Today I thought it would be nice for us all to take a field trip to the movies. Now I am really not sure at times how much Deano can understand so the picking of a movie was a bit of a challenge. Of course Riley wanted to see something with a lot of action and the more things getting blown up the better. Now I thought it has been along time since Dean has been out and probably not a good idea to start him off with shoot m' ups. Now the thing is I needed to pick a family movie; something safe for Riley. I chose "Julia & Julie". Riley certainly was not happy with that decision and taking that into consideration he was, or shall I say, he tried to be a good sport about it. The show started at 10:40 am so that seemed pretty safe, not to crowded. Well into the movie Riley announced he had to use the restroom and I missed what seemed like a very important part of the movie. And just when I got comfortable again Deano signaled to me that he had to use the restroom. I took this as a sign (didn't feel real comfortable with the word "omen") that the movie was probably not the best idea at this time. I asked Dean if he enjoyed the movie and he told me no (in his way). My response to him was "You always liked the Movies". A couple of things occurred to me in that moment: 1) It is possible that Julia and Julie is a chick flick (no offense intended), 2) It is very possible that Dean may not like things he used to like and visa versa and 3) I was hoping this field trip would be good because I really needed to get out.
I am very excited about the new program that Deano will be starting on Monday, Rehab without Walls. It comes highly recommended from Long Beach Memorial and after our two week hiatus, it is about time. On Monday at 11:00 am we will have our first (I don't know, visitor does not seem like the correct use of the word and since I cannot think of anything else right now, we will have to go with it) visitor from Rehab, who will admit Deano; then at 5:00 pm we will be meeting with a social worker. On Tuesday at 10 am Dean meets with the speech therapist for an 1-1/2 evaluation and at 12 noon with the occupational therapist. On Wednesday he will meet with the physical therapist and on Thursday at 10am the speech therapist and at noon the occupational and physical therapist will double team Deano, (sounds like they mean business).
We are trying to get back to some sense of normalcy (is that even a word - I am going with it) like reading to Riley at night in bed which Riley really enjoys, saying our prayers together and little things like that (the things that matter most and their importance forgotten until gone or modified).
We are working with Deano to utilize his walker (at home) more than his wheel chair. He has gone from dragging his right foot to lifting and placing his right foot and more independent on transfers from one location to another. Riley has taken over the duties of assisting Deano in and out of the car and they seem to have a pretty good system worked out.
If you will allow me this one moment (oh I forgot I am the one typing and these moments are all mine - humor me): I grew up around a wheel chair (my Aunt Sylvia is paralyzed) and I am familiar with putting them in and out of any vehicle and really that is one thing (I know I know there are so many) that I do not like.
Well computer cooperated again today - so before I run out of luck I will say good night for now.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, August 12
My gosh how time flies when you are in the middle of falling apart.
Some bloggers have reminded me how long it has been since last we communicated (I guess this is a form of communication. Don't you think?).
First let me start with the excuse for why I have been away so long. See we have two computers at home and neither one of them seems to be working. (Although since I am blogging right at the moment it would appear that I got the laptop to cooperate). The home computer, if I had to guess and since Dean is really not feeling like working on my issues right now so I do have to guess. Anyway, my guess would be we need a new hard drive. And I am guessing that because we have 4 mice (they would be mice right? and not mouses?) and not one of the damn mice/mouses wants to do its job. So that is my excuse.
Many of you probably know that Deano is now home and has been since July 30, 2009.
Dean being home certainly has brought with it some challenges.
For instance, continued therapy was supposed to have been set up upon Dean's discharge from the hospital and now we are going on 2 weeks at home and rehab therapy has just started. Now I am not a therapist nor am I a nurse and there have been so many times that I have felt that I am doing a terrible disservice to Deano. Example, I had no idea that Deano was ready to actually lift his right leg while in his walker rather than slide. So after the first visit from the physical therapist Deano is now practicing what we like to call "Lift and Lock", which means the lifting of his right leg and locking his knee to support the walking motion.
Deano has also learned some new arm lessons from the occupational therapist.
I do have to admit to you all out there: There was truly something special about the staff at Long Beach Memorial. There techniques just seem superior.
