If you have read this blog from the beginning, you will recognize Dr. Heide as a key player in this whole drama. I first met him via video hookup while Bettie was in the ER, the day it happened. Over the course of the last five and a half weeks, we have come to know, trust, and be thankful for this man.
Today was the Bettie's first follow-up visit after discharge. It took place at his facility, in Renton, near Valley General Hospital. It began with a new scan of Bettie's head, so that a comparison could be made with Day One. Then Bettie was weighed (104.2 lbs... down about 20 pounds from five weeks ago) and finally we saw our friend, Dr. Heide.
He showed us the scan on his computer screen, blown up to reveal startling detail (if you know what you are looking for). He pointed out that the original scan clearly (at least to him) showed the clot, right where speech and communication are processed.
Today's scan, did not show a clot there at all! Now before we get too excited, he wants to do a different kind of scan next week that will show different detail to confirm that the clot is, in fact, gone. If it is, that will considerably improve her prognosis.
Part of the doctor's routine involves asking Bettie her name. I don't think she has ever been able to answer that question for me ... but then I'm not a doctor. But for him, she says "Bettie Aitkins", like "Well duh". Seems like this happens too often to be a coincidence. Oh well.
An interesting part of the conversation with the doctor was about music. You may remember that my son Steve, suggested that we put headphones on Bettie and play her old but familiar music (See the post titled: The Sound of Music). She responded dramatically, singing along before she could speak or put other sentences together. Evidently, that idea of Steve's had not been explored by the medical community before. Dr. Heide says we are exploring new ground here and he is very interested in discovering the potential for communication with stroke patients via music.
He wants me to continue singing to, and with, Bettie. I told him I know a lot of songs, since I sing in a men's chorus (Northwest Sound). Unfortunately, I sing bass, so if Bettie starts croaking in a deep voice, blame me.
Before we left Dr. Heide's office and went out to set up the follow-on visits with his nutrition expert and others on his staff, he told me this: "After Bettie's stroke, I had a number of other patients with the same type of stroke. I have directed them to the Bettie's Challenge blog for help with dealing with the situation, and it has been very helpful. Very helpful."
I have to tell you, that gives me a big lump in the throat. We have known all through this that the Biblical promise (Rom. 8:28) that "... all things work together for good ... " is true. Dr. Heide's comment demonstrated one way that it is happening (and there are undoubtedly others as well). Very humbling.
If you are one of those refereed here by Dr. Heide because you too are traveling this road, know that you are not alone. Feel free to contact me directly if there is any way I could be of help, I'd be honored. Contact info is on the Profile page.
A final, but very important, point from the doctor. I asked him how he was coming on procuring a very expensive but promising piece of new technology that could be helpful in regenerating brain tissue. He said that, with the federal government proposing to take over the health care industry, it is currently impossible for any doctor to make a sensible business case for major equipment expenditures. Our elected officials in the executive and legislative branches of government are already having a negative effect on the medical profession, and they are only talking about what they want to do.
This blog is not about politics, but about the care of a stroke patient, my wife. My recommendation concerning the issue is this: ask your doctor what he/she thinks about the issue, then write or phone your representative and tell them your personal concerns, based on what you have learned. Would it be asking too much of your representative to insist that they read and understand the bill, at a minimum, before voting on it?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Can't Keep Her Down
She wanted to go back to our bedroom after breakfast this morning. She lay on the bed and I told her: "Now I'm going downstairs for a little bit, so don't move, OK? Well, you can go to the bathroom, you know how to do that, but otherwise, don't get up." She nodded agreement.
I was back to check in on her in no more than ten minutes. When I came in the bedroom, I noticed her purse in the entrance hall, between our two closets. "That's funny" I thought, "I don't remember getting that out." In the bedroom proper, there I found her, trying to get her slacks snapped with one hand. She was fully dressed in a light blue top and nicely contrasting navy slacks. She had her knee-highs out from the dresser where she keeps them. She was standing by the bed, the full-length mu mu that I had put on her earlier was laying aside. All this in about 10 minutes. "Oh you naughty girl" I laughed and she fell back on the bed laughing too. What am I to do with this one? Ya can't keep her down.
Later, she was sitting on the edge of the bed and suddenly looked down at a small stack of books that I had left, just as she left them the day this happened. There she saw, peeking out from the stack, a book about heart disease that she had checked out from the library . She exclaimed: "Oh, I forgot". She pulled the book out, and sure enough, it was over-due. (When I returned the book later in the morning I told the librarian the story and ended with: "...so I'm happy to pay the fine". The librarian concurred that it was cause for celebration, given the circumstances, then added: "That will be $3.75 please.")
Later in the morning we (Bettie and I) left for two appointments. The first was to her long-time hair-dressers Yahow & Betsy Lam at Yahow Hair Salon. Bettie has been going there for a long time and they do great work. They turned her from a Medusa look-alike to the glamorous gal we all know. Thanks Yahow.
Then we headed to an appointment with every one's favorite stroke doctor, Dr. Aaron Heide. The visit is documented in a separate post.
I was back to check in on her in no more than ten minutes. When I came in the bedroom, I noticed her purse in the entrance hall, between our two closets. "That's funny" I thought, "I don't remember getting that out." In the bedroom proper, there I found her, trying to get her slacks snapped with one hand. She was fully dressed in a light blue top and nicely contrasting navy slacks. She had her knee-highs out from the dresser where she keeps them. She was standing by the bed, the full-length mu mu that I had put on her earlier was laying aside. All this in about 10 minutes. "Oh you naughty girl" I laughed and she fell back on the bed laughing too. What am I to do with this one? Ya can't keep her down.
Later, she was sitting on the edge of the bed and suddenly looked down at a small stack of books that I had left, just as she left them the day this happened. There she saw, peeking out from the stack, a book about heart disease that she had checked out from the library . She exclaimed: "Oh, I forgot". She pulled the book out, and sure enough, it was over-due. (When I returned the book later in the morning I told the librarian the story and ended with: "...so I'm happy to pay the fine". The librarian concurred that it was cause for celebration, given the circumstances, then added: "That will be $3.75 please.")
Later in the morning we (Bettie and I) left for two appointments. The first was to her long-time hair-dressers Yahow & Betsy Lam at Yahow Hair Salon. Bettie has been going there for a long time and they do great work. They turned her from a Medusa look-alike to the glamorous gal we all know. Thanks Yahow.
Then we headed to an appointment with every one's favorite stroke doctor, Dr. Aaron Heide. The visit is documented in a separate post.
Husband = Caregiver
Today was Bettie's first full day at home. What a relief to have her back. No more three trips-a-day to the hospital. It was also the first day of my transition from husband to caregiver.
Actually, that's not true. I'm still her husband, but I'm also her caregiver. Well, one of her caregivers. From my perspective now, I can see that husband and caregiver are very similar in many ways ... at least I think they should be. I should have been more of a caregiver all along; then this transition would be easier.
Anyway, the fact that this Thursday status is not being published until Friday morning should give you an idea of the difference between being at home and at the hospital. Silly me, I though that now that she is at home, I'll have more time since I won't be driving back and forth to the the hospital three times a day...wrong! I'm not complaining, mind you, just being realistic here. I am very blessed to have live-in family, so we're able to manage quite well...at least we will as we get used to the new requirements.
I think this will be the last of the daily "Status" posts that I'll be doing. From here on, in addition to the occasional "thoughts" kind of post, I'll be doing one post per week titled something like: "At Home: Aug 1 - 7". I'll add to it through the week as there is opportunity and something of significance to report.
(Note: I later decided to change the blog format as detailed in: A New Look For The Blog.)
Actually, that's not true. I'm still her husband, but I'm also her caregiver. Well, one of her caregivers. From my perspective now, I can see that husband and caregiver are very similar in many ways ... at least I think they should be. I should have been more of a caregiver all along; then this transition would be easier.
Anyway, the fact that this Thursday status is not being published until Friday morning should give you an idea of the difference between being at home and at the hospital. Silly me, I though that now that she is at home, I'll have more time since I won't be driving back and forth to the the hospital three times a day...wrong! I'm not complaining, mind you, just being realistic here. I am very blessed to have live-in family, so we're able to manage quite well...at least we will as we get used to the new requirements.
I think this will be the last of the daily "Status" posts that I'll be doing. From here on, in addition to the occasional "thoughts" kind of post, I'll be doing one post per week titled something like: "At Home: Aug 1 - 7". I'll add to it through the week as there is opportunity and something of significance to report.
(Note: I later decided to change the blog format as detailed in: A New Look For The Blog.)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Setting up for Rehab at Home
Two home care nurses visited to set up follow-0n home care for Bettie. We decided on a weekly nurse visit plus physical, speech, and occupational therapy. I have ordered the same speech therapy "kit" that they used at Acute Rehab so family can work with her to get communication skills back to working order.
We had considered getting her a hospital bed to keep on the main floor in the family room, as our bedroom is up seven stairs. That does not look like it will be a necessity...she does fine on the family room couch when she wants to rest, which is pretty often. Other supplies: shower chair, toilet attachments, support bars, etc. are readily available from medical supply outlets, and Craig's List is a good source too. In a few days, we'll have a reasonably accommodating atmosphere for her. She came home with a new walker from Acute Rehab and we already had a wheelchair at home.
In our master suite, the bath is just a few steps from her side of the bed. Each time she needed to "go", she woke me and I basically just watched...wait, that doesn't sound good. Well, she is perfectly able to get up, move the walker to the toilet, etc. I just...stood guard, that sounds better.
She is eating well, and we are managing the medications (she came home with seven prescriptions) OK. She never complains about taking them. (I'll know she is getting a lot better when she does, as the "old Bettie" was not much for medications at all.)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Home at Last!
Right on schedule, Bettie departed Auburn Regional Medical Center's Acute Rehab Center this afternoon, just after 2 p.m. How nice to get out of that air conditioned facility into the great (102 degree) outdoors.
Temperature aside, it is so great to have her home after five weeks in the hospital. What a difference to walk into the next room to see her versus driving (even though it was only five miles) to the hospital to see her. As I write, she is a mere 30 feet away. I love it.
Tomorrow a home care nurse will come to evaluate her and see where we go from here with regard to therapy and such. I'll continue to post to this blog daily unless or until it becomes routine and redundant. Then I may revert to less frequently.
As soon as we manage to upload the pictures, you can check out the videos that Jordan shot as Bettie made her grand exit.
Temperature aside, it is so great to have her home after five weeks in the hospital. What a difference to walk into the next room to see her versus driving (even though it was only five miles) to the hospital to see her. As I write, she is a mere 30 feet away. I love it.
Tomorrow a home care nurse will come to evaluate her and see where we go from here with regard to therapy and such. I'll continue to post to this blog daily unless or until it becomes routine and redundant. Then I may revert to less frequently.
As soon as we manage to upload the pictures, you can check out the videos that Jordan shot as Bettie made her grand exit.
An Open Letter to Dr. Sultana
Dr. Geoffrey Sultana
Auburn Regional Medical Center
Acute Rehab Center
202 North Division St.
Auburn, WA 98001
Dear Dr. Sultana:
This note is to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful care you and your staff of professionals provided for my wife Bettie, this past month. Though I’m grateful to have her home now, the departure from your facility was something like the bittersweet emotion of a graduation.
Of course, it was a graduation in a sense, a shared triumph of Bettie’s indomitable spirit plus the skill and dedication of your staff. You folks have helped turn a personal tragedy into a growth opportunity and headed her toward a successful recovery. A mere "Thank you" hardly seems sufficient.
Please share this note with your people and tell them how very impressed I am with them all. I hear it said that it is hard to find good help nowadays. Well, you have pulled it off in spades. Keep doing what you are doing; society needs (the people and) places like Auburn Acute Rehab.
Most sincerely,
Richard L. Aitkins
Auburn Regional Medical Center
Acute Rehab Center
202 North Division St.
Auburn, WA 98001
Dear Dr. Sultana:
This note is to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful care you and your staff of professionals provided for my wife Bettie, this past month. Though I’m grateful to have her home now, the departure from your facility was something like the bittersweet emotion of a graduation.
Of course, it was a graduation in a sense, a shared triumph of Bettie’s indomitable spirit plus the skill and dedication of your staff. You folks have helped turn a personal tragedy into a growth opportunity and headed her toward a successful recovery. A mere "Thank you" hardly seems sufficient.
Please share this note with your people and tell them how very impressed I am with them all. I hear it said that it is hard to find good help nowadays. Well, you have pulled it off in spades. Keep doing what you are doing; society needs (the people and) places like Auburn Acute Rehab.
Most sincerely,
Richard L. Aitkins
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What's This: Showering Together??
Bettie had another scan of the gall bladder area this morning...nothing unusual found. The scan delayed her breakfast until 10:30, so when I arrived with Jordan at 12:15, she was resting in bed but had not eaten lunch. I let her continue the rest and just brought her lunch in, and fed her in bed. She ate well.
