Dr. Shelokov was Dr. Hostin's partner at the Baylor Scoliosis Center. Dr. Hostin had one tragedy we told you about here. Now this?
A shame.
Mountain biker dies of heart attack
Dr. Alexis Shelokov, 55, had home in Telluride
By REILLY CAPPS
Writer
Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 5:19 AM CDT
A doctor who worked to set crooked spines straight died of an apparent heart attack while riding his mountain bike on Prospect Trail Monday afternoon.
Alexis Shelokov, 55, lived in Plano, Texas, most of the year, but had a house in Bachman Village. He was an orthopedic surgeon and the medical director of the Baylor Scoliosis Center in Plano.
Shelokov leaves behind his wife, Georgiana, who is a radiologist, and two children: a boy aged 13 and a girl aged 11, reported San Miguel County coroner Bob Dempsey.
Shelokov had already been to Telluride three times this summer, said his friend Ed Roufa, mostly to mountain bike, which he loved.
“It was a horrible accident,” said Roufa, “but he was doing what he loved to do.”
More...
Alexis Paul Shelokov: Orthopedic surgeon specialized in treating scoliosis
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dalasnews.com
Dr. Alexis Paul Shelokov, as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in treating scoliosis patients, understood the importance freeing patients from debilitating pain and physical disabilities.
He was an active outdoorsman who enjoyed cycling, skiing and hiking, and he strived to improve the lives of those with curvature of the spine.
On Aug. 3, Dr. Shelokov had just finished an exhilarating mountain-bike ride in Telluride, Colo. The Prospect Trail, which is 10 miles long and begins 10,500 feet above sea level, ends with a thrilling downhill series of switchbacks.
Dr. Shelokov, 55, died of an apparent heart attack after completing the ride while pedaling back to the trailhead. He was a veteran cyclist and had no known heart condition, his family said.
A memorial will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. His ashes will be buried this fall in Lone Tree Cemetery in Telluride, where he had a summer home.
"He felt like he was making a very substantial difference in people's lives," said his brother-in-law, Fred Gibson of Washington, D.C. "It was much more than a cosmetic type of issue. He dealt with people who had profound deformities, many of whom had not had successful results from previous surgery. He was helping people live much more normal lives."
Dr. Shelokov was one of the few surgeons in the nation who could rebuild a spine to correct a deformity, said Jerri Garison, president of Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, where Dr. Shelokov was director of the Baylor Scoliosis Center.
Scoliosis can cause debilitating pain, prevent normal breathing and bring on depression.
Dr. Shelokov's skills included a personable bedside manner.
"He was just so wonderful with his patients. He was so emotionally tied to them," Ms. Garison said.
Dr. Shelokov was born in Washington, D.C., where his father, Dr. Alexis Ioann Shelokov, was a researcher with the National Institutes of Health.
He grew up traveling the world as his father investigated infectious diseases and vaccines to prevent them.
Dr. Shelokov graduated from a private high school in Glenwood Springs, Colo., while his parents were based in San Antonio. He received his bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Texas at Austin and his medical degree from what is now UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he met his wife to-be, Georgiana Gibson, who became a radiologist.
"The two of them met at the freshman medical school mixer on the very first day of class ... in 1978," Mr. Gibson said.
After an internship at Parkland hospital, Dr. Shelokov did postgraduate studies at Harvard Surgical Service and Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, where he was chief resident at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. Shelokov received further training at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas as well as St. Vincent de Paul in Paris.
Dr. Shelokov started his medical practice at the Texas Back Institute in Dallas. He later founded and was president of Consulting Orthopedists. He had been director of the Baylor Scoliosis Center since 2005.
In addition to his wife and father, Dr. Shelokov's survivors include a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Laura.
Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Home - Part II
Friday Night
After spending 2 days at North Central Baptist... Pattie is sent home again.
They will send out a home health care nurse to assist Pattie with some injections she needs to have for the next several days and they scheduled her for a follow up appointment with her Hematologist.
After spending 2 days at North Central Baptist... Pattie is sent home again.
They will send out a home health care nurse to assist Pattie with some injections she needs to have for the next several days and they scheduled her for a follow up appointment with her Hematologist.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Home..... Not So Fast
Previous blog was Home.
But... Pattie is back in the hospital.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
No sooner had we left BIR in Dallas on Tuesday then Pattie's left leg begin to swell. Pattie spoke to her doctor on Wednesday and we went to the ER Wednesday night. An ultrasound confirmed there were blood clots. AKA Deep Vein Thrombosis. Pattie was admitted that night to North Central Baptist Hospital. Room 364. Telephone # (210) 423-4364.
Treatment.
Treatment actually began a month ago. One of these previous blogs outlined how an IVC filter was implanted to offset the risks of blood clots. And now Pattie is being given blood thinners to begin dissolving these clots.
Home - Part II
Hopefully our next blog will be Sunday or maybe Monday. That's when Pattie hopes to be discharged again. I'll blog more then.
Stay tuned....
But... Pattie is back in the hospital.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
No sooner had we left BIR in Dallas on Tuesday then Pattie's left leg begin to swell. Pattie spoke to her doctor on Wednesday and we went to the ER Wednesday night. An ultrasound confirmed there were blood clots. AKA Deep Vein Thrombosis. Pattie was admitted that night to North Central Baptist Hospital. Room 364. Telephone # (210) 423-4364.
Treatment.
Treatment actually began a month ago. One of these previous blogs outlined how an IVC filter was implanted to offset the risks of blood clots. And now Pattie is being given blood thinners to begin dissolving these clots.
