A lil shout out to Ed, Natalie's brother and my son. He has been trying to get a full time teaching job for 3 years....yes...3 years. Of course, due to Washington there weren't any jobs for him. Well, very happy to say that he has been hired full time and we are soooo happy and proud of him! A lil video to mark the occasion, hope you enjoy it.
Btw....Natalie is doing well! Been able to cut back to half of a pain pill every 6-8 hours, which is awesome. Except now she is getting bored. So, pondering some projects to get her started on that can be done while sitting. Or she is going to drive me crazy!
Back to Ed and the video....here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ygug22rAp0&feature=youtu.be
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
Thanks You Pluskotas
Today is the final day for me. My flight leaves at 2 this afternoon and I should arrive home around 6. This whole trip has truly been an experience that I have enjoyed. For starters, being able to work for Team Pluskota has been such a blessing that I have been looking forward to for a while now. Sherry and Natalie have been a lot of fun and together we make quite a team. Even with all the craziness and "black cloud" moments I wouldn't change..."much"... about the past five weeks.
Being on the road for so long you become grateful for all the people along the way. Those who housed us were the biggest blessings, but meeting the players and seeing the sites was my favorite part. I am thankful that I was there for this journey for Natalie and Sherry because they definitely needed a support system these past few weeks.
Some of the things that I learned are: no matter how much you try to prepare, there will always be obstacles; working hard is something to always work on; and professional athletes do not always have everything handed to them.
This opportunity has given me a chance to learn and experience a lot of unique situations, and looking at a future career in Sports Management, I have gained useful knowledge.
On a side note, this last few weeks I have been waiting for hear back from a company about an internship with a wedding and event company. I am happy to announce that I have been chosen as one of their fall interns. The wedding season begins very soon and my schedule is getting full fast with internships, tennis, and school.
Even though the excitement about senior year has set in, I am going to miss being around the Pluskotas. We have experienced plane delays, traffic jams, tears, hating Canada, x-rays, MRI's, more tears, broken foot, late night clanning.. you get the message. They have been my second family for the past month and I am going to miss them and being able to talk to them everyday.
Thanks Pluskota Family for letting me into your home and being apart of the family for awhile. You guys seriously rock and I am so thankful to have experienced this all with you. Even though I said, I would change a couple things, honestly, there isn't anything I would change. You guys are an incredible family and work so hard for one another. I appreciate the hospitality you showed me and hope to continue to be apart of the family! I love all of you!
Till next time...
Loree
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Her Attitude Has Arrived
Yesterday, was the day that we had not been looking forward too. We drove up to Charlotte, NC on Monday and spent the night in preparation for Tuesday's appointment, which led us to Wednesday...surgery day. There were jitters during those few days of not knowing what was going to happen, and those jitters became nerves as we pulled up to the clinic for surgery. As much as she wouldn't admit it, Natalie was very hesitant and anxious about this day and was ready to get it over with. When they took her back to Pre Op, Sherry and I had to wait awhile to see her, but we finally got to go back and one could tell the nerves and anxiety was becoming more real to her. Natalie had a great group of people working on her, and that continued to come check in on her which definitely was reassuring to all of us. We sat and talked to her for awhile before surgery, but then it came her time to go back so we said our goodbyes and headed back to the waiting room.
During the surgery there wasn't much to do, but eventually the phone rang and Natalie was in the recovery room waiting for us. Walking in you could tell she had been medicated because she was in and out of sleep for about a half hour. As time went on Natalie became more and more pale looking in the face and continued to complain about being hot. In the past, Natalie has struggled with anesthesia and nausea, so Sherry started to fan her with her gown and we found a wet towel to put on her forehead. Dripping sweat from her arms, neck, and face, Natalie decided its too hot and she throws off her gown! Good thing it was only Sherry and I because the nurse was running around trying to find something she could get sick in, but we ended up avoiding that situation... THANK GOSH!
They brought some medication for her to relax her and help with nausea, which it did, and we were able to get her into her normal clothes in no time! After getting her into the car and starting on the road tensions were high. Her foot was propped up on the dashboard and her seat was leaned all the way back, not very comfortable with those long legs if you ask me! On the road her attitude arrived because the medication had started to wear off and all we could think about is "how close is the hotel?" We did stop and get her something to eat: tacos, nachos, and Japanese. Our gal was hungry!!
We stopped in Commerce, GA and got Natalie all situated with her 5 pillows for the night. Last night was not bad, she took her medication and went back to sleep with no problems, but this morning at 6 a. m. was not fun. She needed more medication and had to go to the bathroom, she ended up waking everyone up. After taking her medication she found some energy to talk to us, which we were NOT happy about. After we ignored her long enough Natalie thought it was important to check on her "Clan" from the game Clash of Clans. At this point she still wouldn't stop talking so I took it into my own hands to smother her for a second. She got the message and let us go back to sleep.
