Jodie's out of the hospital!

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

After a 133 day hospital stay, i.e. 4 and a half months, Jodie moved to rehab

yesterday! It really is just another hospital. But, it's a 'step down'

medical-care-wise and a step forward as far as getting better and coming home is

concerned. We expect her to be there for 1 to 2 weeks. The goal is to be home

by Halloween! We think we just might make it, too! Yesterday, Jodie was in

my car!!! It's a world of difference from what we've been through these past

months. It was also her fourth time outside since going into the hospital. Her

first trip outside, was just a few weeks ago, in fact.

Jodie, Eli, and myself really wished she could just come home. In fact, her

physical therapist and wound care doctor agreed that she didn't need to go to

rehab. Also the PT made a point of noting in her paperwork that Jodie didn't

need to go to rehab. But, as long as she's closer to being better and being

home, I'll take it. It certainly couldn't hurt. Jodie will not be returning to

work until January, anyway. So, she still has several weeks to continue to

recuperate and regain her strength. Just in the past week she has moved from

needing a walker, to just using a cane. It may seem odd that a 29 year old

needs a cane, but that's just our reality. Soon, she won't again.

Jodie was not very happy about being at rehab. One she just wants to be home.

Two, she's in a much older building, so instead of her surroundings looking like

a four star hotel (mahogany wood trim, etc) she now seems like she's staying in

a run-down motel. It's not that bad, but the difference is pretty significant.

The care and rehab are what's important to me, anyway. Hopefully, she will get

over the sight of the place, warm up to the people (which I know she'll have no

problem with), and be busy with rehab and keep working hard to get home.

Thank you to everyone for your continued emails, prayers, cards and support!

And, yes, Kate, you win for card from the farthest location, Hong Kong!

Congrats!! Any other world travelers out there up for the challenge? Kate

has set he bar pretty high.

Jodie is now in downtown Baltimore, right off of the Harbor. Although, the view

from her room is of a parking lot and building roof. Feel free to send her a

card or visit her during this last step in her road to recovery and returning

home. Her new address is:

Jodie Virago

Room 3621

University Specialty Hospital

601 S. Street

Baltimore, MD 21230

If you need directions you can call me or visit their website:

http://www.umm.edu/ush/

peace, melissa

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[Guest guest]

,

that's great that Jodie was able to move to rehab. It may just be

another hospital, but it's at least a forward stop and not backwards. I

hope Jodie continues to do well and hopefully will be coming home wiith

you in ashort time.

Actually, I don't think i's odd for a 29 year old to use a cane,

especially with what's happened to Jodie. But then, I'm biased because

I'm 34 and currently need a cane because I have chronic bursitis and

it's been really bad for about a year now because I have severe edema,

which aggravates the bursitis.

Hope all continues to get better,

Kimber

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Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.