Home - Part II
Hopefully our next blog will be Sunday or maybe Monday. That's when Pattie hopes to be discharged again. I'll blog more then.
Stay tuned....
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Home
In a word.....
Home.
Pattie is home. Went into the hospital on June 15. Finally discharged on July 28.
See the previous blog for an update on how we were going to make it home. And it's a good thing we did bring the truck. Man, did we have it loaded.
We were supposed to leave by 10:00-10:30 but the medical equipment place providing Pattie all the assistance aids failed us. They brought all we needed except one seat cushion for her wheel-chair. So there we sat in the hospital waiting for a seat cushion for an hour and a half. Finally we get it and we load up.
And as we pull out of the parking lot to head home.... it starts to rain. Good thing Pattie reminded Ted to bring the tarp. So Ted puts on the tarp and we head home. Add the rainy start to the late start and we try not to think of what else could go wrong, but nope. The trip went great.
Too bad we didn't bring some of that cool rainy weather Dallas is enjoying down to 100 degree - severe drought stricken - San Antonio.
But we made the trip home in six hours. Stopping three times to get out and stretch.
Pattie is already set for the next phase. Her first appointment with Warm Springs Rehabilitation is tomorrow.
Home.
Pattie is home. Went into the hospital on June 15. Finally discharged on July 28.
See the previous blog for an update on how we were going to make it home. And it's a good thing we did bring the truck. Man, did we have it loaded.
We were supposed to leave by 10:00-10:30 but the medical equipment place providing Pattie all the assistance aids failed us. They brought all we needed except one seat cushion for her wheel-chair. So there we sat in the hospital waiting for a seat cushion for an hour and a half. Finally we get it and we load up.
And as we pull out of the parking lot to head home.... it starts to rain. Good thing Pattie reminded Ted to bring the tarp. So Ted puts on the tarp and we head home. Add the rainy start to the late start and we try not to think of what else could go wrong, but nope. The trip went great.
Too bad we didn't bring some of that cool rainy weather Dallas is enjoying down to 100 degree - severe drought stricken - San Antonio.
But we made the trip home in six hours. Stopping three times to get out and stretch.
Pattie is already set for the next phase. Her first appointment with Warm Springs Rehabilitation is tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dr. Hostin Called
Monday Night. Sometime after 9:00pm
Dr. Hostin is amazing.
He places yet another phone call to Pattie in the hospital. To check up on her and her plans to go home. And to let her know the X-ray results were great! He is such a caring and concerned professional. He wants her to know he is available 24/7 for her if and when she has a question.
He wants her to have the out-patient rehab center (Warm Springs) fax therapy updates. He assured Pattie that he and his team are going to stay involved with her progress. Even though Pattie has a follow up appointment with Dr. Hostin in a few weeks, he took the time Monday night to re-commit to Pattie his total involvement with her health-care.
He even gave Pattie his cell phone number.
Is it me, or is that a common ordinary occurrence with doctors and their patients?
No? I didn't think so either.
Dr. Hostin is amazing.
He places yet another phone call to Pattie in the hospital. To check up on her and her plans to go home. And to let her know the X-ray results were great! He is such a caring and concerned professional. He wants her to know he is available 24/7 for her if and when she has a question.
He wants her to have the out-patient rehab center (Warm Springs) fax therapy updates. He assured Pattie that he and his team are going to stay involved with her progress. Even though Pattie has a follow up appointment with Dr. Hostin in a few weeks, he took the time Monday night to re-commit to Pattie his total involvement with her health-care.
He even gave Pattie his cell phone number.
Is it me, or is that a common ordinary occurrence with doctors and their patients?
No? I didn't think so either.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Counting Down - One More Week!
Pattie had another patient conference today. Dr. Bruce, Dr. Warren, even Dr Hostin was there. Along with the nursing and therapy coordinators. And Ted was there by conference call.
As they always do in these weekly meetings they chart how well the patient has progressed. And in fact, Pattie has made a lot of progress, Just yesterday she managed to get up from the wheel-chair without assistance for the first time. They noted that Pattie still requires limited assistance with transferring from the wheel-chair to the bed or to the potty, but the pain levels are decreasing as the mobility activities are increasing.
But the main agenda up for discussion was going home.
One more week - July 28. Pattie and Ted have been discussing the trip home. Flying would be the best option. Or would it? That would mean that Adam and Ted would have to be in Dallas to take us to the airport. Adam would drive home with the walker, the potty chair, the shower accessories, and all the other assistance items Pattie will need as she goes home while Ted and Pattie would fly. But then we factored in the time spent in the airport, the flight time, the arrival and who would pick us up with Pattie's wheel-chair?
On a good day, flying is a huge hassle. And considering our situation... driving looks like a good choice. Or is it?
Ted knows.
Ted tries not to think of the number of trips he's made the last couple of months between San Antonio and Dallas. He tries not to think of the number of times he made the 267 mile drive each way on IH 35 - One of the busiest interstates in the world.
And if.... If you drive it non-stop, you can make it in four hours. But with Pattie needing to stop and take a break each hour, then the trip will take 6 hours? Maybe more??
And which car do we take? Mother's Chevy Caprice is a good call. But that transmission is iffy. Better not.
Pattie's Xterra? Good luck in attempting to climb into that!
My truck? It'll hold the wheel-chair and all the other assist items, plus it's not quite as tall as the Xterra. We'll go with that. If nothing else, Ted will find a ramp and wheel Pattie into the bed and she will ride home Granny Clampett style. (Or maybe not.)
