Christmas Pictures

Just thought I would post a few pictures from Christmas so everyone could see how good Mom looks! Even though she remains in a lot of pain, she trucks right a long. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!! Enjoy the New Year!

Disheartening Setback

As Vicki has continued to progress in therapy her left hip has started giving her some trouble. That is the hip that was dislocated in the accident. The doctors told us from the beginning that she would eventually need a hip replacement, but she was too critical at the time to perform that type of surgery. We had hoped it may be a year or two down the road, but it looks like it will take place in the next couple of months. She visited her orthopedic surgeon last week and will be seeing him again next week. He's referring her to another specialist for the hip replacement and she is scheduled to see him the first week on January.

Her pain has gotten progressively worse over the past three weeks. Vicki is disheartened because she was progressing so much and now things have almost come to a screeching halt. The pain is so intense at times. We were almost ready to decrease her pain medication to an "as needed" basis - we would give it when she asked for it. Now we're having to give it to her around the clock again. Even though she's been in pain she has continued therapy on these cold snowy mornings and hasn't complained a bit when I go pick her up. However, this morning before she even got out of bed she said, "I don't think I can do it today." Vicki's not a complainer and has a pretty high pain tolerance. So she had to be in quite a bit of pain to not go to therapy.

It's hard on Aaron to see her take a few steps backwards. He knows how badly she wants to walk again and seeing her in pain breaks his heart.

We've been through worse...we'll get through this. I keep telling Vicki that this is just a small bump in the road - we can't let it get us down. She's come so far in 10+ months since the accident - we have to stay focused on the positive. Even though this is a disheartening setback we continue to count our blessings.

Love to all and Warm Holiday Wishes!

My...how time flies!

I can't believe it's been over a month! I'm not sure if we are still having many visits to this sight or not, but wanted to update the few who may still be checking.

I spent the day with Vicki today at her house. For the first time she cooked an entire meal for Aaron and Holly's family. She's still in her wheelchair and not steady enough on her feet to work around the stove and oven yet, but with assistance she's doing really good with everything else. Working in the kitchen is a big part of her therapy now. She can only stand for short periods of time before her legs become too weak, but she's giving it all the effort she can. Aaron came home from a long day at work and was greeted by his wife (and me and my 2yr. old son...HA!) and the aroma of cooked roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls filled the house. One more step towards getting Vicki back to the things she loved the most. Right now our goal is cooking once a week. Her short term memory is still an issue, but days like today will hopefully help to improve that. She did the meal plan and told me how to do everything as we cooked together.

We've decided to stay in Johnson City at Quillen Rehab. The therapists there are just outstanding and finding a facility that is comparable isn't easy to do. She still has therapy three times a week. She enjoys pool therapy the most!

She's continuing to work hard and prayers are still needed for her continued recovery. Thanks to everyone for everything. As this season of Thanksgiving draws near we are ever mindful of the love and support that has continually been shown to our family.

Love to all!
Becky

One step at a time...

Hello everyone! I thought you might like a little update about Vicki! :) She continues to make good progress with a walker. In therapy this week she walked 80 feet with the walker before having to rest. Then, she walked another 50 feet! Last week she was able to walk on a treadmill (with assistance) for 5 minutes while resting approximately every two minutes! She even did the leg press for the first time! She did two sets of 10 reps! We're so pleased with her steady progress. She continues to improve with her Occupational Therapy (working with her right hand and arm which was broken in the accident). Her right hand doesn't really limit her daily living activities anymore so they are thinking on possibly releasing her from that therapy in the near future. We'll still have to continue strength and flexibility exercises at home though. They have been so good to her at Quillen Rehab, but due to the logistics of moving her home (from Holly's house) in the not too distance future, we may be looking at moving her physical therapy to a rehab facility in Kingsport. We're still working out all those details though. Vicki is still uneasy with change so we're taking it slow.

Her short-term memory loss is still an issue. It's improving, but it's just going to take time. We laugh with her and cry with her. The important thing is that we're together! Please continue to pray for Vicki and her family. Your prayers are felt and appreciated.

Love to all!

Progress Continues

Hello to everyone! Just wanted to let you know that Vicki continues to progress. She's still working on her transfers (from wheelchair to couch, from bed to wheelchair, etc.). The results from her EMG showed minimal nerve function on the inside of the left leg - this is the leg that was most effected by the sciatic nerve damage - however, nerve function on the outside of the leg was at the level that the doctor felt it should be. Since nerve function effects muscle function her legs are still weak, but she continues to give her all in therapy and we can see small steps of improvement each week. Her short-term memory is still improving, but it is also something we have to help her work on each day. I would say that is probably her biggest hurdle. Until it improves she can't enjoy caring for her grandchildren the way she use to always do and she still can't be left alone. We'll do all we can to get her there! :)

Aaron has done so much work to the house for Vicki. He recently had a deck with a ramp added on to the front of the house. I visited with them last night and we sat out on the deck until it was dark! Vicki (and Aaron) will really enjoy that. Plus, it allows Vicki to roll herself in and out of the house as she pleases.

Vicki is handling things pretty good and is in good spirits most of the time. Every now and then she gets a little blue - as you can imagine. We continue to cheer her on and encourage her to do her best. She still has a ways to go, but has already come so far. We continue to be thankful to our Father in Heaven for allowing her to stay with us. We often talk to her about when the accident first happened and the outpouring of love and support that we felt from each of you. It brings a smile to her face and we recount the many visits, cards and acts of love from so many.

Love to all!
Becky

This isn't the greatest picture ever, but this is the newest addition to the Norris clan. It is Ben and Raven's little girl. Her name is Adrianna (not sure if I am spelling that correctly.) Mom is definitely enjoying being able to hold her grandbabies again.

As for everything else, well, we are about the same. Mom is finally getting stronger in her legs. She is able to do a lot of her transfers on her own (i.e from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to couch, etc.) She can take a few baby steps with the walker if someone helps her move the walker. So that is definitely promising. We still go to therapy 3 times a week and that will continue for forever! hahaha just kidding Anyways, she has an EMG on Monday to determine how much the sciatic nerve has healed in her left leg, so we can't wait for the results of that. Once again, thanks for everything!

Keeping You Posted...

Hello all! Vicki continues to improve a little every day. She still isn't taking steps on her own, but is doing well in other areas. She has gotten most of the use of her right hand back (reminder - her right arm had a compound fracture and now has 2 plates and 12 screws - which will remain). It's that time of year...canning season...so she has been helping put up green beans. Vicki strings and breaks the beans and mom does the rest of the canning. They've also put up some corn. Vicki's job was removing the silks after the corn was shucked. Her grip is still weak and wrist flexibility isn't quite where we want it to be, but it's getting there. Luckily she's a "lefty"! :) She went to see her orthopedic surgeon a couple of weeks ago and she will be scheduled for surgery soon to remove two pins from her right ankle. Also, sometime in the next few weeks she will have an EMG (?) which is a test to see how much nerve function has been restored. He reminded her that it could take 12 to 18 months (from the accident) before we know how much healing (of the nerves) will actually take place.

Aaron continues to work on the house. Mom and I went to see it today and everything looks so good! Aaron has really worked hard and has probably pushed himself more than he should to try and get everything done. As you can imagine, he's so anxious to get Vicki back home.

Thank you so much for your continued support, love, and prayers. We make sure Vicki knows of every new post from each of you. Please continue to pray for her recovery. We are so thankful for each of you.