Jordan was with me for some planned "family shower training". Yea...that's what I thought at first too, but it wasn't that. We simply learned how to use a shower bench to get Bettie in and out of a tub shower. She did the bathing, we did the helping. When she was clean and dressed, Jordy and I left her with the speech therapist.
When I returned for dinner, the kitchen was pretty quiet. We are in the midst of sort of a changing of the guard at Acute Rehab Center. Two or three patients were discharged today, and tomorrow Bettie and her roommate Katie, get their parole. Actually, it is kind of a sad thing to break up this gang. There has been a real spirit of camaraderie among both patients and staff. For example, meal times just are not the same without Sandy, a wonderful big-hearted woman who has moved on to an assisted living facility in Seattle. Sandy alwyas kept the conversation going and was a great "straight man" for Katie's humor. Bettie and I will visit Sandy soon to check out her new home and show off whatever considerable new skills Bettie has by then. Looking forward to that, Sandy.
I tucked Bettie in for what is hopefully the last night that we will spend apart for a very long time. Home tomorrow!!
Jordan was with me for some planned "family shower training". Yea...that's what I thought at first too, but it wasn't that. We simply learned how to use a shower bench to get Bettie in and out of a tub shower. She did the bathing, we did the helping. When she was clean and dressed, Jordy and I left her with the speech therapist.
When I returned for dinner, the kitchen was pretty quiet. We are in the midst of sort of a changing of the guard at Acute Rehab Center. Two or three patients were discharged today, and tomorrow Bettie and her roommate Katie, get their parole. Actually, it is kind of a sad thing to break up this gang. There has been a real spirit of camaraderie among both patients and staff. For example, meal times just are not the same without Sandy, a wonderful big-hearted woman who has moved on to an assisted living facility in Seattle. Sandy alwyas kept the conversation going and was a great "straight man" for Katie's humor. Bettie and I will visit Sandy soon to check out her new home and show off whatever considerable new skills Bettie has by then. Looking forward to that, Sandy.
I tucked Bettie in for what is hopefully the last night that we will spend apart for a very long time. Home tomorrow!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Countdown Begins
The countdown begins...today we started family training in anticipation of Bettie's return home.
My daughter-in-law Veronica, and my niece and nephew -- her two children (Jordan and Jonny) and I, spent and hour-and-a-half learning about speech therapy; plus, how to assist Bettie with walking and stair climbing. Then we checked out insurance coverage for and availability of home assistance devices at our local medical supply store.
There is still some issue in her tummy, but Dr. Sultana is having a specialist look into it, so I'll trust that they will solve it. At this point, it does not seem like anything that will interfere with her discharge on Wednesday. Hope not.
By dinner she seemed fine. She ate well and we had a nice goodnight with her in bed and me singing "True Love" (our song) to her. Sweet.
My daughter-in-law Veronica, and my niece and nephew -- her two children (Jordan and Jonny) and I, spent and hour-and-a-half learning about speech therapy; plus, how to assist Bettie with walking and stair climbing. Then we checked out insurance coverage for and availability of home assistance devices at our local medical supply store.
There is still some issue in her tummy, but Dr. Sultana is having a specialist look into it, so I'll trust that they will solve it. At this point, it does not seem like anything that will interfere with her discharge on Wednesday. Hope not.
By dinner she seemed fine. She ate well and we had a nice goodnight with her in bed and me singing "True Love" (our song) to her. Sweet.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Today Was an "Other" Day
Some days are better than others. Today was one of the "others".
Being Sunday, there was no therapy scheduled. I was with her for all three meals, and she ate OK. But she was not very perky, and after lunch she began to have pain in her gall bladder area again. That persisted the rest of the day, and I left her with the nurse changing the dressing on the drain that is installed there, to see if that would help.
For most of the afternoon, our daughter Kim and our good friend: "the other Kim" were there to visit and hold her hand.
By the time dinner came, I fed her in her room as she didn't want to get up. I expect this issue will be resolved tomorrow, one way or the other. I'd rather report more progress than more pain.
Being Sunday, there was no therapy scheduled. I was with her for all three meals, and she ate OK. But she was not very perky, and after lunch she began to have pain in her gall bladder area again. That persisted the rest of the day, and I left her with the nurse changing the dressing on the drain that is installed there, to see if that would help.
For most of the afternoon, our daughter Kim and our good friend: "the other Kim" were there to visit and hold her hand.
By the time dinner came, I fed her in her room as she didn't want to get up. I expect this issue will be resolved tomorrow, one way or the other. I'd rather report more progress than more pain.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"Stroke Humor" and Progress, Progress
Oh dear, terrible news: the stroke seems to be affecting Bettie's vision. This morning she said to me: "You look really nice today." Sorry, a little stroke humor there.
I was dressed for Sabbath services, with a tie, etc. She must have thought I was a doctor...she always responds nicely to doctors.
Anyway, she had another pretty good day. The weather being very warm lately, we went outside after both lunch and dinner. Both times I said: "We're going to go by our car, and when we do, I want you to point it out to me." I'm going to have to think up more difficult tests for her. She aced this one both times without hesitation.
One time in her room, while I was dumping out some wilted flowers, I turned around just in time to see her get out of the wheelchair and onto the bed, unassisted. This is getting common now. Also getting more common are her attempts to use her right hand, even without my urging (which I am constantly doing anyway). Today she unfolded the towelette that comes for clean-up with each meal tray, using both hands. She also removed a Kleenex from the box, right-handed, and actuated her right side wheelchair brake, both off and on, with it.
We saw and talked with Dr. Sultana for a bit after lunch. He says my prediction that she could be eating right-handed within a month is realistic. Woo hoo!
I was dressed for Sabbath services, with a tie, etc. She must have thought I was a doctor...she always responds nicely to doctors.
Anyway, she had another pretty good day. The weather being very warm lately, we went outside after both lunch and dinner. Both times I said: "We're going to go by our car, and when we do, I want you to point it out to me." I'm going to have to think up more difficult tests for her. She aced this one both times without hesitation.
One time in her room, while I was dumping out some wilted flowers, I turned around just in time to see her get out of the wheelchair and onto the bed, unassisted. This is getting common now. Also getting more common are her attempts to use her right hand, even without my urging (which I am constantly doing anyway). Today she unfolded the towelette that comes for clean-up with each meal tray, using both hands. She also removed a Kleenex from the box, right-handed, and actuated her right side wheelchair brake, both off and on, with it.
We saw and talked with Dr. Sultana for a bit after lunch. He says my prediction that she could be eating right-handed within a month is realistic. Woo hoo!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Planning to Move on
Working from home on Fridays, I'm able to slip down to see Bettie at breakfast, as well as the usual lunch and dinner. At breakfast, she had a recurrence of the stomach pain she had before the gall bladder incident a couple of weeks ago. I took her back to her room to lie down.
By lunchtime, she had been taken for the abdominal scan that was put off from yesterday (no results yet) and was feeling good enough to have a full lunch. At dinner she seemed her usual cheerful self.
The progress that I noted yesterday in her right hand continued today. When getting ready for bed, she once again tried to pull her sweater left sleeve down with her right hand. Like yesterday, she failed, but it was closer to success. Earlier, I had picked up a 1.5 oz. bottle of something on her nightstand and asked her to pick it out of my hand. She tried to do it with her left hand, but I said "No, use your right hand". Ever so slowly, she moved the right hand over to the bottle and wrapped her fingers around it and picked it up. I silently cheered. My prediction is that she will be eating right handed within a month. I am so proud of her.
Bettie is now the longest continuous resident in the Acute Rehab Center at Auburn Medical Center. Because I am there with her for most meals, I am able to get acquainted with the other patients as they all gather in the kitchen for meals. The Rehab Center only takes a maximum of ten patients at a time, and often there are as few as seven or eight.
Stroke patients are common, but they also have broken hip patients, amputees, acute arthritis, and patients with other debilitating conditions. Sharing these life-crisis situations with fellow patients, makes for a strong bonding environment; besides it is a lot of fun at meal time.
Bettie is a favorite of everyone, even though a lot of the stuff she says is not quite understandable. Everyone celebrates Bettie's accomplishments...and, of course, I make sure everyone knows her latest triumph. I'm going to miss these people when Bettie comes home next week. I'm sure Bettie will too.
Speaking of coming home, everything is moving that direction: I've got the banisters up on both sides of all the stairs at our home; Dr. Heides office called to set up a follow up visit at his office, next Friday; A training session is scheduled for other family members next week; Someone will be coming to our home to help plan for her return and suggest helps for her in this "new" environment;
So much to be thankful for. And I am!
By lunchtime, she had been taken for the abdominal scan that was put off from yesterday (no results yet) and was feeling good enough to have a full lunch. At dinner she seemed her usual cheerful self.
The progress that I noted yesterday in her right hand continued today. When getting ready for bed, she once again tried to pull her sweater left sleeve down with her right hand. Like yesterday, she failed, but it was closer to success. Earlier, I had picked up a 1.5 oz. bottle of something on her nightstand and asked her to pick it out of my hand. She tried to do it with her left hand, but I said "No, use your right hand". Ever so slowly, she moved the right hand over to the bottle and wrapped her fingers around it and picked it up. I silently cheered. My prediction is that she will be eating right handed within a month. I am so proud of her.
Bettie is now the longest continuous resident in the Acute Rehab Center at Auburn Medical Center. Because I am there with her for most meals, I am able to get acquainted with the other patients as they all gather in the kitchen for meals. The Rehab Center only takes a maximum of ten patients at a time, and often there are as few as seven or eight.
Stroke patients are common, but they also have broken hip patients, amputees, acute arthritis, and patients with other debilitating conditions. Sharing these life-crisis situations with fellow patients, makes for a strong bonding environment; besides it is a lot of fun at meal time.
Bettie is a favorite of everyone, even though a lot of the stuff she says is not quite understandable. Everyone celebrates Bettie's accomplishments...and, of course, I make sure everyone knows her latest triumph. I'm going to miss these people when Bettie comes home next week. I'm sure Bettie will too.
Speaking of coming home, everything is moving that direction: I've got the banisters up on both sides of all the stairs at our home; Dr. Heides office called to set up a follow up visit at his office, next Friday; A training session is scheduled for other family members next week; Someone will be coming to our home to help plan for her return and suggest helps for her in this "new" environment;
So much to be thankful for. And I am!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Right Hand - Use It vs Move It
I gave some thought to marking the passage of one month (June 23rd to July 23rd) with some profound observation ... but I thought better of it. While there are some benefits to writing this blog that go beyond the mere posting of her current status, I don't think it would be appropriate focus on them. Naturally, I'm flattered if you find the writing agreeable and are enamored with our "love story", (as more than one reader has commented) but this isn't my soap box, it is about Bettie.
Today, Bettie was scheduled to have another scan of her abdomen area. It seems that when they did the scan last week, to determine the gall bladder status, they noticed what appears to be an aneurysm on a artery to one kidney. Today's scan was to focus on that and determine an appropriate course of action. It has been put off until tomorrow morning.
This evening, as I was helping her get ready for bed, I saw her do something new. She is starting to actually use her right hand, as opposed to merely moving it. While taking off her sweater, she put her right had over to the left sleeve to try to pull it off, as it was caught on an IV attach point in her left arm. She could not get the fingers to pinch together to grip it, but the intention was there. Another time, she used the right hand to push her shoes under the bed.
Until now, though she has been moving the right arm and hand to some extent, she has never actually tried to use it. Recovery of hand functionality is a huge step. Just think of the difference between having one usable hand and having two. More epic stuff.
Today, Bettie was scheduled to have another scan of her abdomen area. It seems that when they did the scan last week, to determine the gall bladder status, they noticed what appears to be an aneurysm on a artery to one kidney. Today's scan was to focus on that and determine an appropriate course of action. It has been put off until tomorrow morning.
This evening, as I was helping her get ready for bed, I saw her do something new. She is starting to actually use her right hand, as opposed to merely moving it. While taking off her sweater, she put her right had over to the left sleeve to try to pull it off, as it was caught on an IV attach point in her left arm. She could not get the fingers to pinch together to grip it, but the intention was there. Another time, she used the right hand to push her shoes under the bed.
Until now, though she has been moving the right arm and hand to some extent, she has never actually tried to use it. Recovery of hand functionality is a huge step. Just think of the difference between having one usable hand and having two. More epic stuff.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It Isn't Rocket Science...or is it?
Today we are finishing one month since the stroke occurred on June 23rd. This probably calls for some profound introspection, a review of lessons learned, and all that sort of thing. Perhaps I can do that tomorrow, time permitting.
This week, time is kind of at a premium for me because Tim and Veronica and children are away from the house on a much-deserved camping vacation. So in addition to the usual two or three daily trips to AMC (Auburn Regional Medical Center) to visit Bettie, I have to care for myself, the yard, garden, berries, fruit trees, etc. And, it is the middle of my work week at iShip too. Poor me.
