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Patient: Arlene
Diagnosis: Trauma | | 
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Introduction
Welcome family and friends to Arlene Miller's medical report page. We appreciate all of your prayers and support during this time.
For those who are not fully aware of what has been going on, I, Amy O'Neil (Arlene's niece), will give a brief summary. On August 14, 2009, Arlene was air cared to University Hospital in Cincinnati from Hillsboro. She had fallen and broken 3 vertabrea in her neck.
Surgery was performed Friday evening and again on Sunday morning to repair the damage. Both were successful. Later in the week she developed pnuemonia which set recovery back a little.
Although she is currently unable to speak because of a ventilator, she is able to communicate by pointing at letters. She is very aware of what has been going on and is as sharp as ever. She is positive and remains in good spirits!
Yesterday, August 27, she was moved to Drake Center for rehabilitation and was very glad for the change of scenery.
Again, thank you to all for your visits, prayers and support. I will update the page as new information is available.
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 08/28/2009 at 08:37 a.m.
Subject: Drake Information
Information and Mailing Address:
Drake Center
151 W.Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Phone: 513-418-2500
Visiting Hours 11:00 - 8:30 daily |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 08/29/2009 at 3:42 p.m.
I saw Arlene today at Drake Center and she is doing very well. The doctor that came in was pleased with her progress. They are trying to wean her off her ventilator.
She was very alert and talking through the letter board to Mom and me. We could tell our short visit wore her out, though. |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 09/05/2009 at 3:06 p.m.
Joe, the kids and I visited Arlene today. She had color to her face and seemed to be feeling better. She told us that the doctors were pleased and that the trache should come out on Tuesday. Her blood oxygen levels are good and they only give her a little extra oxygen at night at this time. More intensive therapy will start once the trache is removed. She wanted tme to tell everyone that it will be sometime before she can respond to any emails due to the fact that she still cannot grasp. Her fine motor skills will take some time to return. She asks that all keep her in their prayers.
Enjoy the holiday weekend and this beautiful weather. |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 09/12/2009 at 10:03 p.m.
Subject: Making Progress
| Arlene is doing remarkably well and is now speaking for brief periods. It still is tiring for her to have company and talk, but she is making progress. She is going to physical therapy and it is tougher than any of us can imagine. She was able to move the fingers in her right hand for the first time today and has alot of mobility in her left. Doctors and therapist are very pleased with everything she has been doing. Her vocal chords will get stronger as time progresses, along with all motor skills. She has some beautiful flowers in her window and lots of cards coming in. She thanks everyone for their flowers, cards, weel wishes and prayers. She hopes to be able to tell everyone herself soon. Amy |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 09/23/2009 at 07:23 a.m.
Subject: Doing Well
First, sorry I haven't updated sooner; we are dealing with a nasty flu bug in our house and I have not been able to see Arlene.
She is slowly making progress. She is starting to eat soft foods, they continue the feeding tube at night to ensure she is getting the nutrients she needs. The goal is to remove the feeding tube completely in a week or so.
She continues in recreational therapy. Her right side has limited movement, but she is able to raise her right arm about head height and will continue to work on her fine motor skils in her right fingers.
She sits for longer periods in her wheelchair and is able to talk quite well. She is still very weak and does not have the strength for phone calls just yet.
She thanks everyone for the prayers, concern, flowers, cards, etc...She wants prayers that she will be able to walk again. The doctors predict several months of thereapy, but the overall prognosis looks good.
Arlene's new address at Drake:
The Drake Center
151 W. Galbraith Rd.
One East, Room 11
Cincinnati, OH 45216
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Report created by: arlene
Date: 09/27/2009 at 11:21 a.m.
Subject: Moving
On Oct. 2nd rlene will be moving and continuing therapy at:
Meadowbrook Care Center
8211 Weller Rd.
Cincinnati, Oh 45242-3299
Phone 513-489-2444
During therapy this week she was able to pull herself to standing and stand holding rails for a little bit. She is also now able to manuever herself in her wheelchair. Good News! |
Report created by: arlene
Date: 10/08/2009 at 3:17 p.m.
Subject: Better Every Day!
Arlene is doing very well and makes progress daily. She has now stood up on her own and without any help for a few seconds. She can walk with a little assistance, but the right leg and arm are still recovering and slow. We are all thrilled with her progress.
