Second Eye Surgery

Sherry visited Dr. Soparkar this morning, and he's decided that she needs another round of surgery. He says it's a minor correction that will be done in the office under local anesthesia. She's set to have this done a week from today.

Sherry and I appreciate your continued prayers, notes, and well wishes. She's coming along but has quite a way to go to full recovery.

Back to Work!

Good news! Sherry's back at work. She's moving slow; typing left-handed; but she's more independent now, and she's looking better each day!

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers, emails, notes, and well-wishes. She's on the mend!

Back to Church!

Sherry returned to church today, for the first time since her October 21 accident. It wasn't easy for her. She needs assistance with bathing and dressing, and everything takes longer now than it did before. Plus her endurance is down.

Ever the faithful servant, she was up before I was and asked if I'd help her get her shower so she could go to church with me. I was delighted at her determination, of course, and I wanted our friends at Palmer to see her in person. They miss her, and she misses them.

She was met with many many gentle hugs and kisses, and everyone made her feel so loved. The kindness and tenderness shown by our friends touches our hearts. We thank you all ever so much for your love, warmth, prayers, notes, emails and well-wishes. She's on the mend.

2nd Visit to Occupational Therapist

This morning Sherry visited her therapist at 7:00 a.m. Dianne exclaimed when Sherry walked in that she looked like a totally different person than the one who visited two days ago.

The swelling in Sherry's hand has greatly diminished, and she's showing excellent ability to rotate her wrist (forearm). She's making a better fist than two days ago. And she's improved in her ability to bend her elbow.

Sherry continues to do the same exercises at home, and is determined to make the most of these therapy sessions. She's a good patient, if I do say so myself.

Thanks again to all who offer well-wishes, prayers, notes, emails, and support.

Follow-up to Face Surgery

Today, Sherry visited the two surgeons who operated on her eye and cheek area. Both report that they are pleased with the outcome of their work and with the way Sherry's healing.

She still has lots of bruising and considerable swelling, but things are on the mend, and we are optimistic. She also continued her physical therapy exercises here at the house, and we're seeing some improvements with her hand, elbow, and arm.

Thanks again to all who have written. We appreciate your notes, emails, and prayers.

Therapy - Day One

11:45am - Sherry met her physical therapist today for evaluation and initial treatments. It was pretty rough going for her, and she was glad to be done and get back to the house. She's scheduled for two sessions per week for the time being, and for ongoing daily exercises at the house. We really like Diane, and feel confident Sherry's in good hands. Many thanks to all who continue to support Sherry with email, notes, and prayers. We both appreciate it.

Out of the Splint

Sherry visited the orthopedic surgeon this morning and had the splint and stitches removed. She has quite an incision. Thank goodness that heavy splint is off, and she only has to contend with the sling for now.

Her elbow and shoulder Xrays are looking good, and she begins elbow therapy tomorrow and shoulder therapy in a week. She's still in quite a bit of pain, and is moving not so slow as yesterday.

We appreciate the notes, emails, prayers and well-wishes.

The First 48 Hours

1:45pm - It's been almost two days now since Sherry's visit to the Neurosensory Surgical Center at Methodist Hospital.


Today she slept in and was still in bed when I got home from church. The Third-Graders at Palmer were already working on this "Get Well" poster for Sherry when I arrived. So sweet.

Sherry's been resting and sleeping; taking a bit of nourishment; and is right now sitting in front of a canvas painting left handed.

Her pain comes and goes, depending on how much she moves around and how long it's been since her last pain pill. She looks better; her face is symmetric again; but she still has bruises, and now her cheek is swollen following her surgery.

She's not in the mood for visitors, but really enjoys emails, cards and letters. She appreciates all the love and support offered by her many friends, and I appreciate it too.

Resting Quietly

1:21pm - Sherry slept well last night. We're continuing the cold compress treatments (frozen peas from Methodist), and she's passing her red color saturation tests. She's more comfortable in our bed than she was yesterday on that hospital gurney. She's thirsty, but not hungry, and is resting quietly and peacefully. She's looking forward to getting her arm out of that splint. Thanks to all who have written. It means a lot to her.

Home - Sweet - Home

11:12 pm - They released her from the Methodist Neurosensory Surgical Center at around 9:50pm. After a slow drive home, we've got her in her own bed, resting with frozen peas on her face (doctor's orders). Dr. Soparkar called at 11:00pm to check on her, and all seems well.

Many thanks to all the wonderful health care providers we encountered today at Methodist. Nurses, orderlies, assistants, surgeons, specialists, receptionists, et.al., down the line - top notch professional care. I couldn't ask for better treatment.

Out of Surgery!

6:55 pm - Both doctors (Dr. Terry Taylor, maxillofacial/oral surgeon, & Dr. Soparkar, eye plastic surgeon) report that things went well; she looks good. She's sporting a titanium plate in her cheek area, and a new synthetic orbitbal floor. This is encouraging news, and I'm looking forward to taking her home. A couple of hours in recovery, and then to the house! What a relief!

Hurry Up and Wait at Methodist Hospital

We checked Sherry in at Methodist Neurosensory Surgical Center as ordered at 8:45 this morning. At about 12:30 pm., Dr. Soparkar came to tell us that Dr. Alford had taken ill and could not operate. They put in a call to another ENT who agreed to do the operation, but he can't work her in until "the end of the day."

In the meantime, Dr. Soparkar gave instructions to keep her as pain free as possible as she waits. So, she's hooked to an IV; lying in pre-op; drifting in and out; and waiting.

That's where we stand for now.

[They succeeded in contacting Dr. Terry Taylor who's agreed to do the part Dr. Alford had planned to do. Dr. Taylor is not an ENT, but is an oral surgeon who specializes in maxillofacial surgery.]