The trip hasn't been paradise, but it sure has been interesting. Our gal is doing good today, she has gotten up and taken a shower and is eating! GOOD SIGNS!
We are headed back home today, once of course we have checked out the outlet mall here, but then its back home. Keep the prayers coming because I know Natalie and Sherry are really appreciating them.
Till next time...
Loree
During the surgery there wasn't much to do, but eventually the phone rang and Natalie was in the recovery room waiting for us. Walking in you could tell she had been medicated because she was in and out of sleep for about a half hour. As time went on Natalie became more and more pale looking in the face and continued to complain about being hot. In the past, Natalie has struggled with anesthesia and nausea, so Sherry started to fan her with her gown and we found a wet towel to put on her forehead. Dripping sweat from her arms, neck, and face, Natalie decided its too hot and she throws off her gown! Good thing it was only Sherry and I because the nurse was running around trying to find something she could get sick in, but we ended up avoiding that situation... THANK GOSH!
They brought some medication for her to relax her and help with nausea, which it did, and we were able to get her into her normal clothes in no time! After getting her into the car and starting on the road tensions were high. Her foot was propped up on the dashboard and her seat was leaned all the way back, not very comfortable with those long legs if you ask me! On the road her attitude arrived because the medication had started to wear off and all we could think about is "how close is the hotel?" We did stop and get her something to eat: tacos, nachos, and Japanese. Our gal was hungry!!
We stopped in Commerce, GA and got Natalie all situated with her 5 pillows for the night. Last night was not bad, she took her medication and went back to sleep with no problems, but this morning at 6 a. m. was not fun. She needed more medication and had to go to the bathroom, she ended up waking everyone up. After taking her medication she found some energy to talk to us, which we were NOT happy about. After we ignored her long enough Natalie thought it was important to check on her "Clan" from the game Clash of Clans. At this point she still wouldn't stop talking so I took it into my own hands to smother her for a second. She got the message and let us go back to sleep.
The trip hasn't been paradise, but it sure has been interesting. Our gal is doing good today, she has gotten up and taken a shower and is eating! GOOD SIGNS!
We are headed back home today, once of course we have checked out the outlet mall here, but then its back home. Keep the prayers coming because I know Natalie and Sherry are really appreciating them.
Till next time...
Loree
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
She's Out
She's out of surgery and in recovery. Met with Dr. Anderson, all went well. Thank you Lord! Going to see her in a minute. Love and Blessings, Sherry!
Here's Our Gal
Here's our gal....she has been in OR for about half an hour. She should be to recovery in about 45 minutes or so. Will keep you posted! Continued prayers please!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
A Lifetime with a Healthy Foot
A very anxious Natalie and I made our way to Dr. Anderson's office today. And Loree tried to keep us sane and on task, although she was feeling it too. After all the paperwork and mini meetings, Doc A finally came to meet with us. Coming here today, we thought we would have a few choices. One being, fuse the sesamoid tomorrow, back to the courts in 4-6 months. Remove the sesamoid, possible career ender. Or the third being, let it try to heal on its own, in the future deciding to remove or fuse.
After hearing what Doc Anderson had to say, we had to regain our senses and regroup. In a good way! He doesn't feel that the sesamoid is cracked in two, he thinks she was born with them that way. therefore they are just inflamed and the area too. Possible, small stress fracture or fractures. At first, he suggested that we "boot" Natalie for six months and see if it heals. After which if pain is gone she would be good to go. If not healed, he would remove the sesamoid. If the latter, 4-5 months healing and good to go....sooo possible a year off the court.
After my head cleared of the confusion. I asked about the fusion procedure that Dr. Reed mentioned to us in Seattle. Once I did, Doc started to explain and agreed it would be a great approach to Natalie situation. So, here is what is going to happen. Tomorrow, Natalie will go into surgery. Dr. Anderson will take a small part of Nat's heel bone....probably the size of a half of a penny or smaller. And he will use it to make a bone graph to the sesamoid. She will be splinted for two weeks, or until stitches are removed. After which she will begin "wiggle" exercises. She will be four weeks no weight bearing. Followed by four weeks in a boot. Then into a shoe. If Natalie chooses, back onto the court in bout 3 to 4 months to being light workouts.
Although this procedure has not been preformed often, he success rate is 19 out of 21. Last year Doc Anderson preformed this very bone graph on a professional baseball player and track runner. Both with excellent results. He has been the pioneer of this procedure and has presented his findings for professional review. We feel this procedure is worth the chance we are taking. It would be far better for the health of Natalie's foot....for her lifetime....to repair the bone and leave it. Verses removal, which she would still be able to play but it could cause other issues in her foot.