Did we mention how well Ted knows the road between Dallas and San Antonio?
As Pattie will need frequent rest breaks, we might stop at some or all of these following break locations:
40 Miles
Exit 394
Rest Stop
64 Miles
Exit 368B
Exxon
80 Miles
West, TX
Czech Stop
(Best kolaches in Texas. Yum!)
86 Miles
Ross Road
Exxon
95 Miles
Exit 339
Cracker Barrel
111 Miles
Exit 323
Conoco - Brookshires
127 Miles
Exit 306
Loves Travel Stop
152 Miles
Exit 282
Rest Area with his/hers/family restroom with handicap accessibility
208 Miles
Exit 227
Slaughter Lane with Walmart, Jack in the Box , Whataburger
220 Miles
Exit 215
Kyle, Texas with an HEB
242 Miles
Exit 193
Travel/America Center
267 Miles
Exit 168
Home!
Not quite sure at this point just how we will get home, but we will. And we know that when home.... there is still much more work to be done. But we must be careful. Dr. Hostin told us today that some patients relapse after getting home. They try and do too much - too soon. Just because you might be out of the hospital, doesn't mean you're out of the woods.
Details. So many details.....
As they always do in these weekly meetings they chart how well the patient has progressed. And in fact, Pattie has made a lot of progress, Just yesterday she managed to get up from the wheel-chair without assistance for the first time. They noted that Pattie still requires limited assistance with transferring from the wheel-chair to the bed or to the potty, but the pain levels are decreasing as the mobility activities are increasing.
But the main agenda up for discussion was going home.
Yesss!!!One more week - July 28. The medical staff made it clear that there was still a lot of therapy to be done between now and then, and then even more after she is at home, but this will be done on an out-patient basis. And so the therapy coordinator will contact Warm Springs here in San Antonio to begin that process.
One more week - July 28. Pattie and Ted have been discussing the trip home. Flying would be the best option. Or would it? That would mean that Adam and Ted would have to be in Dallas to take us to the airport. Adam would drive home with the walker, the potty chair, the shower accessories, and all the other assistance items Pattie will need as she goes home while Ted and Pattie would fly. But then we factored in the time spent in the airport, the flight time, the arrival and who would pick us up with Pattie's wheel-chair?
On a good day, flying is a huge hassle. And considering our situation... driving looks like a good choice. Or is it?
Ted knows.
Ted tries not to think of the number of trips he's made the last couple of months between San Antonio and Dallas. He tries not to think of the number of times he made the 267 mile drive each way on IH 35 - One of the busiest interstates in the world.
And if.... If you drive it non-stop, you can make it in four hours. But with Pattie needing to stop and take a break each hour, then the trip will take 6 hours? Maybe more??
And which car do we take? Mother's Chevy Caprice is a good call. But that transmission is iffy. Better not.
Pattie's Xterra? Good luck in attempting to climb into that!
My truck? It'll hold the wheel-chair and all the other assist items, plus it's not quite as tall as the Xterra. We'll go with that. If nothing else, Ted will find a ramp and wheel Pattie into the bed and she will ride home Granny Clampett style. (Or maybe not.)
Did we mention how well Ted knows the road between Dallas and San Antonio?
As Pattie will need frequent rest breaks, we might stop at some or all of these following break locations:
40 Miles
Exit 394
Rest Stop
64 Miles
Exit 368B
Exxon
80 Miles
West, TX
Czech Stop
(Best kolaches in Texas. Yum!)
86 Miles
Ross Road
Exxon
95 Miles
Exit 339
Cracker Barrel
111 Miles
Exit 323
Conoco - Brookshires
127 Miles
Exit 306
Loves Travel Stop
152 Miles
Exit 282
Rest Area with his/hers/family restroom with handicap accessibility
208 Miles
Exit 227
Slaughter Lane with Walmart, Jack in the Box , Whataburger
220 Miles
Exit 215
Kyle, Texas with an HEB
242 Miles
Exit 193
Travel/America Center
267 Miles
Exit 168
Home!
Not quite sure at this point just how we will get home, but we will. And we know that when home.... there is still much more work to be done. But we must be careful. Dr. Hostin told us today that some patients relapse after getting home. They try and do too much - too soon. Just because you might be out of the hospital, doesn't mean you're out of the woods.
Details. So many details.....
Sunday, July 19, 2009
The Doctor Makes A Visit - And Does Pattie Need A Shrink?
Sunday Afternoon...
Eric makes a visit.
Dr. Hostin had called Pattie earlier in the week and had expressed an interest in seeing her. Mind you, his office is in Plano and the rehab hospital is downtown, Dallas so it is not an easy task for a super busy doctor. Yet he has been out to see Pattie before, so we knew he is committed to her care.
But he didn't come. Instead Eric came. One of the Dr. Hostins' physician assistants. And he stayed an hour and a half.
How cool is that? For your doctor and his team to spend that much time on a Sunday afternoon getting updated on their patient's progress....
Amazing.
While he was there, Pattie told him of a visit she had earlier with the staff psychiatrist; Dr. Warren.
It seems that one of the therapists had a notion that Pattie was not being totally cooperative with her therapy and maybe an emotional reason was at issue, so she sent the shrink to find out "what's wrong".
Well.... it seems the therapist had called for a group outing. In order for all the patients to learn how to operate a wheel-chair, the group would take a small trip outside the hospital and deal with the day to day experiences of being in a wheel-chair.
