A Long Awaited Homecoming Celebration
A long awaited homecoming has finally happened. Four months after my husband shattered his pelvis, he was discharged from the nursing faculty where been healing. During his recovery, he had one goal. That was to walk out the front door of the nursing facility on his own.
It has been a long and challenging ordeal. My husband spent time in two hospitals as well as a rehab hospital. This was necessary to recover from the complex surgery. Finally after twenty-one days in hospitals, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility to further heal and get therapy.
For two out of the three months in rehab, my husband was not allowed put any weight on his pelvis. Whenever he needed to be out of bed, two people had to use a Hoyer lift. They used it to transfer him from his bed to his wheelchair for his daily physical therapy.
Over the months, nurses, aides, and therapists encouraged his progress. They worked tirelessly to make sure that he reached his goal of walking out the front door and returning home.
On the day of his discharge, many of his caregivers lined the hallways. The song “Celebrate” played over the PA system. As my husband rolled past in his wheelchair, they clapped and wished him “good luck”. It was an emotional experience because of the kindness that had been shown to him during a difficult three months. We were glad to have this opportunity to say goodbye and thank the staff. And the best news, he walked out the front door on his own.
We have been told that it will take a year for the bone to fully heal. Limited movement over the course of the four months has caused the loss of muscle mass. His flexibility as well as mobility and balance has also been reduced. As a result, he will continue his therapy on an outpatient basis at the nursing facility.
****
For now, my husband and I have changed roles. He has looked after me since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. However, now I am taking care of him as we slowly try to ease back into our normal activities. It will take a little time for us to start traveling again. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing recipes for some enjoyable meals that we have had.
Thank you for kind words during the past months, they have been much appreciated by both of us.
It’s so good to see Mickey back in action, Karen – we weren’t the same without him!
Kiki
Wonderful news!
This is such good news, Karen. I’m so pleased your husband is making good progress, even if it is slow and will take a lot more time. I’ve been thinking about you and only a day or two ago checked when you’d last written on the blog and was worried it had been so long. It’s great to hear things are going well and I look forward to reading your recipes.
Congratulations! So happy to hear he’s ok. 🙂
I’m so delighted to read this, Karen! How wonderful that your husband is home at last. I was wondering how you were doing as I hadn’t seen any blog posts from you for a while. Glad to hear this happy news.
Oh my goodness I bet you’re so happy to have him home!!! What an ordeal. Falling is bad.
http://www.chefmimiblog.com
What wonderful news for your husband and you, Karen.
Prayers for both of you! I’ve been there, very stressful. God bless!
So glad to see that you have your husband back with you and that so much progress was made.
Wishing you patience for the remaining year until hopefully everything will be back to how it should be.
That is great news! Congratulations. I can only imagine how arduous that task was to complete and have been thinking about you and missing your dinners.
I can certainly understand the ‘celebrate’ music in the background because he has certainly overcome a lot. I hope his out patient rehab goes well and he continues to see progress each day. Applause to you both. I know some about care giving so I raise my coffee cup to you both for your roles. Best to you both.
So happy for you both!!
Thank the good Lord that he is back home again! What a wonderful feeling it must be to have him home with you. Prayers for continued healing.
What wonderful news. I am so pleased he met his goal and was able to walk out of the care facility. I’m sure it’s great to have him home again. xo
How fabulous to hear this great news!
Blessings to the two of you! And congrats to your dear husband as he takes one step at a time towards a ‘new normal’ life! Wishing the two of you only good things this year! 💖
I am so happy for you both! Congratulations on the hard work that both of you put in.
What a lengthy ordeal! Congratulations to you both as you navigate this next chapter. Your tasty recipe posts are every bit as enjoyable as you travel excursions. Sending hugs and well wishes.
Karen, what an ordeal you and your husband have endured. I am glad that the hardest part is behind you, but I also recognize there is still work to be done. Congratulations to your husband for walking out of the facility on his own. He certainly has the right attitude about healing. Best wishes for his complete recovery and for getting back to life as you live it. You’ve been missed.
I was thinking about you yesterday and I’m so pleased to see you both again! You’ve been missed.
