Saturday, November 5, 2005 10:15 PM CST
Hi Awesome Lisa and all of our wonderful family and friends-
We're back!!!!! Hi everyone--missed our Lisa and every one here at home but we (Mom Sandy and Dad Gary) had a most wonderful vacation in Dad Gary's most favorite vacation spot- Viva Las Vegas. It was kind of hard for Mom knowing that this was the week Lisa was going home--to go on vacation--but I kept saying it really worked out the best. Lisa didn't go home until Friday so mom didn't have to worry about her being home by herself and being so far away and she could have time just with her Butch, Cassie & Willie this first weekend home.
Last Sat. Oct 29 was a busy day for Mom & Dad--we packed for vacation--shopped for treats for Sunday treats coffee hour- went to make sure Grampa Ward was okay-said goodbye to Lisa & family-then went to Peggy & Jan Wren's beautiful surprise 25th Anniv. party at 4pm and then our Asbury UMC All Saint's day Family costume party at 5:30 pm-enjoyed that event too--set up for the coffee hour the next day -then we left for the Cities at 7:30 to stay with Lisa's sister Teresa & family for the night -- got to see and enjoy our adorable grandsons.
We made a big boo boo - forgot the cell phone in the truck at the Park n Fly in the Cities. So bummed. So we had to buy calling cards. Did get to call home each day to check on Lisa and Grampa Ward. Talked to Cassie too--she said she made the Merit Roll at Denfeld with 3.0--we are all so very proud of her and her hard work.
Lisa was so excited getting ready to go home-Butch was packing her stuff each day. She said mom's dear friend Peggy Wren came and visited her 3 times this week-thank my dear friend.
We told Lisa-- we hope that she can go to Las Vegas again someday with us. We have wonderful memories when she and dear friend Wendy Sewruk went with us 2 years ago and we stayed at Caesar's Palace. Mom & Dad did have quality time together--we stayed at the brand new WYNN Hotel--on the 52nd floor-what a floor to ceiling view of the city. It was sooooooooooo elegant - marble everywhere--most comfortable king bed ever slept in. Plasma TV--tv also in the wall in the bathroom. They gave us a price list of the room contents (if you wished to purchase)--the 12" wastebasket was $129--can you believe it!!!--we hardly could (mattress & boxspring was $3,000). We went to 5 shows and ate way toooo much at those delicious buffets.
Called Lisa Friday night to welcome her home and she was so happy just relaxing and could wait to sleep in her own bed with her Butchie. She said she said all her farewells at Bayshore and her staff were so very kind--they gave her a farewell balloon and a gift certicate to Grandmas.
Mom & Dad got to Teresa and Bryan's home Sat. night at 12:45 (really Sunday morning). Enjoyed the morning with the twins - Blaine & Bryson--and Seth--we played together.
We got home this afternoon--Lisa and family were not home--but Lisa called us later and said she, Butch & Cassie went out to supper at Grandma's on the gift certificate (Willie had to work). She said she had a great night's sleep in her own bed and had an enjoyable day just being home with her family. She said she was given exercises and they did them at 11am--she said she even did her speech exercises with Butch--way to go girl!!!
What a miracle this all has been with all your love and prayers to make it happen for Lisa and Butch and Cassie and Willie --- to have Lisa back home again--Thank you--dear God--thank you--thank you--thank you--we are so grateful.
We look forward to seeing Lisa and family tomorrow Sunday. Lisa will be going to therapy Monday, Wednesday's and Fridays from 11 to 1:30 so she can continue to maintain what she has gained and have future gains. We will likely not be doing daily journals but will note Lisa's progress -at least weekly or more often if needed. Please feel free to drop Lisa a note - she loves the emails and thank you all for all the care and loving emails that you have sent.
Beautiful Lisa- we can't tell you enough how so very very proud we all are of your miraculous recovery and we all love you so very much and will be here for you on your journey to further recovery.
The Greene & Winklesky Families
Monday, November 7, 2005 10:07 PM CST
Hi Darling Lisa and all of our loved ones----
Just had to take a moment to check this wonderful website-it has been a big part of our lives hasn't it - and such a wonderful way to keep updated in Lisa's progress and all of our families. It was very difficult not to do an update on Sunday............so here I am--so Hi everyone and I will try and make this quick.
