Picked up Mom's hearing aid this morning and brought it to her. The doc couldn't find anything wrong with it when she took it apart and put it back together, but Mom said it wasn't working before and now it is, so all is well as far as I'm concerned...plus the "fix" was free, so double score! Also brought Dad the new issue of Perfect Vision magazine fresh from the mailbox so he's at least got some reading material to keep him busy when not in therapy, at meals or visiting with friends and family.
When I stopped by last night (a little later than usual), Mom was already fast asleep and Dad was in his room with headphones on doing a crossword puzzle. We chatted quietly for a little while so as not to wake his roommate Paul, then I bid him adieu for the evening. So he was surprised to see me this morning to say the least, and if nothing else, it's good to keep him confused.
Word has it among the physical therapy staff that Dad MIGHT be getting released as early as mid-next week, but no one else can confirm or deny that so we're not getting our hopes up. I've got a call into Stephen the social worker to see if that's indeed the case, so I'll let YOU know as soon as I do.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Hands Across the Ocean
Here's another snapshot of visitors to the blog...now with international reach!
Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. I'll be tapping people for help in the coming weeks for sure.
A Minor Update
Stopped by the 'rents last night and delivered a couple of pre-dinner mochas. I arrived to find that Mom had stubbed her toe and was having it treated by a member of the nursing staff. She had to keep it elevated as we visited in what I have dubbed the Plasma Activity Room (or PAR for short), but the mocha I think helped ease the pain.
I gave them an update on the bill and hearing aid situations, and let them know that I scheduled a followup appointment for Mom on June 5th. With that appointment we should see about scheduling a new CT scan and possibly get the ablation procedure back on the timeline, which brings Mom that much closer to coming home. I'll post the results of the visit as soon as I have them.
Got a call back from one of the pavers yesterday interested in bidding the job, but I need to remove the cars first, which should be able to get done by this weekend. Ed the Renter took a gander at the deck etc and said he could definitely pitch in during the day since he's close anyway, but the sequence is key and I don't want to leave anything undone for when either of the folks come home.
Also got Dad's cell phone loaded with minutes so he's entered the cellular age! He even got a call while we were visiting...I told him he just needs to get on the phone while in the checkout line and he'll finally have arrived.
I gave them an update on the bill and hearing aid situations, and let them know that I scheduled a followup appointment for Mom on June 5th. With that appointment we should see about scheduling a new CT scan and possibly get the ablation procedure back on the timeline, which brings Mom that much closer to coming home. I'll post the results of the visit as soon as I have them.
Got a call back from one of the pavers yesterday interested in bidding the job, but I need to remove the cars first, which should be able to get done by this weekend. Ed the Renter took a gander at the deck etc and said he could definitely pitch in during the day since he's close anyway, but the sequence is key and I don't want to leave anything undone for when either of the folks come home.
Also got Dad's cell phone loaded with minutes so he's entered the cellular age! He even got a call while we were visiting...I told him he just needs to get on the phone while in the checkout line and he'll finally have arrived.
Monday, May 28, 2007
No News is Indeed Good News
Today is my first post in over 36 hours, but fear not: I've visited my folks both days (around mealtime) and aside from a continually aggressive course of physical therapy that's making them tired and sore, they're doing really really well. Mom is getting around in the wheelchair like a champ and responding well to the physical and speech therapies, and Dad is doing amazingly well with his right hand...eating, shaving, even signing his name are all coming back with amazing speed. More work on that foot and he's on track to come home within the next two weeks!
More tomorrow after I talk to the Doctor about Mom's June 1st follow-up and set up a number of other arrangements that have been frozen in time over the long weekend.
More tomorrow after I talk to the Doctor about Mom's June 1st follow-up and set up a number of other arrangements that have been frozen in time over the long weekend.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
A Jolly Good Time
Stopped by for a quick lunchtime visit and found a large chunk of the family were doing the same, so we closed down the lunchroom and retired to the "social area" for about three hours of hanging out. It was great catching up with family and I know Mom and Dad enjoyed the visit. Thanks to Tony for the picture (man, that Blackberry takes fine photo).
I will be calling Mom's doctor on Tuesday to see if her June 1st appointment is still a go and I am spending some time at the house keeping Gizmo the cat calm. Might do some weedwacking and skething of the new deck arrangement in the next day or two. Once I have a plan in mind for the deck, I will be contacting those of you who have offered handy help and we'll put together a work party of epic proportions.
A Meeting of the Minds
My parents and I had a sit-down with Stephen the social worker, Darlene the head nurse, Eddie the care staff lead and Venka the physical therapist yesterday. We discussed progress and Dad himself thinks he's not ready to be released, which is surprising. We're going to meet again in a week or so for another pulse-check, but in general the progress is on track. Sounds like it's recommended that Mom stay a little longer than Dad for lengthier therapy (which is to be expected), and in a week or so I'm going to on a field trip with Venka and I my Dad to the homestead to identify "trouble spots" and put together a list of things to move and organize.