Karen – I send my sincere best wishes to your husband and yourself for a continued recovery process with not too much discomfort and pain. Altho’I did not break my pelvis I am in exactly the same position as he is and had to downsize over a year ago as I live alone. Hate the walker – but it is ‘safe’ 🙂 ! I was found out to have roto cuff in both arms also – that has made matters more difficult . . . all one can do is get up and go on AND smile!
I am so glad you have your husband back home. I wish him a full recovery . All my best Gerlinde
Karen, this is wonderful news and to see your husband walking out of the facility is something to celebrate. We have walked a similar path 18 years ago. Prayers for continued healing and for you as caregiver!
Karen – I was so happy to Back Road Journal pop into my email box this morning. And I was even happy to know that your husband is finally home. What ordeal! I was a little concerned when my blog emails to you were returned as undeliverable. Happy to know you are okay, and on the start of a journey to full recovery for your husband. Mark and I are looking forward to your new recipes.
Aunt Karen, this is fantastic news! Thank you for being by Uncle Mickey’s side, remaining his rock, and constant cheerleader.
I Love You two, Denise
That’s absolutely wonderful!!
Oh, that is such good news Karen! I am glad he was able to walk out on his own two feet, and hope that the healing process will continue smoothly. I am sure your good care and healthy cooking will help! Best wishes to your husband and take care of yourself as well Karen. xx
I’m so happy to hear the good news! You both have had a long journey of healing and it must be wonderful to finally bring your husband home. All the best to you both!
So inspiring Karen, sending prayers~
Jenna
Really good news Karen and hopefully the recovery will continue well.
So happy for you both that this part of your husband’s recovery is in the past. There’s nothing better in recovery than being home in your own surroundings, mentally as well as physically.
This is such good news, Karen! I’d been wondering what might be going on but didn’t have email to contact you to ask. So I’m glad you reported in and that the report is so good. That had to be such a joy — to walk out under his own steam!
I know how much you both adore traveling but you have traveled enough for a lifetime, so waiting a little longer and enjoying the pleasure of at long last being home probably won’t be too hard (especially if your home food is as good as all you share on the blog!)
Fantastic New Karen! Wishing your hubby loads of positive thoughts for feeling better and stronger each day. Please take care. Healthy World Cuisine
That’s such wonderful news Karen, what a journey of recovery. I wish him (and you) good wishes, good health and continued healing. Yay to your hubby for walking out. Enjoy having him home. Much love. xx
Such wonderful news!
What an emotional and inspiring milestone, thank you for sharing such a deeply personal journey. I can only imagine how incredible it must’ve felt to watch your husband walk out those doors after all that hard work, strength, and perseverance. It’s amazing how dedicated caregivers and therapists can make such a difference, not just physically but emotionally too. Wishing both of you continued healing and strength as you adjust to this new chapter. Looking forward to seeing your delicious recipes again, it sounds like comfort food will take on even more meaning now.
Fabulous news! I bet he is thrilled to be home… and you are thrilled to have him there.
AWESOME News! Sending healing vibes ((()))))
Karen, what a difficult journey. Cheers to your husband. he is well on his way to a full recovery. Wishing him, you too, the very best.
What an encouraging and happy update here, Karen! I am sure that it has been a difficult process, but it sounds like your husband is well on the way to recovery. We’ll be sending him (and you) good wishes!!
Wow! So wonderful to hear the news about your husband. What a long road he has had. And you, too. Here’s hoping life brings nothing but joy and laughter from here on out.
As we would say in Australia – how bloody marvellous! That’s fabulous news; must be so good to have him home! What a long and winding road. I have had several issues myself over the last few years, so I understand a wee bit about physio and getting better. All the best to you both.
regards
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
So glad to hear your husband is doing better. I love how his medical team rallied around him and cheered him going home. That’s where the best healing always happens. Here’s to nothing but smooth sailing ahead.
Congratulations on the recovery and welcome home to him! What an amazing strength and resilience you BOTH have to make it through.
How wonderful that your husband is home! Fabulous news!
Wishing him a speedy recovery, and kudos to you for stepping up. As i grow older, I value my long relationship. Our roles have shifted back and forth over the years, but it means the world to have a strong partnership.
I am so glad to see that your husband is well enough to come back home, you must be so happy. Wishing you both well.