Lisa is loving being home!!!! Mom & Dad and our Asbury Church family were thrilled to see Lisa at Church on Sunday and she was so happy to see everyone also. Our church family has been so supportive in Lisa's journey with their prayers, cards and presence at her benefit--over a 100 church family were there. After church we went to Ember's for lunch and she saw more people. She did her exercises with Butch in the afternoon and relaxed the rest of the evening--just enjoying being home. So that was Sunday.
Today, Monday, Lisa was up rising with her family. Dad Gary came and got her at 10:30 in his truck and they went to Bayshore for her therapy. She had her PT from 11 to 12
and she and her Dad had lunch with her regular friends which was great--chinese today. Then she went to OT from 12:30 to 1:30. Dad said she went to the washroom by herself and did great. Dad dropped her off and Willie was home. Mom stopped in quick at 3:45pm after work to see how she was doing. Mom had a cold so only wanted to stay a minute at a distance. Lisa was in her wheelchair--so mom inquired if she napped----she said no-------------and also said that she had fallen. She said she tried to get up out of her chair and wanted to lay on the sofa and didn't use her walker or ask for her dad or Willie to assist her--Willie was upstairs resting after school and before he went to work. She said she was trying to pivot. She didn't get hurt and Butch called her and asked what she was doing--she said sitting on the floor!! What a girl--of course Butch ran home to check on her and got her back in her chair. Mom of course had to scold her--that she needs to use her walker!!!--and have someone present for her to watch her transfer until she gets it down pat---we know she just wants to "just do it". We are so grateful she wasn't hurt and hopefully will be more careful. Right Lisa!! We love you and don't want you to get hurt.
Called Lisa this evening and they had supper together - soooo nice. Then Lisa and Butch and Cassie went to her conference at Denfeld. Lisa said it was all good reports. Keep up the good work Cassie Lee.
Lisa's brother Erik, sis in law Danyel, niece Hailey Rae and Cayden are out at the hunting shack --hunting - no deer yet.
Thanks Aunt DeEtta for keeping us informed on your dad Peyton's progress---we are keeping him in our prayers also and we hope to see you all at the hospital. Continued prayers for little Hannah--Lisa's 5yr old cousin who is fighting brain cancer.
Well I guess this wasn't too short--so good night dear Lisa--and to you all our dear family and friends.
The Greene and Winklesky Families
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 9:46 PM CST
Hello Dear Lisa, family and friends--------
Talked to Lisa this morning and she had gotten herself dressed all by herself. Willie had come home from school and Butch was coming home to join her for lunch at 11:00.
She said she had go to for blood work at 4pm. Mom Sandy stopped by to see her an hour ago on her way home from a church meeting for just 5 minutes to say hi. What a wonderful picture it was--Lisa was on the sofa with her fleece blanket from her friend Mary Francis Bennett and Cassie was snuggled up next to her and Willie was on the chaise chair and Butch on the loveseat. They were enjoying a favorite movie--the house smelled so good--Lisa said they had their homemade pizza for supper---The have always called it "Mama Made it" pizza--but Lisa said tonight it was "Daddy Made it" pizza. Just so nice that they are together as a family again.
Lisa said she and Butch went shopping at HOM furniture and purchased a recliner/rocker firm chair for her--she is excited to get it--she said it was real comfortable when she tried it.
So that's it for this evening--Lisa will be back to therapy with Dad Gary tomorrow from 10:30 until 2pm.
So love to you Lisa and loved ones--
Good night and prayers for continued healing for Lisa and all of our loved ones.
The Greene and Winklesky Families
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 9:46 PM CST
Hello Dear Lisa, family and friends--------
Talked to Lisa this morning and she had gotten herself dressed all by herself. Willie had come home from school and Butch was coming home to join her for lunch at 11:00.