Bettie had another productive day with lots of walking, stair climbing, and other physical stuff. She works really hard at it too. Today I observed that her walking was noticeably faster than just yesterday.
I'm feeling pretty good about her physical progress, more so than her speech comprehension.
Strokes are so capricious in nature. Bettie can say some things exactly like she used to, and then the next sentence is just all a jumble, but spoken with straight-faced earnestness as if she was explaining a new propulsion theory to a rocket scientist.
I spent nearly three hours at lunch and beyond with her. Joining us was my daughter Kim and and old friend of mine from a couple of previous work places, Laurie Napa. Late in the day I had to take son Jim to the airport, so I missed her dinner, but I got to spend a few minutes with her at 6p.m. We discussed more of those rocket science explanations.
This week, time is kind of at a premium for me because Tim and Veronica and children are away from the house on a much-deserved camping vacation. So in addition to the usual two or three daily trips to AMC (Auburn Regional Medical Center) to visit Bettie, I have to care for myself, the yard, garden, berries, fruit trees, etc. And, it is the middle of my work week at iShip too. Poor me.
Bettie had another productive day with lots of walking, stair climbing, and other physical stuff. She works really hard at it too. Today I observed that her walking was noticeably faster than just yesterday.
I'm feeling pretty good about her physical progress, more so than her speech comprehension.
Strokes are so capricious in nature. Bettie can say some things exactly like she used to, and then the next sentence is just all a jumble, but spoken with straight-faced earnestness as if she was explaining a new propulsion theory to a rocket scientist.
I spent nearly three hours at lunch and beyond with her. Joining us was my daughter Kim and and old friend of mine from a couple of previous work places, Laurie Napa. Late in the day I had to take son Jim to the airport, so I missed her dinner, but I got to spend a few minutes with her at 6p.m. We discussed more of those rocket science explanations.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Right Hand Progressing
Bettie is walking longer distances and duration each day, to the point where measuring the distance is no longer meaningful. When she starts running the low hurdles, I'll mention it, but that won't be for a few weeks yet.
The right hand seems to be the big breakthrough now. Fingers are moving more each day, so that now she can grip a regular two-handed walker. You might think that is a step backward because she has been using a one-handed one. But the two-handed version keeps her more erect and it strengthens the right hand and arm. She can also go twice as fast with it.
(It's painful to remember that I'm the guy who used to complain because, in my exalted opinion, she took too long to get ready to go anywhere. Now I celebrate that she can move a little faster than a snail. Men: beware of what you complain about.)
Now that a release date is on the calendar, she and the staff are really pushing hard to accomplish a lot. At the end of each day she is pretty tired and hungry.
She had a good dinner, and I left her watching the Mariners.
The right hand seems to be the big breakthrough now. Fingers are moving more each day, so that now she can grip a regular two-handed walker. You might think that is a step backward because she has been using a one-handed one. But the two-handed version keeps her more erect and it strengthens the right hand and arm. She can also go twice as fast with it.
(It's painful to remember that I'm the guy who used to complain because, in my exalted opinion, she took too long to get ready to go anywhere. Now I celebrate that she can move a little faster than a snail. Men: beware of what you complain about.)
Now that a release date is on the calendar, she and the staff are really pushing hard to accomplish a lot. At the end of each day she is pretty tired and hungry.
She had a good dinner, and I left her watching the Mariners.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Long Walks and a Check-Out Date
Just after breakfast this morning, Bettie went for her longest walk to date: 55 feet. After a brief rest, she did another 30 feet. Then a little stair climbing. For the walking she is using a half-walker, a stand alone support for just her "good" left hand. The therapist has hold of a belt around her middle, but is not supporting her at all. In time, I expect her to be walking nearly normally. I wish I knew what the "in time" was, but I suspect it is six months or so.
Meanwhile, the right arm and hand are also making excellent progress. After lunch, Dr. Sultana was in to see her. (Somehow, he is always able to get her to do more than I can.) She showed some very promising finger movements and the arm itself is moving almost at will now. I have noticed that she has started trying to do two-handed things by pushing an object against the right hand while trying to manipulate whatever it is with her left. Things like tearing open a paper straw cover for instance.
When I came back for dinner, Deb, her welding instructor (occupational therapist) showed me a squeeze toy they use. Bettie took it in her right hand and squeezed it, making it inflate. Remember, the first week or two, this hand was paralyzed.
The final big news item for today is her discharge date. The staff had a meeting today and, because of the gall bladder issue last week, they were able to negotiate (with the insurance provider) an extension of her time in rehab of one week. The planned discharge is July 29, just over a week from now. From my perspective, while I want her home, it is best if she spends as much time as possible in physical rehab so she gets the professional workouts every day to make maximum progress.
The final, final, big news item is she did not have tomato soup for dinner. It was a regular meal of green beans, chicken, and potato with gravy. She ate everything but a couple of bites of the potato. Plus she finished her Trader Joe's yogurt, that I see to it that she gets with every meal.
Meanwhile, the right arm and hand are also making excellent progress. After lunch, Dr. Sultana was in to see her. (Somehow, he is always able to get her to do more than I can.) She showed some very promising finger movements and the arm itself is moving almost at will now. I have noticed that she has started trying to do two-handed things by pushing an object against the right hand while trying to manipulate whatever it is with her left. Things like tearing open a paper straw cover for instance.
When I came back for dinner, Deb, her welding instructor (occupational therapist) showed me a squeeze toy they use. Bettie took it in her right hand and squeezed it, making it inflate. Remember, the first week or two, this hand was paralyzed.
The final big news item for today is her discharge date. The staff had a meeting today and, because of the gall bladder issue last week, they were able to negotiate (with the insurance provider) an extension of her time in rehab of one week. The planned discharge is July 29, just over a week from now. From my perspective, while I want her home, it is best if she spends as much time as possible in physical rehab so she gets the professional workouts every day to make maximum progress.
The final, final, big news item is she did not have tomato soup for dinner. It was a regular meal of green beans, chicken, and potato with gravy. She ate everything but a couple of bites of the potato. Plus she finished her Trader Joe's yogurt, that I see to it that she gets with every meal.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Soup & Dinner With Friends
A sunny day and sunny disposition to match. Our girl is improving. I'd have to say the gall bladder issue probably set her back a good week, what with missed therapy, pain, and generally not doing well. Judging by today, I'd say she's back on track.
She'd better be, because a goal posted by the staff on the wall of her room shows a projected "Go Home" date of July 22. I don't know if we'll make that, but it is getting close.
Each meal she is enjoying treats that I bring her, to supplement her mostly liquid diet. Today I brought a couple of "super food" type drinks made by Odwella. She drank half of an 8-ounce bottle with breakfast and the other half split between lunch and dinner. With Bettie in her wheelchair I took her along for a little stroll in the sunshine after breakfast and then promised to return at lunch, when our daughter Kim would be coming. I did, and Kim arrived just after lunch at 1 p.m. and had a nice visit all afternoon.
When I returned just before dinner, I found Bettie in the lounge area, earnestly looking at a recipe in a Woman's Day magazine. She was probably thinking, "There must be something in here I could make that would beat the tomato soup I've had to eat for my last three lunch and dinners." When I finally tore her away to go to dinner, she had...yep, another bowl of mmmm mmmm good, tomato soup.
Speaking of dinner time, since I'm there for two and sometimes all three meals, I've gotten to know the cast of characters, both staff and patients. It is a fun group. Today we had a birthday cake at lunch for Katie, Bettie's roommate. To give you an idea of the dinner repartee: one of the patients said, "Ya know, with all the fun we have here, I'm really going to hate leaving this place." Kattie chimed in with something like: "If you really mean that, you're the sickest one here."
She'd better be, because a goal posted by the staff on the wall of her room shows a projected "Go Home" date of July 22. I don't know if we'll make that, but it is getting close.
Each meal she is enjoying treats that I bring her, to supplement her mostly liquid diet. Today I brought a couple of "super food" type drinks made by Odwella. She drank half of an 8-ounce bottle with breakfast and the other half split between lunch and dinner. With Bettie in her wheelchair I took her along for a little stroll in the sunshine after breakfast and then promised to return at lunch, when our daughter Kim would be coming. I did, and Kim arrived just after lunch at 1 p.m. and had a nice visit all afternoon.
When I returned just before dinner, I found Bettie in the lounge area, earnestly looking at a recipe in a Woman's Day magazine. She was probably thinking, "There must be something in here I could make that would beat the tomato soup I've had to eat for my last three lunch and dinners." When I finally tore her away to go to dinner, she had...yep, another bowl of mmmm mmmm good, tomato soup.
Speaking of dinner time, since I'm there for two and sometimes all three meals, I've gotten to know the cast of characters, both staff and patients. It is a fun group. Today we had a birthday cake at lunch for Katie, Bettie's roommate. To give you an idea of the dinner repartee: one of the patients said, "Ya know, with all the fun we have here, I'm really going to hate leaving this place." Kattie chimed in with something like: "If you really mean that, you're the sickest one here."
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Emotions Returning, Internal Issue Improving
The emotion displayed yesterday over the shoes may, in fact, be a sign of progress. It may also indicate a common stroke by-product: depression. Likely, it is both.
It showed up again after breakfast this morning, during a speech therapy session. Liz had her print her name. (I was amazed that she could do it, and with quite good left-handed penmanship.) But after she had spelled out "B E T T I E", she sat and looked at it for a few moments, then put her head down and began to softly sob. To me it looked like she was grieving over a friend she used to know, but now was gone.
If that theory is correct, it means she is more aware, and that awareness includes greater awareness of her current plight. Progress like this is a good news/bad news sort of thing. But we take what we get.
When I returned, just after lunch, she was in good spirits and having a nice visit with a dear old friend, Barbara Funk, a classmate from elementary through high school. Barbara is a retired RN, and did a lot of her career right here in Auburn General, as the hospital was called then. I value her positive appraisal of Bettie's progress, which was borne out by Dr. Sultana, who came in during the visit.
More good news from the doctor: the gall bladder drain is doing it's job, the infection and inflammation are down and the bladder will not need to be removed, unless there are complications later on. The drain stays in for six weeks.
At dinner time, I found a new roommate had moved in with Bettie, so she got acquainted around the two community tables in the kitchen. During dinner I was chatting with the wife of the only male patient on the ward. I learned that his stroke occurred in April and he was almost completely paralyzed: no movement and no speech. Now he is quite talkative and his speech seems pretty normal to me. The wife said that Bettie is way ahead of where he was at this stage. Very encouraging.
After dinner, I took Bettie down to the lobby atrium to enjoy the sun. We talked, I quizzed her on things like her name, my name, etc. She eventually came up with "Bettie Aitkins" for her and "Just plain Bill" for me.
So, this is Just Plain Bill, signing off ... with a smile.
It showed up again after breakfast this morning, during a speech therapy session. Liz had her print her name. (I was amazed that she could do it, and with quite good left-handed penmanship.) But after she had spelled out "B E T T I E", she sat and looked at it for a few moments, then put her head down and began to softly sob. To me it looked like she was grieving over a friend she used to know, but now was gone.
If that theory is correct, it means she is more aware, and that awareness includes greater awareness of her current plight. Progress like this is a good news/bad news sort of thing. But we take what we get.
When I returned, just after lunch, she was in good spirits and having a nice visit with a dear old friend, Barbara Funk, a classmate from elementary through high school. Barbara is a retired RN, and did a lot of her career right here in Auburn General, as the hospital was called then. I value her positive appraisal of Bettie's progress, which was borne out by Dr. Sultana, who came in during the visit.
More good news from the doctor: the gall bladder drain is doing it's job, the infection and inflammation are down and the bladder will not need to be removed, unless there are complications later on. The drain stays in for six weeks.
At dinner time, I found a new roommate had moved in with Bettie, so she got acquainted around the two community tables in the kitchen. During dinner I was chatting with the wife of the only male patient on the ward. I learned that his stroke occurred in April and he was almost completely paralyzed: no movement and no speech. Now he is quite talkative and his speech seems pretty normal to me. The wife said that Bettie is way ahead of where he was at this stage. Very encouraging.
After dinner, I took Bettie down to the lobby atrium to enjoy the sun. We talked, I quizzed her on things like her name, my name, etc. She eventually came up with "Bettie Aitkins" for her and "Just plain Bill" for me.
So, this is Just Plain Bill, signing off ... with a smile.
Is This a Good Sign?
Yesterday, for the first time that I have been aware of in this adventure, Bettie got upset with me. Maybe it is a good sign, I don't know. (I had brought in the shoes the physical therapist had requested, a pair of Costco's best sneakers. They do have laces, as opposed to the more preferable Velcro, but they fit well and support her better than the slip-ons she was wearing for walking.)
In her room after lunch, I put the shoes on her, as she was going to have more PT later. There was nothing I could say or do, (other than not putting them on at all) that made it alright with her to wear those shoes. I explained all the benefits and how I was just trying to help...all that good stuff. She just sat there, in her Costco specials, and glared at the floor. When she finally looked up, her face said "Why did you do that to me?" What could I say?
