How Can I Help?

I have been really touched by the number of people expressing their desire to help us out during my convalescence.  We have been so appreciative!

Right now we are in pretty good shape, truthfully.  My dad is keeping our bellies full and keeping me on the road as needed.  I am in a panic about next week, however!!!  My dad is going home on the 11th or 12th and will not be back till the following Sunday or Monday.

Right now, my list of can’t’s is quite long.  I can’t drive.  I can’t open jars and other containers.  I can’t change diapers.  I can’t lift Leah in and out of her bed or high chair or get her dressed.  I can’t get myself dressed.  Cooking takes forever.  And I’m not even doing serious cooking.  But I attempted to chop up onions tonight and nearly removed my thumb!  Simple tasks either take forever or are impossible.

The other thing is that I am in such pain and so worn out that I am basically sleeping 4-6 hours per day.  It is really the only effective pain relief I get.  We were laughing today, I had to fill out the paperwork for PT and the question was “What positions aggravate your pain?”  I wrote, “Standing, sitting, or laying down.”  That basically covers it.

I am learning more and more how to do things each day.  I have managed to change Leah’s diaper once so far.  I have a few plans in place as far as getting Leah’s bottles ready in advance so that I don’t have to mess with the tops and stuff—Michael will have to help me unscrew and wash them at night.  I am able to grill, so we will have that available.

As I think I mentioned, the young lady out back is available to babysit in the afternoons, but not in the mornings, so if anyone has a morning they can sacrifice even once just to help me get Leah up and changed and downstairs safely, that would be a huge help.

I will go to PT for the first time on Friday and will find out then how often I need to go weekly.  Next week I will need a ride to all my PT sessions.  I will be trying to make them in the afternoon when I have the babysitter so that it is literally me hopping in your car and going to PT, which is less than 2 miles certainly and probably only a mile from my house in the Chatham Square Office Park.  I can’t guarantee they’ll have afternoon availability but I am going to try.  You can either wait or come back for me depending on what’s easiest (there’s a McDonald’s with a playplace right next door).  I am told that PT on a dislocated elbow is especially grueling, so I am very nervous about the process and about coming home to my very active little one afterwards, but it sounds like I might only go twice a week to start. We’ll just have to see what’s in store!

Amanda set up a meal schedule for people to bring us meals.  If you are able to have a pizza or subs or Chinese delivered, even if you can’t bring a home cooked meal yourself, it will be a huge help.  Visit www.takethemameal.com and do a search for “Mike and Susan” in the last name box with a password of 0408.  You can pick a day to bring us dinner or have it delivered to us.  We REALLY appreciate those who have signed up and/or brought us something already. 

Leah has a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, July 13 at 10AM (I think—I need to confirm that!) over near Mary Washington Hospital.  We need transportation to and from the appointment.  She will be getting shots, so beware :)  We can take my car or yours, depending on what’s easiest.

Finally, we just need someone to call in case of emergencies—we ran out of Leah’s milk, we need to get a prescription, the house is on fire, that kind of thing.  We are going to stock up on groceries and hopefully make it through with whatever we can, plus whatever help we are offered.  We really appreciate it very much!

I hope I don’t sound like I’m begging or demanding.  So many people have asked that I just thought it would be easier to make a central list.  Again, Mike, my dad, and I all appreciate the love and support we’ve already been given, and i don’t know how to say thank you enough!!!  Thanks for reading and thanks in advance if you offer to help with our further needs.