Riley and I are certainly trying new ways to incorporate Dean back into life at home, taking into consideration his new abilities. Deano has been outside watering and using the vacuum cleaner quite nicely.
Suffice to say we have crossed the line of the first Marathon our family has run together. Deano is healthy and at home. So now we embark on a new race and as I suspected probably more difficult than the one we just completed. This one brings with it challenges that I not only could not have anticipated/ I could not have trained and prepared in anyway (well that may be debatable and for now lets just say I am correct).
See through out this journey I have seriously contemplated our wedding vows, more specifically that part that says "In sickness and in health". I really believed that if my spouse got the flu or a cold I would take him chicken soup and aspirin in bed. Never once when I spoke those vows did I dream it would be a stroke and that I would temporarily stop working to become a full time nurse and therapist. See, in my opinion anyway, when you are those roles it doesn't allow for other things in a marriage, like being a woman or a mom or a wife.
I truly believed when we got Dean home I would no longer have to worry about his well being and now I am solely responsible for his well being. And I learned that weighs a whole lot. Now I worry more than ever. Is the food he can eat going down the wrong pipe and is it building up in his lungs and creating an infection, do we need to rush to emergency. You name it; it is on my mind.
And though Riley knows that his dad is home, it really isn't his dad, at least not how he was when he dropped Riley off at school on Friday morning, April 3. And the relationship is not the same. Riley is definitely testing the waters where Dean is concerned. I guess the two of them will have to figure that out. (And you wouldn't even believe as I am typing the computer just goes blank and I am lucky nothing got erased). Maybe a sign I should stop now.
Lets not let so much time pass between updates.
P.S. Ricky I couldn't have said it better myself.
P.S.S. Bob and Laura thank you again for the beautiful basket of goodies.
P.S.S.S. This has taken me two days to post so I guess I better just post and hope for the best
P.S.S.S.S. On Monday, August 17, Rehab without wall will finally begin and we do have a busy week next week. Keep sending the love and prayers. Miracles happen everyday.
Some bloggers have reminded me how long it has been since last we communicated (I guess this is a form of communication. Don't you think?).
First let me start with the excuse for why I have been away so long. See we have two computers at home and neither one of them seems to be working. (Although since I am blogging right at the moment it would appear that I got the laptop to cooperate). The home computer, if I had to guess and since Dean is really not feeling like working on my issues right now so I do have to guess. Anyway, my guess would be we need a new hard drive. And I am guessing that because we have 4 mice (they would be mice right? and not mouses?) and not one of the damn mice/mouses wants to do its job. So that is my excuse.
Many of you probably know that Deano is now home and has been since July 30, 2009.
Dean being home certainly has brought with it some challenges.
For instance, continued therapy was supposed to have been set up upon Dean's discharge from the hospital and now we are going on 2 weeks at home and rehab therapy has just started. Now I am not a therapist nor am I a nurse and there have been so many times that I have felt that I am doing a terrible disservice to Deano. Example, I had no idea that Deano was ready to actually lift his right leg while in his walker rather than slide. So after the first visit from the physical therapist Deano is now practicing what we like to call "Lift and Lock", which means the lifting of his right leg and locking his knee to support the walking motion.
Deano has also learned some new arm lessons from the occupational therapist.
I do have to admit to you all out there: There was truly something special about the staff at Long Beach Memorial. There techniques just seem superior.
Riley and I are certainly trying new ways to incorporate Dean back into life at home, taking into consideration his new abilities. Deano has been outside watering and using the vacuum cleaner quite nicely.
Suffice to say we have crossed the line of the first Marathon our family has run together. Deano is healthy and at home. So now we embark on a new race and as I suspected probably more difficult than the one we just completed. This one brings with it challenges that I not only could not have anticipated/ I could not have trained and prepared in anyway (well that may be debatable and for now lets just say I am correct).
See through out this journey I have seriously contemplated our wedding vows, more specifically that part that says "In sickness and in health". I really believed that if my spouse got the flu or a cold I would take him chicken soup and aspirin in bed. Never once when I spoke those vows did I dream it would be a stroke and that I would temporarily stop working to become a full time nurse and therapist. See, in my opinion anyway, when you are those roles it doesn't allow for other things in a marriage, like being a woman or a mom or a wife.
