I joined the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal cord injuries and paralysis. There are several discussion groups. I read the following quote and it made a lot of sense to me:
"One experience I have frequently when I read Trish so eloquently describing the life/her life as a caretaker, I feel so overwhelmed with helplessness that I want to quickly suggest something and move on rather than feel compassion. Compassion for that kind of suffering is painful."
I appreciate everyone who has offered compassion to Jim and me. I realize that it is difficult to do.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 17, 2011: #2 family rounds
I got to TIRR at 7:45 AM today. First, I stopped at the cafeteria for breakfast to go. I won't have any time for lunch today. Rounds started at 8:15. (I got to the office by 8:45.)
Jim and I decided that Jim will go home after this stint at TIRR. Otherwise, he'd have less time at TIRR and then return to the nursing home. He is really progressing at TIRR so we want him to have as much time as possible. Right now he is supposed to be released on June 1st. That just isn't enough time.
When he comes home we will have to have handicap equipment all over the place. We have to get a hospital bed, transfer boards, ramps, bath bench, bedside commode, maybe a hoyer lift. I guess it's a good thing I didn't try to sell the house and move to an apartment (yet).
I worry about him returning home and being overwhelmed with caring for him. I guess I'll deal with whatever happens.
People are shocked when I tell them Jim became quadriplegic after fainting in the bathroom. They find it unbelievable. I do, too. It is such a freak accident. I keep waiting to wake up and return to my normal life. I guess we'll get a new "normal." But I will always grieve for the life we no longer have.
Jim and I decided that Jim will go home after this stint at TIRR. Otherwise, he'd have less time at TIRR and then return to the nursing home. He is really progressing at TIRR so we want him to have as much time as possible. Right now he is supposed to be released on June 1st. That just isn't enough time.
When he comes home we will have to have handicap equipment all over the place. We have to get a hospital bed, transfer boards, ramps, bath bench, bedside commode, maybe a hoyer lift. I guess it's a good thing I didn't try to sell the house and move to an apartment (yet).
I worry about him returning home and being overwhelmed with caring for him. I guess I'll deal with whatever happens.
People are shocked when I tell them Jim became quadriplegic after fainting in the bathroom. They find it unbelievable. I do, too. It is such a freak accident. I keep waiting to wake up and return to my normal life. I guess we'll get a new "normal." But I will always grieve for the life we no longer have.
Monday, May 16, 2011
May 16, 2011
Jim walked across the pool using a walker today! It was really difficult for him but he did it.
Unfortunately, they canceled his pool therapy for the rest of the week. Jim has been the only patient in the pool for the last few days. They need to have at least 3 patients in order to keep the pool open. I told Dr Berliner about it. I hope he can do something to have the therapy continued. Jim has made the most progress with pool therapy.
Dr Berliner told us that he will try to get Jim another couple of weeks at TIRR but then he will have to go home. We will need all kinds of equipment for him at home. The therapists will be working with us on that.
He will probably continue his PT & OT as an outpatient at the TIRR center at Kirby Glen when he is discharged. The problem will be getting him and out of the car. Lupita will have to do the transfers. I'm not strong enough.
Dr Berliner has been great. He is really helping Jim and is keeping my stress level down. He doesn't just talk about the insurance company. He actually seems to care about Jim. I wish we had him as the doctor during Jim's first stay at TIRR.
Unfortunately, they canceled his pool therapy for the rest of the week. Jim has been the only patient in the pool for the last few days. They need to have at least 3 patients in order to keep the pool open. I told Dr Berliner about it. I hope he can do something to have the therapy continued. Jim has made the most progress with pool therapy.
Dr Berliner told us that he will try to get Jim another couple of weeks at TIRR but then he will have to go home. We will need all kinds of equipment for him at home. The therapists will be working with us on that.
He will probably continue his PT & OT as an outpatient at the TIRR center at Kirby Glen when he is discharged. The problem will be getting him and out of the car. Lupita will have to do the transfers. I'm not strong enough.
Dr Berliner has been great. He is really helping Jim and is keeping my stress level down. He doesn't just talk about the insurance company. He actually seems to care about Jim. I wish we had him as the doctor during Jim's first stay at TIRR.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011
Here's my sweet little Stella having her bottle. She is so cute and brings some joy into my life. Today she was forgetting what her litter box is for. I made a litter box in the big red kennel. I hope she just didn't want to use the litter in the same box that she slept in. So, I've separated the boxes. Guess I'll see tonight.
Now I am in Jim's hospital room, waiting for Jim to be ready to go outside. It's a beautiful day - only in the high 70's. It will probably be our last pleasant day before the torrid Houston summer returns. I couldn't help thinking of what we would have been doing if Jim hadn't had his accident. We'd probably be by the water - Kemah or Galveston. We used just to like to go exploring.
The sadness is returning again so I have to stop writing.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
May 10, 2011: Family Rounds
We had our first family rounds with Dr Berliner. Sonia scheduled it for 8:15 so I could get to the office by 9. The nurse, Anna and our new social worker didn't come. I've never met the social worker. She's on the 6th floor and access is limited because of Gabrielle Gifford.
Dr Berliner talked about the botox injections that he gave Jim. Jim is already seeing some decrease in the stiffness of his fingers.
Erin, the OT is going to work on teaching Jim how to cath himself and do his own bowel program.
Jessica, the PT will work with getting Jim in and out of a car.
They've given us a release date of May 25th. Of course, that is not long enough. But, nothing I can do about it.
They were impressed that Jim practiced with his manual wheelchair over the weekend. Weekends at TIRR are very boring. Jim might get one hour of group exercise on Saturday and that's it until Monday. So, at least he can practice on his wheelchair by himself.
Dr Berliner talked about the botox injections that he gave Jim. Jim is already seeing some decrease in the stiffness of his fingers.
Erin, the OT is going to work on teaching Jim how to cath himself and do his own bowel program.
Jessica, the PT will work with getting Jim in and out of a car.
They've given us a release date of May 25th. Of course, that is not long enough. But, nothing I can do about it.
They were impressed that Jim practiced with his manual wheelchair over the weekend. Weekends at TIRR are very boring. Jim might get one hour of group exercise on Saturday and that's it until Monday. So, at least he can practice on his wheelchair by himself.
Monday, May 9, 2011
May 8, 2010: Mother's Day gift
My son, Kevin and his wife, Tomoko sent me flowers for Mother's Day. They even had the delivery timed so that they came in the evening when I would be home. Aren't they pretty?
May 8, 2011; Baby Stella
I took more photos of Stella last night. Jim wants to see how she's doing. She is so tiny. I took one photo of her next to Mom's feet. She now is eating very well. The other kitties smell her and Buster hisses at her. The dog is the most friendly towards her so she chases him around the family room.
I put the pet steps next to the sofa so she'd be able to get back on my lap. She is learning how very quickly.
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