She said she had go to for blood work at 4pm. Mom Sandy stopped by to see her an hour ago on her way home from a church meeting for just 5 minutes to say hi. What a wonderful picture it was--Lisa was on the sofa with her fleece blanket from her friend Mary Francis Bennett and Cassie was snuggled up next to her and Willie was on the chaise chair and Butch on the loveseat. They were enjoying a favorite movie--the house smelled so good--Lisa said they had their homemade pizza for supper---The have always called it "Mama Made it" pizza--but Lisa said tonight it was "Daddy Made it" pizza. Just so nice that they are together as a family again.
Lisa said she and Butch went shopping at HOM furniture and purchased a recliner/rocker firm chair for her--she is excited to get it--she said it was real comfortable when she tried it.
So that's it for this evening--Lisa will be back to therapy with Dad Gary tomorrow from 10:30 until 2pm.
So love to you Lisa and loved ones--
Good night and prayers for continued healing for Lisa and all of our loved ones.
The Greene and Winklesky Families
Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:04 PM CST
Hello to our Dearest Lisa, loving family and friends......
Boy have we had some very windy weather on Wednesday in the Duluth area. But it is sure better than snow. It was a gorgeous day today-close to breaking a record. This is kind of a nice evening for mom Sandy - relaxing after cleaning up the kitchen after Family Dinner--no work tomorrow-Veteran's Day so don't have to worry about that 4:30am alarm clock......so let me give you all an update of the past two days.
Wednesday, Dad Gary took Lisa to her PT and OT. When Dad picked up Mom Sandy up after work he said Lisa had a hard time with therapy----------she had fallen again this morning and was very sore. Therapists put hot packs on her back and she had very mild therapy. Mom stopped to see her after a church meeting at 6pm and she was having supper with Cassie--this is Butch's bowling night. When asked what happened she said she was walking with her walker and her she didn't get enough firmness on her left afflicted leg and she lost her balance and hurt her back in the fall. So she is hurting. Butch came home from work to help her right away. We pray that she doesn't fall anymore and takes it very slow and easy.
Today is Thursday and Lisa rested most of the day--she said her back didn't hurt if she layed down. Cassie was home with her all day-which was good--she goes to Denfeld and most of the school stayed home because of a threat to the school that was to happen today at noon per a note. This same incident just happened last week at East. The schools had to be searched and the children who went to school had to also. Nothing happened thank goodness.
We had Family Dinner tonight at Mom Sandy & Dad Gary's and it was wonderful having the kids home together. It's been a few weeks that we all have been free to get together. Lisa, Butch, Cassie and Willie, Danyel, Hailey and Cayden and Babe the dog joined Dad Gary & Mom Sandy. Erik went deer hunting and Mom Jeep had a "stamping party". We had a great time visiting and enjoying porketta roast/ham/mashed potatoes/vegetables/jello/rolls/just baked banana bread-yummy. Willie has started playing hockey for Lake Superior College as a goalie in a recreation league. Lisa did pretty good during her visit. She said it still hurt to stand up--weight bearing is hard on a sore back. We hope therapy goes okay tomorrow. Mom & Dad are going to take her to Bayshore for her therapy. Mom hasn't seen the staff and residents in a couple of weeks.
We haven't spoken to Lisa's sister Teresa the past few days-she is working a 3 day stretch--from 8pm at night to 8am--Tues, Wed, Thurs night--at a sleep clinic at Fairview/Edina-we hope she it goes well for her or she is going to need the sleep clinic herself.
So please pray that Lisa's back is healed so she can progress with her therapy and that she has no more falls.
Prayers for all of our loved ones that are needing the miracle of God's healing power.
We love you all---
The Greene and Winklesky Families
Sunday, November 13, 2005 6:18 PM CST
Howdy dear Lisa and all of our loved ones-------------
Gosh it is Sunday already--so I will update Friday/Sat/Sunday with what has been happening in Lisa's and our lives. Just to note that there was some snow on the northern side of Duluth--brrrrrrrrr--only an inch or so though but we know it's coming don't we.
