Krista was in ICU a week following surgery. She has now moved up to the 9th floor of the Mary Brigh Building. The rehab therapists started working with Krista immediately. Swallowing was a problem, so she had a feeding tube. …… Oh how she wanted a McDonald’s chocolate shake!
09/30/02. Monday - she passed the evaluation for swallowing.
10/01/02. Tuesday - the feeding tube was remove. Later, her nurse ordered her a “hospital malt”, (however, McDonalds is only a couple blocks away from St. Mary’s Hospital.)
10/02/02. Wednesday - Krista was moved to the Rehab Unit. She is working hard with the therapists to regain the use of her left side.
10/03/02. Thursday - Therapy sessions went well - Hard work.
10/04/02. Friday - Infection & fever - Dietary thickens her juices & milk. Therapy sessions were in her room.
10/05/02. Saturday - Fever - Loss of appetite - IVs again.
10/06/02. Sunday - Tries eating - Thickened orange juice, milk & Coke are not her favorite...
10/07/02. Monday - Eight therapy sessions each day.
10/08/02. Tuesday - Not much of an appetite yet, but Taco John's hard
shell tacos sound good...until she has them...
10/09/02. Wednesday - Still has IVs but can have REGULAR non-
thickened juice, milk & pop! Therapy sessions fill her days.
10-10-02. Thursday - Continued work with therapists for left leg, arm & hand. Had a van ride and first time out of St. Mary's Hospital since 9/17.
10-11-02. Friday - Therapy continues. Appears to have some muscle movement in upper leg and arm.
10-12-02. Saturday - Upper arm therapy with OT. Dave and Linnea were with Krista at this session.
10-13-02. Sunday - Therapy sessions with OT and PT. Dr. ok’d hospital pass for Krista to go out for dinner at Applebee’s with Dave, Linnea, Bekka, Dad & Mom. It was much much better than St. Mary’s ! Bekka brought a German Chocolate Torte birthday cake from Café Latte on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.
10-14-02. Monday – Dad went with Krista to therapy sessions, saw her arm move. German Chocolate Torte was shared with family and staff.
10-15-02. Tuesday – Krtista’s 22nd BIRTHDAY! Mary Ann (staff) made a jello birthday cake for her. Therapy sessions throughout the day… and birthday cakes shared in Krista’s room.
Dave asked her what she wanted for her birthday. Reply? “To walk and go back to Fargo…”
10-16-02. Wednesday - Some movement in left foot and hand. When Krista's mom was redoing her fingernail polish, she automatically stretched out her left fingers! It was exciting! Afterwards, it was back to the "hard work" of therapy to make the fingers move again...
10-17-02. Thursday - OT is working with arm movement & muscles and PT is working with her left leg & walking.
10-18-02. Friday - Muscles continued to be worked with in left leg. Two therapists worked with her walking in the gym. Some movement in leg.
10-19-02. Saturday - Some muscle movement in left shoulder! PT & OT sessions. Cousin Judy with Stephanie & Danny brought pizza & cheese sticks to have supper with Krista in her room! :)
10-20-02. Sunday - When mom put on her shoe, she pushed her left foot & leg against the shoe!
10-21-02. Monday - Therapists continue to work with Krista
10-22-02. Tuesday - Krista walked (slowly) lifting her left knee and moving her left foot forward...and with only one therapist at her side! Also, her arm muscles are tightening! The OT is including use of a vibrator to "wake up" the muscles so "they know that they need to work"! Various arm/wrist movements were seen today! What a day! :)
10-23-01. Wednesday - Here's Krista's therapy schedule for the day: 7:45am, 8:30, 10, 11, 11:30, 1:30pm, 2:45 & 3:30...
10-24-02. Thursday - Therapy continues with assisted walking in gym and standing/balance in the OT room.
10-25-02. Friday - Lori, a beautician, came to Krista's room - neat hair style which covers the incision from surgery. Full day of therapy.
10-26-02. Saturday - PT & OT on weekend too. Dave took Krista to Pizza Hut - Always good to get out of hospital on a doctor's pass.