She is still at Drake and next week she should be moved to the new facility. please hold off on all mail for now. We hope to get her in to the new place soon, but will not know for sure about a bed until the last minute when Drake releases her. I will be sure to update asap when we know definite details.
Thanks to all for thir love and prayers. Amy |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 10/18/2009 at 05:54 a.m.
Subject: Moved to Meadowbrook
Arlene was moved to Meadowbrook Care Center on Friday, October 16. She is feeling a great deal better and has more strength. She is gradually improving in every therapy session. With effort, she can now get to a sitting position on the side of her bed (under supervision). She is walking a few feet further every day in therapy. This is with a great deal of effort and holding onto a walker or between bars. We are very encouraged with her progress. She is now eating fairly well. The feeding tube was removed on Monday, October 12. With a lot of effort and prayers, she hopes to walk again and also regain full use of her right hand. She can move the fingers a little bit, but still can't write or use it to hold silverware, but it is slowly improving. It will be months of therapy (possibly a year or longer), but with faith and prayers and hard work, hopefully, she will be self-sufficient again!
Many, many thanks for all the prayers, care, cards, flowers, gifts, visits, and support from everyone.
Blessings and peace,
Phyllis Wahl (Arlene's sister)
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Report created by: Arlene
Date: 11/07/2009 at 07:55 a.m.
We're happy to report that Arlene is really progressing in her rehab. Physically, she is feeling much better and eating a regular diet now. She walks a bit further every few days but with the aid of a walker and two therapists walking along in case she should start to fall. With very little assistance, she can bring herself to a standing position from a wheelchair by holding onto the walker .She is doing better in getting to a sitting position on the side of the bed but still under supervision. She is able to do a few more things with her right hand, but may need surgery to correct nerve damage. She has an appointment with a hand surgeon the first week of December. Being able to eat more is giving her greater strength, so here's hoping the rehab will keep on progressing. Please keep her in your prayers, as she still has a long, long way to go.
Many, many thanks for all your prayers and concern.
Phyllis (Arlene's sister) |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 11/18/2009 at 07:51 a.m.
Subject: Progressing!
Arlene is still progressing in her rehab. She gains a little more use in her right hand and leg each day. It is slow, but at least she is improving.. She has an appointment with a hand surgeon on December 4th to assess the progress, and if advisable, he may do surgery on the nerves of the right hand so she will gain greater mobility. She is taking a few calls now, but with her therapy schedule during the day, can't always talk. Your continuing prayers, concern, and support are sincerely appreciated!
Blessing to everyone!
Phyllis |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 12/17/2009 at 7:22 p.m.
Arlene is still slowly progressing. Since she has gained more movement in her right hand, the hand surgeon has decided not to make a decision about surgery on the hand for several more months. She may not need the surgery.
Her neck surgery has healed well, and from now on it is just a matter of her gaining more mobility in her right hand and leg. This will be a slow process of therapy every day for quite some time, so please keep her in your prayers.
Again, many thanks for all the support, cards, letters, and prayers.
Best wishes for a blessed Christmas!
Phyllis |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 01/09/2010 at 2:47 p.m.
Arlene is slowly regaining more use of her right arm, hand, and leg. She walks (with a walker) further everyday, but still needs a little assistance in standing up. Sometimes, she can pull herself to a standing position on her own. The mobility in her right hand is improving slowly.
She was moved to another room today, as the room she was in was for patients who qualify for 3 months of therapy on Medicare. Her 3 months are up, so the new room is C-6. The address remains the same:
Arlene Miller
Patient
Meadowbrook Care Center
8211 Weller Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
Phone; 513-489-2444 (front desk)
She has to provide her own phone in the room she is in now, so it will take a few days to get her a phone and have Cincinnati Bell put it in her name. As soon as we have a number, it will be posted on the website.
She is feeling well and will be working hard in theraphy the next few months. Please keep her in your prayers.
Many, many thanks for the prayers and support!
Phyllis |
Report created by: Arlene
Date: 01/27/2010 at 6:40 p.m.
Arlene is feeling well and progressing in her therapy. It is very slow, but there is improvement each week.
Her phone number is: 513-247-0046
Please continue your prayers. It is very much appreciated.
Arlene has received many, many cards and letters. She asked me to thank you for your thoughtfulness and encouragement.
Phyllis |
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