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Janet K · Guest

I arrived to visit Marilee at 11 but a "procedure" was being done on her so I had to wait. I took a walk and ate some lunch and got in to see her at noon. She was alert and we had a good visit of 20 minutes or so. Once again I passed on everyone's good wishes and assured her that her cats are being taken care of.

She spoke clearly in general phrases but was very frustrated not to be able to say what she wanted to. She is confused and worried--"things are not right." She doesn't remember what happened last week.

I gpt a couple of smiles from her and she held my hand. I gave her a cute card and left her a little carved cat for luck.

I spoke with her nurse (Michelle). She sees progress. I told her a little about Marilee's extraordinary medical history. I expressed concern about whether they were consulting and coordinating with her Kaiser doctors. She agreed that her medical history could be important to know and while I was there she had Marilee's medication records faxed to her by Kaiser (which was all they cold get today).

There's a good chance that Marilee will be transferred to a regular hospital bed as early as Tuesday.

If some car repair issues don't prevent my doing so, I'll visit her again on Tuesday--I'll call the ICU first to find out if she's been moved.

HarrietCulver · Guest

It just occured to me that Marilee might have said something about her own medical info in the discussion about "Vial of Life" that took place on Making Light back in November 2007, when EMT Jim Macdonald posted a topic about it that began

Janet K · Guest

Thanks for doing this research, Harriet. I also remember her saying she kept such an info sheet handy and was surprised that a copy didn't make it with her to the hospital.

Perhaps she wasn't able to point the EMTs who came in response to her 911 call Wednesday to it or it got separated from her when whe was transferred (by helicoptor) from her local hospital to Fairfax Hospital. Or maybe the copy is there in her wallet, at the hospital.

KipW · Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

Janet, I made a PDF of the most commonly used words after another friend had a stroke and couldn't talk easily. If you think there's any possible use for it in this situation, I could easily email it to be printed. It fits on two 8.5 x 11 sheets, which could then be taped together or stuck on a piece of cardboard.

Another mutual friend, Keith, visited Marilee today and posted about it to rec.arts.sf.fandom. I am waiting for his permission to repost it here.
_________________
Kip Williams
Down with smileys!

Lizzibabe · Guest

I saw one stuck to the inside of the front door the last several times I was in her home. Steve, can you arrange for Laurie to get it so we can get it to the hospital?

Steve · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

I just talked with Laura, the neighbor taking care of the cats and house. She hasn't been able to get online to post or read the updates here yet (slow home connection) so I relayed the discussions so far to bring her up to date.

Nothing on the back of the door. But Laura did find cat care instructions made out to her by Marilee. She must have anticipated the possibility of going back to the hospital before leaving Wednesday evening and written them up.

I'm stopping by Monday evening to coordinate some other details with Laura and I'll pick up anything she can find or assist in looking for medical history left behind. I'll also see if we can access her Live Journal account and post a message on the top page.

Note: Please bear in mind that our legal status is not fully solid and any actions we take inside Marilee's house must be defensible if questioned by the well meaning authorities of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Manassas. For all we know there may be a law designed to protect people in Marilee's condition and our self assumed status of caretakers is likely tightly constrained or completely out of bounds.

Marilee's brother, Rick, is coming up later in the week and we'll meet with him to work out some of the immediate legal & financial issues. We're hoping she has some things set up to automatically happen: direct deposit of incoming checks and auto pay for mortgage, utilities, and whatever else.

Laura is doing okay handling the cats and I let her know that she has the thanks and appreciation of everybody here. She says there is plenty of food and kitty litter in the meantime.

Laura also has been talking with the nurses caring for Marilee and one of them also indicated that Marilee may move to a regular bed early this week and start on a rehab program. The nurse gave a rough estimate of one month for her to recover. She may be released sooner than that based on her rehab progress.

Let's hope for the best.
_________________
Steve Johnsen
Book Group Friend

Janet K · Guest

Thanks again Steve. There should be two of her medical info sheets still in her apartment (with her pills and in the drawer beside her recliner). The one on the door must have gone with her the first time she went to the hospital (the time you picked her up).

Susan · Guest

One month rehab! That's fantastic news!

Hopefully she will be in shape to receive her birthday present, which is planned for belated delivery at the end of May!

Thank you to Steve and to everyone who is visiting and keeping us updated here.

AJ · Guest

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all of you down there who are helping Marilee, and I am so glad to hear of her apparent progress; you folks are lifesavers, and true friends. Please give Marilee my love when next you visit her! (Kathy Routliffe)