Radio silence and migratory birds
Jeez, like 48 hours with no postings. Bet you guys all think that I have fallen off the earth.
Well, there is a good explanation. Really. No foolin'.
With regard to all the dead air, the trick has not been not wanting to write but not having capacity. You see, we have been embroiled in quite a mini-adventure inside the larger voyage. Yesterday, as of noon, we started on a migratory path home. Roland left for LAX right around ten. Meanwhile, Mom and I waited around chatted at the hospital until approximately noon. At that time, the Lifeflight crew arrived with local paramedics to begin the transfer process. As you will see in the following series of images, it was quite an adventure.
We arrived at Vanderbilt about 9pm and were met by Jennifer Stein, assistant to Harry Jacobsen. She was incredibly helpful in facilitating the smooth transfer. About that time we were also met by Mom's new attending, Dr John Morris, Chair of the Trauma department. Wow. And he wasn't even on service... I stayed with Mom to get her settled in before zipping out for a quick bite to eat with Bill and Kelly (true angels). I then returned to the hospital to cuddle Mom while the Christies went to the airport to pick up Roland. They made it back to the hospital right before midnight but Mom was then in a little procedure. We had to wait till almost 1:30 for Roland to be able to say a quick hello. Home by ~2:15 and to bed about time for the roosters to rise. Woken in the night by the nurse who hadn't realized we'd gone and called to give an update.
Up again too early and spent a little time trying to get sorted out before heading back over to Vandy. Mom totally whipped when we arrived, having just finished physical therapy. They already had her sitting up on the edge of the bed and practicing brushing her teeth. We stayed just a little while to say hello then Mom was off again for repeat CTs of her ankle and face. A couple hours of critical errands then back to the hospital for a more animated visit. Mom awake this time for her visit with Mickey (her Mom). A real relief for Grandma to see we hadn't been misleading her about Mom's progress. Mom still very very tired so the visit was limited. Heck, I am still very very tired and I didn't make the trip with fractured ribs, a shattered ankle and a healing brain injury. Sheesh.
So, I know you are all wondering and waiting for me to tell you what this means with regard to visiting Mom and showering her with presents. Currently, unfortunately, not much.
Mom is way too whipped from the trip for visits and the Trauma CCU prohibits visits from non-family members. Given that the Vandy team may want to start reconstruction of her ankle within the week, it is essential that Pam receive as much rest as humanly possible. We ask, therefore, your patience with regard to visits. Once we feel that Mom is more stable from her trip, I will work out some sort of graduated visitation schedule so you can all catch up with her. For now, please content youself with updates through the site and know I read all your cards to her as she is awake. Also, please refrain from calling the home number as we will rarely be there and will have limited reserves for checking messages. With regards to cards etc., the best address to use is probably the home address (3214 Merlyn Lane, 37214).
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your patience, love and prayers. I look forward to filling you in on the sundry and sordid details of our trip as I get caught up on sleep. Feeling the joy of Southern soils and hospitality-
jackie chris
Well, there is a good explanation. Really. No foolin'.
With regard to all the dead air, the trick has not been not wanting to write but not having capacity. You see, we have been embroiled in quite a mini-adventure inside the larger voyage. Yesterday, as of noon, we started on a migratory path home. Roland left for LAX right around ten. Meanwhile, Mom and I waited around chatted at the hospital until approximately noon. At that time, the Lifeflight crew arrived with local paramedics to begin the transfer process. As you will see in the following series of images, it was quite an adventure.
We arrived at Vanderbilt about 9pm and were met by Jennifer Stein, assistant to Harry Jacobsen. She was incredibly helpful in facilitating the smooth transfer. About that time we were also met by Mom's new attending, Dr John Morris, Chair of the Trauma department. Wow. And he wasn't even on service... I stayed with Mom to get her settled in before zipping out for a quick bite to eat with Bill and Kelly (true angels). I then returned to the hospital to cuddle Mom while the Christies went to the airport to pick up Roland. They made it back to the hospital right before midnight but Mom was then in a little procedure. We had to wait till almost 1:30 for Roland to be able to say a quick hello. Home by ~2:15 and to bed about time for the roosters to rise. Woken in the night by the nurse who hadn't realized we'd gone and called to give an update.
Up again too early and spent a little time trying to get sorted out before heading back over to Vandy. Mom totally whipped when we arrived, having just finished physical therapy. They already had her sitting up on the edge of the bed and practicing brushing her teeth. We stayed just a little while to say hello then Mom was off again for repeat CTs of her ankle and face. A couple hours of critical errands then back to the hospital for a more animated visit. Mom awake this time for her visit with Mickey (her Mom). A real relief for Grandma to see we hadn't been misleading her about Mom's progress. Mom still very very tired so the visit was limited. Heck, I am still very very tired and I didn't make the trip with fractured ribs, a shattered ankle and a healing brain injury. Sheesh.
So, I know you are all wondering and waiting for me to tell you what this means with regard to visiting Mom and showering her with presents. Currently, unfortunately, not much.
Mom is way too whipped from the trip for visits and the Trauma CCU prohibits visits from non-family members. Given that the Vandy team may want to start reconstruction of her ankle within the week, it is essential that Pam receive as much rest as humanly possible. We ask, therefore, your patience with regard to visits. Once we feel that Mom is more stable from her trip, I will work out some sort of graduated visitation schedule so you can all catch up with her. For now, please content youself with updates through the site and know I read all your cards to her as she is awake. Also, please refrain from calling the home number as we will rarely be there and will have limited reserves for checking messages. With regards to cards etc., the best address to use is probably the home address (3214 Merlyn Lane, 37214).
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your patience, love and prayers. I look forward to filling you in on the sundry and sordid details of our trip as I get caught up on sleep. Feeling the joy of Southern soils and hospitality-
jackie chris
posted by Jacqui at 8:25 PM
3 Comments:
wowie! it feels so good to know that pam and roland are back "home". in a sense, pam is at home when she is at vandy. just knowing she is down the street, instead of across the continent, just makes my day.
jacqui, there are TONS of people who would be happy to help in some way--could we perhaps set up a chuckwagon to bring you guys meals? stock up the pantry with quick, healthy, fun stuff? run errands? make phone calls? please, don't be shy about asking for the help you need.
please give pam and roland a big hug and much love from rowena, rudi, and ella.
ps--please tell pam that each morning when we go for coffee in the faculty lounge, ella bangs on her window and says "hi" just as she has since pam moved into that "office". :)
It's a selfish thing, I know, but *I* feel better knowing that Pam is back in Nashville where Mickey can see her and there is a *deep* support network for all of you. I too am available for whatever I can do to help (3-6164) (probably computer stuff related to one or more of the choirs)
that is SO wonderful that mrs. schnell is back in our beautiful city of nashvegas!!! what a relief!! welcome home!! we (all her children's choir girls) will DEFINITELY be thinking of her as we are singing the "st. matthew's passion" tomorrow afternoon.
send her our love!!!
charlotte
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