Journal entry by Joseph Lehrer —
It has been a number of weeks since I have published a Caringbridge update. Frankly, it has been difficult to describe the rehabilitative journey. I often remind myself of how far Sandy has come from her initial time in the Barnes-Jewish ICU and the time where she could not stand on her own or speak a single word when she was admitted at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. The substantial recovery period is about one year from the time of the accident, and Sandy is not even four months from the time of her bicycle accident. In that context, Sandy has made good advances.
Sandy is also asserting herself, which should be considered as a positive milestone in her recovery. The officials at QLI (the Omaha residential facility where Sandy is receiving therapy) have recommended that she continue her stay. However, Sandy has been insistent that she would only stay at QLI for two months from her August 6 admission date, which would mean that she will be returning home on October 6. I am supportive of Sandy's decision, and we plan on traveling to St. Louis on that date. Sandy misses her home and her friends, and I miss having the person whom I most love and cherish with me in our home. We will be able to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary on October 8th in our home, which is the way it is meant to be.
Sandy will be continuing her therapy in St. Louis at The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis (TRISL), which is affiliated with Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. We have been in contact with medical personnel and therapy specialists, and QLI is being very helpful with the many details of the transition.
There are a number of details to attend in transitioning to St. Louis. One of the items we need is to retain a person to provide non-medical home assistance. That person would need to be able to drive Sandy to places she needs or wants to be and to be a companion. No medical or rehabilitation training is needed, since Sandy is very self sufficient in daily personal routines. If any of the readers of this journal have any suggestions, please contact me.
Sandy is appreciative of the many prayers, well wishes, cards and emails. She is too busy with her daily therapy routine to respond, but she promises to do so once she has settled into being back in St. Louis. Rachel and I are also thankful for all of your support.
Sandy is also asserting herself, which should be considered as a positive milestone in her recovery. The officials at QLI (the Omaha residential facility where Sandy is receiving therapy) have recommended that she continue her stay. However, Sandy has been insistent that she would only stay at QLI for two months from her August 6 admission date, which would mean that she will be returning home on October 6. I am supportive of Sandy's decision, and we plan on traveling to St. Louis on that date. Sandy misses her home and her friends, and I miss having the person whom I most love and cherish with me in our home. We will be able to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary on October 8th in our home, which is the way it is meant to be.
Sandy will be continuing her therapy in St. Louis at The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis (TRISL), which is affiliated with Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. We have been in contact with medical personnel and therapy specialists, and QLI is being very helpful with the many details of the transition.
There are a number of details to attend in transitioning to St. Louis. One of the items we need is to retain a person to provide non-medical home assistance. That person would need to be able to drive Sandy to places she needs or wants to be and to be a companion. No medical or rehabilitation training is needed, since Sandy is very self sufficient in daily personal routines. If any of the readers of this journal have any suggestions, please contact me.
Sandy is appreciative of the many prayers, well wishes, cards and emails. She is too busy with her daily therapy routine to respond, but she promises to do so once she has settled into being back in St. Louis. Rachel and I are also thankful for all of your support.
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