Monday--post surgical again

I just got home from spending the day with Jer. Today was one of those down days, he did a lot of sleeping, which is good for him at this point. He was running a temp all day, so they did a number of tests to see what might be causing it--the docs say it's not unusual for someone having spinal surgery to run a temp. He's also picked up a cough and they were worried that it might be pneumonia, so they took chest xrays (they came out clear). When I was leaving, the neurosurgeon was going into his room, so I waited and talked with him. He is pleased with the "patch" that they put on the dura, and told us that the fluid they removed from Jer's back was not infected, so that is good. Now we just have to see where the fluid is coming from. He is back to having a spinal drain in for the next 5-8 days after which they will do a CAT scan with contrast and inject dye into the drain to see if the dura is leaking any place. As for his knee--who knows! Niki and I waited all day for the ortho guys to come in and tell us what was up, and they never arrived. Again as we were leaving, the nurse came in and said that Ortho called and said "it's broke"--now what that means is left up to our interpretation I guess. Jer said that when they come in on night rounds, he will ask questions. He's pretty good at that!! The nurse who was the bearer of all the news tonight also said that they would be moving him again tonight to 7B--Jer's response--"can't I go to 7A--I didn't like 7B" The nurse mumbled something like "me either". So, we aren't sure if he will be moved in the morning or not, most likely he will be, and probably to 7B, but lets hope not.
As I've said numerous times in the past 2 weeks, you people are wonderful--your concern and prayers have helped us get through these first 2 1/2 weeks. Without your prayers, I'm not sure God would hear just us. Jer asked the other day how he would repay everyone for everything they have done for him--I told him to get better and we would worry about repayment later as I'm sure everyone just wants to see him walking again! Thanks all--love you Carm

Post Surgery update

Good Morning, or night whichever.
This is Niki and I just left the hospital(1:20am), Jeremy did well with his surgery tonight. The neurosurgeon said that the "patch" that they did 2 wks ago looks good, and is healing well. There was a small area of infection right at the incision site, considering the pressure that is on that area all the time this is not uncommon, unpleasant but not uncommon. They have cleaned out the infected area and closed his incision back up. The neuro team has sent off cultures so that we can be sure we are treating Jeremy with the right meds and that they will be the most effective. There was some level of concern about fluid around the initial injury site, and concern that it may be a CSF(cerebo-spinal fluid)leak from in front of the patch itself.... what does all this mean? It means that Jeremy will have the lumbar drain again for at least 5 days and that the neuro team will be keeping an extra close eye on Jeremy's care and progress.In 5 days the team will re-evaluate the drainage issue and repeat another CT scan. That is a bridge that we will cross when we get to it, but in the mean time... we wait. I have also left word that we would like to speak with the orthopedic team tomorrow morning and if Jeremy is going to be laid up for 5 days with the lumbar drain then we want the knee fixed ASAP, then maybe we can get back to rehab with all parts working and stable. We will see where we get with that.
When I left Jeremy he was still in the recovery room but doing well, he has increased pain in the back incision and they were keeping him medicated for that. He has a room reserved for him on 6J I believe, but as always we will update that as soon as we have official confirmation. Thanks You again from the bottom of my heart for all your thoughts, prayers, and help provided.

Sunday 11/4

In life there are always the ups and the downs--today we had one of the downs (probably just the first of many). Jeremy found out this morning that he had torn the ACL on his right knee (now remember that is the only leg he can bear any weight on for a while), and he also found out that he has to go back to surgery tomorrow to have his back "flushed". I'm not sure what that all means, but I don't like the sounds of it. I do know that the incision on his back has not healed the way we thought it should, and finally today, someone else noticed! He has been complaining about his knee for over a week and on Friday, the one doctor decided that they should xray it to see what was up. We aren't sure what they will do with the knee just yet--they fitted him with a brace for now, but this sure will slow down his therapy. I will be going back to Syracuse tomorrow morning, so I will keep you posted! I would imagine that this will mean another transfer, so he will probably have another room number shortly--again, I'll keep you posted. I am praying that they don't find a lot of problems when they go into the back again, but only time will tell. Take care and keep Jer in the prayers while he goes through this next round of surgery. Love to you all. Carm

