Rehab coming to an end

My mom's stay in rehab has been fantastic. The people have been great, the services fantastic and the general energy of the place has really served her well. Every day a little more progress and a little more strength.

The blood pressure was the only trouble she was experiencing and with some new meds that seems to be getting under control as well. Definitely something to be mindful of though.

It looks like Thursday will be the day she returns home to Denville - that's the word right now. Stay tuned for confirmation. Spirits are good and the body is getting stronger. Hallelujah!

xo Bernadette

For all you Denville folks...

I just heard from Ave, who heard from Mrs. Mutz's granddaughter Michelle, that Mrs. Mutz had a big fall this past week. She took a terrible fall outside and fractured both her hip and arm. She had surgery 3/27 to repair her hip. Michelle said she is devastated and thinks notes and cards would go a long way to cheer her up.

If you want to send her a card, her address is:
Helen Mutz
36 Shawger Road
Denville, NJ 07834-1023

2 steps forward

A few steps forward and a half a step back. That's the way of this kind of procedure I'm told. The forward motion is consistent but an occasional minor setback is inevitable. Today a higher blood pressure than normal. Walk halted. Meds changed. Back to bed with you Mrs. Noll. And right before she turned off the phone for an afternoon nap I snuck in a little chat. So, lucky me.

Spirits still sound good. Ave has been told to take a few days hiatus when Thad arrives this afternoon. Bernagrace awaits her baby which apparently has dropped nice and low. The sun is out up there in Jersey and signs of spring are sneaking in.

Here in Texas our 2nd grader is off to the rodeo for a class trip. Our kindergartener has mastered the skipping of one bar on the monkey bars. Our 5th grader has a sewing project due tomorrow and our wee 2.5 year old has perfected his use of the word NO! while he runs in the opposite direction.

Love to all,
Bern

Room 455

Right across the hall from her old room. And the staff at Rehab was quite pleased to have her back! She'll be there probably about 10 days or so.

I talked to Liz tonight and she sounded super strong - like her old self. I read her the many blog comments and she was pleased and grateful for all the good wishes and strong prayers.

Love,
Bernadette of Austin, TX

Back in the rehab again

As of just a few short moments ago, Liz is heading back to R.I.M.M. (Rehab Institute of Morristown Memorial.) We'll get the room number to you as soon as we get it.

Keep those cards and letters coming my friends...

RIMM
95 Mt. Kemble Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

On the upswing once again

Liz is feeling a little better each day - physically and mentally. Spirits are good and the situation with her heart's erratic heartbeats seems to be leveling off. Good news.

Liz will be in the hospital probably until Wednesday and then be moved again to the rehab. Stay tuned for details on that.

Thaddeus is flying in Wednesday from Colorado and will be in NJ about a week - or more if need be giving Ave and Gay a much needed break from hospital time. Bringing in energy reserves is always a good thing.

Love to all and happy spring!

Bernadette

Here's what we know about this situation. 25-30% of people are in this same situation post surgery. It should clear up with medication and time. Won't be a chronic thing. So, with that in mind, we are trusting that all will be well.

Stay tuned,
Bernadette

News today

Liz was readmitted to the hospital this morning after suffering from a high blood pressure that wouldn't go down and also irregular heart beat which Alma says is not unusual as the heart tries to get back to normal. We'll post more as we know but right now that's all we've got.

Send calm thoughts because Liz was really trying to maintain a feeling of calm.

Love,
Bern

Greetings from Texas

Okay, this is a little self serving but what the hell, I'm putting it up here anyway...

A collaborative card from the Texas grandkids

Room number please?

Liz with the very pregnant Bernadette Grace in Room 452.

Liz Noll
Room 452
RIMM
95 Mt. Kemble Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

She really has loved all the cards and notes so far so keep 'em coming folks! They really have meant a lot to her.

Love,
Bern
Austin, TX

The transport has been made

It was an exhausting ride via ambulance from the hospital to the rehab center. Today Liz entered Rimm: Rehabilitation Institute at Morristown Memorial. She will be there an as yet undetermined amount of time but possibly 3 weeks. The address is 95 Mt. Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960. She will be receiving messages on her cell phone and will take and return calls when she feels willing and/or able.

Notes, cards and letters of support would be greatly appreciated. If you are in the NJ area and would like to visit please email me the day you will be able to go and we will try to coordinate days so as not to overwhelm. The rehab is tiring and too many visitors can be as well.

My email is nollanderson@sbcglobal.net

Bernadette Noll
Austin, TX

This just in...

Rienzo Reunion circa 1961 (before my time!)