Most of the time, dealing with stroke is just, well...hard. Occasionally, it is heartbreaking.
In her room after lunch, I put the shoes on her, as she was going to have more PT later. There was nothing I could say or do, (other than not putting them on at all) that made it alright with her to wear those shoes. I explained all the benefits and how I was just trying to help...all that good stuff. She just sat there, in her Costco specials, and glared at the floor. When she finally looked up, her face said "Why did you do that to me?" What could I say?
Most of the time, dealing with stroke is just, well...hard. Occasionally, it is heartbreaking.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Getting Back to "Normal"
Being Friday, I'm working from home, so it is easy to slip down to the rehab barracks just after breakfast, and check in on our girl. Though she is still connected to one of those walk-around IV drip carts, at least she is mobile.
I found her in the gym, working on walking between the parallel bars. I helped the therapist by dragging the drip cart and wheelchair behind her as she inched her way along, about 15 feet in all. The therapist suggested I bring her some better shoes.
[Just as I was writing the above, the phone rang. It was a secretary at Dr. Heide's office. She told me that the doctor wanted her to get my permission to put a link on his web site (http://www.wacenterforhealth.com/neurologist.html) to this blog. (The link is now up. Click the "News" button to see it.) Gee, what an honor that he thinks this drivel of mine might be helpful to others coping with stroke. You may remember that in the post titled "Why Me, Why Not?" I suggested that it would be a shame to travel this road without leaving some help for others. In another post I mentioned that honor is a big deal to me. I'm feeling really honored right now. And when Bettie is able to comprehend how her trial is benefiting others, she will be honored too. Wow.]
Alright, back to earth here.
Bettie's little walk ended and I took her to her room to get ready for Liz, the speech therapist. I left at that point, but Liz later told me that she is seeing improvement in Bettie's comprehension and verbalization. That was good to hear from a professional, because I was just thinking that I'm not seeing much improvement here. Maybe I'm just too close to it.
I returned at lunch and found her just polishing off the other half of the Trader Joe's yogurt I brought her yesterday. In fact, because she did that plus drank some green protein drink (also from TJ's) that I brought her, the nurse agreed to disconnect the IV drip. (The drip was just to be sure she was getting enough liquid, and now it appears that she is.)
Following lunch, I left her with the physical therapist who was planning to take her for another walk. Since I did bring the better shoes, it should go better for her. Later in the day, she had more occupational therapy, and I think maybe a shower.
Dinner time found her pretty tired, but she was able to enjoy some more Apricot-Mango yogurt from Trader Joes, which I think is preferable to hospital Jello. I hope she agrees...I ordered a case of it today.
I found her in the gym, working on walking between the parallel bars. I helped the therapist by dragging the drip cart and wheelchair behind her as she inched her way along, about 15 feet in all. The therapist suggested I bring her some better shoes.
[Just as I was writing the above, the phone rang. It was a secretary at Dr. Heide's office. She told me that the doctor wanted her to get my permission to put a link on his web site (http://www.wacenterforhealth.com/neurologist.html) to this blog. (The link is now up. Click the "News" button to see it.) Gee, what an honor that he thinks this drivel of mine might be helpful to others coping with stroke. You may remember that in the post titled "Why Me, Why Not?" I suggested that it would be a shame to travel this road without leaving some help for others. In another post I mentioned that honor is a big deal to me. I'm feeling really honored right now. And when Bettie is able to comprehend how her trial is benefiting others, she will be honored too. Wow.]
Alright, back to earth here.
Bettie's little walk ended and I took her to her room to get ready for Liz, the speech therapist. I left at that point, but Liz later told me that she is seeing improvement in Bettie's comprehension and verbalization. That was good to hear from a professional, because I was just thinking that I'm not seeing much improvement here. Maybe I'm just too close to it.
I returned at lunch and found her just polishing off the other half of the Trader Joe's yogurt I brought her yesterday. In fact, because she did that plus drank some green protein drink (also from TJ's) that I brought her, the nurse agreed to disconnect the IV drip. (The drip was just to be sure she was getting enough liquid, and now it appears that she is.)
Following lunch, I left her with the physical therapist who was planning to take her for another walk. Since I did bring the better shoes, it should go better for her. Later in the day, she had more occupational therapy, and I think maybe a shower.
Dinner time found her pretty tired, but she was able to enjoy some more Apricot-Mango yogurt from Trader Joes, which I think is preferable to hospital Jello. I hope she agrees...I ordered a case of it today.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Recovering on Liquids
When Bettie checked in to Acute Rehab on July 1st, she had her two-bed room all to herself. The second bed remained unoccupied for the better part of the next week, giving Bettie a lot of peace and quiet. Then she got a roommate...so much for the quiet. Not that the roommate herself was loud, but she had a lot of visitors that were.
Yesterday the roommate was transferred to another facility, and once again Bettie has the room to herself. I think it's better, not just for the quiet, but she is free of the "pressure" to carry on a conversation with a chatty neighbor, while still struggling to find the right words, just to sound intelligent.
I had hoped that when I arrived at 11:30 today, I could take her to the kitchen for a hearty lunch. But as I left the elevator and passed by the daily activity board, I saw the notation in Bettie's column: "Bed therapy only, doctor's orders". So that's where I found her, dozing in her room, alone. She had already had one guest this morning, pastor Art Palecek. She did seem glad to see me ... but not so glad that she felt like keeping her eyes open all the time. I forgave her :)
And the "hearty lunch" turned out to be just liquids, plus that all-time hospital favorite: Jello. Since she was eating in bed, it required a little more help that usual. At least I thought it did. She did not concur. A couple of times she gave me that very stern, "Will you please stop touching my food" look. I love it. That kind of independence goes a long way in therapy.
When I returned to visit her several hours later for dinner it was a different story. I found her in the kitchen with the rest of the girls (there are now six female patients ... And, I think, just one lucky fella, in Acute Rehab). When dinner was served, I got permission for Bettie to have some of her favorite apricot-mango yogurt from Trader Joe's, which I had brought for her. She had four of the eight ounces of that, plus a bowl of tomato soup, and small cups of chocolate pudding and vanilla ice cream. Funny how she seems so hungry; it's only been two days with hardly anything to eat.
I can't say there has been any progress the last two days, other than determining why she hurt inside and getting a fix for that problem in place. Missing two days of therapy is bound to slow things down. Knowing her, I'm sure she is anxious to get back to work: dressing, walking, welding. You know, the usual stuff.
Yesterday the roommate was transferred to another facility, and once again Bettie has the room to herself. I think it's better, not just for the quiet, but she is free of the "pressure" to carry on a conversation with a chatty neighbor, while still struggling to find the right words, just to sound intelligent.
I had hoped that when I arrived at 11:30 today, I could take her to the kitchen for a hearty lunch. But as I left the elevator and passed by the daily activity board, I saw the notation in Bettie's column: "Bed therapy only, doctor's orders". So that's where I found her, dozing in her room, alone. She had already had one guest this morning, pastor Art Palecek. She did seem glad to see me ... but not so glad that she felt like keeping her eyes open all the time. I forgave her :)
And the "hearty lunch" turned out to be just liquids, plus that all-time hospital favorite: Jello. Since she was eating in bed, it required a little more help that usual. At least I thought it did. She did not concur. A couple of times she gave me that very stern, "Will you please stop touching my food" look. I love it. That kind of independence goes a long way in therapy.
When I returned to visit her several hours later for dinner it was a different story. I found her in the kitchen with the rest of the girls (there are now six female patients ... And, I think, just one lucky fella, in Acute Rehab). When dinner was served, I got permission for Bettie to have some of her favorite apricot-mango yogurt from Trader Joe's, which I had brought for her. She had four of the eight ounces of that, plus a bowl of tomato soup, and small cups of chocolate pudding and vanilla ice cream. Funny how she seems so hungry; it's only been two days with hardly anything to eat.
I can't say there has been any progress the last two days, other than determining why she hurt inside and getting a fix for that problem in place. Missing two days of therapy is bound to slow things down. Knowing her, I'm sure she is anxious to get back to work: dressing, walking, welding. You know, the usual stuff.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Day to Recover
Yea, I know, 5 p.m. is kind of early to be checking out for the evening, but it is by request ... hers.
I figured she would be pretty much be back awake from this morning's anesthetic by 4 p.m. when I showed up...and she was. Well, sort of. We could talk like we usually do, but she is still on IV drips from bags of liquid with long, unpronounceable names on them. She can't eat until breakfast, and mostly wanted to doze. After an hour of holding her hand and small talk, she said "I go home now". "You want me to go home now?" I countered. She nodded, "Yea". So that was it. I promised to see her at lunch.
(Visiting should be fine [and encouraged] tomorrow, Thursday, and thereafter.)
The only other thing of note is the issue of legal competence. This morning I asked Melody, the social worker who handles this sort of thing, to look into the possibility of getting official power of attorney. This would be good to have in case the need arises to sign legal or financial papers or something. Melody brought it up at an afternoon staff meeting and the consensus of all parties was that, for now at least, she can't. Well, here's what I got in letter form from Dr. Sultana:
Tonight, I'm just going to think about something else.
I figured she would be pretty much be back awake from this morning's anesthetic by 4 p.m. when I showed up...and she was. Well, sort of. We could talk like we usually do, but she is still on IV drips from bags of liquid with long, unpronounceable names on them. She can't eat until breakfast, and mostly wanted to doze. After an hour of holding her hand and small talk, she said "I go home now". "You want me to go home now?" I countered. She nodded, "Yea". So that was it. I promised to see her at lunch.
(Visiting should be fine [and encouraged] tomorrow, Thursday, and thereafter.)
The only other thing of note is the issue of legal competence. This morning I asked Melody, the social worker who handles this sort of thing, to look into the possibility of getting official power of attorney. This would be good to have in case the need arises to sign legal or financial papers or something. Melody brought it up at an afternoon staff meeting and the consensus of all parties was that, for now at least, she can't. Well, here's what I got in letter form from Dr. Sultana:
"Mrs. Aitkins has suffered a stroke with, among other things, cognitive and communicative deficits that prevent her from making medical or financial decisions."This was not a big shock or surprise, (and it is certainly not the final, all-time verdict). But when I see it in writing, it has a similar feel to what I imagine a foreclosure notice on the front door would.
Tonight, I'm just going to think about something else.
Mission Accomplished
The gall bladder drain procedure that was scheduled to take up to an hour this morning at 10 a.m. It actually started at 9:50 and was complete by 10:20. The attending physician took longer to tell me about the risks and possibilities than he did to do the job. These guys are good. No complications, just ... well, drip, drip, drip.
Bettie will be spending the better part of the afternoon in her room, exploring the twilight zone. I'll return to her when she awakens, and report more this evening.
Bettie will be spending the better part of the afternoon in her room, exploring the twilight zone. I'll return to her when she awakens, and report more this evening.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Three Weeks In
A little after 9:00 o'clock this morning we completed three weeks since that fateful morning: June 23rd (see "The Day it Happened"). That was a Tuesday, but it didn't seem like a weekday. It didn't seem like a weekend day either, nor a holiday. It was some other kind of time and space...strange, weird, surreal. Each of you have experienced events that put you in a place like that; events you will always remember...where you were, what you were doing, all that kind of thing.
But just as this past three weeks has brought significant signs of recovery to Bettie, so it is with me and others in the family. One naturally goes through various stages in dealing with this kind of thing: i.e. the guilt stage:
"If only I had ____ (or hadn't ____ ) maybe this wouldn't have happened", the "This can't be happening to me" stage, and on and on.
I'm sure there are more stages ahead. But all in all, things are getting better. I only have to consider how very much worse this could have been, to be thankful for what we have. Among the things I'm thankful for is the support of family and friends...many of you reading this.
Alright, enough of the maudlin syrup.
I left Bettie an hour ago, sound asleep. She had lunch and dinner through an IV drip, just like the early days two weeks ago. She is in preparation for a procedure tomorrow that is supposed to be installing a drain in the area of her infected gall bladder. Should there be any complications with that procedure, they will just remove it. (The bladder -- not the drain, silly!)
Before she drifted off, she was in her usual good spirits. Speaking of which, she is absolutely a big favorite with the staff at Auburn Acute Rehab Center. She is cooperative, works hard on therapy, and always tries to be agreeable. The professionals there seem to go out of their way to provide excellent care for her.
Yes, things are a lot brighter than that awful day, three weeks ago.
But just as this past three weeks has brought significant signs of recovery to Bettie, so it is with me and others in the family. One naturally goes through various stages in dealing with this kind of thing: i.e. the guilt stage:
"If only I had ____ (or hadn't ____ ) maybe this wouldn't have happened", the "This can't be happening to me" stage, and on and on.
