Day 96 - Lame Update

It has been 96 days since Jan and I had the accident but only 16 days since the halo was removed. I've been back to work for two weeks and she has 12 days until the next appointment.

Not much has changed since the last update. She continues to walk as much as possible but without the ability to go anywhere on her own, she feels a bit isolated and trapped at home. We IM during the day and I go home every day for lunch. She doesn't get out as much as she did with the halo. I try to get her out but she just doesn't feel like it some of the time.

However, yesterday, we all got out. Jan, Tessa and I went shopping. I did not take the handicap placard either so she walked a little more. Afterward, we picked up some dinner.

Two other halo wearers have come to my attention. One is like Jan, already out of the halo while the other is only a few weeks into her time. Jan has been emailing the new user with any helpful tips she has. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her.

Day 94 - Nothing Much To Report

Two weeks in the collar, two weeks to go before the next doctor visit. She's walking as much as she can. We did a mile the other night when she walked to her very pregnant friend's house. Triplets!

Her neck is a little stiff in the morning but nowhere near as bad as the halo! Other than that, she didn't take any valium or Tylenol today but she hasn't been sleeping as well. Tonight she wants to take a whole valium to see if that helps her sleep better. I say it can't hurt.

Now that I'm back at work we keep in touch by IM. She can do almost anything she wants except drive. Showering still causes her a little anxiety but I'm there if she needs me. I help her change the collar, dry her hair and clean the pin holes.

All of the holes are pretty much healed except the one. It looks like it is only held in by her hair but is hard as a rock. It will come out when it is ready.

Day 92 - Nurse's Choice For Halo Removal

Welcome to day 92, the official date the nurse practitioner would have picked for halo removal. Thank goodness I'm a stubborn so and so that argued with the powers that be for a revised schedule. We are almost half way into her collar phase. Next stop, physical therapy.

Jan has been walking over a mile most days. Several days have been 1.5 miles so that is an improvement. She continues to feel insecure without the collar but she tests her limits of mobility with it on. She doesn't have the full range of motion but she is a little leary of trying too much. I have not encouraged her to test too far.

The back of the collar is board-straight with no anatomical curve like a human neck. To help, we took a trick from the halo days by putting a rolled-up washcloth between her neck and the collar to give her some support while laying on the pillow.

We did get a quick response from the neurosurgeon's office. They have responded in less than 12 hours, less than that when you consider I emailed them at 10:00PM and I had a reply by 9:30AM the next day! Thankfully, the x-rays she needs will be in the same building so no shuttles and no delays getting back to the office. The doctor may still be running late but what can you do about that?

Our curiosity has gotten the best of us and we are speculating on why the doctor told us we'd be seeing the nurse and then the nurse canceled our appointment and pushed us back to the doctor. Jan thinks it is because we complained. I think it is because they are afraid she is going to press it further. Either way, I'm only disappointed it didn't happen from the very beginning.

Jan still hasn't gone back to work. She feels guilty about it but a full day would definitely be too much for her right now. She's thinking of trying a few partial days. Tessa could take her to work on her way to school. I could pick her up when she was tired, be it lunch or any time before or after. Now that the pin sites have mostly healed over, it isn't as critical to keep them from becoming infected with three times daily cleanings.

For those that care, the big red car is back on the ground and drivable. I just hope it quits marking territory after the repairs.