10-27-02. Sunday - Uses the wheelchair with ease but continues to have the set goal of walking and the determination to work with the therapists to accomplish that goal!
10-28-02. Monday - Continuing therapy - walking, standing...
10-29-02. Tuesday - Therapy sessions including reading and working with eyes to see the left side.
10-30-02. Wednesday - OT therapist working with standing, balance and strengthening of legs.
10-31-02. Thursday - Eight therapy sessions as usual! Halloween
and little trick & treaters
came to Krista's room including two little girls dressed as a skunk and mouse (granddaughters of staff).
11-01-02. Friday - Continued therapy - OT working with hand & arm movements.
11-02-02. Saturday - OT "Range of Motion Exercises" (ten) for arm, hand & shoulder to be done twice a day by Krista in her room besides the regular therapy sessions. Dad came at noon and Mom is here all week. Evening visitors from Grand Rapids, Brainerd & Twin Cities...
11-03-02. Sunday - Sunny, crisp day in Rochester and opportunity to get outdoors in fresh air... Family (Will, Kathy & Tonja) and friends (Bob, Cathy & Jason) from Iowa visit... Went out for dinner at Canadian Honker across from St. Mary's Hospital.
11-04-02. Monday - Krista's full therapy schedule: 8am, 8:45, 9:30, 10:30, 11:45, 1pm, 2:30, 3 & 4.
11-05-02. Tuesday - PT sessions continue including going up and down steps. OT continues with hand, arm, shoulder. ST includes reading and working with eyesight to the left side.
11-06-02. Wednesday - Fitted for leg brace for greater support in walking.
11-07-02. Thursday - OT includes walking sideways, backwards and crossing foot-over-foot. The recreational therapist took Krista by shuttle bus to downtown Rochester and how to get around by wheelchair through the skyways and subways.
11-08-02. Friday - Tried the new leg brace which fits up the back of her leg to the knee and inserts down into her shoe which provides support even for her toes. It does help in walking and will be temporary for a few months. OT included standing for longer periods of time in a kitchen and making brownies.
11-09-02. Saturday - Dr's weekend pass to stay at a local hotel as a part of rehab therapy in adjusting back into life outside of the hospital. Bekkah came Saturday night. Went shopping for dress shoes (no luck), purse (no luck) and sweater (yes!)
11-10-02. Sunday - Managed well at the hotel in tranferring to & from wheelchair and other life skills. She has SPUNK!
11-11-02. Monday - Eight therapy sessions again and the walking is a priority! The brace gives added strength. She has therapy walking on hard floor, carpet, and plush carpet. Krista can feel the difference with her left foot.
11-12-02. Tuesday - PT includes Krista walking with family member and continued practice of going up and down stairs. OT includes taking care of her own meds. Looking forward to the doctor's weekend pass to visit up home at Grand Rapids...
11-13-02. Wednesday - Everyday is a full day of therapy starting at 8am. OT included transferring from wheelchair to bathtub.
11-14-02. Thursday - Therapy also includes exercises to do outside of the scheduled sessions. Krista walked back to her room 3-668 from the gym. In the evening she and a family member walked from room to computers in Family Room and around the nurse's station & unit.
11-15-02. Friday - Had a doctor's weekend pass to go up to Grand Rapids &
left in the afternoon
with family... Had supper at the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant at North Branch, MN just off the freeway...and walked into the place!
11-16-02. Saturday - Relaxed at home...and able to walk up and down the
stairs of their split-level house with caution. Bekkah drove up from St. Paul and next-door neighbors, Christel, Katie & Alyison came over....
11-17-02. Sunday - Attended Salem Lutheran in Grand Rapids - Walked from car, on to sidewalk, up steps and into the church! (And there was snow!)
11-18-02. Monday - Krista says she "feels optimistic"!
11-19-02. Tuesday - Doctor's plan is to discharge Krista tomorrow as an in-patient at St. Mary's Hospital and then continue with the PT, OT, & SPT on an out-patient basis starting on Thursday here in Rochester. A place has been found to stay at just 1 1/2 blocks from St. Mary's.
