A Change of Scenery (Benjamin's Move to In-patient Rehab)

Yesterday we received the news that there was nothing medically keeping Benjamin from starting in-patient rehabilitation.  An ambulance transport was scheduled for Thursday at 7 am.  We decided it would be a good idea to dress for success and get a clean shave so he would look all spiffy for the trip.

Physical therapy got him situated in his wheelchair and we went for a spin around floor 10.  He pushed for most of the way and then I took the wheel for a while.  I must admit I was a little cautious.  I didn't want someone to come around a corner or out of a door and hit his legs. 

The ambulance arrived and loaded our guy for the trip from Lafayette to Lake Charles, a hop, skip and a jump down 1-10 westbound.

Benjamin really got good service and care in Lafayette.  They were all great.  He was excited about starting his rehabilitation.  We arrived at the hospital in Lake Charles and met with the director, doctor and staff.  They were welcoming and had been praying for Benjamin.  A speech therapy assessment was done along with a meeting with a counselor to ensure that he was psychologically ready.

Dr. Jones showed us the x-rays of his legs PRIOR to the surgeries.  This is the tib-fib fracture on his left leg:

And this is the tib fib fracture on the right leg.  You can tell why his right leg is classified as non-load bearing for 6-8 weeks.  He won't be able to put ANY weight on this one for that long while it heals.  OUCH is all I can say.

Amazing work was done today.  First, he met with Occupational Therapy.  He was changed out of his gown and into shorts and a t shirt for the first time since September 4th.  He moved from the bed into a wheelchair and from a wheelchair to a commode.  The plan is to work with him intensely for two weeks to get him to be able to go to the bathroom, dress, and move into a wheelchair and back to bed on his own.  Once those goals are met, he will convalesce at home until his right leg is load-bearing.  Then, we'll return for learning to walk and regaining tools he needs.

Then he met with Physical Therapy where he was assessed for areas of numbness/nerve damage all over his body.  He was taught to use a slide board to go from wheelchair to bed and back.  He will undergo cognitive testing to ensure that there is not a brain injury that has not been detected.  His days will be filled with therapy and, yes, pain.  But he will get better.

From today until Tuesday, he will get a thorough screening to evaluate all injuries, current status, prognosis for recovery, set goals and formulate a plan to best achieve those goals.  We are invited to meet Tuesday for this presentation.  We are happy to be here.  Everyone seems professional, caring, and very capable.  He worked hard, was in pain, and showed grit and determination.  We're very proud of him.  By this afternoon he was exhausted.  

Tricia has been sleeping at the hospital in Lafayette all week.  Tonight, he's on his own.  Tricia will be coming home.  We'll see him tomorrow at lunch.  Which reminds me, from now on, he was told no more eating in bed.  He has to get up, sit in a wheelchair and eat.  We told him we loved him, prayed with him and told him good night. 

In the meeting on Tuesday with the staff, we'll get an idea of how long his recovery will be, what that recovery will look like, what lingering, long-term effects of the injury will be, and when he can return to work.  We pray that he will fully recover.  We wanted to thank all of you for the emails, comments, texts, cards, and prayers that you have offered on his (and our) behalf.  We have learned a lot about how to care for others by watching your example.  You mean the world to us and we thank the Good Lord for you.  He is so good to us.

Clarabelle At Two Weeks Old

So we wanted to give an update on Clarabelle, Rosie's little heifer that is two weeks old.  While she had a rough start, she has come on really strong in the last 10 or so days.  She has had no problems finding where Rosie's 'milk spigots are and is drinking plenty of milk.  She's growing and is a very spunky little thing.

When we try to get her in the barn at night, she plays games, running away from us with her tail high in the air, dodging us as we try to direct her into the corral.  She is perfectly healthy and we are happy and thankful that things seem to be normal now.

Clarabelle at two weeks old

She follows her mom out into the pasture and normally finds a comfortable place to lie down in the soft grass and nap.  She'll be hidden from sight until Rosie moo's for her and you'll see her head pop up with her big ears flopping to let momma know she's alright.

Out in the pasture with Momma

Rosie is a good momma to her and waits patiently as Clarabelle rotates through all four teats, drinking her fill.  The rich, nutritious milk will enable her to grow quickly.  Rosie is out on the pasture as soon as it gets cool, eating plenty of grass that she converts into milk that her heifer needs. 

Milk!

So we have a few things on the checklist for little Clarabelle.  First thing is sharing the milk.  Just tonight we started on the routine that we normally do.  We allow the calf to be with the momma all day long.  At around 5 pm we separate them and Rosie produces milk for us all night long.  We milk first thing in the morning at 5 am and then allow the calf and cow to be together all day long, essentially splitting the cow's milk production with the calf.  Dairy cows produce more milk than the calf can drink so this process works out so we are BOTH happy.

Next thing is not pleasant, but it must be done - de-horning.  We'll show you the process tomorrow. We also checked to ensure that she has only four teats. Sometimes the little heifers will have 5 teats and we've had to snip the extra one off. Clarabelle has four, so she's all good.  At around 4 months old we'll give her a brucellosis shot and probably at the same time we'll put an identification tattoo inside both of her ears.  We'll start working on halter breaking her as well.  It is easier to get them halter trained while they are young.

Overall, she's doing great and as Tricia remarked earlier this morning, she is a funny little thing with a great personality.