Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Art Show Was A Success!

Hi everyone,

Sorry I don't have time to write much. So much to do before Sandy comes home tomorrow, I can't wait! The Art Show was a great success! They earned over $3700.00 for Sandy. There was so much love and support in the room, it was an amazing feeling! Please click on Rick's link below at Theme Park Adventure to see lots of details and pictures of the Art Show. Thank you to everyone who made this event so successfull!
http://www.themeparkadventurenews.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Sandy's Horseback Riding Trip

Hi everyone,

Here's a picture of Sandy's horsback riding adventure! She had a great time. Sandy has moved rooms again at the hospital, her new phone number is (562) 401-8215. She continues to get better every day. In physical therapy on Thursday we went up a flight of stairs! So far, her release date is still scheduled for Wednesday the 28th. Just a reminder, the art show is tonight! It's at the Knott's Resort Hotel (upstairs from the lobby) from 6pm to 9pm.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sandy's going horseback riding!

Hi everyone,

Yes, she's going horseback riding! This Monday from 1-4 they're taking some of the patients horseback riding and since Sandy is now able to sit up and balance herself so that she doesn't fall, she gets to go. She'll have a physical therapist on both sides of her holding on to her legs to make sure she is 100% safe.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Thursday Visit


We visited Sandy on Thursday. She was able to come out of her room to see all of us at once. She's looking a little better each day, but she still has very little use of her left arm and left leg. She's wearing a scarf she won in a Bingo game this week. Naturally , it's purple!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Sandy's Progress and Art Show

Every day Sandy is getting a little better. I spent today going to all of her physical therapy sessions with her. Today, with a cane and the therapist helping her to keep balanced, she was able to walk a little bit and go up and down two steps. Sandy's a fighter. She gets very frustrated and a little down on herself sometimes because she doesn't think she's getting better fast enough, but after she finished walking and doing the two steps her eyes lit up, she had the biggest smile on her face and she gave me a big hug. I'm very proud of her, as I know all of you are also.

Tamara has informed me that the date for the Art Show is officially set. It will be Sunday, April 25th from 6pm to 9pm. It's located upstairs from the lobby in The Knott's Resort Hotel. There will be a $3 donation asked at the door. All the art for sale are originals of the artists and will be at lowered price points for this event. 100% of the profit will be given to Sandy as a gift toward her medical bills. Please tell all friends and family. Thank you!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Physical therapy starts at Rancho Los Amigos

Hi everyone,

Sandy started her physical therapy at Rancho Los Amigos yesterday. There's 3 parts to her therapy. 1. helping her with her speech and memory, 2. helping her get more strength in her left arm and leg, and 3. to help her do every day things like brushing her teeth and brushing her hair. Since she's an artist, they're also going to add a recreational therapy where she'll be able to draw and paint. The staff at Rancho Los Amigos is amazing. Sandy's room # is 1032 (bed 2) and by later this afternoon they should have her phone hooked up. Her phone # is (562) 401-8031.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Tuesday Transfer


Today Tawnda is at the Hospital just found out that Sandy is being transferred to a new location for her rehabilitation:
Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey
www.rancho.org/
7601 E Imperial Hwy Downey, CA 90242 582-401-7111.
She is in the Jacquelin Perry Institute (JPI) between Everest and Erickson streets.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Monday

Hi everyone,

I was trying to make it back to Torrance to visit Sandy this evening but didn't make it. I did talk to her on the phone a couple of times and her voice sounds stronger and clearer. We still have no word from the doctors as to whether they were able to get the entire tumor out. Thanks to Wade and his wife who were able to visit Sandy today, I do have an update. When they first arrived, Sandy seemed a bit dazed and not talking very much, but as the visit went on she became more alert and started talking more. I think having visitors is doing her a world of good! She started a little bit of physical therapy today to help strengthen her left side. Due to normal swelling in the brain from the surgery, it's hard for her to move her left arm and leg. With time and therapy that should and will get better.

Sandy T-Shirt Drive


Knott's Halloween Haunt friends of Sandy have designed a T Shirt Logo of Sandy to help with the enormous costs regarding her surgery. Go to: www.themeparkadventure.com/ to find out more.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Earthquake

During our visit today with Sandy we felt the entire hospital shake back and forth for about 20 seconds. Sandy was in better spirits today and has been able to eat a little more. She is able to speak a little better, but still has very little strength. Sandy is now allowed visitors, and I know it would help to lift her spirits to see some smiling faces.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Sandy Moves to her Room with a View

Today Sandy is resting comfortably in her room. She has a great view of San Pedro and the Bridges to Long Beach. Her room number is 6W12 and she is allowed visitors. She has been getting more rest and gaining more strength, but still has a long ways to go to recovery.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Sandy moved to ICU

April 2nd:
During the night, Sandy was moved from the OR to the ICU for recovery. She began to receive some solid food and water. Her color in her face looked very good, and although she had a hard time speaking, she tried to talk to us as we visited her throughout the day. Her strength was also a little better. The doctors came in and asked her questions to test her memory:

Q: "What's your name?" A: - Sandy
Q: "What year is it?" A: -2010
Q: "Where are you?" A: - Harbor Medical Center
Q: "What are we doing to you here?" A:- Fixing my brain

They plan to move her to her regular room by the end of the day.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sandy has Surgery

Thursday April 1st.
The surgery was scheduled for 11am but was delayed until a 2 pm start time. At 5:30, we were told that the procedure was nearly done and that the doctors felt that they had gotten all or nearly all of the tumor removed. She'll be getting another MRI tomorrow and we should learn the results of that by Monday. Sandy was kept in the OR until about 9pm when a few visitors were allowed to say "hi" She was awake, but very tired. She recognized people and was able to squeeze people's hands quite tightly.