Journal entry by Leann Bull —
Thanks to Chris, here is an update:
Well, we have been given another week by Saipan’s Medical Referral to remain in the Hang Dong Orthopedic hospital in Busan. So, we should be returning to Saipan next Thursday, the 21st.
There have been no miracles. We Hope that the extra week of physiotherapy will aid Leann in the use of her right arm and hand. The chronic swelling has abated to some degree and the only meds Leann is taking are aspirin (virtually a controlled substance here in Korea). There is slight improvement over the last week or so. The deltoid muscle on the top outside of the arm has atrophied in the last 2 months since the accident and has a long way to go before its power returns. Leann is undergoing 3 physio sessions, a day. Leann hopes to get back to her acupuncturist in Saipan, even though there are acupuncturists here in Busan, they no longer work hand in glove with physiotherapists as they once did.
Well, we have been given another week by Saipan’s Medical Referral to remain in the Hang Dong Orthopedic hospital in Busan. So, we should be returning to Saipan next Thursday, the 21st.
There have been no miracles. We Hope that the extra week of physiotherapy will aid Leann in the use of her right arm and hand. The chronic swelling has abated to some degree and the only meds Leann is taking are aspirin (virtually a controlled substance here in Korea). There is slight improvement over the last week or so. The deltoid muscle on the top outside of the arm has atrophied in the last 2 months since the accident and has a long way to go before its power returns. Leann is undergoing 3 physio sessions, a day. Leann hopes to get back to her acupuncturist in Saipan, even though there are acupuncturists here in Busan, they no longer work hand in glove with physiotherapists as they once did.
We are starting to get homesick. Chris has hit most of the high points in Busan and so much seems to be the same 10 shops/restaurants repeated over and over again. Thankfully, we have a large supermarket about a kilometer away and that provides a few things that are Western e.g. bakery croissants.
Hospital food comes in 2 speeds; Korean or Western fusion. Korean needless to say is Korean, but not high class Korean; it comes with plenty of kimchi and tofu with unidentifiable green vegetables,but with little meat and always a large bowl of rice and a thin soup. Elsewhere, all of it would be deemed too spicy for hospital food. The Western food is most definitely hospital food. Rarely do we see an egg. The western menu features RICE, bread, spaghetti, an iceberg lettuce salad, a mystery white potato soup which never varies. It does usually have more meat. Needless to say we a prone to the Korean menus subsidized with food from the supermarket.
So the countdown to next Thursday is happening.
Love,
Leann and Chris
Love,
Leann and Chris
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Leann Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Leann's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?