Strup’s Stuff

This is a long over due update due to the busy pace at Craig Hospital.   The week began with a new bed.  Kevin has been sleeping in a hospital bed since August 1st.  The new arrival is a normal, queen sized bed that allows Jean Anne to stay overnight, although she complains that the bed is "way too hard!"  Craig Hospital continues to impress as this approach helps patients transition to "feeling normal again."  As you can see, Jean Anne and Kohls did their best to make  the bed look a little more like home.  Also, on Monday September 23rd Kevin had his last IV antibiotic and they removed the PIC line.   TG one of Kevin's regular day nurses giving the last IV antibiotic A real bed! Many people have asked....where's Sinna (our Guide Dogs of America breeder).  Sinna is staying with another GDA family and having the time of her life.   This family also hosts a GDA breeder, like we do, but t...

Dinner and a movie...we're really starting to feel normal again.  We had sushi and saw Peanut Butter Falcon.  Fun night! This was a week of really good news.  On Monday Kevin was cleared to go out in a private vehicle with Jean Anne.  Freedom!!!  We immediately went out to dinner at Whiskey Biscuit down on Broadway.  No whiskey (or any alcohol) allowed as in-patient, but nonetheless it felt really good to get out in a car.  It was the first time Kevin rode in a car since August 1st.   On Tuesday Kevin's doctor came in and asked "do you want the good news or the bad news?"  Well we've had enough bad news to last a lifetime, so he asked for the good news first.  The Dr. B. said, "the good news is that you are making great progress, faster than we expected"....yippee!  So for the "bad news"....they are moving up his discharge date from 10/25 to 10/10.   On Thursday, Dr. B. came in and said they are stopping the...

Sorry these updates are a little out of order.   On Sunday September 8th, we sat outside watching the pouring rain and hail.  Only the people from California will understand why....we never see this kind of rain or hail.  Kim Morse came to visit for dinner on Sunday and then again on Tuesday Sept 10. Carolyn arrived on Monday September 9th.  Kevin enjoyed introducing Carolyn to the nursing staff and all his therapists.  They enjoyed Turkish food with Jess and Kim and Thai food with Sean and Jenn. It's raining, it's pouring!!! Rain is so cool! It's raining out so, we had pizza with Kim in the lobby Jess Dallas' friend Jenny works in the PEAK gym at Craig and was looking for him...small, small world! Kim Morse, Jess Dallas, Carolyn & Kevin enjoying Turkish food No question where her curly hair and smile come from....happy to see each other!

Jean Anne, Sean and Kevin at finish line Jean Anne and Sean rented bicycles (and bought bike shorts) at the Denver REI and arrived in Boulder ready to ride.  The weather was PERFECT; cool and sunny.  The ride took them through the rolling hills around Boulder, Louisville and back.  They rode the 50K route.  Kevin traveled to the event with a group of Craig patients and enjoyed the festivities while Jean Anne and Sean rode and he was there to cheer them on at the finish line.  We all enjoyed a great post-ride lunch and celebration.  We especially enjoyed the all fruit, gluten and dairy free ice cream; both Kevin and Sean went back for seconds!  It was also fun watching all the adaptive "high tech" three wheel bicycles and their riders...they move FAST!! Thanks to all who donated to support Jean Anne and Sean and the Craig Hospital Foundation.  For anyone interested in donating, please check out the link on the September 11th post.. Res...

Jean Anne and Sean are going to ride in the Craig Hospital Pedal 4 Possible bike ride on Saturday September 14th.  It looks like a great opportunity to get some exercise, explore the Boulder bike trails, support Craig Hospital and have some mother and son bonding time.   If you are interested in supporting us please click on the link below. Click here to donate to The Astrup Team

The Linigers, both husband and wife were Craig patients Our mantra has been "they really know what they're doing here."  From the moment the ambulance pulled into the parking lot we've felt this way.  We were met by the admissions counselor, Tom H.  He was the person who flew out to meet with us at UCI.  He offered us a luggage cart....that doesn't happen at a regular hospital.   The first week was full of baseline assessments and tests and meeting "the team."  The team includes: a doctor, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a Clinic Case Manager (deals with insurance), a Therapeutic Recreation Therapist (in charge of fun) as well as a whole army of nurses and techs.   Once Kevin was cleared medically to leave the bed and the room, they encourage him to eat all his meals in the cafe, no more in room meals.  By the end of the first week, Kevin was cleared for an "off campus/no vehicle" pass.  That means he is all...

Everyone keeps asking....where does Jean Anne stay???  Well here's a look at Jean Anne's place.  It's a brand new, fully furnished one bedroom apartment with a fold out couch.  It's very comfortable and it's barely 2 blocks from the hospital.  Jean Anne is able to work from the apartment and come down to the hospital for meals, or to attend classes with Kevin.  Craig really knows how to make this work for both the patients and their families.  The apartment is fully furnished including dishes, linens, Wifi, etc.  

Jenn & Jean came to visit Kevin spent the morning with two colleagues from Health Advocate, Jenn and Jean.  We all enjoyed a super-fantastic homemade peach pie from Jenn’s grandmother 's recipe.  Jenn was also celebrating her largest ever sale while at Health Advocate. Meanwhile our amazing neighborhood in Irvine had a "pot party" in our yard.  It was bring your own pot and take some succulent cuttings from our yard.  Look at the beautiful arrangements they made while maintaining our yard.  Thanks to all who helped!  

Sean's new ride a Subaru Forrester Sport Model Such a fun afternoon.  Bright and sunny, but a little hot for our liking.  We met Sean's friend Dianna and Kevin got to see Sean's new car.  Sean is now driving a Subaru Forrester and Jean Anne took Sean's Escape so she can get around here.  Dianna is a PhD student at DU studying Pediatric Neuropsychology.  She specifically focuses on autism.