The big thing today was Grandpa's doctor's appointment at OHSU. The whole thing started at about 11 am when Aunt Kelli and I taxi-ed Grandma to Town Center Village (the rehab center) to make sure that he was all ready to go. Everyone was helping him get lunch and get dressed up all nice for the big excursion, and then the paramedics came for his "luxurious" transport. They were so great -- it was the easiest move that Grandpa has ever had from the wheelchair to the stretcher! Slicker than a whistle, as he would say. From there, we piled into Uncle Joe's truck to follow Grandma and the ambulance to the hospital, and we got up to the office, right on time, only to wait. Grandpa always says that we have to wait, and we did today - even in the hospital. Once we got in to see the very nice physician's assistant, it all went pretty smoothly. She was very helpful, and her bedside manner was great! She leaned on the side of the gurney that he was laying on and explained all about what's going on with his hip and pelvis. He got x-rayed, and we could see really how big the titanium hip piece is and how far it goes into his bone! I guess the next time he goes through airport security, he and Uncle Jim, with the titanium rod in his arm, can beep together! Because they only addressed the hip today, Grandpa only got one of his four big questions answered, but that was very helpful. The pain that he feels is due to some bone matter that has formed around the titanium piece and that rubs and disrupts the tendons and nerves around there that go up and down his leg. It doesn't do any damage, though, and the pain will lessen as the body adapts to it. The rest of the information will be given tomorrow when he goes there again to see the doctor who operated on the feet and wrists. In a conversation with Aunt Kelli, Grandpa talked about having expectations that often set us up for disappointment, and despite some of the unmet expectations of today, we did get some very valuable information as to Grandpa's healing process. We even learned about the "Hover Mat," which is like an air mattress with handles that should make hoisting Grandpa from bed to chair much easier!
After we all got back to the rehab center and got Grandpa all settled again in his bed, with yet another set of very great paramedics, all he wanted was a Jumbo Jack and "the biggest milkshake you can get!" We happily sought out to find the local Jack in the Box, and he was very satisfied! When we left, Grandpa and Grandma were chatting over their Jumbo Jacks and drinks. Throughout the day, Grandpa was very much himself - with his quick wit - and he was upbeat all day! It's hard to leave tonight when everything is going so well, but we'll be back soon, and we know that Grandpa is continuing to heal! The rest of the saga continues tomorrow, including more answered questions and more reassuring, encouraging news about Grandpa's amazing progress thus far!
~ Sophie : )
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