Dorothy DeBruler’s Blog

I’ve got to admit - Dorothy’s tough. After a full day of doing just about everything she was told not to do, she only complained about some pain in her leg. Of course, it forced her into a chair with her leg elevated for the entire evening, but still - just the one complaint.

My daughter stayed with her today while I was at work, and I came home to find Dorothy “towing” chairs with her walker so she could sweep the floor. I couldn’t convince her to quit, but eventually her leg did. She never said “I can’t”, but she did submit to a solid “I can only do one room a day”.

I hesitated before going to the store to buy milk, not knowing what she’d attempt next, but went anyway. I jokingly told her “no ladders!” When I came back, she told me there was a surprise in the garage. I discovered clothes in the washing machine down two brick steps. Apparently the afternoon trip was the real cause of the pain in her leg.

Dorothy’s always been very independent, and convincing her to slow down has proved quite the challenge. I threatened to request in-home care to keep her in line, but I really just need God to invade her thinking.

The Meat:

So many people have asked how they can help, and what we need the most is prayer. My job is important on both a personal and community level, but I feel like I’m abandoning her when I leave. If I can’t leave and try to work from home, I deal with the guilt of missing the mark professionally.

Dorothy needs both physical and emotional healing. She’s a notorious achiever with an unimaginable independent streak. The current pace and physical limitations are very difficult for her.

I guess I’ve been slackin’ a little on the updates, but I’ve got good alibis for anyone who needs one.

Dorothy has been adjusting to the freedom of healing at home, and now has a better understanding of her physical limitations. We’ve enjoyed a limited outing or two - one to the store, and another to the backyard for some sun and fun.

Beyond exploring physical limits, we’re marking abilities and progress as far as recovery from the injury to her brain. If you’ve spoken with her, you know she can carry on a reasonable conversation now, and has much better recall than this time a few weeks ago.

We are still developing a day-to-day schedule that allows her room for challenges and growth, while building in time to just heal. Dorothy still expresses some social anxieties, and is easily overwhelmed by tasks that were once second nature to her, but we’re hopeful those will continue to improve over time.

I don’t know who’s more tired at the end of the day, but I know we’re still in love, and God is still in control. That’s enough for me.

It’s amazing how much you can learn in a short amount of time if you simply apply yourself. Within hours of returning home we discovered:

1) Tennis Balls: They can really make a walker gliiiide!

2) Handlebar Tape: Not only comfortable…it looks cool!

3) Folding Laundry: Do it right and it counts for Physical Therapy.

Returning to life at home comes with its own set of challenges. God has been good to provide wisdom and courage for everything so far, and I know He’s got some great things left to show us.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Dorothy made it back home today. Of course, she thinks that means back to the usual routine. It doesn’t.

We were released with a book full of cautions from the therapists and doctors alike, and Dorothy did her best to violate each of them from the time we hit the door until she hit the pillow for the night.

Before she went to bed, Dorothy complained that her leg was hurting and swollen. I politely pointed out that she had been up moving, gathering, and doing since she got home - while she had spent an equal amount of time in bed with her legs elevated just one day earlier.

I think she gets it now.

Anyway - praise God for His goodness, and certainly for His mercy. And thank YOU - her friends and family for approaching God on Dorothy’s behalf over the last month. Thank you also for the kind gestures - cards, letters, flowers, gifts and meals. They are very much appreciated, and demonstrated the Christ you proclaim in very practical ways.

It took several trips to the parking lot in the wind and rain to cart all the flowers, gifts, and cards wishing Dorothy well, but we’re just that much closer to getting her on the road to home later today.

After a “Care Conference” with her doctors and therapists, we’re down to a couple of family training sessions this morning, followed by her discharge.

Dorothy is already demonstrating her independence in packing and just wanting to be mobile, but still has some anxieties about social life in general.

I can’t possibly thank our friends enough for the prayers and notes over the past four weeks, and look forward to the day when Dorothy is recovered to the point she can hear or read more than one at a time without being overcome with emotion.

She’s still not used to being on the receiving end of compassion and prayer.

Though it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, Dorothy is improving daily. She told me today she was “lectured” for getting out of bed without assistance. She assured me she was using her reading table (which, incidentally, has wheels on it) for support.

She also called to tell me I should just plan to spend the night on Tuesday, She explained she can’t leave the hospital until we take care of the paperwork, and if I spent the night I could start earlier. She promised she wouldn’t talk through American Idol, even though she’d “…been lonely lately and needed some company”.

So, not to say she’s in charge or anything, I may - repeat MAY - take a razor when I go there on Tuesday.

Dorothy seemed very emotional today. We spoke by phone, but I didn’t visit because she had so many visitors yesterday. She prefers to rest when she can, and I thought that with yesterday’s activity, she’d like a break. Of course, I’m a guy - and I thought wrong.

It turns out I should have gone. Instead, I went to Stillwater Lodge to attend “Biker Church” hosted by Bikers for Christ. It was too late to change my mind by the time I realized I should have.

After a long conversation about her return home (Wednesday?) she seemed better. Hopefully she’ll do well in a familiar environment here at home.

Dorothy was in fine form today as she veisited with several guests throughout the day. Earlier we strolled the halls both recreationally and as therapy.

She’s been having some back pain (she was hit by a truck - go figure) and each gain in mobility seems to uncover another painful spot. Her physical therapists have been working on some back stretching exercises to alleviate what pain they can. Dorothy isn’t much for pain medication.

I took her a magazine she subscribes to, and she was able to read it in short spurts. She still has trouble keeping her eyes open for very long, and deals as best she can with the problem of double vision.

All said - God’s been providing some amazing healing to her body, mind and spirit.

Dorothy was apparently trying to impress the therapists today. By the time I got there, she had already more than doubled the distance she was walking (with her walker, of course).

I had to pass as she headed off to a group communications therapy session, and met her back in her room for lunch. Sitting too long causes her back to hurt, so she opted for lunch in bed.

Later,it was off to the transitional living apartment for some lessons in the kitchen. She chose to make brownies, but refused to eat any because “…they’re fattening”. Several therapists and a pregnant nurse had no problem taking up her slack.

We’re preparing for her return home on the 23rd, which is less than a week away. Hopefully she’ll be as ready as she thinks she is.

I’m thrilled to be able to report good news - so I think I will!

Dorothy is doing better by all accounts since I saw her on Saturday. I almost didn’t recognize her when I saw her in the dining room at lunch today. She was sitting up, her hair combed, and her attractive neck brace all cleaned up when I walked in.

She had nearly finished her meal unassisted by the time I arrived (she hasn’t been eating very good since she got there), and she had saved a piece of salmon for me.

We both got some training for her pending return home during occupational therapy today. We learned how to use the equipment that will help her in the shower and the kitchen in the “transitional apartment” on the rehabilitation ward.

The therapists are very caring and patient in working with us - I guess they get a lot of first-timers.

Anyway - we enjoyed an afternoon of great conversation, and I was able to see Dorothy walk a considerable distance. She was also getting up and down with little or no assistance.She definitely has it in her mind that she will be ready to return home and basically take care of herself very soon. She made that pretty clear. If you know Dorothy - you know what I mean. She’s very (read that as VERY) independent, and plans to remain that way. Of course, for safety’s sake, we may have a friend or two stopping by after she gets home. Hopefully she won’t notice the regularity of the visits and think they’re scheduled or anything…