Beverly has been home over a week now. The best thing about being here is the wonderful meals all of you have been bringing. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.


We knew it would be "different" but didn't realize it would also be this "difficult". When we left Jim Thorpe, the social worker told us Home Health Care and physical therapy had been worked out and would begin on the first Monday at home. Well, things didn't work out that well and we still have no therapy available to Beverly. She knows that in order to keep progressing requires extensive physical therapy from a spinal cord injury therapist, and special equipment is required as well. This has proven to be difficult to find in Tahlequah or the surrounding area. If therapy is out-patient, we need a way to get her there. We're doing the exercises we were shown at Jim Thorpe but this limited physical therapy can only be done from her bed or power chair.

While the sisters are providing everything we can for Beverly, we're not professionals so do struggle with some of the tasks. She is so patient with us and appreciates everything we do for her. But we can't wear the "RN" badge just yet. Pauletta is the primary care giver for a few more days and will definitely need her rest after Janie arrives in Friday. Chris has been helping care for Mother, and Leonard is working on remodeling. After Beverly got in her bedroom at home, she couldn't quite imagine moving to the apartment even when it was made handicap accessible. So it was decided that Leonard would remove her beautiful Jacuzzi tub and put in a "roll-in shower". Construction began on this immediately and hopefully can be completed within a week. She went 11 weeks without a shower before so a week doesn't sound too bad. (By the way, she DID have bed baths everyday!) Leonard will also be working on a permanent ramp to the front door as well.

Beverly needs your friendship and companionship. We all need to do what we can to keep up her spirits and her hope for recovery. Please continue to send cards and emails and to keep her in your prayers.

January 13, 2009: Can you just imagine how it must feel for Beverly to be back in her house after nearly four months?! She is sleeping well, is much more relaxed and enjoying catching up on her rest. Her psychologist Dr. Becky recommended she take a week "off" and just enjoy it and she's trying to do just that. And we're all using this week to get adjusted to the daily routine.

Beverly was so glad to see her cat Deacon. Leonard has been taking care of Deacon since the accident and Deedy hoped Deacon would remember her! He did, of course, but was intimidated with the power chair and the hospital bed so kept his distance for a few days. Last night he felt secure enough to get on the "new" bed and slept with her part of the night. They both really enjoyed this reunion.

We met with the Home Health Care person on Monday and are appreciative of the "professional help", which will begin soon. We are still trying to arrange physical and occupational therapy. Beverly was making slow but significant progress at Jim Thorpe Rehab Center and we don't want her to lose any of this progress. She needs to build on this base and keep going. Until we get some transportation worked out, this therapy will have to take place at home. Of course the therapist need to be familiar with therapy that is specific to spinal cord injuries.

Leonard is busy finishing a ramp to the front door so that when we work out some transportation, Beverly can leave the house in her power chair.

Thank you to those of you bringing in meals each day! We are enjoying this so much and glad Beverly can visit with you when you bring dinner.

She is hoping to have a visit from Mom as soon as the weather gets better. Mom is feeling better after her hospital stay and Chris is planning to bring her to the house in the next day or two for a visit. As you know, Beverly was the primary caregiver for Mother and they have certainly missed each other over these several weeks.
Thanks again for checking in on Beverly. Please keep up your prayers for her recovery.