I'm sure there are more stages ahead. But all in all, things are getting better. I only have to consider how very much worse this could have been, to be thankful for what we have. Among the things I'm thankful for is the support of family and friends...many of you reading this.
Alright, enough of the maudlin syrup.
I left Bettie an hour ago, sound asleep. She had lunch and dinner through an IV drip, just like the early days two weeks ago. She is in preparation for a procedure tomorrow that is supposed to be installing a drain in the area of her infected gall bladder. Should there be any complications with that procedure, they will just remove it. (The bladder -- not the drain, silly!)
Before she drifted off, she was in her usual good spirits. Speaking of which, she is absolutely a big favorite with the staff at Auburn Acute Rehab Center. She is cooperative, works hard on therapy, and always tries to be agreeable. The professionals there seem to go out of their way to provide excellent care for her.
Yes, things are a lot brighter than that awful day, three weeks ago.
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
So much for my medical credentials indeed. Yesterday I opined that Bettie's tummy upset was probably due to the fact that she has not been taking HCL with her meals. That may be a contributing factor to the real problem ... or maybe not. But the real issue, confirmed by the scan last evening, is a rather badly infected gall bladder. So much so, that is has to come out...right away.
I arrived at the rehab ward to find Dr. Sultana conferring with an internist, Dr. Spens. As I walked by, he says: "We were just talking about you." I'm thinking: "Gee, do I look that bad?" "Let's go into my office" he says.
For the next 10 to 15 minutes the two doctors outlined the situation: The gall bladder is infected, probably from a stone, stuck in it or the duct. Contributing factors might be not eating enough, not enough physical activity lately, or who knows what. Anyway, antibiotics are not a solution in its present condition. It needs to be removed. They outline the risks (they do that for every procedure) and the rewards. It's a no-brainer, though I asked a lot of smart sounding (naturally :) questions. Because of her atrial fibrillation, they need to stabilize her blood without the thinner they have been using, so the surgery will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I'll be there.
When we came out of the office, I found Bettie racing up and down the hall in her wheelchair, physical therapist jogging along side. Actually, she was making pretty good time, doing "sit-walking", with the foot rests removed. I was pleased to see the right leg taking steps almost as big as the left. Her session ended in a few minutes and I took Speed Racer to her room, where she wanted to lie down to rest.
I told her the news and just what to expect. She took it quite well, though I don't know how thoroughly she understood.
Just as I wrote the last paragraph above, the phone rang. It was Dr. Spens, informing me that after further examination of the scans from last evening, she (the doctor) thinks it might be better to hold off on the gall bladder removal surgery and just insert a drain instead, provided that can be done with no complications. Then in four to six weeks, do the surgery. This puts her at less risk overall.
I'll probably have more to report this evening. For now, tomorrow is probably not a good day to plan to visit, while this is being sorted out.
I arrived at the rehab ward to find Dr. Sultana conferring with an internist, Dr. Spens. As I walked by, he says: "We were just talking about you." I'm thinking: "Gee, do I look that bad?" "Let's go into my office" he says.
For the next 10 to 15 minutes the two doctors outlined the situation: The gall bladder is infected, probably from a stone, stuck in it or the duct. Contributing factors might be not eating enough, not enough physical activity lately, or who knows what. Anyway, antibiotics are not a solution in its present condition. It needs to be removed. They outline the risks (they do that for every procedure) and the rewards. It's a no-brainer, though I asked a lot of smart sounding (naturally :) questions. Because of her atrial fibrillation, they need to stabilize her blood without the thinner they have been using, so the surgery will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I'll be there.
When we came out of the office, I found Bettie racing up and down the hall in her wheelchair, physical therapist jogging along side. Actually, she was making pretty good time, doing "sit-walking", with the foot rests removed. I was pleased to see the right leg taking steps almost as big as the left. Her session ended in a few minutes and I took Speed Racer to her room, where she wanted to lie down to rest.
I told her the news and just what to expect. She took it quite well, though I don't know how thoroughly she understood.
Just as I wrote the last paragraph above, the phone rang. It was Dr. Spens, informing me that after further examination of the scans from last evening, she (the doctor) thinks it might be better to hold off on the gall bladder removal surgery and just insert a drain instead, provided that can be done with no complications. Then in four to six weeks, do the surgery. This puts her at less risk overall.
I'll probably have more to report this evening. For now, tomorrow is probably not a good day to plan to visit, while this is being sorted out.
Monday, July 13, 2009
I Try My Hand at Doctoring
I'm not a doctor, but I played one today at the Acute Rehab Center.
I got to wondering why Bettie was having the upset stomach lately, and I finally had a theory: Several years ago we both went to Dr. Jonathan Wright's Tahoma Clinic and both of us were tested for low stomach acid.
As we age, our bodies tend to produce less of the the stuff we need, so logic would say that holds true for digestive juices too. Unfortunately, that is not what "conventional" medicine teaches. The conventional theory is that if your stomach aches, it probably has too much acid. So I think they are giving Bettie an antacid when, in fact she had too little acid already (the test we took a few years ago proved that ). We both routinely take HCL (hydrochloric acid) capsules with meals and never have stomach trouble.
Rather that preach to the doctors, I simply printed this article by Dr. Wright and gave it to the nurse at breakfast, along with a bottle of HCL capsules. By lunch Bettie was having HCL and doing better. I hope the article got to the internist who is attending to this issue. We'll see. So much for my venture into doctoring. (No, I did not charge them for my diagnosis and subsequent remedy.)
I returned to visit at 1 p.m., hoping to see her walking during her physical therapy session scheduled for that time. Alas, they changed it to 2:30, so I'll try again tomorrow.
When I arrived, she was having a nice visit with an old friend, Debbie Compton. They seemed to be having a high old time, so I didn't stay long with her. Just long enough to show her the clothes I had picked out and brought in for her. (One of the reasons I know the real Bettie is in there is because of how fussy she is about what to wear each day. Feel free to kick me if you ever hear me complaining about how long it takes her to pick out clothes again. It used to be an aggravation, now it's hope!)
My dinner-time visit turned out to not be dinner at all, but rather a pint of flavored nuclear waste ... well, whatever it is that lets them see inside during a scan. They still want to make sure everything is OK in the tummy, so one more test.
Hmm, so much for my medical credentials. (Maybe I should have charged them for my consultation.)
I got to wondering why Bettie was having the upset stomach lately, and I finally had a theory: Several years ago we both went to Dr. Jonathan Wright's Tahoma Clinic and both of us were tested for low stomach acid.
As we age, our bodies tend to produce less of the the stuff we need, so logic would say that holds true for digestive juices too. Unfortunately, that is not what "conventional" medicine teaches. The conventional theory is that if your stomach aches, it probably has too much acid. So I think they are giving Bettie an antacid when, in fact she had too little acid already (the test we took a few years ago proved that ). We both routinely take HCL (hydrochloric acid) capsules with meals and never have stomach trouble.
Rather that preach to the doctors, I simply printed this article by Dr. Wright and gave it to the nurse at breakfast, along with a bottle of HCL capsules. By lunch Bettie was having HCL and doing better. I hope the article got to the internist who is attending to this issue. We'll see. So much for my venture into doctoring. (No, I did not charge them for my diagnosis and subsequent remedy.)
I returned to visit at 1 p.m., hoping to see her walking during her physical therapy session scheduled for that time. Alas, they changed it to 2:30, so I'll try again tomorrow.
When I arrived, she was having a nice visit with an old friend, Debbie Compton. They seemed to be having a high old time, so I didn't stay long with her. Just long enough to show her the clothes I had picked out and brought in for her. (One of the reasons I know the real Bettie is in there is because of how fussy she is about what to wear each day. Feel free to kick me if you ever hear me complaining about how long it takes her to pick out clothes again. It used to be an aggravation, now it's hope!)
My dinner-time visit turned out to not be dinner at all, but rather a pint of flavored nuclear waste ... well, whatever it is that lets them see inside during a scan. They still want to make sure everything is OK in the tummy, so one more test.
Hmm, so much for my medical credentials. (Maybe I should have charged them for my consultation.)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Hand Better - Tummy Worse
Expecting to find Bettie about finished with breakfast, I checked the dining area about 8:15 this morning. "She was fussing with her hair, last time I checked" the nurse told me. I found her in her room, just moving back toward her bed in her wheelchair. She wanted me to help her onto the bed, a task that is getting easier by the day.
She was not interested in going for breakfast, but I could not determine, from what she was saying, whether she had actually eaten yet or just didn't want to. When I finally checked with the nurse, I found that she was scheduled for an ultra-sound of her tummy area, just to be sure yesterday's upset stomach was not something serious. I still could not tell whether she knew she was not supposed to eat or that she just didn't want to eat. Anyway, she was fine with eating a very late breakfast. (I left at 10 a.m. and they still had not taken her for the ultra-sound.)
During my morning visit Dr. Sultana spent some time with us. He is pleased with her progress, overall. However, most of the stuff I wanted to know from him, he also wanted to know. Things like: Does she still have her memory (short term & long term)? Will she make a "full" recovery? How much does she understand? ... etc. A lot of these things we can't know until they happen.
He did say that he expects her total stay there to be about three weeks; which would mean her coming home the last week of July. But again, we can't be sure.
Before Dr. Sultana came, I was trying to get Bettie to move her right hand fingers, which have been mostly immobile from the start of this. The right arm is coming along, but not the hand and fingers.
As I was working with her I was thinking: "I think I'll ask people reading the blog to pray specifically about her fingers."
Then the doctor starts his routine: "Move this; move that; what is your name?" and so on. Pretty soon he gets to her right hand and asks her to squeeze. And she squeezes with her right hand and fingers.
"That's amazing", I exclaim, "I was just doing that with her and I got nothing." Whatever Sultana's magic touch was, I don't know, but he got some pretty promising response in her hand and fingers. Next to communication skills, I think this is the most important recovery she could make.
Just think of the huge difference between being able to use your principle hand and not being able to use it. Try it. Try just five minutes of normal daily activity with your principle hand immobilized and you'll see what I mean. Very tough.
Hopefully, this is more epic stuff.
Tim and family had a nice visit with her during the afternoon, while I finished up the installation of a second hand rail on the stairs into the house from the garage. (Before, it only had a hand rail on one side.)
Later, when I arrived for dinner, our daughter Kim was still there during a long afternoon visit. Bettie was complaining of stomach pain again, but it soon subsided and she was able to eat a pretty good dinner.
She was not interested in going for breakfast, but I could not determine, from what she was saying, whether she had actually eaten yet or just didn't want to. When I finally checked with the nurse, I found that she was scheduled for an ultra-sound of her tummy area, just to be sure yesterday's upset stomach was not something serious. I still could not tell whether she knew she was not supposed to eat or that she just didn't want to eat. Anyway, she was fine with eating a very late breakfast. (I left at 10 a.m. and they still had not taken her for the ultra-sound.)
During my morning visit Dr. Sultana spent some time with us. He is pleased with her progress, overall. However, most of the stuff I wanted to know from him, he also wanted to know. Things like: Does she still have her memory (short term & long term)? Will she make a "full" recovery? How much does she understand? ... etc. A lot of these things we can't know until they happen.
He did say that he expects her total stay there to be about three weeks; which would mean her coming home the last week of July. But again, we can't be sure.
Before Dr. Sultana came, I was trying to get Bettie to move her right hand fingers, which have been mostly immobile from the start of this. The right arm is coming along, but not the hand and fingers.
As I was working with her I was thinking: "I think I'll ask people reading the blog to pray specifically about her fingers."
Then the doctor starts his routine: "Move this; move that; what is your name?" and so on. Pretty soon he gets to her right hand and asks her to squeeze. And she squeezes with her right hand and fingers.
"That's amazing", I exclaim, "I was just doing that with her and I got nothing." Whatever Sultana's magic touch was, I don't know, but he got some pretty promising response in her hand and fingers. Next to communication skills, I think this is the most important recovery she could make.
Just think of the huge difference between being able to use your principle hand and not being able to use it. Try it. Try just five minutes of normal daily activity with your principle hand immobilized and you'll see what I mean. Very tough.
Hopefully, this is more epic stuff.
Tim and family had a nice visit with her during the afternoon, while I finished up the installation of a second hand rail on the stairs into the house from the garage. (Before, it only had a hand rail on one side.)
Later, when I arrived for dinner, our daughter Kim was still there during a long afternoon visit. Bettie was complaining of stomach pain again, but it soon subsided and she was able to eat a pretty good dinner.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Something Amiss in the Tummy?
Arriving at breakfast, I found Bettie kind of hunched over, and complaining (apparently) of a stomach ache. She had eaten some oatmeal, but very little else. I returned her to her room and bed to recover, which she eventually did.
In her room, nurse Melamie talked with me about helping to get her food service more like "home". I appreciated her concern and think she will go to bat for Bettie with the kitchen. (Bettie is pretty much an all natural, organic, whole grain, fruit, and vegetable kind of girl. Whereas hospital dietitians, I suspect, are products of the commercial food processing/refining school of thought.) We'll get this sorted out and she should do better with her diet.