I truly believed when we got Dean home I would no longer have to worry about his well being and now I am solely responsible for his well being. And I learned that weighs a whole lot. Now I worry more than ever. Is the food he can eat going down the wrong pipe and is it building up in his lungs and creating an infection, do we need to rush to emergency. You name it; it is on my mind.
And though Riley knows that his dad is home, it really isn't his dad, at least not how he was when he dropped Riley off at school on Friday morning, April 3. And the relationship is not the same. Riley is definitely testing the waters where Dean is concerned. I guess the two of them will have to figure that out. (And you wouldn't even believe as I am typing the computer just goes blank and I am lucky nothing got erased). Maybe a sign I should stop now.
Lets not let so much time pass between updates.
P.S. Ricky I couldn't have said it better myself.
P.S.S. Bob and Laura thank you again for the beautiful basket of goodies.
P.S.S.S. This has taken me two days to post so I guess I better just post and hope for the best
P.S.S.S.S. On Monday, August 17, Rehab without wall will finally begin and we do have a busy week next week. Keep sending the love and prayers. Miracles happen everyday.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone'Lone, 'lone Why, 'lone
Well by the looks of it I would have to say Dean is looking mighty, comfy, cozy in his bed.
Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone'Lone, 'lone Why, 'lone
Well by the looks of it I would have to say Dean is looking mighty, comfy, cozy in his bed.
Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 29
Ever have one of those moments when you would bet 1 mil that you did something; just to find out you just lost 1 mil. I would of bet I posted last night and I didn't.
Anyway, Riley is no longer counting days but hours.
Now we are doing final preparations for Deano's journey back home.
I will keep you posted.
Less than 24 hours and counting!
Anyway, Riley is no longer counting days but hours.
Now we are doing final preparations for Deano's journey back home.
I will keep you posted.
Less than 24 hours and counting!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 27
3 Days and Counting
Dorothy, We certainly ain't in Kansas, no more.
In my mind it seems like there is so so much preparation for Dean's coming home. And in reality what can we really do to prepare. My head has been filled with instructions from all the therapists: speech, occupational, recreational and physical. So much information I cannot tell you what I remember and what I don't. My new saying "I don't even know what I don't know!" And truth be told Riley and I are already prepared for his arrival with love in our hearts and enough support to fill up any stadium in the world and then some.
Riley told me today I didn't even have to lift Deano to transfer him from one location to another. I told Riley he can show me how it's done when Dad comes home.
Tonight Riley prepared dinner and we had chicken with corn on the cob from his garden and a cucumber salad with cucumbers from his garden.
So not Kansas anymore and where ever we end up just might be better than Kansas.
Dorothy, We certainly ain't in Kansas, no more.
In my mind it seems like there is so so much preparation for Dean's coming home. And in reality what can we really do to prepare. My head has been filled with instructions from all the therapists: speech, occupational, recreational and physical. So much information I cannot tell you what I remember and what I don't. My new saying "I don't even know what I don't know!" And truth be told Riley and I are already prepared for his arrival with love in our hearts and enough support to fill up any stadium in the world and then some.
Riley told me today I didn't even have to lift Deano to transfer him from one location to another. I told Riley he can show me how it's done when Dad comes home.
Tonight Riley prepared dinner and we had chicken with corn on the cob from his garden and a cucumber salad with cucumbers from his garden.
So not Kansas anymore and where ever we end up just might be better than Kansas.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 26
DID EVERYONE NOTICE THE ROOM CHANGE. DEANO IS NOW IN ROOM 146.
Tomorrow Riley and I will begin our family training at the hospital which will involve further lessons on showers, assistance with hygene, getting in and out of the car, etc. We will also learn different activities that we can do with Deano at home as he continues to recover.
Today Deano and Riley participated in recreational therapy which involved a baseball game on the Wii. How cool is that. Finally a reason to have Wii in the house. Me, Grandma Jo, Riley and Deano also went to a drumming ceramony this morning. Fun day at LBM.
We had to leave a little early. Time to start getting Riley ready for the new school year. Shit from Wii to planning for the new school year. Not so cool.
Alot to do to get ready for Deano's home coming. Riley told Deano he is very excited about Dean coming home. Riley also wants to have a big welcome home party for his dad.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