11-20-02. Wednesday - Discharged from St. Mary's Hospital on Dad's Birthday! Left at 6:36 p.m. - Moved to a place 1 1/2 blocks from the hospital and will continue therapy on an out-patient basis here at Rochester.
11-21-02. Thursday - Same therapy sessions and therapists - only as an out-patient.
11-22-02. Friday - PT sessions - Worked on walking without brace but with the cane; also with the brace but no cane...
11-23-02. Saturday - It's a change from being an in-patient to adjusting as an outpatient here in Rochester. Is anxious to get back to Fargo, her friends, college...
11-24-02. Sunday - Attended Gethesmane Lutheran here in Rochester - Walked into the church. Pastor Rinden has visited Krista and family many times during the hospital stay and the congregation has been supportive in prayer & visits. (Thelma brought homebaked chocolate cookies one day... Krista's mother stayed with one of the church families, Dan & Pam, for six weeks...) Bekkah surprised Krista at 2 p.m. in the afternoon!
11-25-02. Monday - Has therapy sessions both in morning and afternoon.
11-26-02. Tuesday - Therapy sessions continue. It's also Kevin's birthday and first time missing her brother's birthday in 20 years!
11-27-02. Wednesday - Some muscle movement in her hand. Therapist says "recovery starts in the shoulder and works it's way down to the hand". Her prayer request is that she will regain use of her left hand.
11-28-02. Thursday - Thanksgiving Day - Family is thankful to God for Krista and the progress she has made and the endurance that she has to work hard in therapy each day... Dave drove to Rochester so Krista could spend Thanksgiving with his family in the Twin Cities.
11-29-02. Friday - Visited parent's home at Grand Rapids for the weekend.
11-30-02. Saturday - Spent the day at home in Grand Rapids. Dave stayed until 4pm - Had Viking tickets for Sunday's game! Family had a buffet in the evening and Krista enjoyed visiting with Steph, Jess and Britta...Grandma, Pastor Starkey, Kaiser, Roy & Cheryl, Arvid & Irene...
12-01-02. Sunday - December is here already here! Krista and her mom got back to Rochester around 8pm. She has been at St. Mary's/Rochester for 76 days...
12-02-02. Monday - Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Bergquist talk with Krista regarding continuing PT, OT & SPT and moving back to Fargo. Anne from Mayo/St Mary's is checking regarding qualified therapists to continue Krista's sessions in Fargo.
12-03-02. Tuesday - Full day of therapy plus testing. OT sessions include everyday living situations in preparation of Krista's goal to get back "home to Fargo...to friends, apartment, college..." - her Christmas wish.
12-04-02. Wednesday - Therapy sessions continue both morning and afternoon with a lunchbreak in between...
12-05-02. Thursday - Krista is anticipating that Friday's conference will be positive and that she will be able to move back to Fargo soon...
12-06-02. Friday - Krista has the Team/Medical Conference at 11:30am. She has had amazing progress. Anne, Mayo/St Mary's, has done the "groundwork" for Krista to have her therapy sessions with qualified medical staff in Fargo. The Mayo/St. Mary doctors and therapists will keep in touch. The sessions will continue as the first six months of recovery are crucial. Saturday, December 14, is THE DAY to move back to her apartment in Fargo!
12-07-02. Saturday - Took a break from therapy and stayed at the Rochester Country Inn with family. It was a restful weekend and a Christmas gift from the Grand Rapids Country Inn. Thanks so much! :)
12-08-02. Sunday - Attended the Mary Beth Carlson Christmas Piano Concert here in Rochester. Later in the evening made Butterscotch Candy. It's a project with the use of only the right hand. Therapy continues outside of the hospital too with hand/arm exercises...
12-09-02. Monday - Given new/additional therapy exercises for the hand & arm. Leg brace was adjusted and hopefully it will still be just temporary!
12-10-02. Tuesday - Beautiful spring-like day here in Rochester. Walked back 'n forth from Guest House to St. Marys for both morning and afternoon sessions.
12-11-02. Wednesday - Therapy sessions continue both morning and afternoon with Sarah, Janelle and Gerry.