I hope that is clear as mud! In short, we are confident that tomorrow's procedure will give Natalie the best chance of her foot healing to where it was before the injury. A lifetime with a healthy foot.
Again ....I ask for your Prayers for Natalie, Dr. Anderson and his staff! Love and Blessings....Sherry!
After hearing what Doc Anderson had to say, we had to regain our senses and regroup. In a good way! He doesn't feel that the sesamoid is cracked in two, he thinks she was born with them that way. therefore they are just inflamed and the area too. Possible, small stress fracture or fractures. At first, he suggested that we "boot" Natalie for six months and see if it heals. After which if pain is gone she would be good to go. If not healed, he would remove the sesamoid. If the latter, 4-5 months healing and good to go....sooo possible a year off the court.
After my head cleared of the confusion. I asked about the fusion procedure that Dr. Reed mentioned to us in Seattle. Once I did, Doc started to explain and agreed it would be a great approach to Natalie situation. So, here is what is going to happen. Tomorrow, Natalie will go into surgery. Dr. Anderson will take a small part of Nat's heel bone....probably the size of a half of a penny or smaller. And he will use it to make a bone graph to the sesamoid. She will be splinted for two weeks, or until stitches are removed. After which she will begin "wiggle" exercises. She will be four weeks no weight bearing. Followed by four weeks in a boot. Then into a shoe. If Natalie chooses, back onto the court in bout 3 to 4 months to being light workouts.
Although this procedure has not been preformed often, he success rate is 19 out of 21. Last year Doc Anderson preformed this very bone graph on a professional baseball player and track runner. Both with excellent results. He has been the pioneer of this procedure and has presented his findings for professional review. We feel this procedure is worth the chance we are taking. It would be far better for the health of Natalie's foot....for her lifetime....to repair the bone and leave it. Verses removal, which she would still be able to play but it could cause other issues in her foot.
I hope that is clear as mud! In short, we are confident that tomorrow's procedure will give Natalie the best chance of her foot healing to where it was before the injury. A lifetime with a healthy foot.
Again ....I ask for your Prayers for Natalie, Dr. Anderson and his staff! Love and Blessings....Sherry!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Send Her a Card
Good Morning from a soggy Georgia! Just a lil update before we hit the road. Today, we leave for Charlotte, NC in preparation of Natalie's doctor appointment. She will see the doc at 11:00 a.m. If he concurs with Dr. Reed's evaluation that surgery is needed, it will be done on Wednesday. Which of course is what we believe is going to happen.
Our gal is filled with mixed emotions. The hardest pill to swallow being .....for the second year in a row she will not play in the US Open. She had a good chance of playing in both mixed dubs and ladies dubs this year. And of course, facing the fact that this injury has the potential of being a career ender. Which of course, we are farrrrrr from knowing that....months away.
After many conversations, and discussions on possible paths in the future we have decided to let God lead us. Focus on her foot, rehab and healing and let the future work its way out. For, many of the paths may not be possible if this foot surgery doesn't work.
As for rehab, we have many different ideas as to what to do. There is an awesome PT in Columbus and of course UT would be a possibility. Guess we will have to see what the surgeon wants Natalie to do and then we will decided where PT will take place.
If you have a moment and would like to help keep Natalie's spirits high and positive. Please send her a card or if you love to make artwork....something homemade. Either to our home address if you have it, or to this address:
Pluskota
P.O. Box 584
Tyrone, GA 30290
Thanks so much for your continued support of Natalie and the entire Pluskota Clan! Love and Blessings Sherry!
Our gal is filled with mixed emotions. The hardest pill to swallow being .....for the second year in a row she will not play in the US Open. She had a good chance of playing in both mixed dubs and ladies dubs this year. And of course, facing the fact that this injury has the potential of being a career ender. Which of course, we are farrrrrr from knowing that....months away.
After many conversations, and discussions on possible paths in the future we have decided to let God lead us. Focus on her foot, rehab and healing and let the future work its way out. For, many of the paths may not be possible if this foot surgery doesn't work.
As for rehab, we have many different ideas as to what to do. There is an awesome PT in Columbus and of course UT would be a possibility. Guess we will have to see what the surgeon wants Natalie to do and then we will decided where PT will take place.
If you have a moment and would like to help keep Natalie's spirits high and positive. Please send her a card or if you love to make artwork....something homemade. Either to our home address if you have it, or to this address:
Pluskota
P.O. Box 584
Tyrone, GA 30290
Thanks so much for your continued support of Natalie and the entire Pluskota Clan! Love and Blessings Sherry!
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