the teeth won

No post last night. It was that or brush my teeth. The teeth won. We didn't make it to Health South yesterday but hope today is a better day. Thanks to everyone for your cheer, love and support.

Day Three of our outstanding adventure

Things are lookin' up people! Lessons learned today:
1. Bringing candy for all medical staff improves your care. Seriously
2. Lying on your back for 2 1/2 days makes everything itchy.
3. Ice chips on the sly never killed anyone.
4. Having a doctor in the family helps you know what questions to ask.
5. Visiting grandchildren bring the sunshine right in to the room.
6. When they say you can't use your cell phone in the hospital--pretend you didn't hear, ignore and if necessary--look at them like they're crazy. This only happens in the ER/trauma area--whatever. Like my cell phone is going to interfere with that catheter. I'm just sayin'.
7. Hospital food is never good--never.
8. Pay attention to the doctor and try to remember EVERYTHING he says.
9. A smiling face gets you more help than an impatient one.
10. Last, but not least--be pro-active about what step comes next. Being one step ahead is always good.

Surgery went very well this afternoon. A plate and a few screws stabilized the left arm/elbow area. He tollerated the surgery and anesthesia well and was fairly comfortable when finally settled back in his room.

The plan is to move him from the hospital to a rehab center tomorrow. The arm will be immobile for 7 days and then physical therapy. The pelvis will require non-weight bearing bed rest for we don't know how long. It will be really good to exit this hospital and go to Health South Rehab. It's a beautiful place, closer to home, cheerful and they have great PT's there. One day at a time--one day at a time.

Thanks so much for all your calls, blog comments, emails, etc. I print everything and take it to Cris in the hospital. It really cheers him.


Cris loved his visitors today. Gramma Rogers was very happy to see him.



Clara and Liesl comforting Papa.
The best medicine.
John sent beautiful flowers. Thanks John!
Post surgery. New splint on arm--medicated smile. Emily brought home-made bread and soup for dinner. It tasted sooooooo good. First real meal in 3 days for Papa.

Look at all the beautiful cards from Liesl, Owen, Riley, Jack and Charlie. Papa loved them.

Look who took a swan dive off an escalator

This is going to seem like an odd post--I agree--but sometimes you have to get your "therapy" wherever you can. Obviously I've chosen blogging as my therapy tonight. Some of you already know the story--others will be shocked, but here goes.

Yesterday Cris went to Sears to visit one of our home teaching people who work in the basement. He does not go 'solo' very often but wants to do what he can, while he can, so off he went to Sears. He stepped on the escalator to go down to the first floor, lost his balance, reached for the rail, couldn't hold on AND FELL OVER THE SIDE 23 FEET TO THE FLOOR BELOW. I know--I know!! It all happened so fast he didn't even have time to be scared. When he hit the floor he was stunned but did not lose consciousness. People ran to him (the clerk who witnessed the fall is permanently traumatized) and found him moaning. He told them his name, and gave them my cell number. I get the call--I can't believe what I'm hearing--I'm only 5 minutes away--I arrive in front of the paramedics thinking "I bet that's for him". I'm understandably upset. I hold it together until I am following the ambulance then I cut loose with a good cry. We spend 12 hours in the trauma bay at KMC and the result is:
Broken pelvis in two places but not displaced-that's a good thing.
Broken arm in two place just above the elbow.
No other injuries, no head injury, no spinal injury, nada.
Pain on the entire left side--that includes hair follicles.

He was to have surgery on the arm today (plate and screws) but the orthopods were too backed up with life threatening traumas so we wait patiently. They assure us tomorrow is the day. Then we take it a day at a time and hope to heal quickly.

Some funny comments: The EMT's came back to see him later in the day--still in the trauma bay--and report that the "judges as Sears gave him a 9.5 on his dive. He would have had a 10 but he didn't point his toes on the way down." Cris said he feels like a turtle stuck on his back--can't move a thing. His pain is successfully managed with morphine and we hope tomorrow is a better day.

We are very blessed that his injuries were not worse. We are so thankful to Emily and Becca for their support. It's been invaluable and kept me stable. We appreciate everyone who has expressed their love and prayers on our behalf.

This picture is pre-surgery, post morphine, mellow yellow. Stay tuned for updates from time to time. And yes, I did buy 2 quarts of Jaimoca Almond Fudge ice cream on the way home from the hospital last night. Hey--we all need our meds.

FFF with some of my local peeps

Today we decided to make Halloween cupcakes and decorate them very scary. Please note the spiders, roaches, etc. and oh yeah--the byud (blood). And FYI--that's not lipstick Charlie's wearing--it's chocolate. Notice his pile of cupcakes--no frosting--need I say more? Liesl and Owen hung in there and decorated ALL of theirs asking, "Can we eat the rest of the frosting when we're done"? Good times!

Dance is in our blood!!

I'm so glad everyone enjoyed Memzy's jazz video posted Friday and to prove that her talent is genetic, I have posted this picture of me when I was 6 years old. It proves two things. 1) Dance is in our blood (laughing sarcastically) and 2) This picture is proof that at age six I had thin legs. It's a beautiful thing. Our lesson in R.S. today was all about seeing the positive things in life. I have much to be grateful for and thin legs at age six is one of them :)

Pure joy !!

I know you must be getting tired of my posting grandkid pictures but I can't seem to stop. I promise on Fave Foto Friday to be more creative. I have a killer video of Emily jazz dancing at age 11 that would put any hip hop exercise class to shame. I'm trying to decide if I should ask permission first or just do it. Hmmmmm.

Today Clara and Liesl were over for a play date and I brought out the new ballet skirts purchased at Target yesterday. You can see why I couldn't resist. This is at 8:30 A.M. so cut me some slack on my no makeup and scroungy pj's. Clara got tired and within 5 minutes she was asleep on my pillows. Proof positive that she yuvs her gramma. I'm just sayin'. . . . .

Halloween's a comin'!!

Little Miss Clara sitting up like a big girl. This is the face of sunshine!! Gramma loves her so much.


It's important to wear your halloween costumes as often as possible so that: a) you make sure they fit well and are comfortable and jazzy, b) Mom gets her money's worth. (Ariel and Annakin--sp?)


Again with the clustering form of decorating. Charlie insists that all things be organized in to families--and I mean all things. He arranged these in "ghost" , "pumpkin" and "witch" families. He scouts the house to make sure there's a mom, dad and brudders to complete each grouping.

This is my front porch--it's a pumpkin family with lots of cousins. Charlie said the cat is their pet.