I want to start off by saying that everything is fine with us. I would like to send our prayers and thoughts to all of those people who suffered any loss in the recent hurricane Sandy. I feel so bad for those folks, and I hope that we can get the power, food, clean up, and all other forms of help to them QUICKLY!
We had a scare on Friday night! Katy and I were invited to a wine tasting by Hospitality Homes (who found the apartment for us-Great people!), and we were heading down to the event, which happened to be about 2 blocks from Brigham Women’s Hospital. Have you ever had one of those days where you should have listened to your self, but didn’t? I should have listened to myself last Friday! I kept saying that we were going to take a cab so that we wouldn’t have to deal with parking, etc, but, at the last minute, we decided that parking was cheaper than a cab (trying to be frugal). So Katy and I circle the block a few times, and finally find parking about 3 blocks from the hotel where the event was. The nice people at HH were really nice to invite us to this event, and we were looking forward to a nice dinner and wine with these wonderfully generous people, so we made our way down the street. At the corner across from the building, we discussed going down the block on our side and crossing, but decided not to because the cross walk sign had just changed in our favor. We crossed the street, a full 150 feet from the door we were going to, and all of a sudden Katy flies out of her chair, and lands face first on the concrete! She was howling almost immediately, and I was horrified! It turns out that the ramp to the sidewalk from the street had a split in it that was covered by leaves and it grabbed the wheelchair wheel causing a dead stop. This is such a freak thing considering how many miles Katy and I walk with her chair, and in MANY, MANY areas with bad streets or cracks, and we have never had this happen.
I rolled Katy the few blocks to BWH because she was in terrible pain, and took her to the ER. She was hurting, my mind was racing, it was horrible. We got her admitted in the ER at BWH, got her x-rayed, and, very gratefully, nothing was broken! For the hour or so it took to get the x-rays, and then the hour or so to get the results, we were so nervous. The nerves didn’t help Katy’s pain level, but the doctors finally got her pain under control. After several hours, we all decided that it would be best for Katy to stay the night so that they could manage pain and so that I wouldn’t have to transfer her 5-6 times. I went home to a sleepless night, and returned the next morning to find her “ready to go.” She was still in HORRIBLE pain, and couldn’t move her arms hardly at all, but was cleared to go. The staff was very nice (MUCH better than some of our previous experiences with hospital staff), and answered all of our questions, gave good care, and seemed genuinely concerned.
Since then, we have remained around the apartment, letting Katy rest, and she is improving. She is still sore, but I think she will be moving almost fully by Monday or Tuesday. Katy says it was a perfect storm because she usually positions herself in her chair differently (making it harder to fall out if we hit a bump), I didn’ listen to myself about taking cab, and we both talked about going down the block, but didn’t. What a comedy of errors! I am just SO thankful that it didn’t do too much damage! Katy, of course, hates, hates, hates not being to move as much as usual, but I try to make it up to her by making her wonderful breakfast, lunch, and dinner….:-)
I hope that this post finds all of you well, and that you all have a FANTASTIC rest of the weekend!
Love,
Al
Oh my goodness Al, your right talk about a comedy of errors. so glad she was able to get taken care of at the hospital. Watch out up there, the pot holes and cracks in sidwalks and streets used to cause me a lot of sprained ankles when i was growing up in Ct. I’m so glad Katy is improving,what a scare. I was not sleeping well and just came in to check my political mail and saw your post. Have you all voted as of yet? Don’t know what your politics and it’s not my business , but for the past 18 months I’ve been voluteering for President Obama mostly because of “Healthcare and all of the Women’s issues”, it was a promise to our daughter before she passed on. She had migranes for a couple of years before the Strep A and sepsis hit her and she and her husband couldn’t get health insurance. They were turned down 3 times before she became a trauma patient for two years. I promised her I would work for the President’s second term so that everyone with a preexisting condition could not be not be refused insurance. Congress can work on that Bill to make it better not kill it. Climate change and Global warming are also big with this voter. Enough politics. I’ve been living out this election for so long I can’t shut up. Sorry about that.