Today, after services, I had the opportunity to spend some time with old friends for a complete change of pace, culminating in a lovely dinner out. My granddaughter Jordan accompanied me. She and I arrived back at the Rehab Center just after 7 p.m., but Bettie was still awake.
I had told Bettie this morning that I would be out for the afternoon but would see her at bedtime, but I 'm not sure if she understood -- not sure how her memory is. She seemed fine with my long absence between visits today. But she actually seemed better with my longer absence than I felt about it. I think I felt guilty. At dinner I kept thinking: "Maybe I shouldn't be doing this". But no, I know that I need the occasional break. And that's what good friends are for, isn't it?
Jordan and I found her in good spirits...better than this morning. From Bettie's description of the issue at breakfast, it was traumatic to her, though once again she couldn't find quite the right words to explain it exactly.
In her room, nurse Melamie talked with me about helping to get her food service more like "home". I appreciated her concern and think she will go to bat for Bettie with the kitchen. (Bettie is pretty much an all natural, organic, whole grain, fruit, and vegetable kind of girl. Whereas hospital dietitians, I suspect, are products of the commercial food processing/refining school of thought.) We'll get this sorted out and she should do better with her diet.
Today, after services, I had the opportunity to spend some time with old friends for a complete change of pace, culminating in a lovely dinner out. My granddaughter Jordan accompanied me. She and I arrived back at the Rehab Center just after 7 p.m., but Bettie was still awake.
I had told Bettie this morning that I would be out for the afternoon but would see her at bedtime, but I 'm not sure if she understood -- not sure how her memory is. She seemed fine with my long absence between visits today. But she actually seemed better with my longer absence than I felt about it. I think I felt guilty. At dinner I kept thinking: "Maybe I shouldn't be doing this". But no, I know that I need the occasional break. And that's what good friends are for, isn't it?
Jordan and I found her in good spirits...better than this morning. From Bettie's description of the issue at breakfast, it was traumatic to her, though once again she couldn't find quite the right words to explain it exactly.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Out for a Stroll
Another day, another record set. This time during her afternoon physical therapy session.
Her previous walking distance was 5 to 10 feet. Today she did two "excursions", one was 26 feet and her next was 22 feet. The longer one was with a walker that has a support piece for her right arm. For the shorter walk she used a "half walker" that just has support for her "good" side. She did pretty well with both. As her walking skills improve the therapist will decide which support device will be best for her.
Bettie's grandchildren Jonny and Jordi, watched the walking session. In fact, Jordi recorded it on her cell phone camera. If she is successful in getting that downloaded and sent off to uncle Steve (our blog/web producer), you will see the event here.
During the morning visit she took another excursion, but this one was riding as I was allowed to take her outside in the wheelchair. We went all the way around the block. The sun felt good after over two weeks in a hospital room.
On my way out, after the morning visit, I ran into pastor Art Palecek who had come for a visit. I'm glad to have her seeing as many visitors as possible, to enhance those communication skills, such as they are.
Her previous walking distance was 5 to 10 feet. Today she did two "excursions", one was 26 feet and her next was 22 feet. The longer one was with a walker that has a support piece for her right arm. For the shorter walk she used a "half walker" that just has support for her "good" side. She did pretty well with both. As her walking skills improve the therapist will decide which support device will be best for her.
Bettie's grandchildren Jonny and Jordi, watched the walking session. In fact, Jordi recorded it on her cell phone camera. If she is successful in getting that downloaded and sent off to uncle Steve (our blog/web producer), you will see the event here.
During the morning visit she took another excursion, but this one was riding as I was allowed to take her outside in the wheelchair. We went all the way around the block. The sun felt good after over two weeks in a hospital room.
On my way out, after the morning visit, I ran into pastor Art Palecek who had come for a visit. I'm glad to have her seeing as many visitors as possible, to enhance those communication skills, such as they are.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Me: Feeling Better - Her: Doing Better
Yesterday I was whining about not being able to see much progress, especially in her communication. Today, her communication is the progress that is most apparent.
I have to say, I'm feeling somewhat better than I was a day ago. Yes, this is kind of a roller-coaster ride with the emotions as we navigate along. But that's part of the challenge you get with recovery from a major stroke. It's like Forrest Gump's momma said about life: "... It's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."
In the morning post on June 28th, I quoted the doctor's best guess with regard to communication: "She will have difficulty communicating, but family will eventually get acquainted with her expressions and cope fairly well." Either that is what is happening with me, or she is comprehending more, or some of both. Probably the latter.
It just seems like she understands so much and is coping so well. For example:
I have to say, I'm feeling somewhat better than I was a day ago. Yes, this is kind of a roller-coaster ride with the emotions as we navigate along. But that's part of the challenge you get with recovery from a major stroke. It's like Forrest Gump's momma said about life: "... It's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."
In the morning post on June 28th, I quoted the doctor's best guess with regard to communication: "She will have difficulty communicating, but family will eventually get acquainted with her expressions and cope fairly well." Either that is what is happening with me, or she is comprehending more, or some of both. Probably the latter.
It just seems like she understands so much and is coping so well. For example:
- I say: "Take off the brake." and without hesitation, she reaches down and releases the wheelchair brake.
- While brushing her teeth, I tell her to remove her partial (she has a few missing molars, but the space is filled with a removable partial plate). At first she objects, but I explain that she needs to do it to be clean. My logic seems to win her over, and she relents.
- She starts a lot of her instructions to me with "Hon" or "Honey". Just like, well, like before.
There are getting to be a lot of these interactions that just seem more-or-less natural. Though there may be some nonsense in some of her conversation, we are communicating. Well maybe we are "communicating" in quotes. (According to the English majors, when you introduce a new meaning for an old word, you put it in quotes.)
Now this last item: But -- you have to promise not to tell the head nurse.
While helping Bettie from her wheelchair into her bed near the end of the evening visit, we kinda lingered between the chair and the bed for, well um, considerably longer than that quick little pirouette is supposed to take. OK, we hugged. So what are you goning to do about it?
Hmmm, maybe that's why I feel better.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
She "Gets It"
Visiting Bettie as often as I do, it is easy for me to miss the little improvements that are going on all the time. But for visitors who see her after a week or more absence the changes are profound. This was the case when old friends Ruth and Rich Medved saw her today. I arrived at 11:30 a.m. and found them still there, along with Dr. Sultana who was checking her progress, as he does each day.
Both the Medveds and Dr. Sultana were very impressed with her progress. Her right arm is moving further and more often for instance, and there are improvements in comprehension. At least we think so. This is the area that I am most concerned with. Dealing with whatever physical impairment might linger after her recovery is easily manageable compared to dealing with impaired comprehension.
She is so pleasant and trying so hard to please, that it is easy to just assume that she understands everything you say. But you will get a "Yes" response to just about anything that you ask if you ask it in an upbeat inflection and with a smile: "Today we're going to hold up the Brinks truck and we wonder if you'd like to help?" She'll give you a pleasant nod and say "Yes."
On the other hand, there are a number of indications that she "gets it". I think she is understanding key words in a communication and doing her best to respond to those. Words like "dressed" and "clothes" she responds to.
She likes to pick out what to wear from several choices and looks at her closet when you mention those words. While doing that yesterday, she kept repeating the word "right" when I was offering her the different things in her closet. She rejected every item in the closet with the comment: "No, right". Finally I noticed the pants and top that were not in the closet but on a shelf on the right side of it. That was what she wanted.
I was with her for both lunch and dinner, returning home for a few hours in between. She is eating better that when she first arrived here.
I left her by 6 o'clock because each Wednesday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. is the Northwest Sound chorus rehearsal. Though Bettie's stroke prevented me from traveling with my chorus brothers to compete for the international championship in Anaheim last week, she is stable enough now for me to attend weekly rehearsal.
It was good to be with the chorus again and to celebrate their inauguration officially into the category of "A" choruses. (Scoring over 80 in a competition constitutes the "A" category.) Our score of 81.2 placed us a respectable 19th out of 28, and one place ahead of our Evergreen District nemesis: the "Salem Senataires".
(In the Barbershop Harmony Society, the "Evergreen District" constitutes: Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Western Montana.) It's kinda cool to be the best of our genre in that large an area.
As you can imagine, singing is good therapy for whatever ails you ... it sure helps me. Come to think of it, it seemed to have helped Bettie too.
Both the Medveds and Dr. Sultana were very impressed with her progress. Her right arm is moving further and more often for instance, and there are improvements in comprehension. At least we think so. This is the area that I am most concerned with. Dealing with whatever physical impairment might linger after her recovery is easily manageable compared to dealing with impaired comprehension.
She is so pleasant and trying so hard to please, that it is easy to just assume that she understands everything you say. But you will get a "Yes" response to just about anything that you ask if you ask it in an upbeat inflection and with a smile: "Today we're going to hold up the Brinks truck and we wonder if you'd like to help?" She'll give you a pleasant nod and say "Yes."
On the other hand, there are a number of indications that she "gets it". I think she is understanding key words in a communication and doing her best to respond to those. Words like "dressed" and "clothes" she responds to.
She likes to pick out what to wear from several choices and looks at her closet when you mention those words. While doing that yesterday, she kept repeating the word "right" when I was offering her the different things in her closet. She rejected every item in the closet with the comment: "No, right". Finally I noticed the pants and top that were not in the closet but on a shelf on the right side of it. That was what she wanted.
I was with her for both lunch and dinner, returning home for a few hours in between. She is eating better that when she first arrived here.
I left her by 6 o'clock because each Wednesday evening from 7 to 10 p.m. is the Northwest Sound chorus rehearsal. Though Bettie's stroke prevented me from traveling with my chorus brothers to compete for the international championship in Anaheim last week, she is stable enough now for me to attend weekly rehearsal.
It was good to be with the chorus again and to celebrate their inauguration officially into the category of "A" choruses. (Scoring over 80 in a competition constitutes the "A" category.) Our score of 81.2 placed us a respectable 19th out of 28, and one place ahead of our Evergreen District nemesis: the "Salem Senataires".
(In the Barbershop Harmony Society, the "Evergreen District" constitutes: Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Western Montana.) It's kinda cool to be the best of our genre in that large an area.
As you can imagine, singing is good therapy for whatever ails you ... it sure helps me. Come to think of it, it seemed to have helped Bettie too.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Unplesant "Procedure" - Plesant Dinner
Being a work day for me, I did not arrive until 11:30 a.m. The occupational therapists (welding instructors :-0) were just finishing up. Well, one was finishing up, the other one was reading the printed version of this blog that is in Bettie's room.
It was a busy morning for her as they crowded all three hours of therapy into the morning so she could go off for a colonoscopy in the afternoon. (Colonoscopy is doctor-talk for "major breech of personal security". I'll spare you the proctologist's definition of the "scope" part of the procedure, but it's funny.) Anyway, the results were clear; no problems from stem to stern, so to speak.
They came for her a little after noon, so I came home and returned at 3:30. She was still pretty groggy, but gradually came around. By 4:30 she felt like getting up into the wheelchair. During that process, she seemed determined to pull herself up to standing by herself. She very nearly did. I was pleased to see how well she stood before transferring to the chair.
Dinner arrived at 5:00 and she was ready. Well, that was something of an understatement. Due to today's "procedure", she was not allowed to eat after yesterday's lunch. You may remember from yesterday, that today was the first time she was allowed food that was not pureed. It was pretty much a Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey & cranberry sauce, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, and applesauce. When the smoke cleared, there was just some potato left, that's all.
It was a busy morning for her as they crowded all three hours of therapy into the morning so she could go off for a colonoscopy in the afternoon. (Colonoscopy is doctor-talk for "major breech of personal security". I'll spare you the proctologist's definition of the "scope" part of the procedure, but it's funny.) Anyway, the results were clear; no problems from stem to stern, so to speak.
They came for her a little after noon, so I came home and returned at 3:30. She was still pretty groggy, but gradually came around. By 4:30 she felt like getting up into the wheelchair. During that process, she seemed determined to pull herself up to standing by herself. She very nearly did. I was pleased to see how well she stood before transferring to the chair.
Dinner arrived at 5:00 and she was ready. Well, that was something of an understatement. Due to today's "procedure", she was not allowed to eat after yesterday's lunch. You may remember from yesterday, that today was the first time she was allowed food that was not pureed. It was pretty much a Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey & cranberry sauce, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, and applesauce. When the smoke cleared, there was just some potato left, that's all.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Walking! and Other Steps Forward
Arriving a little after breakfast, I was able to help her dress for her first session, this time with Hope, her speech therapist. (Helping her get dressed means getting some things from her closet so she can choose ... and she always has a definite opinion about what to wear each day. The actual on and off of apparel she does herself, for the most part.)
