Hello Dear ones, I am here in Nashville as part of a team of 3 (myself, son Will and Happy Burbeck) taking care of Elizabeth Walker. We are now almost 3 days away from discharge from Vanderbilt and 10 days from the accident.
Eager to get out of the difficult situation at the Vanderbilt burn unit where she was moved after initally being in the trauma unit/SICU, we had a medical support service move her by ambulance to the motel as soon as they would let us go. Personally, I feel she should have been on an orthopedic unit for at least 2 weeks.....but that is the reality of modern mega-medicine that is run by insurance companies. The trauma care she got as far as surgery goes was first rate. However, the nursing care at Vanderbilt was sketchy at best...very depending on who we got on any given shift. Lousy pain control monitoring, pmuch oor technique for basic patient cares and unforgiveably bad communication patterns made for a very trying and tiring experience. Of course, there were a few, including a long time aide, that were stellar. But as a result, Will and I played advocate for her constantly or else she simply would have disappeared on that floor filled w/ very critically injured people. It is a sobering environment. People were dying around us. Uff da. So. About Elizabeth. Elizabeth requires help for every basic mobility activity as her pelvis is broken is about 4 places (mostly on the right side) and she has a lumber 5 fracture as well. She is still very bruised although these are resolving nicely and has some dandy cuts that are sutured shut in some EXTREMELY delicate places. She is not able to bare any weight on the right leg, but is gaining greater mobility and range of motion w/ each day. She is still, however, largely bed bound. Today (Sat the 24th) was a special day as we were able to 'hook up' with Anna and Skye's wedding....we all cried w/ happiness and, yes, regret about not being able to be their in person for this wonderful event. But other than missing the 'grand finale kiss' we really enjoyed be able to participate via the miracle of cyberspace. Given the severity of her injuries, she is doing really well. Overall her spirits are good, but she has never been left alone for any amount of time....especially by Prince Will. She requires pretty much round the clock care, with some gaps at night and in the day when she sleeps....then so do we. As there are 3 of us, we are getting into kind of a routine w/ one person taking over w/ Elizabeth so others can rest, do errands ( of which there are many), and otherwise take more of a backseat. We seem to be a good team. Everyone so far has been in good humor and keeping Miss E in the focus of our concern and energies as she gains in strength and courage. We are comfortably ensconced in a Residence Inn by Marriott...and they have been wonderful in their care and support of Elizabeth's unique needs...not the least being allowing us to move in a hospital bed into her little studio room. Too bad hospitals don't run w/ more of this service in mind!! We are able to cook right here in our rooms, watch the world of Nashville cruise by (there is an antique car rally going on so there are unbelieveably wild cars driving everywhere...quite entertaining) and enjoy the grove of trees that harbor singing birds out our door. And the Southerners have been, on the whole, very charming and sweet to us. Time is definitely 'out of joint' as it feels like we have been doing this forever! But its the best sort of work and it is so good to see her getting more stable both physically and emotionally. We are letting time and care work their magic as she gets stronger....I think we might be able to move her safely in about 5-6 days barring any problems. I do hope it is not longer for all kinds of reasons. The most obvious one being the power of home to heal!! Especially in the rarified world of Fairfield. Please send this on to parties that might be interested. Thank you for your prayers and attention and assistance toward Elizabeth and her family. It is a real gift that they are all going to be all right after some time to mend. It is a joy and honor to be part of that process as it would seem that in helping others, we are healed. All gratitude and blessings, Jennifer ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/2pRQfA/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/UlWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
