It's Me!

It's me! Literally and metaphorically I am starting too be me a little more each day (new and improved with my bionic knee and clavicle). I seem to be making progress at quite a steady pace and with minimal assistance can get out of bed and use my walker to walk on over to the toilet- the first time I got to use the toilet I cried, and then I got to wash my hands with running water, and cried again....the little things we take for granted. For long distance travel (i.e. down the hall to the 'gym' or activities room where the computer is) I use a wheel chair, and while my right shoulder is a little tight, this is basically pain free (though I won't be winning any races). I am able to hold Gwen and nurse her more comfortably as my ribs heal. I should be coming home some time next week. The criteria is for me to be able to get out of bed myself and transfer to a wheel chair. I am very close to being able to do this, it is very difficult though. Imagine trying to stand up without bending your legs...very tricky. Spencer is coming early tomorrow so he can sit in on my Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and we hope to start getting a better idea of what I might need when I do go home; what supplies and what kind of help and for how long. They are special ordering me a wheel chair because my legs are so long the foot rest is too short so my feet dangle off the edge. Instead of crutches I will likely be using the wheel chair or walker until my left leg is weight bearing (another 4-6 weeks or so).

Thank you everyone for all your love and support. Special thanks to Sandee (Spencer's Mom) for taking care of Gwen. This allowed Spencer to be with me (he stayed with me in the hospital every night and the whole time I was in Oakland, even though he was still recovering himself from the soreness of the accident). We were able to be together and focus on me being better and not have to worry about Gwen since we knew she was in good hands. I missed her, but I never worried about her. Thanks Grandma Sandee!

I am looking forward to 2009 and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

The Studleys Are ALIVE!

So this happened:

Spencer is fine. Gwen is fine. Ambrosia will be fine...soon*:

Ambrosia had surgery on her leg and clavicle today at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland (feel free to visit!). She was transferred there from Santa Clara yesterday so she could be seen by Kaiser's best Bay Area bone surgeon. Within a week or so she will be back home, but due to the extent of her injuries she will need A LOT of support caring for herself and Gwen.



Spencer is doing the best he can to take care of Gwen while mommy gets better with the help of family and friends (Grandma Sandee is there this week and next; Auntie Angelique arrives on the 4th). The next 4 - 6 weeks will be a very difficult time. Please check this blog frequently for updates on Ambrosia's schedule if you are interested in helping out--while Gwen and Ambrosia's caretaking will be covered we could use a lot of help with meals, shopping, errands, and babysitting as well as moral support. Ambrosia and Spencer are both available on their cell phones if you'd like to arrange a visit.

*UPDATE 12/26: Ambrosia and Spencer were concerned that my diagram of Ambrosia's broken bones would cause a panic because it might be interpreted as if she shattered entire leg bones, when in fact the injury to her femur and tibia were just where they meet the knee. The diagram is supposed to highlight each broken bone, not where it's broken, but whatever: I replaced the original image with a more conservative one. :)