Well Friday was Veteran's Day and Mom Sandy had the day off -so she raked from 9 to 10 (trying to beat the snow) and then at 10:15 -Dad Gary and Mom Sandy picked up Lisa to go to her PT & OT at Bayshore. Lisa's back was still pretty sore--so they put hot packs for 20 minutes on her lower back. This back injury from Wed. fall before Wed. therapy has caused a delay in her therapy. There is always the concern for a setback. She had difficulty standing for any length of time because of the back pain. But Lisa did some walking - about half of her distance. She did 6 minutes on her exercise bike. She did weight lifting with each leg - (with 2 lb. ankle weights--2 sets of 10 times each leg) she also did rubber band stretches. So she filled up her hour with less strenuous exercises. The therapist wanted her to walk around her living room 3 times before bedtime today. This is a very scary time for Butch, Lisa and family-we want Lisa to heal quickly so she can continue with her therapy- she doesn't want to go back to Bayshore to reside-we know she will overcome this obstacle and her back will heal.
We had lunch with Lisa from 11:45 to 12:30--then she went back for her OT. She shifted around the edge of a bed with a mat top. This OT helps her when she has to shift--the weight bearing on her affected right hand is good too to prevent it from curling in. They practiced pushing her hands down on a dresser top too---Lisa has lots of exercises she has to do at home too. She also does mat exercises with a broom handle shifting back and forth. So she put an hour in for OT. She was quite tired when we were done about 1:45--4 hours of busy time. We got home about 2 and Lisa transferred to the sofa for a rest until Butch got home. Since she has fallen twice she cannot transfer unless someone is monitoring her which makes safety sense. Talked to Lisa later in the evening and she Butch and Cassie went up to David's Bridal and got Cassie a dress for Fall Ball at Denfeld. They picked out a pretty red dress--can't wait to see it and so happy that Cassie is going to this fun event--and mom and dad got to help her pick out her dress. Soooo wonderful Lisa is home for this experience in Cassie's life. Butch said they also went to Radio Shack and got an emergency phone ringer she can wear if she needs to buzz him for an emergency.
Saturday Lisa rested in the am--her back doesn't hurt when she is laying flat. Dear Butch went grocery shopping. At 1pm Lisa had her hair done for Dara Sjolund/Guy Hagen's wedding at 4pm. She said it was great to see her work buddies--she misses being with them. She looked lovely for the wedding. It was the perfect wedding - just everything was perfect that is because Dara is the daughter of Mama Sandy's dear friend - "Perfect Peggy" Mom Sandy would call her. Lisa was happy to see Dara and lots of Mom Sandy's friends from work--we had a lovely dinner at the Bayside Room at the DECC. Lisa and Butch left after dinner about 7:30pm--she was pretty tired. She was excited also to see if her new chair was delivered. She was looking forward to sitting in a comfortable chair instead of her wheel chair. Mom & Dad had a great time at the reception dancing and visiting.
Well today Sunday, Mom & Dad stopped by to see Lisa and family for a couple of minutes on there way home from church. Lisa showed us her new chair -- it is beautiful and comfortable. It is a jade green and matches their living room set. It is the kind that elevates you--but her therapist said she is not to use the elevation button because she needs to push on her hands and use her legs for exercise. Dear Butch was busy cleaning house---we know that this is very difficult for Lisa - she wants to be helping too. Butch is so wonderful and we love him so much for being such a caring person and awesome hubby. They had no plans for the afternoon--Just gave them a call- talked to Cassie first and she just did a little shopping at the Mall. She said Gramma Jeep is going to fix the bow on her new dress. Talked to Lisa and she had a relaxing afternoon-Dear Butch made Rubens & Spam salad for supper--yummy. She said she did some exercises this morning--encouraged her to do some walking before she went to bed--isn't Mama a nag--just can't help it--she's my daughter and she knows her mama loves her and only wishing the best for her.