In speech therapy we are working on word recognition, both oral and written. For example, she has no trouble counting, but she wont know what to do if you say: "Count to ten". Similarly, if you show her the numbers 1 through 5, written out and say: "Point to the number three" she won't recognize it. However, to show how clever she still is, she will count the images she sees and point to the third one.
My brother Jim (yea, "Grandpa Jim) stopped by later in the afternoon, so I scheduled my afternoon visit to overlap a little. After he left, she had some X-rays in prep for a colon check-up tomorrow. When she finally returned, we had some nice time together and celebrated a couple of big steps, well actually one of the big steps was five steps. Yes, they had her up with a walker today and she took five steps with minimal assistance!
The other big step is, tomorrow she can move from pureed food to something requiring a little chewing.
Progress, progress, progress. The girl is making progress.
In speech therapy we are working on word recognition, both oral and written. For example, she has no trouble counting, but she wont know what to do if you say: "Count to ten". Similarly, if you show her the numbers 1 through 5, written out and say: "Point to the number three" she won't recognize it. However, to show how clever she still is, she will count the images she sees and point to the third one.
My brother Jim (yea, "Grandpa Jim) stopped by later in the afternoon, so I scheduled my afternoon visit to overlap a little. After he left, she had some X-rays in prep for a colon check-up tomorrow. When she finally returned, we had some nice time together and celebrated a couple of big steps, well actually one of the big steps was five steps. Yes, they had her up with a walker today and she took five steps with minimal assistance!
The other big step is, tomorrow she can move from pureed food to something requiring a little chewing.
Progress, progress, progress. The girl is making progress.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Singing to My Peaceful Sweetie
Bettie had the day off from "school" today, so no therapy.
As I watch the therapists work with her, I pick up ideas to try when we are alone. I did a little of that when I was with her today. But mostly, it was just chair-to-chair, face-to-face interaction. When interacting now, I can always get her to speak up, by just cupping my ear. So the hearing part of our communication is so much better than when she mostly whispered.
The thing that is most remarkable about her at present is the nearly complete lack of obvious frustration. Occasionally I see a little when she really needs me to understand something and can't find the right words for it. But even then, it is not a mad "Why did this happen to me?!" kind of thing. For the most part she is somewhere between "I'm fine with this" and "I'm resigned to this", but never "I'm furious at this". If you read the "To Pray for Bettie, Click Here" post, you remember I asked for prayer for her state of mind, so this should not be a surprise.
Before leaving her for the night, I sang her one of the songs that I did for her at our 50th party a few weeks ago. (Three chorus brothers formed a quartet with me and we did "Heart of My Heart", "Irish Blessing", and "Always".)
Tonight I sang her "Always", a lovely Irving Berlin love song from 1926. (Berlin wrote it for his fiancee ... and he meant it. They were married 62 years!) Bettie sang along with me, picking up the words she didn't know as we went. It made for a few "sync issues" (for you musically astute types) but it was sweet, very sweet. ... Well, even if you're not musically astute, you can read the lyrics here. (Note: Get a box of tissues handy.)
As I watch the therapists work with her, I pick up ideas to try when we are alone. I did a little of that when I was with her today. But mostly, it was just chair-to-chair, face-to-face interaction. When interacting now, I can always get her to speak up, by just cupping my ear. So the hearing part of our communication is so much better than when she mostly whispered.
The thing that is most remarkable about her at present is the nearly complete lack of obvious frustration. Occasionally I see a little when she really needs me to understand something and can't find the right words for it. But even then, it is not a mad "Why did this happen to me?!" kind of thing. For the most part she is somewhere between "I'm fine with this" and "I'm resigned to this", but never "I'm furious at this". If you read the "To Pray for Bettie, Click Here" post, you remember I asked for prayer for her state of mind, so this should not be a surprise.
Before leaving her for the night, I sang her one of the songs that I did for her at our 50th party a few weeks ago. (Three chorus brothers formed a quartet with me and we did "Heart of My Heart", "Irish Blessing", and "Always".)
Tonight I sang her "Always", a lovely Irving Berlin love song from 1926. (Berlin wrote it for his fiancee ... and he meant it. They were married 62 years!) Bettie sang along with me, picking up the words she didn't know as we went. It made for a few "sync issues" (for you musically astute types) but it was sweet, very sweet. ... Well, even if you're not musically astute, you can read the lyrics here. (Note: Get a box of tissues handy.)
Saturday, July 4, 2009
One Armed Welding...Sorry, Dressing
Happy birthday America!
Bettie continues to make progress, now that she is a resident in the Acute Rehab Center in Auburn. Feeding herself is now pretty much routine. I arrived just as she finished breakfast today and so I wheeled her to her room. (For now, propelling a wheelchair is beyond her capabilities because of the right arm.)
After mere moments, her occupational therapist arrived for a session. (When I first heard the term 'Occupational Therapy' I was thinking: "What...are they going to teach her to weld, or something?). Occupational therapy means re-learning the skills necessary for independence, such as dressing, toilet, etc.
Today's lesson was dressing. I only stayed long enough to observe as she, completely on her own, removed her hospital gown and put on a pull-over short sleeve top. (Just before I left her this evening, I had her reverse the process...take off the top and put on the gown. Other than tying the back string ties, which I did for her, she performed both operations completely.)
Now, before you think: "So, what's the big deal?" try it yourself. Hang your good arm at your side and put on a "T" shirt, then take it off. I'm very impressed with her.
Besides giving her a sense of independence (appropriate for today, huh?), she is demonstrating that she does not appear to have any thinking impairment. If you could watch her perform these operations, you would see what I mean. She thinks through the whole process first, then begins methodically following the plan. Some steps require positioning the right arm first, which, if necessary she does by simply picking it up with her left hand and placing it where in needs to be. When she finished, I applauded. (Honey, if you really want to take up welding, you just go for it!)
-------------------
I stopped in after church services today, but she was napping and I didn't disturb her then.
Returning at 5 p.m., we had a nice visit, then got ready for bed. During our visit, I noted some of the fruits of her speech therapy. Most of her speaking up until now has been either clearly mouthing the words (making reading her lips fairly easy) or whispering. For the first time for me, she spoke up in a real voice every time I put my hand behind my ear and said "louder" or "speak up".
Visiting her so often probably makes the progress seem a little slower that it would if I only came twice a week, but the frequent contact is bearing other fruit, I'm sure. Besides, if I only saw her twice a week, I'd be a candidate for therapy.
Bettie continues to make progress, now that she is a resident in the Acute Rehab Center in Auburn. Feeding herself is now pretty much routine. I arrived just as she finished breakfast today and so I wheeled her to her room. (For now, propelling a wheelchair is beyond her capabilities because of the right arm.)
After mere moments, her occupational therapist arrived for a session. (When I first heard the term 'Occupational Therapy' I was thinking: "What...are they going to teach her to weld, or something?). Occupational therapy means re-learning the skills necessary for independence, such as dressing, toilet, etc.
Today's lesson was dressing. I only stayed long enough to observe as she, completely on her own, removed her hospital gown and put on a pull-over short sleeve top. (Just before I left her this evening, I had her reverse the process...take off the top and put on the gown. Other than tying the back string ties, which I did for her, she performed both operations completely.)
Now, before you think: "So, what's the big deal?" try it yourself. Hang your good arm at your side and put on a "T" shirt, then take it off. I'm very impressed with her.
Besides giving her a sense of independence (appropriate for today, huh?), she is demonstrating that she does not appear to have any thinking impairment. If you could watch her perform these operations, you would see what I mean. She thinks through the whole process first, then begins methodically following the plan. Some steps require positioning the right arm first, which, if necessary she does by simply picking it up with her left hand and placing it where in needs to be. When she finished, I applauded. (Honey, if you really want to take up welding, you just go for it!)
-------------------
I stopped in after church services today, but she was napping and I didn't disturb her then.
Returning at 5 p.m., we had a nice visit, then got ready for bed. During our visit, I noted some of the fruits of her speech therapy. Most of her speaking up until now has been either clearly mouthing the words (making reading her lips fairly easy) or whispering. For the first time for me, she spoke up in a real voice every time I put my hand behind my ear and said "louder" or "speak up".
Visiting her so often probably makes the progress seem a little slower that it would if I only came twice a week, but the frequent contact is bearing other fruit, I'm sure. Besides, if I only saw her twice a week, I'd be a candidate for therapy.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bad Girl: Sleeping Through Therapy
Another day of work at the Acute Rehab center in the Auburn Regional Medical Center complex. I arrived during breakfast and found her dining with two fellow patients. Since her cognitive skills are still impaired, she is not her usual friendly self, and meals are kinda quiet.
Though her right hand is moving a little more each day, it is not yet ready to pick up a fork. Eating is all left-handed. But I seriously doubt if I could feed myself any better left-handed than she does.
I received training in moving Bettie from wheelchair to bed and back. I'm now "qualified" in a skill I never thought I'd need. I'm hoping, as time goes on, that that skill becomes lost due to under-use.
Today she had some physical therapy and speech therapy, roughly an hour of each. My second visit of the day was just after noon and I found her in bed, trying to sleep through a speech therapy session. The therapist thought she might be more comfortable that way. She was. After this, speech will be in a chair where falling asleep will have more serious consequences. (These folks don't mess around.)
She had the afternoon off, so we (our granddaughter Jordan and I) were able to be alone with her. A short time later our niece Linda arrived for a visit and Bettie eventually awakened from her sleepiness to interact with her.
Though her right hand is moving a little more each day, it is not yet ready to pick up a fork. Eating is all left-handed. But I seriously doubt if I could feed myself any better left-handed than she does.
I received training in moving Bettie from wheelchair to bed and back. I'm now "qualified" in a skill I never thought I'd need. I'm hoping, as time goes on, that that skill becomes lost due to under-use.
Today she had some physical therapy and speech therapy, roughly an hour of each. My second visit of the day was just after noon and I found her in bed, trying to sleep through a speech therapy session. The therapist thought she might be more comfortable that way. She was. After this, speech will be in a chair where falling asleep will have more serious consequences. (These folks don't mess around.)
She had the afternoon off, so we (our granddaughter Jordan and I) were able to be alone with her. A short time later our niece Linda arrived for a visit and Bettie eventually awakened from her sleepiness to interact with her.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Daily Life in Auburn Acute Rehab
Bettie was in bed the entire visit, having finished her dinner before I arrived. So now, going forward, I'll start reporting on the things that are not getting better, as most everything is. For example, she shook Dr. Heide's hand with her right hand today. It's like, 'No big deal'.
Now that she is close to home -- it is about 15 minutes to drive there and another five minutes to park and get up to her room -- it's much better for everyone. (At Highline, it was about 35 for the entire trip, one way.)
This makes a huge difference to family from two perspectives: One is simply the logistics. It is not hard to just run down there when the mood strikes, as opposed to planning a "trip".
The other is how much less a burden it is to leave her. To family it just seems like: "I'll be right back, just going to run home for a little bit." It is just, I don't know, lighter somehow. We no longer feel like we're leaving her way over in some other city. (This is no reflection on the care she was given at Highline. I've already praised that. Just the distance and perception in our minds.)
Now, about visiting. As I told Bettie, "You are in school". The good news about visiting is that you can come any time between around 8:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening. The bad news is that three or more of those hours she will have a "teacher" (therapist) with her, so you will do more watching than visiting.
Therapy sessions are usually 45 minutes to an hour and have a little free time on either side between them. More often than not they are midway between meals.
But, watching her therapy is a good thing, because it shows you things you can be helping her with during your visits (please). Bottom line: come anytime ... please. Every time you come, you will see more of the "new" Bettie. Speaking of the new Bettie, she looked totally fetching in her new jammies Deana. So thank you very much.
I think that from now on, I'll report her status at the end of each day, rather than twice a day. I totally enjoy writing up these reports, but it is time consuming and I've got banisters to put up and other stuff to do. After all, she will be home before we know it and I've got to be ready.
Before I close for the day, I'd like to report on a gift I received today from a bunch of very special guys that I hang out with every Wednesday evening, pretty much year around. They are the Northwest Sound Men's Chorus.
As I write, they are in Anaheim, Calif., preparing to compete for the title of International Chorus Champion of the Barbershop Harmony Society, which takes place tomorrow evening. I would have been with them, had the stroke not happened.
What they gave me brought to mind the Mastercard commercial: "Priceless". The entire chorus called me on the phone and sang me a song, then they all shouted "Hi Dick".
It was wonderful. I thanked them and then said: "A loving God would not let you win without me on the risers with you. But second place is not bad." :)
I'll be watching on the internet tomorrow, and singing along.
Now that she is close to home -- it is about 15 minutes to drive there and another five minutes to park and get up to her room -- it's much better for everyone. (At Highline, it was about 35 for the entire trip, one way.)
This makes a huge difference to family from two perspectives: One is simply the logistics. It is not hard to just run down there when the mood strikes, as opposed to planning a "trip".