Pattie didn't think so.
Because Pattie does not plan on remaining in that chair - because she does not intend to use that chair for much longer, she knew it would be a waste of time to venture out into triple digit heat and spend time in that fashion.
And because the therapist herself is wheel-chair bound, Pattie did not find the words she needed to explain why she objected to this idea.
So when Dr. Warren went in to see what was up, Pattie explained her thinking. Dr. Warren agreed - Pattie had made a good decision.
Eric makes a visit.
Dr. Hostin had called Pattie earlier in the week and had expressed an interest in seeing her. Mind you, his office is in Plano and the rehab hospital is downtown, Dallas so it is not an easy task for a super busy doctor. Yet he has been out to see Pattie before, so we knew he is committed to her care.
But he didn't come. Instead Eric came. One of the Dr. Hostins' physician assistants. And he stayed an hour and a half.
How cool is that? For your doctor and his team to spend that much time on a Sunday afternoon getting updated on their patient's progress....
Amazing.
While he was there, Pattie told him of a visit she had earlier with the staff psychiatrist; Dr. Warren.
It seems that one of the therapists had a notion that Pattie was not being totally cooperative with her therapy and maybe an emotional reason was at issue, so she sent the shrink to find out "what's wrong".
Well.... it seems the therapist had called for a group outing. In order for all the patients to learn how to operate a wheel-chair, the group would take a small trip outside the hospital and deal with the day to day experiences of being in a wheel-chair.
Pattie didn't think so.
Because Pattie does not plan on remaining in that chair - because she does not intend to use that chair for much longer, she knew it would be a waste of time to venture out into triple digit heat and spend time in that fashion.
And because the therapist herself is wheel-chair bound, Pattie did not find the words she needed to explain why she objected to this idea.
So when Dr. Warren went in to see what was up, Pattie explained her thinking. Dr. Warren agreed - Pattie had made a good decision.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Making Great Progress, But.....
Previously we've told you about the weekly patient conferences held with Dr. Bruce, the therapists, the nurses and others on staff at BIR.
Just had another evaluation and although there are improvements and progress is being made.....
They feel July 28 is a better estimate for discharge. And not the 21st.
Just had another evaluation and although there are improvements and progress is being made.....
They feel July 28 is a better estimate for discharge. And not the 21st.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Splish-Splash
Pattie has had water therapy added to her routine.
Aquatics is one of the healthiest low-impact exercises one can do. It's amazing how far you can go while in the water. It's so much easier to stand, walk and move around while in the pool. Soon Pattie will be managing to do all this while on dry land.
But... for the time being, Pattie still needs a lot of assistance with day to day activities. However progress is being made. Pattie and Ted attended another Patient Conference today with her doctors and the therapists and nurses. They are scaling back on the pain medications and are charting how well Pattie is doing with her therapy. They are still keeping July 21 as a tentative discharge date.
After staying for three weeks in a hotel, Ted and Maggie Rose abandoned Pattie (her words) and went back home for 2 days. We came back on Monday only to leave on Tuesday. It seems that Ted has used up all his vacation time and even though he has a month or more in unused sick leave, the personnel department won't allow him to use that for family members. Either go back to work or take unpaid time off.
While Ted was at home for a day or so, I paid the bills and picked up some 20-25 get well soon cards and brought them back for Pattie.
Friends and Family: You will never know how much these cards - comments left on this blog - the phone calls - the thoughts and prayers and all the other kindnesses you've shown us have meant to us. They have sustained us and have enabled us to get past the difficult days Pattie faced after surgery.
Thank you and God Bless you.
Aquatics is one of the healthiest low-impact exercises one can do. It's amazing how far you can go while in the water. It's so much easier to stand, walk and move around while in the pool. Soon Pattie will be managing to do all this while on dry land.
But... for the time being, Pattie still needs a lot of assistance with day to day activities. However progress is being made. Pattie and Ted attended another Patient Conference today with her doctors and the therapists and nurses. They are scaling back on the pain medications and are charting how well Pattie is doing with her therapy. They are still keeping July 21 as a tentative discharge date.
After staying for three weeks in a hotel, Ted and Maggie Rose abandoned Pattie (her words) and went back home for 2 days. We came back on Monday only to leave on Tuesday. It seems that Ted has used up all his vacation time and even though he has a month or more in unused sick leave, the personnel department won't allow him to use that for family members. Either go back to work or take unpaid time off.
While Ted was at home for a day or so, I paid the bills and picked up some 20-25 get well soon cards and brought them back for Pattie.
Friends and Family: You will never know how much these cards - comments left on this blog - the phone calls - the thoughts and prayers and all the other kindnesses you've shown us have meant to us. They have sustained us and have enabled us to get past the difficult days Pattie faced after surgery.
Thank you and God Bless you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Looking Forward to July Twenty First
Tuesday... June 30, 2009
Lots of activity today.
Pattie had a Patient Conference today.
In addition to the regular physical and occupational therapies, BIR (Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation) schedules a weekly update for each patient with their doctor, the Nursing Coordinator, Therapy Coordinator, a Social Services Coordinator, and others.
This is to chart the progress of each patient, and see what changes need to be made to their rehab schedule. This meeting today is also when we learned of the estimated discharge date from BIR:
But based on the last few days.... Pattie is doing very well. Each day her pain levels are decreasing as her rehab skills are increasing.
On The Move.
Pattie has been at BIR only 5 days; yet she is in her third room. When she first arrived here, she was in a semi-private room. It was nice enough, but they put us on the list to get a private room when space became available.
