Saturday, June 16, 2007

Lisa Today - 2007 June 15

Home… Home at Last!
Oro Valley, Arizona

There wasn’t really much fan fare, but those closest to Lisa from the hospital staff came to say goodbye and expressed their well wishes. Then, the day continued with two paramedics from the Phoenix Paramedic Transport service who brought Lisa, with Richard sitting beside her, home in their ambulance. To make sure we were at the hospital before the 1:00 PM transport to Tucson, Richard and I left for Phoenix at 7:00 AM. Then after loading my vehicle with Lisa's things and her wheelchair I was off to Tucson, and arrived home near 10:30 AM.

The timing of Lisa's move was as close to perfect as one could get. You see Lisa's discharge date and time from Select Specialty Hospital was firm: 1:00 PM, Friday, June 15th. Richard's Jury was still out on Thursday, June 14th, and they had been deliberating since Wednesday the 13th. The jury was deciding the guilt or innocence of a man accused of racketeering, drug dealing, murder and kidnapping, and other felonies. It (the trial) had taken 6-weeks, and now it has come down to the final day and everyone is waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and then at 3:30 PM the jury came with their verdict: GUILTY! And, so it came about the way it ought to... one more bad guy is off the streets of Tucson. There is a coincidence to my way of thinking in that just a year ago Richard tried a case in Ada, Oklahoma that concluded just-about-this-time. A current best seller titled "Innocent Man" was written about the case. I was John Grisham first non-fiction book.

Lisa’s home coming went well; with only a few glitches that were corrected by the time of her arrival. For instance, her specialized hospital bed arrived at 10:30 AM Friday. It was a replacement for the incorrect bed that was delivered a few days earlier. There were other things I could tell you about, but what the heck everything worked out so at this point it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that Lisa is home and loving it!

Michael
mlwintory@msn.com

Friday, June 08, 2007

Lisa Today - 08 June 2007

Select Specialty Acute Care Hospital

Phoenix, Arizona

Lisa has regained her weight. She has reached 132 lbs, and now is breathing on her own without oxygen assistance; also Lisa’s heart rate is normal. She has begun to vocalize somewhat, and as Ann Peterson would say, “That’s a good thing.” Patrice Mills, Lisa’s Certified Nurse Assistant is completely on board. She is managing the inventory of supplies and equipment that Lisa will need after she arrives in Tucson at Lisa and Richard’s home. I don’t have a picture of Patrice yet, but will include one after Lisa comes home. By-the-way, her discharge is coming up soon, but I do not have an exact date yet because everything must be in-place and at hand for Lisa when she arrives, and that big job is being worked on as we speak by Richard and Patrice here, and others in Phoenix at the insurance company and the hospital. I am happy to report that we have a physician on board with us now in Tucson. His name is Joel Moncizaiz, M.D. I’ll tell you more about Dr. Moncizaiz and how Sherry recruited him later. Understand this, no skilled nursing facility her was willing to take Lisa; therefore homecare was the only option, and further without a physician to supervise her care… well that’s a nightmare thought.

I told you about the Ed Hill and the gang raising $6,000.00 for Lisa’s care and credited everyone who made it possible, well almost everyone except Dennis Frazier. You’d think he’d be first on everyone’s mind… because it was Dennis who provided the lunches for class participants and donated the funds to Lisa and Richard. Please accept our belated thanks to Dennis, and absolutely everyone else who contributed to make the project such a big success.

On June 10th, Michael celebrated his 15-month birthday at the doctor’s office. No big deal: a quick height and weight check-a couple of shots and out the door, or so I thought. He contracted some kind of bloody bug that made him quite ill. I’ll spare you the details because most of the people who read this know about from their own experience and for those who may not, sooner or later you-they will. Thank goodness for Huggies.

The rail which will enable Lisa to be comfortably transported (outside of a wheelchair) is up in Richard and Lisa’s home. The track runs from the great room, of their home, up the stairs into the master bedroom and on to the bathroom. There is a spur off of the track leading into what will become Lisa’s therapy room. The workman did a very nice job. The track (rail) is secured with large, long bolts with go through the roof and are there secured. I’ll show you pictures after Lisa comes home.

We had a wonderful visit with Jack and Napua Davis who stopped by for a few days on their way back to Norman, OK. They were visiting their daughter and her family in California, and make like grandparents. They were in Phoenix last Sunday with Lisa and Richard. Napua told me that Lisa turned her eyes to Jack when he began playing his flute for her. The music is his signature and private channel to Lisa’s heart.

Richard used the camera in his phone for these pictures of Michael. They were taken at the hospital healing garden.

Michael
mlwintory@msn.com