The other is how much less a burden it is to leave her. To family it just seems like: "I'll be right back, just going to run home for a little bit." It is just, I don't know, lighter somehow. We no longer feel like we're leaving her way over in some other city. (This is no reflection on the care she was given at Highline. I've already praised that. Just the distance and perception in our minds.)
Now, about visiting. As I told Bettie, "You are in school". The good news about visiting is that you can come any time between around 8:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening. The bad news is that three or more of those hours she will have a "teacher" (therapist) with her, so you will do more watching than visiting.
Therapy sessions are usually 45 minutes to an hour and have a little free time on either side between them. More often than not they are midway between meals.
But, watching her therapy is a good thing, because it shows you things you can be helping her with during your visits (please). Bottom line: come anytime ... please. Every time you come, you will see more of the "new" Bettie. Speaking of the new Bettie, she looked totally fetching in her new jammies Deana. So thank you very much.
I think that from now on, I'll report her status at the end of each day, rather than twice a day. I totally enjoy writing up these reports, but it is time consuming and I've got banisters to put up and other stuff to do. After all, she will be home before we know it and I've got to be ready.
Before I close for the day, I'd like to report on a gift I received today from a bunch of very special guys that I hang out with every Wednesday evening, pretty much year around. They are the Northwest Sound Men's Chorus.
As I write, they are in Anaheim, Calif., preparing to compete for the title of International Chorus Champion of the Barbershop Harmony Society, which takes place tomorrow evening. I would have been with them, had the stroke not happened.
What they gave me brought to mind the Mastercard commercial: "Priceless". The entire chorus called me on the phone and sang me a song, then they all shouted "Hi Dick".
It was wonderful. I thanked them and then said: "A loving God would not let you win without me on the risers with you. But second place is not bad." :)
I'll be watching on the internet tomorrow, and singing along.
Out of Hospital, Into Rehab
When we checked Bettie into the Acute Rehabilitation Center yesterday evening, I told her she was at a school. She is there to learn do do some things that are hard for her right now. And today is the first day of "class".
The facility is in the Auburn Regional Medical Center campus, on the 4th floor of the main hospital building. To find it, enter the main entrance under the portico, cross the lobby to the hospital area entrance and turn left down the first hall. Take elevator "C" to the fourth floor and you are there. The nurses station is to your left as you exit the elevator.
Like a good private school, class size is small. The in-patient housing consists of only 10 beds. They have a relatively small size gym, maybe 1,500 square feet or so, but it is well equipped for all kinds of physical therapy. The well-trained staff is headed by Dr. Geoffrey Sultana.
I saw Steve off at the airport this morning, then headed to Auburn for a lunch date with Bettie. I found her in bed, but working. Liz, a speech therapist was with her for another half hour until lunch, so I got acquainted with other staff.
At lunch, she again fed herself, while Lizz monitored swallowing. All went well. She has the afternoon off (from therapy) so she may nap some as she had a rather wakeful night with the new environment and all.
Both Dr. Sultana and Dr. Heidi put in appearances. Before they came I was noticing the rather dramatic changes I'm seeing from just yesterday. Everything is better: right leg, right arm, speech, comprehension...all improving. Dr. Sultana says "Wait 'til you see what happens in the next few days."
On follow up, I discovered that Dr. Heidi's "three to six months" was referring to recovery (by "recovery" we mean getting back most of what she will ever get back), not to a release date to home. That, he says is two to three weeks! (Insert big smile here.)
On the way home, I stopped at Lowes and pick up banister material for the other side of several stairways in our home. Got to get ready.
This is humung... No, sorry, this is Epic!
The facility is in the Auburn Regional Medical Center campus, on the 4th floor of the main hospital building. To find it, enter the main entrance under the portico, cross the lobby to the hospital area entrance and turn left down the first hall. Take elevator "C" to the fourth floor and you are there. The nurses station is to your left as you exit the elevator.
Like a good private school, class size is small. The in-patient housing consists of only 10 beds. They have a relatively small size gym, maybe 1,500 square feet or so, but it is well equipped for all kinds of physical therapy. The well-trained staff is headed by Dr. Geoffrey Sultana.
I saw Steve off at the airport this morning, then headed to Auburn for a lunch date with Bettie. I found her in bed, but working. Liz, a speech therapist was with her for another half hour until lunch, so I got acquainted with other staff.
At lunch, she again fed herself, while Lizz monitored swallowing. All went well. She has the afternoon off (from therapy) so she may nap some as she had a rather wakeful night with the new environment and all.
Both Dr. Sultana and Dr. Heidi put in appearances. Before they came I was noticing the rather dramatic changes I'm seeing from just yesterday. Everything is better: right leg, right arm, speech, comprehension...all improving. Dr. Sultana says "Wait 'til you see what happens in the next few days."
On follow up, I discovered that Dr. Heidi's "three to six months" was referring to recovery (by "recovery" we mean getting back most of what she will ever get back), not to a release date to home. That, he says is two to three weeks! (Insert big smile here.)
On the way home, I stopped at Lowes and pick up banister material for the other side of several stairways in our home. Got to get ready.
This is humung... No, sorry, this is Epic!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Oh No...Another Commercial (or 2)
Without going into a long medical history here, I'll just say that the events leading up to this clot/stroke event included numerous appointments with various practitioners of the medical arts, and even a couple of ER visits. After awhile, one gets a sort of stereotypical picture in mind when the term "medical" is even mentioned. For any one practitioner or facility to stand out from the rest, they have to be something quite extraordinary. One of them is.
Highline Medical Center was the care provider for Bettie's first nine days, and they were simply the best we could have hoped for.
Highline Medical Center was the care provider for Bettie's first nine days, and they were simply the best we could have hoped for.
- The physical facilities (which, like all hospitals in the world, I think, are still under construction/expansion) are impeccably maintained, clean and efficient. Even bordering on luxurious in some respects.
- Parking is convenient and free.
- They have state-of-the-art equipment and procedures. (Bettie came here in the first place because it was one of few places that had the equipment and know-how to do what she needed to have done.)
- They have excellent food, delivered hot and on time. Something even some restaurants struggle with.
- And the staff. What can I say? They were simply outstanding. I tried, in my last few minutes before Bettie checked out, to get around to as many of them as possible and thank them for their role in her care. And "Care" is the accurate term here...they obviously do. From the professional physicians and nurses, to the various assistants, even the volunteers. My hat's off to them all.
So my advice to you, should you find yourself staring up into the face of a 911 responder some day, is to croak out: "Take me to Highline!"
_____________________________
And now, for the other "commercial" mention: I want to thank the wonderful people at i1010 Communications for, among other things, helping me create this blog. Within minutes of the first alarm going out about Bettie, plans were made to fly their entire staff in from San Francisco.
OK, OK ... so i1010 is just my son Steve and his one-man web agency (and his contractors). But what kind of a dad wouldn't put in a plug for such a helpful a son. Reluctantly, I have to take him to the airport this morning so he can get back to earning a living. He will still be my faithful editor though, ("Hey Dad, did you forget to run spell-check ... again?") making me look like I can actually write.
So if you, or anyone you know, needs help with a web project of any size, Steve at i1010 Communications should be your go-to guy.
Dr. Heide: "Epic ... the word is Epic"
So there you have it folks ... she's making epic progress. Woo hoo!
So to celebrate, we went for a ride. At 6:00 this evening she checked out of Highline Medical Center and took a nice scenic drive down the valley to Auburn Regional Medical Center, with our son Steve riding shotgun.
I had arrived at Highline at five o'clock to help her with dinner, as usual, and pack up her stuff. My dinner "help" consisted of giving her two bites of squash, after which Steve said: "She's doing so well with her left hand now, why don't you give her the spoon?" And so I did.
So much for helping her with eating ... and I was just getting good at it. You'd almost think she was a natural lefty the way she mowed down the rest of the squash, most of the turkey and half the potato. After a few tries, she even got the hang of getting some drippy mushroom soup over the lips. By the time she got to the chocolate pudding, she was full...just as well I think. Total time to down dinner: 35 minutes.
Right after dinner, the cabulance (that's what they call a specially equipped van, that accommodates a wheel chair) arrived and they began readying her for the trip.
Dr. Heide put in a brief appearance and that's when I told him I needed a big doctor word to describe this: and I mimicked Bettie's latest right arm gymnastics. That's when he gave me his new adjective for her rate of recovery: "Epic".
So now she is sleeping in her new temporary home: Room 483 in Auburn Regional Medical Center. Her bed is by the window, with a view of Mt. Rainier. She's in the Acute Rehab Center, on the fourth floor. Take elevator "C".
(Watch for a post tomorrow afternoon when I'll have a better idea of her schedule and good times to drop by - when she not working out in the gym or with the speech therapist.)
If you compare the general tone of this post with the first one, ("The Day it Happened.") you will probably notice that this one is lighter, upbeat and more hopeful. If you perceive it that way, it is because ... it's true, I am.
Thanks to all of you for your part in that.
(My son Steve was a professional photojournalist for many years so he documented Bettie's recovery from the start. Here's the last video of her in Highline Medical Center, looking tired but on her way out the front door this evening. Yay!)
Going, going, gone!
So to celebrate, we went for a ride. At 6:00 this evening she checked out of Highline Medical Center and took a nice scenic drive down the valley to Auburn Regional Medical Center, with our son Steve riding shotgun.I had arrived at Highline at five o'clock to help her with dinner, as usual, and pack up her stuff. My dinner "help" consisted of giving her two bites of squash, after which Steve said: "She's doing so well with her left hand now, why don't you give her the spoon?" And so I did.
So much for helping her with eating ... and I was just getting good at it. You'd almost think she was a natural lefty the way she mowed down the rest of the squash, most of the turkey and half the potato. After a few tries, she even got the hang of getting some drippy mushroom soup over the lips. By the time she got to the chocolate pudding, she was full...just as well I think. Total time to down dinner: 35 minutes.
Right after dinner, the cabulance (that's what they call a specially equipped van, that accommodates a wheel chair) arrived and they began readying her for the trip.
Dr. Heide put in a brief appearance and that's when I told him I needed a big doctor word to describe this: and I mimicked Bettie's latest right arm gymnastics. That's when he gave me his new adjective for her rate of recovery: "Epic".
So now she is sleeping in her new temporary home: Room 483 in Auburn Regional Medical Center. Her bed is by the window, with a view of Mt. Rainier. She's in the Acute Rehab Center, on the fourth floor. Take elevator "C".
(Watch for a post tomorrow afternoon when I'll have a better idea of her schedule and good times to drop by - when she not working out in the gym or with the speech therapist.)
If you compare the general tone of this post with the first one, ("The Day it Happened.") you will probably notice that this one is lighter, upbeat and more hopeful. If you perceive it that way, it is because ... it's true, I am.
Thanks to all of you for your part in that.
(My son Steve was a professional photojournalist for many years so he documented Bettie's recovery from the start. Here's the last video of her in Highline Medical Center, looking tired but on her way out the front door this evening. Yay!)
Going, going, gone!
Right Arm Progress
What am I to do with this girl? She just takes the first offer she gets...and today it was to have breakfast at 8 a.m. So when I arrived to feed her at 9 a.m. she was full and happily snoozing. The report was that she ate nearly all her breakfast, so that is very good, even though I wasn't the one on the other end of her spoon.
I held her right hand for quite a long time while she slept, but eventually she discovered I was there and perked up (naturally) :-)
Of course I was quite eager to see more of that right arm and hand movement that was so "___________" yesterday. (We still haven't gotten that big word from Dr. Heide.)
And she made sure that I was not to be disappointed on this visit.
Well, let me modify that. Because I was thinking maybe she would be ready to throw out the first pitch when the Mariners have their next home stand, I was a little disappointed. Disappointed only because she does not move that arm and hand very often.
She is obviously not in training ... yet.
There were three significant arm and hand events today:
- Once she had her arm down on a pillow and lifted her forearm and hand to about a 45-degree angle, then put it down again.
- Another time, I had lifted the forearm to a 90-degree angle and then she moved it back and forth a couple of times before letting in down. And she let it down slowly, not like a limp dishrag as before.
- The third episode was a raise of the forearm to 45 degrees, then fully spread all her fingers, then move the arm 20 degrees to the left, then let it down.
I'm not sure that any of the above were voluntary. I don't recall that she ever moved it at my coaxing. But remember, two days ago, it was virtually paralyzed. (Hmm, how long is the Mariners current road trip anyway?)
The other significant occurrence during my two-hour visit was the appearance of a hospital volunteer who was there to give her some Medicare-required documentation concerning her rights when discharged. He understood she was to be moving out of the hospital within the next day or so. Terrific news.
I have a call in to Bettie's case worker to determine what she thinks the schedule will actually be.
Around 11 a.m. the speech therapist arrived for her morning session. I bid them farewell promising to return at 5 p.m. for our standing dinner date. I don't think she will take up with someone else this time, because she repeated the words, "Five o'clock" to me about six times.
She'd better not.
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