In the meantime, I'm indeed focusing on the outside. Priority one is removing all the cars and arrangements are underway to hopefully get that done during the week, then I can get more serious about the paving. Next door neighbor Guy has a tractor and I'm going to see if we can borrow it for some smoothing, and Tasha had a good idea to pave the end of the driveway near the road as well since pulling out into traffic can lead to some spinouts when the weather is uncooperative.
A work party may be organized on a couple weekends, so stay tuned for details.
In the meantime, I'm indeed focusing on the outside. Priority one is removing all the cars and arrangements are underway to hopefully get that done during the week, then I can get more serious about the paving. Next door neighbor Guy has a tractor and I'm going to see if we can borrow it for some smoothing, and Tasha had a good idea to pave the end of the driveway near the road as well since pulling out into traffic can lead to some spinouts when the weather is uncooperative.
A work party may be organized on a couple weekends, so stay tuned for details.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
A Sunny Day at Maryville
Checked in with the folks tonight after work, and both were enjoying a post-dinner, post-mocha cup of coffee. Last night's LOST extravaganza was a lot of fun and went off without a hitch (aside from some stragglers glued to the tube for American Idol just prior to LOST), and all in all it was a lovely evening. But as Dad suspected, he and Mom got quite sleepy at the midway point of the two-hour finale, so they flicked it in at a commercial break and we bid them good night.
So since we watched the rest of the finale when we got home, I taunted them a little with the fact that it's a real mindblower, and Dad was suitably (if playfully) miffed. Apparently one of the nurses also watched the finale and was taunting them just the same, so I'll definitely have to bring the tape of the show in this weekend so they can catch the rest of what happened.
Mom and Dad were remarking last night how interesting it was that everyone in the place knew they were going to be watching LOST with the family that evening, and they likened the environment to being in a small town. But in a similar way, Dad has made himself quite at home, and he apparently knows all the nursing and care staff (and several of the residents) by name. It's an amazing and unusual trait, and they're such outwardly friendly people that it must be really nice to have them around...even if they wish they weren't there.
Today was a lot of heavy physical therapy before the Wolfgang sisters arrived (with Garlic Jim's pizza, no less...NO FAIR!), and there was apparently also a "disaster drill" in conjunction with one going on at St. Mary's Academy, so there was a lot of fire preparedness and such going on which apparently made for some amusing chaos. Dad has noted some soreness in his right leg since the stroke, and he mentioned it to a nurse, who said it's a fairly common after-effect, and in some very very rare instances, can herald a full spontaneous recovery. Lets hope he qualifies for that.
I'm going to take Mom's hearing aid in for repair tomorrow since it apparently hasn't been working as well as it could, and I have a meeting with Stephen the social worker at 10:30 so I should know more tomorrow afternoon about how long they're going to be staying at Maryville.
Also have been talking with my friend Pat, whose parents use wheelchairs quite frequently. Pat gave me a good rule of thumb with respect to how large one should make a wheelchair ramp, so I'll be stopping at the homestead in the morning to pace off and mark some potential ramp renovations. I'm also going to try and move forward with some car removal, though I'm sure most of the people who would do it will be indisposed this weekend.
More news tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Prelude to a Finale
Stopped in to see the folks tonight and drop off some fresh clothes and an old paper for Dad, and found that Mom was pretty tired from a long day of sisterly visits and physical therapy. She was sound asleep in her room when dinner was being served and I'm beginning to wonder if she's going to be awake when I stop by later tonight for LOST. Dad was pretty tired too, but he was in good spirits when I came in.
Bill and Grace apparently picked up a GoPhone for Dad (thanks you guys!), and I'm going to program our numbers in there for him when I head down again tonight. Sounds like we'll have the activity room (i.e., the sweet plasma) all to ourselves for the LOST finale tonight, so I'm planning to be there by 8:30 to make sure everything is situated and ready.
I still need to schedule an appoointment with Stephen the social worker so we know how long this stay is going to last, but I know Dad is doing well with using his right hand and even though he is getting around with a wheelchair, things are looking much better now than when I picked him up last Thursday. Mom on the other hand apparently took a fall last night when she was trying to move without nurse's aid, and now the nurses are watching her closer than ever to make sure she doesn't try to get up or move without assistance. It doesn't sound like she was seriously hurt in the fall, but it's still cause for concern and I can't help but think that it might be a small setback for her physical therapy.
Bill and Grace apparently picked up a GoPhone for Dad (thanks you guys!), and I'm going to program our numbers in there for him when I head down again tonight. Sounds like we'll have the activity room (i.e., the sweet plasma) all to ourselves for the LOST finale tonight, so I'm planning to be there by 8:30 to make sure everything is situated and ready.
