Friday, August 04, 2006
Tina's Thoughts for the Day...
Well its only 12:30 and the day is long already. ha, oh well I suppose. When I arrived in Lukes room today, I noticed a very nice NEW bed. Oh my, I wish I could lay in that thing! Its air and temperature controlled, talk about being a king! We also got to see the Physical Therapy wing of the hospital; very impressive. There were about 6 soldiers in there working out and doing varies things, so we caught a glimpse of what Luke will be enduring. They concentrate on core strength first (abs, obliques, spinae--back) then on to balance, coordination and strength. It makes my dream of going to PT school pretty set in stone! Watching these guys work and try so hard is very encouraging to anyone. When we first walked in there was a country music chick signing posters and Cds..I have no idea who she was. :) There was also a guy in there, a double amputee, that had his picture on the front of USA times or something like that, running with the President. It seems these guys really bond together and push eachother along....good thing. If everything goes well with infections and healing, it may be before Thanksgiving Luke will be given a leg! Family and friends are not aloud in the PT room, other for the special day of his first walk or standing with the leg. They also mentioned home for Christmas break! Hopefully.
The realization has definately set in with seeing the PT room. Its a long road ahead, and a different future than we had pictured, but times change and so must we. Looking at the 5 stages of the grieving process I had to learn in Sociology and Psychology...I really have no idea where I am! 1) denial 2) anger 3)bargaining 4) guilt 5) depression 6)loneliness 7) acceptance and 8) hope. It was said to me that anyone going through a change or death in their life goes through these processes. However, I dont think everyone hits all these steps. When I was first told the news I guess I couldnt beleive it until I talked to Tim. So for about 10 minutes, I had denial. Or maybe more. My first thought was to stay in Bemidji and work until it was time to fly down...yeh that didnt happen! I definately hit the anger stage, didnt let anyone see, but released some fumes for sure. Thats why I love swimming! hehe. I can sprint as fast as I can and that works the same for me as hitting something. I dont bargain, this happened, and that was that. No what ifs, i'll switch ya with the guy upstairs. For guilt, I may have had a few thoughts, but lasting about 1 minute each...but anyway to sum it up...I've been with Luke for 4 years now, and he has been gone a total of 14ish months of those years....yeh when havent I been lonely! :) I know what happened, I accept that our future has changed and that I will have to deal with anger, depression, triumphs and goals.
Luke is definately a fighter, we all know that. This will be a set-back to him, but nothing he cant handle. We have our very own hero, thats pretty cool.
For an update...which I suppose i should be writing.... He had to drink some nasty stuff this morning for his can scan. It is a contrast cat scan which has been ordered before but never carried through. This will show if any of his infections have disturbed his organs and deeper tissue in his leg. He has whats called cellulitis (sp). His skin on his left hip appears red, turns white to the touch and is a little swollan...just another thing to keep an eye on. After the cat scan he will have another washout of his wounds....lots of those, so really not big deals. They are going to make sure the infection hasnt gone up his leg and see how the tissue, muscle and all that good stuff is holding up. they had talked about making a close...but very doubtful. If his blood does come back negative for bacteria, they still keep him on antibiotics for 6 more weeks...yes he may have to stay in the hospital just to get his medicine..bummer. It sounds like if he is able enough he will be given a duty at the hospital at some point. his orders are to stay in the hospital and he will more or less be stationed here. Yes, luke is getting paid for all of this! Lukes color is back and is asking a lot more questions. still likes his hugs!
Well its only 12:30 and the day is long already. ha, oh well I suppose. When I arrived in Lukes room today, I noticed a very nice NEW bed. Oh my, I wish I could lay in that thing! Its air and temperature controlled, talk about being a king! We also got to see the Physical Therapy wing of the hospital; very impressive. There were about 6 soldiers in there working out and doing varies things, so we caught a glimpse of what Luke will be enduring. They concentrate on core strength first (abs, obliques, spinae--back) then on to balance, coordination and strength. It makes my dream of going to PT school pretty set in stone! Watching these guys work and try so hard is very encouraging to anyone. When we first walked in there was a country music chick signing posters and Cds..I have no idea who she was. :) There was also a guy in there, a double amputee, that had his picture on the front of USA times or something like that, running with the President. It seems these guys really bond together and push eachother along....good thing. If everything goes well with infections and healing, it may be before Thanksgiving Luke will be given a leg! Family and friends are not aloud in the PT room, other for the special day of his first walk or standing with the leg. They also mentioned home for Christmas break! Hopefully.
The realization has definately set in with seeing the PT room. Its a long road ahead, and a different future than we had pictured, but times change and so must we. Looking at the 5 stages of the grieving process I had to learn in Sociology and Psychology...I really have no idea where I am! 1) denial 2) anger 3)bargaining 4) guilt 5) depression 6)loneliness 7) acceptance and 8) hope. It was said to me that anyone going through a change or death in their life goes through these processes. However, I dont think everyone hits all these steps. When I was first told the news I guess I couldnt beleive it until I talked to Tim. So for about 10 minutes, I had denial. Or maybe more. My first thought was to stay in Bemidji and work until it was time to fly down...yeh that didnt happen! I definately hit the anger stage, didnt let anyone see, but released some fumes for sure. Thats why I love swimming! hehe. I can sprint as fast as I can and that works the same for me as hitting something. I dont bargain, this happened, and that was that. No what ifs, i'll switch ya with the guy upstairs. For guilt, I may have had a few thoughts, but lasting about 1 minute each...but anyway to sum it up...I've been with Luke for 4 years now, and he has been gone a total of 14ish months of those years....yeh when havent I been lonely! :) I know what happened, I accept that our future has changed and that I will have to deal with anger, depression, triumphs and goals.
Luke is definately a fighter, we all know that. This will be a set-back to him, but nothing he cant handle. We have our very own hero, thats pretty cool.
For an update...which I suppose i should be writing.... He had to drink some nasty stuff this morning for his can scan. It is a contrast cat scan which has been ordered before but never carried through. This will show if any of his infections have disturbed his organs and deeper tissue in his leg. He has whats called cellulitis (sp). His skin on his left hip appears red, turns white to the touch and is a little swollan...just another thing to keep an eye on. After the cat scan he will have another washout of his wounds....lots of those, so really not big deals. They are going to make sure the infection hasnt gone up his leg and see how the tissue, muscle and all that good stuff is holding up. they had talked about making a close...but very doubtful. If his blood does come back negative for bacteria, they still keep him on antibiotics for 6 more weeks...yes he may have to stay in the hospital just to get his medicine..bummer. It sounds like if he is able enough he will be given a duty at the hospital at some point. his orders are to stay in the hospital and he will more or less be stationed here. Yes, luke is getting paid for all of this! Lukes color is back and is asking a lot more questions. still likes his hugs!
Comments:
<< Home
Thank you, Tina, for posting more detailed information about what's going on with Luke. I realize these are your intimate thoughts and thanks for sharing them. I'm a long time friend of Nancy and Tim. I went to High School with Nancy in Burnsville and went to college with her and Tim at Bemidji State. My family would come up and stay with the Schmitz's for one weekend almost every summer since Luke was little. I am so glad he survived this and I know he is strong enough to get through the challenges he faces. He is very fortunate to have a beautiful young woman like you to care about him. Keep up the good work!
# posted by 
: 8/04/2006 1:25 PM
: 8/04/2006 1:25 PM
kelli- yes it is scary when those you love go into the service. especially now. but always support them- when luke asked me what i thought about him joining...you better believe i had some thoughts in the back of my mind...but just said. do it, cause i know you want to.
Post a Comment
<< Home