12-12-02. Thursday - The countdown is 2 days! Working hard in sessions with therapists. (Took a picture of the orange Mustang car in the gym used for therapy - getting in and out of a car - just for memories!)
12-13-02. Friday - Beautiful sunny day and the last day of therapy sessions at St Mary's before transitioning to Fargo for continued rehab therapy. Krista's goal was "I'm going to WALK out of this place (St. Mary's Hospital) and it's come true!
12-14-02. Saturday - This is THE DAY God has made! Leaving for Fargo in mid-morning after 3 months in Rochester! It will be good to be back at the apartment! Next Wednesday is the appointment with the Fargo doctors & therapists that has been set up by Anne from Mayo/St. Mary's for continuing recovery.
12-17-02. Tuesday - Met with staff at Moorhead State University regarding recovery and direction as a student.
12-18-02. Wednesday - Met with doctors and therapists for the transition from Rochester to Fargo of ongoing therapy & recovery.
12-20-02. Friday - Continue to do the "at home exercises" while waiting to find out when therapy sessions will start in Fargo.
12-21-02. Saturday - Went home to Grand Rapids for Christmas.
12-26-02. Thursday - Dad & I went back to Fargo. Had appointments.
12-27-02. Friday - Another evaluation with the PT. Afterwards we looked at apartments. Nice to have Dad's help.
12-28-02. Saturday - Back to Grand Rapids for the holiday weekend.
01-02-03. Thursday - Doctor's apointment.
01-03-03. Friday - Another OT evaluation...
01-06-03. Monday - Still waiting for insurance approval for therapy sessions...
01-07-03. Tuesday - Met with staff at MSUM. Look forward to returning in the future!
01-09-03. Thursday - PT with Norlene finally is approved and starts!
01-13-03. Monday - OT session. Tested and there is feeling on the left side of the face, also down to the knee and to the lower part of the upper arm!
01-15-03. Wednesday - Have both PT & OT sessions but still waiting for insurance approval for SPT.
01-20-03. Monday - First SPT session since December 13!
01-22-03. Wednesday - SPT Nan is doing the Beckman Therapy on my face for recovery of my smile...
01-27-03. Monday - Cast is put on my left hand including wrist and thumb to immobolize the larger muscles so smaller muscles will become more flexible. This will stay on for seven days.
01-28-03. Tuesday - Moved to new apartment
01-30-03. Thursday - Started walking outdoors one mile.
01-31-03. Friday - Therapy continues. Appreciate my new apartment - I unpacked my bedroom with use of my right hand, got everything hung up in the closet...and look forward to the recovery of my left hand.
02-03-03. Monday - Cast is taken off my arm, therapy given, lotion rubbed into dry skin and....another cast put on up to the fingertips...for another seven days...
02-04-03. Tuesday - SPT continues and Beckman therapy is done the last 5-10 minutes of every session.
02-05-03. Wednesday - Walking with less/or no use of cane.
02-07/08/09-03. Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Cast itches but again, it is a sign of recovery that I can feel it.
02-10-03. Monday - Cast is taken off and OT continues. There seems to be more flexibility in the fingers.
02-11-03. Tuesday - Leg brace appointment & casting
02-12-03. Wednesday - OT and SPT sessions continue but PT is "on hold" until the new AFO - leg brace is made & fitted.
02-13-03. Thursday - Another full day. Did laundry completely by myself - Prefer not to have help - Want to completely recover. Enjoyed seeing "My Fair Lady" in West Fargo.
02-14-03. Friday - Neat Valentine suprise - A dozen red roses! Dave & I went out to dinner.
02-15-03. Saturday - Another wonderful suprise! A computer! I can do therapy sessions/worksheets etc. on it at home...and email too!
02-17-03. Monday - Five months ago since car accident. I am thankful for the progress and recovery...
02-18-03. Tuesday - Fitting for the leg brace. It's not something I want/like. Pray that my leg/ankle will become stronger and stronger and that I will not need it very long...
02-19-03. Wednesday - Therapy sessions continue...and I am getting better everyday!