knee cap is going to pop right off....spizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!" (sound effect provided by Ken)
"I don't know about you guys, but I had fun today!" (and he really meant it. Thanks to all who made what could have been a boring, miserable day, a fun day for him)
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