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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;The Penny Lady®, post: 2412238, member: 16948&quot;]Troy’s wonderful wife Nora sent me this adorable photo of Troy feeding Lou at the hospital.&nbsp; Seeing this made me smile.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5414_zps5ite6dpp.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I made it through Friday but was too distracted to take any photos.&nbsp; Rick, another friend Wes, and I just had dinner at the hotel, and I went up to my room.&nbsp; I needed to let the rest of the team, our family, etc. know what was going on, and to try and get some sleep, which had been eluding me the past few nights.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday morning came, I packed my clothes, checked out of the hotel, went to the show, tried to be cheerful and normal, sold a few coins, but mostly waited for when it would be time to pack up my booth and head to the airport.&nbsp; I got to speak to Lou and he was still being stalwart and brave.&nbsp; I held back my own tears.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>My friend, Bruce Benoit, stopped by to show me the gold coin he won for his exhibit which won first in class.&nbsp; He was so excited, like a little kid at Christmas, that it made me smile.&nbsp; I was very pleased for him.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5426_zps8lcwzldx.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5427_zpsdxs9uwbf.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Soon it was time to go to the airport and head home.&nbsp; I had two gin and tonics waiting for my flight, and another one on the plane.&nbsp; It helped me sleep through part of the 4-hour flight.&nbsp; This is me very tired and sad and so anxious to get home!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5432_zps0dcmyxh2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Bye-bye rainy Chicago….</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5431_zpsjiqgel6y.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>My friend Joan picked me up at the airport and took me straight to the hospital.&nbsp; She also took care of my coins until I got home.&nbsp; I was so happy to see Lou, damn those tears came again! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/13119099_10206449927622682_8826710618543615682_n_zpsoyr3hzhj.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Troy and Nora were there waiting for me too, more tears because I was so ever grateful to them for taking care of Lou so well.&nbsp; While we waited to speak with the doctor, Troy researched what the halo looked like, and how it functioned, and even found a video of how someone functioned wearing one.&nbsp; Frustratingly, even though we had “an appointment” to discuss Lou’s options, the nurse soon advised us that the doctor wasn’t available to speak with us as expected but said he would meet us at the hospital Sunday morning.&nbsp; Another sleepless night was ahead.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Troy picked me up Sunday morning and we headed back to the hospital.&nbsp; We waited a couple hours and I was finally able to speak with the spinal specialist.&nbsp; He showed us the CT and MRI scans, showed us some other patient scans of what the fused C-2 would look like if he had surgery, and went over the mobility limitations with surgery.&nbsp; Then he discussed how the halo contraption would function, that he thought Lou’s injury would heal well with the halo, and afterwards, after 6 to 8 weeks, if all healed properly, he would have the same mobility as before the accident.&nbsp; There was still a chance it would not heal and he would still have the surgery, but he thought with Lou’s type of activities, he was recommending the halo.&nbsp; Lou agreed.&nbsp; The doctor said he would order the halo that day and might be able to “install” it that evening, which is what ended up happening.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>If you’re at all squeamish, you may want to stop reading here.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here are photos of the doctor putting the halo on Lou, which they did right in his hospital room.&nbsp; It only took about 20 minutes. It was interesting to watch but made me cringe when they &quot;screwed&quot; in the bars to his head. Luckily he was on pain meds and was pretty much asleep through it all. They line up the halo attach it to his head, connect the vertical bars that are attached to a vest that is permanently buckled around his waist.&nbsp; Once everything is lined up perfectly, they tighten all the screws and lock them down. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5455_zpse3he8vrs.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5456_zpsiaevtoi3.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5457_zpszntqliqg.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5460_zpsxcw4e0bt.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>All done.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/Lou2_zpseqsuukux.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/Lou3_zpslidlpmpf.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Interestingly, for emergency purposes, they actually tape an “L” wrench to the front of the vest in case he has a heart attack or some other life threatening event that requires removing the halo for emergency treatment. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I stayed with Lou that night to make sure he was as comfortable as possible, and to help him through the first night trying to sleep with this very awkward contraption.&nbsp; It was a rough night.&nbsp; Luckily, they had anti-anxiety medication available which helped a lot.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The physical therapist came on Sunday to see if Lou could walk on his own, especially considering his other back fractures and the weight of the halo.&nbsp; I am so proud of my Lou, he practically danced around the hallways!&nbsp; Well, not really, but he sure surprised the PT, and a couple of his friends who had just stopped by.&nbsp; He used a walker but pushed that thing around the hallway at top speed, just like his racecar!&nbsp; So we were both very happy to be going home.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/IMG_5469_zpsi6vzhnai.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>However, even with my large SUV, with his 6’2” height and the additional several inches of height on the halo, and his limited bending capabilities, getting him in and out of the car was quite a challenge, but we managed it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We have a long road ahead of us, but Lou is strong, stubborn, and determined.&nbsp; The first night at home was tough because we haven’t found the ideal pillow positions to make his head comfortable, the recliner seemed to work best for now.&nbsp; We also need to make adjustments for the height of things, like when he eats since he can’t bend his neck to look down at his food, and we need to raise the computer and keyboard for the same reason, things like this.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>So our lives have changed dramatically, at least for now.&nbsp; This halo is very awkward and uncomfortable, and is definitely not easy to cope with.&nbsp; I have cancelled all travel for the next couple of months, including, ironically a trip Lou and I had planned with friends to Cabo in early June.&nbsp; I need to stay home to try and make Lou as comfortable as possible, get him to his doctor appointments, and just make sure he gets what he needs.&nbsp; I may be at the Long Beach show since I can come home right after the show each night, but I’ll decide after I see how well Lou copes over the next few weeks.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>So thank you all for allowing me to write about what happened and post it here.&nbsp; It truly does help to know that so many people are concerned and have kept us in their thoughts and prayers.&nbsp; My friends at the show, including Rick, Greg, Ron, and Matt, were so kind, caring, and patient with me (even when I was so distracted that I left my purse at the restaurant and had to drive back to retrieve it), as were several of my customers who could tell that I was distressed and were so understanding.&nbsp; We have received overwhelming support from all of our friends, family, medical specialists, and even acquaintances.&nbsp; The humanity of complete strangers in Mexico and all the efforts of our friends to help Lou and Rich will never be forgotten and will remain in our hearts forever.&nbsp; We are extremely grateful for all the interventions (both by humans and a higher power) that prevented an even worse tragedy.&nbsp; We will look at this as just another one of life’s trials that will hopefully leave us wiser, kinder, and stronger in the end.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>But through all of this, one thing remains consistent.&nbsp; Penny is as cute, lovable, and adorable as ever!&nbsp; When I came home, all she did was follow me around and purr every time I pet her.&nbsp; How comforting is that!&nbsp; This is one of her favorite hiding spots which happens to be right near where Lou hangs out the most.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/Penny1_zps8psqvoya.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2004%20Central%20States/Penny2_zpsfveyqgw6.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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