Update: Going home

Finally, finally some great great news — I am going home on Saturday!!! I think being at home with the kids will be the best medicine yet! The conditions of my release (yes, sounds a bit like probation) are that I attend outpatient therapy full-time at an RIC satellite facility and follow-up with my doctors regularly.

The absolute hardest and most painful part of this whole ordeal has been not being able to see the kids — so going home is the best news in weeks!

The doctors, nurses, pct’s and therapists have all been amazed at my progress. Apparently it is not very common to progress as quickly as I am.  Four days ago I was in a wheelchair and today I’m down to just a cane–no more walker!

I have been told that I shouldn’t expect such great progress all the time — but I must say I believe it is because of all of the thoughts and prayers that people are sending my way. 

Living on the stroke floor of RIC I have seen the devastating effects a stroke could have had on me and I can only be thankful that I have been spared the horrors that some of the people here are facing.

I am extremely lucky that with time and hard work — I know I will make a full recovery.

I’m moving ahead and not looking back. I feel all of your support and it pushes me to work harder and harder everyday.

I love reading your messages and look forward to sharing more good news soon!

Update: Back in Chicago

I write this with hesitation because after my last “great” update I had a serious complication which set me back several days. Years from now maybe I’ll share the nightmare of the past days’ events but for now I think the best thing to do is to look to the future and not the past.  I am back in Chicago (a 6-hour ambulance ride!) and at the RIC.  I’ve been told that it is one of the best rehabalitation facilities in the country and I am very thankful to be here and thrilled to be out of Cleveland and in my home city. (A very special thank you to Carrie’s sister Jenny for somehow getting me to the top of the waitlist at RIC and getting me in.) Today is my evaluation day by all the therapists and I should get a general idea of how long I will be here.  I am working so hard at my therapy and I am seeing progress everyday. Yesterday I walked with a walker and considering a few days ago I couldn’t even move my left leg it is beyond amazing. All the emails and messages help me so much because each one reminds me how many people are thinking of me and praying for my recovery. I’m sorry I can’t respond to all of you individually – I wish I could — most of my time is being spent focusing on my rehab and therapy and then resting.

Update

As many of you already know the past two weeks have been extremely difficult for me. Doctors had told me that the numbness in my legs and feet were a reaction to the anesthesia following my heart surgery. After several days of little improvement and many MRIs and CAT scans it was determined I had a stroke during the procedure. I am still in shock that this happened but I am now trying to focus on getting better.

I want to thank everyone so much for all of the thoughts, prayers and e-mails of encouragement. They help keep me inspired and remind me how many people are thinking about me and my family. I am blessed to have such amazing family and friends.

Despite the circumstances, I am trying to remain positive and realize how lucky I am that the effects of the stroke are not even worse than what they are. 

The good news is that the heart valve was successfully repaired and as soon as I am cleared by the cardiologists I will be heading back to Chicago to focus on my rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute at Northwestern.

So far, the rehab here in Cleveland has been more difficult than I could have ever imagined but I am up for the challenge and determined to work as hard as I can.

Marc has not left my side the entire time he has been here and has been beyond amazing helping me with absolutely everything — including reading me all the wonderful emails of support you all have sent.

I want to let you know that everyday I am making great progress and even the doctors are thrilled with how far I have come in two weeks.

I have no doubt that with time I will make a full recovery and I can’t wait to be back on my feet again soon.

Thank you again for all of your support!
 

I wanted to thank everyone so much for all of their love and support throughout this process. All of your calls and emails have truly helped me keep smiling and I feel so  lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

If I haven’t returned the call or email please forgive me — and know that post-surgery I will have a ton more energy and be able to keep up with everything and everyone!

The Cleveland Clinic asks all of their patients to update a web page to share information and thoughts with family and friends. (They provided me with a template but I’m using this one instead…much easier!)

So here goes….

A little history for those I haven’t spoken with in a while.

My cardiologist at Northwestern told me in November that I needed to have heart surgery to repair a severe leak in my mitral valve. I had not been feeling well for some time but I had no idea it was my heart.

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8 at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute with Dr. Marc A. Gillinov.

The plan is to repair or replace the faulty heart valve.  If you are interested in more information on the procedure or the surgical team — the links to the right have detailed information.

I will be in Cleveland for almost two weeks and I understand in bed for much of it so I would love to hear from you. Please email or call and of course, sign the guest book. Marc will try to update everyone as soon as he can.

I’m looking forward to sharing many more good times with you all and can’t wait for a great 2008! My best to everyone for a healthy and happy new year!

-Jill