The semi-private rooms are OK, but they are rather small and offer little privacy. One side of the room has a bathroom sink and the bathroom itself. The other side has nothing. So if a patient on the wrong side of the room needs to use the bathroom - they have to invade the space of their roommate. And did I mention the rooms are small? If A visitor is in the room and a tech or nurse comes in to assist the patient; the visitor must leave the room. There is no space inside the room to get out of the way.
Anyway, Pattie likes a cold room. Her first roommate complained as she liked a warmer room. So Pattie was moved. Her second roommate was nice enough and she liked a cold room also, but she was noisy. Very noisy. I won't go into further details.
Now Pattie is in a private room. Room 421. I'd post the room's telephone number, but Pattie is in and out with her therapies, so calling may not be a good option at this time.
Here is Pattie's Appointment List for today.
Each day Pattie gets a new schedule with similar activities. So she always knows what is on her calendar for each day.
Thanks again for visiting this blog. And for keeping Pattie in your thoughts and prayers. And call Ted at (210) 316-1594 anytime for more news and updates.
Lots of activity today.
Pattie had a Patient Conference today.
In addition to the regular physical and occupational therapies, BIR (Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation) schedules a weekly update for each patient with their doctor, the Nursing Coordinator, Therapy Coordinator, a Social Services Coordinator, and others.
This is to chart the progress of each patient, and see what changes need to be made to their rehab schedule. This meeting today is also when we learned of the estimated discharge date from BIR:
07-21-09.Of course, this date is not set in stone. Based on how well Pattie does, it could be moved up. Or back.
But based on the last few days.... Pattie is doing very well. Each day her pain levels are decreasing as her rehab skills are increasing.
On The Move.
Pattie has been at BIR only 5 days; yet she is in her third room. When she first arrived here, she was in a semi-private room. It was nice enough, but they put us on the list to get a private room when space became available.
The semi-private rooms are OK, but they are rather small and offer little privacy. One side of the room has a bathroom sink and the bathroom itself. The other side has nothing. So if a patient on the wrong side of the room needs to use the bathroom - they have to invade the space of their roommate. And did I mention the rooms are small? If A visitor is in the room and a tech or nurse comes in to assist the patient; the visitor must leave the room. There is no space inside the room to get out of the way.
Anyway, Pattie likes a cold room. Her first roommate complained as she liked a warmer room. So Pattie was moved. Her second roommate was nice enough and she liked a cold room also, but she was noisy. Very noisy. I won't go into further details.
Now Pattie is in a private room. Room 421. I'd post the room's telephone number, but Pattie is in and out with her therapies, so calling may not be a good option at this time.
Here is Pattie's Appointment List for today.
09:30 - 10:00 OT Dressing
10:30 - 11:30 PT Treatment
Lunch
01:30 - 02:30 Lower Extremity Therapy
02:30 - 03:00 Upper Extremity Therapy.
Each day Pattie gets a new schedule with similar activities. So she always knows what is on her calendar for each day.
Thanks again for visiting this blog. And for keeping Pattie in your thoughts and prayers. And call Ted at (210) 316-1594 anytime for more news and updates.
Who Can Comment? YOU CAN!
Your inept blog administrator (Ted Mathis) has realized I made it difficult to post comments on this blog.
I apologize.
I set the comments field to where you can now leave a comment without registering. If you have a Google account, you may use that option. Otherwise chose "Anonymous". Just add your name in the comments section before you hit "send".
So comment away. Pattie really enjoys reading the get well comments that you post.
Thanks!
I apologize.
I set the comments field to where you can now leave a comment without registering. If you have a Google account, you may use that option. Otherwise chose "Anonymous". Just add your name in the comments section before you hit "send".
So comment away. Pattie really enjoys reading the get well comments that you post.
Thanks!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
Yayyy!!!!!
After being in the Baylor Medical Hospital - Plano for the last 10 days and enduring 2 surgeries.... Pattie is now in Rehab.
http://www.baylorhealth.com/PhysiciansLocations/AllTypesofFacilities/Hospitals/BIR/Pages/Default.aspx
The staff at the hospital were great. And even though Pattie and Ted had planned at going to Rehab at some place in Richardson which would be closer to our Plano hotel; we soon learned that the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR) was as fantastic a place with caring staff as the Baylor Hospital was.
So... on to BIR. Even though it is nearly an hour away in downtown Dallas. Ted and Maggie Rose will look at possibly finding another hotel near by.
The move.
Pattie was medically transferred by ambulance today (Thursday) about 3:00 pm. After meeting with the admissions staff, her nurse and her doctor; Pattie settled into her semi-private room and had a good dinner.
Because the doctor thinks Pattie will likely be at BIR for 10-14 days, we put Pattie on the waiting list for a private room. But starting tomorrow morning... Pattie will be good to go for hours of occupational therapy each day.
(Doesn't THAT sound like fun?)
Ted's cell phone is (210) 316-1594. I know I'm not blogging every day - and I'm not blogging enough with more details of our day to day experiences - so feel free to call me anytime you want.
Occasionally I can't take a call if I'm with Pattie if we are in the middle of some procedure, but I'll be glad to call you back.
Very Important!!!
Pattie and Ted want you to know how much we love and appreciate your thoughts and prayers. The doctors don't know but they hope - and we hope - that within 3 - 6 months, Pattie will be completely pain free with her back and will be walking as well as before.
