January 8 2003 Update

First we would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you sincerely for your support, prayers, kind words, and kindness. We have been amazed at the outpouring of love for Marla and recognize that as a mark of her preciousness as a teacher, colleague, and friend.

On Tuesday ¹⁄₇, Marla was transferred from St. Anthony’s Central hospital to Craig Hospital in Englewood for re-habilitation. Although there were some challenges during the transfer, she is now settled in here.

Craig is definitely a different environment. It’s a hospital, but it is much less formal. Their focus is on facilitating the re-habilitation process. As Marla continues to wake up and become more aware, she is becoming increasingly confused and agitated. However, they do not sedate her for agitation. She has a 24-hour behavioral attendant that stays with her at all times to make sure that she is safe. When resting, she is in a “Craig bed”, which is low to the ground and surrounded by four padded partitions, so that she can’t hurt herself.

She will have a full schedule of re-habilitation during the day, with speech, physical, and occupational therapists each working with her. This keeps her busy during the day. Her schedule is more open on evenings and weekends, which are the best times for visitors.

During this phase, we have learned that it is particularly important not to over-stimulate Marla. The injured brain often cannot understand and sort out all of the sensory information coming in. Too much stimulation increases her agitation. In order to give Marla a healing environment, it is best if she has at most two visitors in the room at a time, and that she have at least 20-25 minutes of rest between visitors.

That said, please do not hesitate at all to come to visit Marla. She needs the support and love of all her friends and we know that this will help her healing. Also, Marla has a “visitor’s journal” in which you can write Marla a message or thoughts that we can read to her and she can keep and read in the future as well.

Following is Marla’s address information at Craig:

Marla Gettman
2 West 202B
3425 South Clarkson
Englewood, CO 80110
(303)-789-8000

To get to Craig from North Denver, take I-25 South to exit at Hampden Avenue. Go west (right) on Hampden approximately 2 miles to Clarkson street. Go north (right) on Clarkson, two blocks to Girard. Craig is on the southwest corner of Clarkson and Girard, immediately east of Swedish Hospital. Parking is limited, but can be usually found on the streets near Craig.

Sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your support for Marla–we continue to foster great hope during Marla’s recovery.

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