Lodi crossing guard recovering from surgery
After she was hit by a car on West Vine Street near Cortez Way while helping children cross the street on Tuesday afternoon, Lodi Middle School crossing guard Joyce Henifin has begun the recovery process after having a full hip replacement surgery on Thursday.
“It was supposed to be three hours, but it ended up being five hours,” Joy Purdue, Joyce’s daughter, said on Friday. “Today, they stood her up. She’s able to stand up for a few seconds and take a few steps, but then she has to get back into bed.”
Although Joyce seemed to be in good spirits on Friday, laughing and making jokes, Purdue said she worries for her mother as well as her father Leon Henifin, Joyce’s husband.
“I’m emotionally drained. I’m exhausted,” Purdue said. “I’m worried about her recovery. My dad’s 72 years old. I don’t know how we’ll do it, but we’ll do it.”
Leon said his wife was still at San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp on Friday, although he hopes she will be transferred to the Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Acute Physical Rehabilitation Center on Monday to begin inpatient treatment, which he said will likely take a number of weeks.
“It’s probably going to be three or four months before she can get around really good, though,” Leon said.
Leon has been spending most of his time by his wife’s side in French Camp, he said, and has hardly been in their Lodi home.
“I’ve been getting up early and going to bed late, so I’m pretty tired,” Leon said. “We’re just waiting to see how things go with her future care.”