After being in the Baylor Medical Hospital - Plano for the last 10 days and enduring 2 surgeries.... Pattie is now in Rehab.
http://www.baylorhealth.com/PhysiciansLocations/AllTypesofFacilities/Hospitals/BIR/Pages/Default.aspx
Recent Awards
Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation was ranked 13th among the nation's top rehabilitation facilities in U.S. News and World Report's 2008 "America's Best Hospitals" guide. This is the 12th time BIR has been named.
Read More
The staff at the hospital were great. And even though Pattie and Ted had planned at going to Rehab at some place in Richardson which would be closer to our Plano hotel; we soon learned that the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation (BIR) was as fantastic a place with caring staff as the Baylor Hospital was.
So... on to BIR. Even though it is nearly an hour away in downtown Dallas. Ted and Maggie Rose will look at possibly finding another hotel near by.
The move.
Pattie was medically transferred by ambulance today (Thursday) about 3:00 pm. After meeting with the admissions staff, her nurse and her doctor; Pattie settled into her semi-private room and had a good dinner.
Because the doctor thinks Pattie will likely be at BIR for 10-14 days, we put Pattie on the waiting list for a private room. But starting tomorrow morning... Pattie will be good to go for hours of occupational therapy each day.
(Doesn't THAT sound like fun?)
Ted's cell phone is (210) 316-1594. I know I'm not blogging every day - and I'm not blogging enough with more details of our day to day experiences - so feel free to call me anytime you want.
Occasionally I can't take a call if I'm with Pattie if we are in the middle of some procedure, but I'll be glad to call you back.
Very Important!!!
Pattie and Ted want you to know how much we love and appreciate your thoughts and prayers. The doctors don't know but they hope - and we hope - that within 3 - 6 months, Pattie will be completely pain free with her back and will be walking as well as before.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
More Surgery
Friday evening........ Dr. Hostin advised he thinks it would be best if he operated again.
He is not happy with the lack of movement with the right quadriceps muscle. And if there is something causing physical pressure to the nerves, then would it be better to re-open her up now? Or 3 months from now?
Nobody likes the idea of two surgeries in one week - but it is best to get it over with. Better to be sure there is nothing wrong than to wonder if there is. He consults with his partner - Dr. Shelekov and also with a neurosurgeon and then schedules the surgery for Saturday.
Saturday ..... Procedures, surgery, updates.
At 9:00 am Pattie is sent to have an IVC filter installed. An intra vena cava filter. This is to reduce the risk of blood clots. It's a routine procedure - takes about an hour with light sedation.
12:00 noon. They wheel her to surgery. Just like on Tuesday; the OR staff calls about once an hour with updates.
3:15 pm. Dr. Hostin is through and meets with Ted and Sandy. The surgery went fine. They found nothing physically wrong inside. They applied electro-stimulation and found all the nerves were firing fine except the nerve that controls the right quadriceps.
By 4:30 pm Pattie is back to her room. They did not have to move her to ICU as they did following the first surgery.
9:45 pm. Dr Hostin again stops by for an evaluation. Ted wants to know just how does he rate this lack of response to the right quadriceps muscle. Do they base it on a percentage? On a scale? How do they assess this damage?
He said on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being the worst and 5 being a normal healthy muscle; Pattie rates a 2. And a 4 is where she needs to be in order to stand and walk. But with time and therapy.... he is optimistic that Pattie will soon be mobile.
Just like the first surgery... Pattie must lie flat on her back. For 24 hours. And though they took away the pain pump last Friday, they gave it back to her after this second surgery.
And that is a good, good thing.
And the nurses, and the staff attending to her? Just wonderful. This hospital has truly been a first class place to be.
He is not happy with the lack of movement with the right quadriceps muscle. And if there is something causing physical pressure to the nerves, then would it be better to re-open her up now? Or 3 months from now?
Nobody likes the idea of two surgeries in one week - but it is best to get it over with. Better to be sure there is nothing wrong than to wonder if there is. He consults with his partner - Dr. Shelekov and also with a neurosurgeon and then schedules the surgery for Saturday.
Saturday ..... Procedures, surgery, updates.
At 9:00 am Pattie is sent to have an IVC filter installed. An intra vena cava filter. This is to reduce the risk of blood clots. It's a routine procedure - takes about an hour with light sedation.
12:00 noon. They wheel her to surgery. Just like on Tuesday; the OR staff calls about once an hour with updates.
3:15 pm. Dr. Hostin is through and meets with Ted and Sandy. The surgery went fine. They found nothing physically wrong inside. They applied electro-stimulation and found all the nerves were firing fine except the nerve that controls the right quadriceps.
By 4:30 pm Pattie is back to her room. They did not have to move her to ICU as they did following the first surgery.
9:45 pm. Dr Hostin again stops by for an evaluation. Ted wants to know just how does he rate this lack of response to the right quadriceps muscle. Do they base it on a percentage? On a scale? How do they assess this damage?
He said on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being the worst and 5 being a normal healthy muscle; Pattie rates a 2. And a 4 is where she needs to be in order to stand and walk. But with time and therapy.... he is optimistic that Pattie will soon be mobile.
Just like the first surgery... Pattie must lie flat on her back. For 24 hours. And though they took away the pain pump last Friday, they gave it back to her after this second surgery.
And that is a good, good thing.
And the nurses, and the staff attending to her? Just wonderful. This hospital has truly been a first class place to be.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What's a Dura? Who Knows?
Today we spent time in Room 311.
The Intensive Care Unit.
It seems that while surgery went very well - all 8 hours of it - there was one complication.