Looks like rehab will actually be THREE weeks which Lizzie seems happy about. That means until early April. The rehab is in Morristown right near the town square. (Gay's reference was Epstein's but I don't think they're there anymore) Visitors will be accepted there but overload is an issue so we'll figure out a way of checking in before popping in. Stay tuned on that one.

Love to all,
Bernadette of Austin, TX

Rehab

The latest is, in the words of Amy Winehouse, "They say I gotta go to Rehab baby, I say, yeah, yeah, yeah." So, Liz will be leaving the hospital on Monday and heading to the Rehab center for about a week's time - or as long as they'll allow her I suppose. This is happy news because while she's looking forward to getting out of the hospital, she's not exactly crazy about heading home just yet.

So, stay tuned and I'll have the name. I forgot to get that info.

Aah, modern technology is amazing!

Within minutes of taking this picture in the hospital in New Jersey it can be sent to me in Texas and then put up here for all the world to see: Lizzie's incision! I love it!!!

First steps

Liz took her first walk today. Down the hall a ways and back. She felt good and was surprised and amazed at her success.

The rehab nurse was in this morning to help her and discuss the possibilities for rehab next week. It's looking good for a stint in rehab after the hospital. Liz was advised to "not walk too far" so that medicaid and all the powers that be would deem it acceptable to pay for rehab instead of sending her home straight away.

So, all continues to shine onward and upward she goes!!!

Grandma's got a new heart

YOWZA!!!!

I talked to Liz just now and she sounded AMAZING!!! She was sitting up and eating jello and feeling so grateful and good. And she also wanted to send out a big hug and a thanks to everyone for their prayers and love that she has felt coming her way.

Stay tuned for updates and take a deep breathe and a pause and give thanks for our happy news!!!!

Love,
Bern
Austin, TX

This is Liz talking...

As we know and love her!!! Tan and talking!

check back

after 9:30 a.m. eastern time for a status update. As per Alma's instructions, as per doctor's orders.

Already laughing at life

As of 5:30 this evening Liz was off the ventilator and talking and laughing and happy to be alive. As she awoke from the anesthesia she thought she still hadn't had the surgery and was joyfully relieved to realize it was over. She is happy, happy, happy that it's done and happy, happy, happy that she's feeling so good. Rita was shocked at how good she was.

Oh, and she has one black eye because yesterday when she was getting the mail in her slippers (!) she tripped coming up the steps and bonked her head on the cement. Ouch! But Alma said it gives her a jaunty, sort of sporty look.

The latest news (via france)

I can definitively say it was a pig valve. My sources have asked not to be disclosed. The picture above is a pig valve, I find it somewhat revolting, and strangely attractive. What do you think?
Thank you for your concern, it will continue to be used during the recovery. Love heals all wounds, keep it coming.

Second one from the left, bottom row

The smaller vertical cut is the one Liz got which should be a simple recovery!

The question still remains...

pig or cow? Nonetheless, the surgery went fantastically well. They were able to do a small incision instead of big, which means quicker recovery, and the doctor said all looked good.

Alma, Gay and Ave are at the hospital with Jan and Charles. Rita will arrive later in the day. Alma is relieved that Rita will be there so she won't have to pretend to still hold all her medical knowledge. Though we still say even with all Alma forgot, she still knows more than the rest of us combined.

MOre updates later - she should be out of recovery by 11:00 or so eastern time.

Hospital day

Today is the admission and then tomorrow a.m. at 7:30 is the scheduled operation. In addition to the regularly attending crew Ave and Gay, Alma is in the house and Rita Rienzo is coming tomorrow from a conference at Seton Hall. I believe Greg is also taking the day off to be at the hospital. And of course I, down here in Austin, TX, am having serious F.M.S.* not to be confused with S.F.M.**

Check in tomorrow mid-morning for updates.

xo Bernadette Noll
Austin, TX


*'Fraid of Missing Something
**Slow Family Movement

A message from Texas

Thinking of you today Mom as you get ready to head to the hospital tomorrow! Wish we were there. Really and truly we do.

xo and Love,
Bern, Kenny, Lucy, Otto, Esme and Dean

By the way, the signs say GET WELL GRANDMA !

Loretta and Mrs. Bush

In case Loretta calls any one -- this is what they can say in response to any questions she has re my surgery............

I am telling her this afternoon that I am going to have some work done in the hospital and I will be there for a few days. "I am copy-catting Mrs. Bush" and making my heart healthier so I will have more energy.

the less explanation the better. If she realizes Alma is here --say it is because she has Spring break and thought it a good time to visit.

You may all think this is hyper on my part but if she thinks I am dying she will lose it and cause problems for her staff and us. When I do die will be time enough to deal with that problem. thanks , Mom, GMa, Liz