When i first saw your post I thought omg this must be the news we had been waiting for. Just glad the accident wasn’t anymore serious. That storm was horrible and I know the feeling having been flooded twice here in Fl. we’re only a mile and half from the ocean. In 09 we had to leave our home for 7 weeks until they basically had to redue our entire home. I wish folks would stop the politics about that because the shock when you return home ,if you have one left is like your body freezing in time. Those folks are still in shock and should not be used for political purposes. Just help if you can help because their emotions are so fragile it was the weakest feeling ‘ve ever had …”helpless”. The Red Cross fundraiser was a great thing for NBC and MSNBC to do for the victims. Every dime will help. So very sad.
Well I had me a glass of milk, to help get me get to sleep. Sometimes seniors don’t sleep so good you know, this was one of those nights. Take care and I hope Katy feels better by Monday, Guess I had better change the clocks before I hit the sack. I forgot but my computer just reminded me.
God bless you all and you are still in our prayers. Will be hanging out for some good news from Ma….. Take care now.
Betty and Bob Burnette in Fl.
Good Grief, Al…..I am so thankful that Katy is alright and wasn’t hurt any more than she was.
I can’t even imagine what was going thru her mind when she realized she was falling forward with no way to stop the momentum.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all daily.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and Katy, and the family. Things are happening in her life that I have never seen happen before. Limb transplant has to be a very new thing. Is Katy going to be one of the first to have this done.
Every day that Katy is here is another miracle happening.
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To Betty Burnette.
I keep you and your family in my prayers also. I think of Gayle often. Spoke of her as well as Katy to my sister just a few days ago. Hope that Tim and the children have been able to accept Gayle’s passing. Know it was hard on them, as well as you and Bob. I remember, she was Daddy’s girl.Bob was with her so much at the hospital.
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God be with both of you families. Al, Katy and children, and you Betty, Bob and your extended family.
Margie Tomek
I am a wheelchair user. All of the chairs I have ever used have had a seatbelt. I am surprised that no one has suggested this to you. Due to Katy’s particular situation, torso belts, as well as the style in your car are available or can be fashioned.
Thanks for your reply! Only Katy’s power chairs have seat belts. None of the manual chairs we have have offered them, but this one has a strap that the manufacturer is VERY careful to mention is NOT a seat belt, and is not for securing a person. We are currently waiting on our appointment with our wheelchair therapist so that we can get Katy her new, much safer, much more comfortable, chair. If you have suggestions on manufacturers that you could pass along, that would be great! When she was in the hospital in Dallas, there was an amazing chair that they let her use, and I cannot find the manufacturer online. Again, thanks! I hope you have a great week!
I’m sorry that happened.Hope you do find a chair that’s safer. Glad you weren’t hurt worse Katy.
E
Rome NY
Hi Al & Katy –
I’ve followed your story through your blog, Facebook and all of the media coverage since the very beginning and just wanted to tell you that I’m continually sending thoughts and prayers of encouragement, healing and strength your way, especially in light of Katy’s recent accident. What a blessing that it wasn’t more serious. Your perseverence and determination are AMAZING, and it’s the fighting spirit which refuses to give up that ultimately wins! I hope you continue to enjoy Boston (stay warm!), and I’m looking forward to reading about Katy’s successful surgery in the very near future
Blessings to you and your entire family and may you have a wonderful holiday season
I just saw the comment from Margie Tomek. Thank you for remembering our Gayle and her family. We are doing fine moving forward ,the children are very bright and Brittany is going into her 3 yr. in college. Caleb is in 4th grade, Lindsey is a freshman in high School and is a varsity cheerleader. Tim had to close his Pool business and is working for a another pool builder. .
Sorry to get on your post and comment Al. Margie followed Gayle throughout her journey it was nice to hear she was stil praying for Your family and ours.
“Happy Hoildays”
God Bless everyone!
Betty Burnette
Hey Al and Katy…I’m sorry about Katy’s fall and very Thankful she wasn’t hurt more! I had hoped to keep better in touch but barrelled into my surgery in the hopes all would be well. But my typical “Murphy” fashion I seemed to react badly to everything! My surgery at the B&WH was June 25th and I just came home October 31st. We skipped Rehab and I have “Mom” and VNA daily with TPN feeding and bandage changes. I am still in love with Dr Pribaz and his whole Team including Dr Simon Talbot! These guys really are the Best! And they have great senses of humor! I hope you like them as well!
I still hope to meet you guys but it might be a bit longer. I think about you daily Katy and how hard the wait is. My love to you all!
Love and Hugs,
Jody (Thomas, Sharon, MA but in B&WH every 2 wks!)