A torn dura.
What's a dura? Who knows? Google it and read up on it.
But the doctors did repair it during surgery. And so things will be fine. But Pattie must lie flat on her back for at least 36 hours. Which was a major setback for her since she had been adamant about getting up mere hours after surgery. But once she understood the need to lie still - she made up her mind to follow doctors orders.
Another concern.
The doctors have constantly and continually checked her reflexes since surgery. For the most part - they are pleased and optimistic. Except there does appear to be some minor weakness in her right leg.
Was a nerve pinched or damaged during surgery to cause this? And will this correct itself after a few days?
If you know anything at all about nerve damage, then you know the answer is.... Who Knows?
But the doctors will continue to carefully watch and monitor the weakness in Pattie's leg. There are more tests they can do if necessary. And of course there will be days and days of occupational therapy.
The Intensive Care Unit.
It seems that while surgery went very well - all 8 hours of it - there was one complication.
A torn dura.
What's a dura? Who knows? Google it and read up on it.
But the doctors did repair it during surgery. And so things will be fine. But Pattie must lie flat on her back for at least 36 hours. Which was a major setback for her since she had been adamant about getting up mere hours after surgery. But once she understood the need to lie still - she made up her mind to follow doctors orders.
Another concern.
The doctors have constantly and continually checked her reflexes since surgery. For the most part - they are pleased and optimistic. Except there does appear to be some minor weakness in her right leg.
Was a nerve pinched or damaged during surgery to cause this? And will this correct itself after a few days?
If you know anything at all about nerve damage, then you know the answer is.... Who Knows?
But the doctors will continue to carefully watch and monitor the weakness in Pattie's leg. There are more tests they can do if necessary. And of course there will be days and days of occupational therapy.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Waiting Game
Surgery is complete.
It's been a long day, but Pattie is out of surgery and is doing well.
Timeline......
They took Pattie to pre-op about 11:00 am. We met with the anesthesiologist - Dr. Woo. They updated us on what they would be doing over the next 8 hours. They said someone from the OR staff would be calling and checking with us with updates.
12:20 pm. The OR advised they were delayed.... Had trouble getting an IV in. But they are in surgery.
More updates from the OR staff at 2:00 and 4:00. The old hardware is out- the new hardware is in. Time for the wedge.
Wedge???
Yes - wedge. The surgeon actually cuts a wedge out of the lower spine in order for the patient to stand up tall and straight. This is actually one of the riskier aspects of the surgery. Dr. Hostin estimated at least three hours would be spent in cutting the wedge - being very very careful to avoid cutting any of the many nerves.
6:15 Update. Surgery is still going well. No complications. No "surprises". But will still be "awhile".
7:50 pm Dr. Hostin came out to speak to Ted and Sandy. He is done and all went well. The old rod is out - the new rods are in. Pattie is still in surgery as the OR staff is beginning to close. She should be out of surgery and in ICU (no recovery room) in about an hour.
9:10 pm. Pattie is out of surgery and is in ICU. Can't see her yet. Post-op procedures still ongoing. At the very least - Pattie was in surgery from around 12:30 to 8:30 - 8 hours.
Dr. Woo (Anesthesiologist) advised that no - they were not able to insert an epidural catheter direct to the spine for direct pain management. Too much bone fusion. All the pain relief will be though the IV. But still.... He was very encouraging like Dr. Hostin was.
9:45 pm. Ted, Sandy and Maggie Rose were finally able to see Pattie. She is doing very well. Her reflexes are good. The ICU staff are doing a great job of monitoring her and by 11:30 we left her to rest.
It's been a long day, but Pattie is out of surgery and is doing well.
Timeline......
They took Pattie to pre-op about 11:00 am. We met with the anesthesiologist - Dr. Woo. They updated us on what they would be doing over the next 8 hours. They said someone from the OR staff would be calling and checking with us with updates.
12:20 pm. The OR advised they were delayed.... Had trouble getting an IV in. But they are in surgery.
More updates from the OR staff at 2:00 and 4:00. The old hardware is out- the new hardware is in. Time for the wedge.
Wedge???
Yes - wedge. The surgeon actually cuts a wedge out of the lower spine in order for the patient to stand up tall and straight. This is actually one of the riskier aspects of the surgery. Dr. Hostin estimated at least three hours would be spent in cutting the wedge - being very very careful to avoid cutting any of the many nerves.
6:15 Update. Surgery is still going well. No complications. No "surprises". But will still be "awhile".
7:50 pm Dr. Hostin came out to speak to Ted and Sandy. He is done and all went well. The old rod is out - the new rods are in. Pattie is still in surgery as the OR staff is beginning to close. She should be out of surgery and in ICU (no recovery room) in about an hour.
9:10 pm. Pattie is out of surgery and is in ICU. Can't see her yet. Post-op procedures still ongoing. At the very least - Pattie was in surgery from around 12:30 to 8:30 - 8 hours.
Dr. Woo (Anesthesiologist) advised that no - they were not able to insert an epidural catheter direct to the spine for direct pain management. Too much bone fusion. All the pain relief will be though the IV. But still.... He was very encouraging like Dr. Hostin was.
9:45 pm. Ted, Sandy and Maggie Rose were finally able to see Pattie. She is doing very well. Her reflexes are good. The ICU staff are doing a great job of monitoring her and by 11:30 we left her to rest.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Bad News - Good News
Plano, Texas.
8:00 pm Sunday night. I am in Plano as I have to register at the Hospital on Monday. Also have some pre-surgical appointments.