Saturday 11-3

Hi All: First I hope you all remembered to turn the clocks back (that way it won't look like I'm so late posting tonight)! Ron & I got to spend a good share of the day with Jer today, and participate in his therapy. It was good to see him doing the exercises they giving him to do. He is truly a fighter and works hard to do the things the therapists ask. As he works, it is evident that the muscles are trying to do the job--now they just have to do it! Everyone seems to be surprised at his progress. As you see by the picture, we got him into the recliner for a while today.He said it felt good to sit in a real chair again. He is getting pretty good at transfering from the bed to the wheelchair and back. He still needs some help as he can't get his legs off the bed just yet by himself, or back on but, I'm sure that will be the next thing he works on doing.
Just as a friendly reminder, the nurses in our family want me to remind everyone that when you go to visit, not just Jer but anyone in the hospital, with the spread of that nasty virus that seems to be everywhere, to please use the hand sanitizer just outside the door of most patient rooms. It is especially important with those who have incisions such as Jer has.
I will be calling his case worker on Monday to see is she can narrow down his transfer to the Bronx, but until then I still don't have a time frame for you. I'll post the date as soon as I get one.

1st full day in rehab

Good Evening everybody, sorry this is so late coming in the evening.I left Jeremy about 830pm and he had definitely had a long day. Jeremy spent several hours today in either the gym or with the therapists and is working really hard at improving everyday. He is moving both legs and a little more everyday is what we hope all hope for. Jeremy wanted me to relay a message to all of you.... so here goes
I want to thank everybody for their thoughts and prayers,as well as the help that everyone has offered and provided. I am getting a little better everyday and hey... I moving my legs that's what counts, right!
I am going to keep it short for tonight because I am sleepy and can't seem to put together sentences that make sense. Mom will be back tomorrow and will fill you in better than I can tonight. Good night, and be safe. Our Love to all!!! Niki

Another Move

Jeremy was moved to 2 North, the rehab facility at University Hospital today. He is excited to begin the rehab portion of his recovery. While I was there with him today, he showed me how he can move the legs (very little in one, a little more in the other)and he did better transfering from his bed to his wheelchair. This floor he is on is much better about "making" him do for himself than the other floors have been. He got out of bed and went to the patient dining room tonight for dinner--the first in 2 weeks, so he got to have a conversation with other patients. His new room number is N2210 (2nd floor). His new roommate was riding a motorcycle when an SUV turned in front of him--he and his girlfriend are both in the unit, and have been in the hospital since September. Tomorrow will start Jer's therapy in earnest--he has 3 sessions in the morning and 3 in the afternoon (9, 9:30 and 10:30, 1, 1:30 and 2:30). I have to guess that after that he will be really tired--at least for the first day or two. Sunday is the only day of rest on this floor--they work for the other 6 days. We are looking to transfer him one more time and that will be to the Bronx VA--one person told me it would be early next week, but someone else said in a week or two, so who knows. I guess we will just wait until we get concrete information before we make any plans. Cards can be sent to the same address, University Hospital, Attn: Jeremy Hoffman Rm. N2210, 750 E. Adams St. Syracuse, NY 13210. Love to you all. Carm

Benefits

Everyone has been asking about benefits, but because we have other things to think about, we haven't really kept up with that! BUT with that said, we do have some dates for you--November 23 (the day after Thanksgiving) there will be the 1st Annual Autumn Jam at Seneca Lodge (cover charge $5.00) a portion of the proceeds to go to Jeremy--it is from 8p.m to midnight. December 2 at the Mechanics Club a breakfast is being planned--meeting to set this one up is Monday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the OMCS Cafeteria. December 7 the Buisch's Bullpen (the Melting Pot to all of us) is sponsoring a benefit. Sorry we don't know the details on these, but I'm sure that they will be advertised, and as we get more info, we will pass it along.