Same here....praying and hoping. I've never seen anyone have to go through what Mary has! The ups and downs are so hard----I'm praying for many more "ups" now!

Mary has been transferred to University Hospital in Newark. She's on a Medical Floor and can have visitors but no phone as of yet.
Very preliminary info as Mary's Mother was not notified of the transfer (she gave her consent but presumed they'd like her know when it was to take place) and took a cab to Bayonne Hospital this morning only to find an empty bed. Naturally she was very upset. You just don't do things like that to a 93 year old!!!!    Hope to have more info tomorrow when Betty has established contact with the new team of physicians.

Bitch wrote on Mar 17^th, 2013 at 2:25pm:


Apparently so my dear Bitch! Betty found her way to the "new" Hospital  yesterday but it was a long ride in a cab. She was very impressed with the Hospital and the staff. She met a new Doctor and basically they are doing a comprehensive assessment. They do have the records from all prior admissions including her stay in Florida.

Mary was awake, complaining (always a good sign) and even eating and drinking small amounts. Betty feels her daughter is in great hands! Yesterday was a good day.

Let's hope she's finally at a facility near home that can address her needs.

She's a tough gal. SHE WILL BEAT THIS. She withstands it all!

LJ....Would an inexpensive pre-paid cell phone with text options be an idea for short term. I'm sure a bunch of us here would all chip in.

I'll call Mary's mother and ask her who Marys cell phone provider is and maybe we can reactivate her old number, if she still wants it. Maybe someone has a spare phone to give her. I have a used blackberry that still works perfectly from Sprint. I can give it to her if she has Sprint as her carrier and activate it using her number. If she doesnt have Sprint than my phone wont work but maybe someone else here has an extra phone too. I'll find out and post it here.

Not sure if the cell phone is a good idea at this point Ellen. Betty brought her cell phone to the Rehab facility yesterday and help it up for Mary to speak to me. It was heartbreaking. "Paula, Paula, I need your help. I need you now more than ever. I'm stuck in this place and I have to get out." I tried to calm her down but she was just too aggitated to talk to me in a calm tone. Poor thing has been through so much.

Even if she had a phone, if she's not even feeding herself, I doubt she'd be able to use the phone.

She has no strength in her hands and the phone would likely be dropped.

They are going to attempt to start Rehab therapy on Monday but in her current state of mind, I'm not sure Mary will cooperate.

I have spoken to another family member who is close to Betty and Mary and she is now going to attempt to get some definitive answers from the Doctors.

Clearly we have not been given all of the information. And her Mother needs an advocate as well. Someone to push for answers. Mary's decline since that plane ride home from Florida has never been fully explained to anyone. She's been in one hospital, transferred to Newark, transferred back to Bayonne and now transferred to a Rehab Facility in Jersey City, with talk that she'll be transferred again. WTF???? And a 92 year old woman, who has great trouble walking is taking cab rides every day. It's overwhelming; it's sad and it's just wrong.

That's where we are.

And for those of us who are so far away we just have to pray.

So she untied the balloon a few days ago and now she cant use her hands? They were fine, I dont get this either. Move her again, WTF? Omg this is frustrating and frightening.

Betty said Mary is back in Newark University Hospital. More pain and more problems but her mind is clear. T-Mobile is the cell phone carrier if anyone has a spare phone for her.  They are waiting for answers from more tests that were done. She sounded wiped out from taking a cab back and forth, which is expensive and time consuming but she sees Mary every other day. God bless them both.

Betty called me last night and she is at her wit's end.
I'm really worried about her. She's pushing herself way too far past her limits.
Mary needs to stay in one place; this constant transferring back and forth is not doing her any good at all.
She's not improving physically or mentally.
I'm not impressed with her current medical team and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.

BILL PERKS wrote on Apr 5^th, 2013 at 2:26pm:


Actually Mr Perks, Mary's cousin has stepped up as an advocate.
She lives in New Jersey and his very close to Mary and Betty.
She's had some difficulty making contact with the Doctors but she is on it and she's determined to get some answers.
What I know as of now is that Mary is at University Hospital in Newark.
We are hoping she will remain there until they can get her back on track.
It remains heartbreaking as I fear the longer she lingers in this horrible pain, the harder it will be for her to
regain her strength and will to go on.

Mary is being transferred today to a Nursing Home/Rehab Center in Fairlawn New Jersey.

Unfortunately she is no better. I have not had a conversation with Mary since the morning she left Florida. Her physical and mental health have steadily deteriorated since that flight home. I have no definitive medical answers as to what exactly happened; just many opinions that I get second hand by a variety of health professionals who have no real connection to or history with her.

I can only hope that with some good Rehabilitation she will at least be able to communicate via telephone.

That is where we are.