So please keep praying for Lisa's recovery. We also wish prayers for Lisa's Auntie DeEtta's dad Peyton Bane who is in his 3rd week in Neuro ICU at St. Mary's where Lisa was. Mom & Dad went to see Aunt DeEtta there and it brought back the memories of March 2005 when Lisa was there when she had her stroke - very unsettling. He now has bad pneumonia in his lungs--after his back surgery--and this isn't good--so lots of prayers. Prayers for Lisa's little 5yr. old cousin Hannah Harpster in Texas--that her brain tumor doesn't grow. Prayers for Judy Watczak-Mom Sandy's friend dealing with congestive heart failure/liver disease. Prayers for Lorraine Schuman Mom Sandy's friend Linda's mom-recovering from hernia surgery-going home today from St. Mary's hospital. Prayers for Walter Zeleznikar- Mom Sandy's dear friend Muriel's hubby who is hospitalized at St. Mary's with kidney failure. Prayers for Lisa's sister Teresa's dear friend Beth (Pearson) Mohar on the death of her dad. Prayers for Jan Brackett our dear church friend (who visited Lisa at Bayshore frequently) is going to Mayo for 6 wks for cervical cancer treatments---and most wonderful news that the cancer has not spread from her cervix and she could have years to live--she is having chemo/radiation treatments. Prayers for 15 yr. old Kyle Akervik, our church friend in his recovery from his tumor surgery on his leg. Prayers at work for Lisa and all of the dear wonderful people in our lives that have health issues. Thank you all for praying for all of the above.
I guess this got a bit long-I should do this daily--it wouldn't get so lengthy but it was nice to have the time to do it today and not do it so late at night. So until next time ...........
We Love you Lisa --------and we love you all our precious family and friends.
The Greene and Winklesky Families
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 9:40 PM CST
Hello Dearest Lisa, family and our dear friends--
Hope all is well with everyone--snow is coming!!!--nothing here by the lake but snow up by the mall and Proctor area. It will be interesting to know what will be here by morning. There is a snow advisory in effect. It really feels too warm out to have snow yet.
Lisa has had a busy Monday and today Tuesday. Her dad took her to therapy at Bayshore yesterday and today from 10 until 2. She walked the length of the building each day. She did her weight machines. Her back is still hurting some so they go early for heat packs. She did her OT procedures too.
Last night mom stopped by after work and couldn't believe her eyes---Lisa was busy in the kitchen--she had preheated the oven, sprayed a pan and was putting chicken in it to bake (mom helped her load into the oven) she then put potatoes in the oven to bake for her family dinner. What a determined gal!! Tonight she said she made brats for supper.
She said she had blood work today and tomorrow she will not have PT and OT--she had it today--she has a doctor's appointment with her rheumatologist tomorrow. Hope all goes well. Dad Gary said she had to work pretty hard today and got very tired--she has to do lots of therapy at home too to catch up where she was when she left Bayshore. The falls have set her back abit. You can do it Lisa Marie!!!!
Please continue to pray for Lisa. We have our dear friend Pat Anscomb and her family in our prayers also--Pat lost her mom on Sunday-our sympathies to her and her family. We continue to pray for Lisa's Aunt DeEtta's dad, Peyton Bane in his 3rd week in neurointensive care. Each day is a blessing towards recovery. Prayers for Lisa's cousin Hannah whose mom said yesterday on her webside that her brain tumor is showing signs of shrinking. Thank you God. Prayers for mom's friend Muriel Zeleznikar's hubby Walter who is not doing well at St. Mary's hospital. Prayers for our dear church friend Mel Ona who is also at St. Mary's. Fred Banks is also hospitalized at St. Lukes /he is the father of our dear church friend Linda Warner (hubby Dick) and he also is not doing well and needs prayers. The above are dear people who are apart of our lives and were so kind and generous towards Lisa and supported her benefit and have sent cards. They are now in need of prayers along with our Lisa.
Well it's been a busy day at work for mom and 2 church meetings tonight so time to call it a day. Until next time----we love you Lisa.
Love to all of you.
The Greene & Winklesky Families
Friday, November 18, 2005 10:21 PM CST
Hi there Lovely Lisa, dear family and friends..........
Gosh here it is Friday already!!! Been one busy week--sure a nice day today 40s. Especially after yesterday with 4 above. We have snow too--only an inch or so at Lisa's house but about 4 inches over the hill. We have to be so careful with the icy sidewalks and streets transferring Lisa. We aren't looking forward to the big snow falls.
Well here is an update for Wednesda