Dr. Hostin - my surgeon - calls. He has to cancel the operation scheduled on Wednesday. A close friend of his just died suddenly and tragically. He is making plans for the funeral. He will see when the surgery can be rescheduled.
This week? Next week? Who knows? He will call the hospital and see what can be done.
Needless to say - I did not sleep well Sunday night.
8:30 am Monday morning. I meet with Dr. Ngyuen - my Internal Medicine doctor. After that appointment I head over to Dr. Hostin's office. I meet with Michelle - one of his assistants. They are working hard on getting a Tuesday surgery date.
11:00 am. Michelle calls! The surgery is on! 10:30 am tomorrow.
Now what I need to do is endure the myleogram and CT scan scheduled for later today.
8:00 pm Sunday night. I am in Plano as I have to register at the Hospital on Monday. Also have some pre-surgical appointments.
Dr. Hostin - my surgeon - calls. He has to cancel the operation scheduled on Wednesday. A close friend of his just died suddenly and tragically. He is making plans for the funeral. He will see when the surgery can be rescheduled.
This week? Next week? Who knows? He will call the hospital and see what can be done.
Needless to say - I did not sleep well Sunday night.
8:30 am Monday morning. I meet with Dr. Ngyuen - my Internal Medicine doctor. After that appointment I head over to Dr. Hostin's office. I meet with Michelle - one of his assistants. They are working hard on getting a Tuesday surgery date.
11:00 am. Michelle calls! The surgery is on! 10:30 am tomorrow.
Now what I need to do is endure the myleogram and CT scan scheduled for later today.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Baylor Scoliosis Center
This is the place. This is where my surgery will be - June 17, 2009
Baylor Scoliosis Center
The Baylor Scoliosis Center specializes in advanced surgical and non-surgical options to straighten spines curved because of scoliosis, a common disorder of the spine. Since January 2005, the Baylor Scoliosis Center has focused on the care of adolescent and adult scoliosis patients. We are a national referral center located on the campuses of Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth.
Treatment
Great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis have occurred in recent years. Too often, people suffering from scoliosis are told that they have nowhere to turn, but there is.
Learn More
Patient Care
Patient care and comfort is our goal. Every patient is assigned their own patient care coordinator who helps schedule surgery times, pre-op appointments, post-op care and coordinate any required insurance paperwork.
Take a Tour
Patient Testimonials
Read stories from patients about their experience at the Baylor Scoliosis Center.
Read Patient Stories
Our Facilities
The Baylor Scoliosis Center is the first in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex devoted to the treatment, surgery and care of advanced spine curvature in adults.
Learn more
Baylor Scoliosis Center
The Baylor Scoliosis Center specializes in advanced surgical and non-surgical options to straighten spines curved because of scoliosis, a common disorder of the spine. Since January 2005, the Baylor Scoliosis Center has focused on the care of adolescent and adult scoliosis patients. We are a national referral center located on the campuses of Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth.
Treatment
Great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis have occurred in recent years. Too often, people suffering from scoliosis are told that they have nowhere to turn, but there is.
Learn More
Patient Care
Patient care and comfort is our goal. Every patient is assigned their own patient care coordinator who helps schedule surgery times, pre-op appointments, post-op care and coordinate any required insurance paperwork.
Take a Tour
Patient Testimonials
Read stories from patients about their experience at the Baylor Scoliosis Center.
Read Patient Stories
Our Facilities
The Baylor Scoliosis Center is the first in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex devoted to the treatment, surgery and care of advanced spine curvature in adults.
Learn more
Consulting Orthopedists
These are the doctors.
These will be the great people putting my back - Back to Work!
At Consulting Orthopedists, we are committed to provide the highest quality in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis and spinal diseases including pediatric and adult spinal deformity, spinal tumors and degenerative conditions of the spine in a private setting. Our team is comprised of orthopedic surgeons, therapists, nurses and administrative staff whose primary goal is to help you get better, and make that journey as comfortable as possible. Patients tell us the quality of our care was more than they hoped for or expected.
Patients tell us the quality of our care was more than they hoped for or expected.
Dr. Shelokov and Dr. Hostin, Orthopedic Spine Surgeons, and all our team have become one of the true leaders in the scoliosis care and treatment - for women, men, and children. They also perform scoliosis revision surgery on children and adults who have had unsuccessful treatment in the past.
At Consulting Orthopedists, Scoliosis is what we treat, but you are what we take care of.
Worldwide, over twelve million people are affected by scoliosis. Approximately, three million reside in the United States. Consulting Orthopedists is a national referral center that sees patients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The map below is a geographical representation of where our patients are from. We want you to know that you are not alone.
Homestead Studio Suites
This is the place where Ted and Maggie Rose will be staying in Plano while I'm in the hospital.
Welcome to Homestead Dallas / Plano Parkway. Our hotel is designed especially for longer stays with studio suite rooms featuring a fully-equipped kitchen - something you won't find in a typical hotel.
- Kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, and stovetop
- Dining and cooking utensils provided
- Workspace with computer dataport
- Personalized voice mail
- Iron and full size ironing board
- On site guest laundry
- Pool
- On-site Fitness Facility
- Free Breakfast
- Dishwasher
- Wireless Internet - one time fee of $4.99 per stay
- Pet Friendly Rooms View Our Pet Policy
This place is awesome. It literally is right across the street from the hospital. And the rates? Ted is getting a two room suite.
At $50.00 per night.
Yes. That's right Fifty Dollars (US) per night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)