Thursday, April 2, 2009

Casey Update

Hello Everyone this is Julie, Well there is some good news to report today about Casey. She moved from OSF St. Anthonys to Van Matre Health South Rehabilitation Hospital. She is one step closer to going home and there is nothing she wants more than to get home with her family. She has had some pretty rough days and like anyone in the hospital she was getting very anxious to get out. So it is good that she got to move today and can begin the next phase of getting mobile. I believe she is there to learn how to use her walker since her leg has a couple of rods and some pins. I think it would be great if she got some cheery cards to keep her spirits up since the rehab will probably be a bit painful. for those who have already sent cards she has been very happy to recieve them and I know they mean a lot to her. Here is the address:

Van Matre Rehab Hospital (I shortened the name)
950 S. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61108

Casey Mahlum Room 113
There is also an article in our county paper if you want to read how angels were in action.
http://mywalworthcounty.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=40&ArticleID=650
Have a great Easter Week! Julie
P.S. Oh Yea I forgot something pretty cool. Casey was the first patient in a brand new wing at Van Matre. They announced a new patient in room 113 and then she heard applause over the intercom. Sure must have made her feel better especially since she can also wear regular clothes now.
P.P.S. One more thing. Dawn's friend since high school works at Van Matre.

2 endearing comments:

JenniLynn said...

The article gave me goosebumps and made me cry. Angels indeed! We continue to pray for Casey's full and speedy recovery. I bet Dylan is missing her badly.

God Bless Mr Izzo and Mr Welzen.

Thank you so much for the update!

Dawn Doucette said...

Casey is very fortunate. And rest assured, she's in really good hands now to help her heal and get back on her feet.

As mom had posted, my girlfriend Angie works at Van Matre. Many of you may remember Ang (we were on golf team in high school together and she came up to the August Birthdays a few years ago.) She's been working at Van Matre since she finished nursing school.

If anyone can help Casey to stay strong and positive, Angie can! I'm sure as she meets Casey, she'll share her own unbelievable story. It's the story of wrong place at the wrong time... and the car won. She too was a patient of St. Anthony's trauma center just last May, and went through months of therapy & rehab at Van Matre... as a patient, not as a nurse. She has a permanent titanium pelvis now, has changed her job at Van Matre because she has limitations and yet still keeps unbelievably positive.

Ang will be a wonderful comfort to Casey and help her to keep moving forward and getting stronger!

Don't forget to count your blessings every day and tell those you love just how much they mean to you.

I love you all!
xo,
me