I still need to schedule an appoointment with Stephen the social worker so we know how long this stay is going to last, but I know Dad is doing well with using his right hand and even though he is getting around with a wheelchair, things are looking much better now than when I picked him up last Thursday. Mom on the other hand apparently took a fall last night when she was trying to move without nurse's aid, and now the nurses are watching her closer than ever to make sure she doesn't try to get up or move without assistance. It doesn't sound like she was seriously hurt in the fall, but it's still cause for concern and I can't help but think that it might be a small setback for her physical therapy.
Watching The Love Pour In
Thank you everyone for your vigilance and your kind words. It is so wonderful to see all the love and support for my folks come in, and I'm sure the steady stream of visitors means a lot to them. I know it moves me.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
So Happy Together
I didn't get a picture of it (and I'm kicking myself), but when I arrived tonight, Mom and Dad were enjoying dinner together and it was SO great to see. They were both in much better spirits as a result and while we discussed a number of business matters and of course the upcoming season finales I need to record ("why must they all be this week?", Dad says), I could tell they were just much happier to be around eachother than be sequestered in their separate rooms.
Sounds like they had a number of visits today (the Wolfgang sisters as well as Bill and Grace from the coffee shop and Judy Schlotzhauer) and more to come (David Peterson was rumored to be stopping by this evening), so it really is wonderful seeing all this support and visitation. In between the physical therapy sessions and meals, I'm sure it's much nicer to see familiar faces than just hang out. In fact, I offered to bring some books and Dad said he got a stack from Judy and that he wondered if he'd have time to even read those given all the sessions and visits underway.
I'm going there tomorrow to watch LOST with them and I'm off Friday so I'll be there earlier in the day then, and maybe then I'll be able to sit down with Mom, Dad and the social worker to work out an exact length of stay and an end date, since their progress is impressing all the staff and I'm sure they'd rather be home than at Maryville. That said, the therapy is doing wonders for Mom and I know she'll be better off than ever when all is said and done.
Sounds like they had a number of visits today (the Wolfgang sisters as well as Bill and Grace from the coffee shop and Judy Schlotzhauer) and more to come (David Peterson was rumored to be stopping by this evening), so it really is wonderful seeing all this support and visitation. In between the physical therapy sessions and meals, I'm sure it's much nicer to see familiar faces than just hang out. In fact, I offered to bring some books and Dad said he got a stack from Judy and that he wondered if he'd have time to even read those given all the sessions and visits underway.
I'm going there tomorrow to watch LOST with them and I'm off Friday so I'll be there earlier in the day then, and maybe then I'll be able to sit down with Mom, Dad and the social worker to work out an exact length of stay and an end date, since their progress is impressing all the staff and I'm sure they'd rather be home than at Maryville. That said, the therapy is doing wonders for Mom and I know she'll be better off than ever when all is said and done.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lookin' Good
Checked in with both parents tonight (after signing all the necessary admissions paperwork) and they are looking good...Dad was just getting dinner and watching the X-files, and Mom was positively GLOWING after reuniting with Dad earlier in the day. The transfer was a success, and even though they're on opposite sides of the building, they've already seen eachother twice.
I'll be checking in with both tomorrow and the inevitable meeting with Stephen the social worker is soon to come. Since Maryville wants them both to stay as long as possible and they want to be out, well, YESTERDAY, we'll need to negotiate a happy medium somehow.
Once again, Dad's in room 317 and Mom's in 214 if you'd like to visit them! I'm making plans to watch LOST with them on Wednesday, so it sounds like just about any time is OK for a visit...within reason, of course.
I'll be checking in with both tomorrow and the inevitable meeting with Stephen the social worker is soon to come. Since Maryville wants them both to stay as long as possible and they want to be out, well, YESTERDAY, we'll need to negotiate a happy medium somehow.
Once again, Dad's in room 317 and Mom's in 214 if you'd like to visit them! I'm making plans to watch LOST with them on Wednesday, so it sounds like just about any time is OK for a visit...within reason, of course.
Meet You at Maryville!
Dad's moving to Maryville at about 11 AM today...just got off the phone with him and he's tying his shoes and getting ready for the trip as we speak. Sounds like he's moving to room 317 and when they are able to move he and Mom closer, they will (they have gotten the clear message from me that doing so is a priority).
I'll be there at 4:30 today to sign papers and deal with the business side of things, and I'll have all kinds of questions for Brandi (the social worker) at that time.
I'll be there at 4:30 today to sign papers and deal with the business side of things, and I'll have all kinds of questions for Brandi (the social worker) at that time.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Steady As She Goes
Not much new to report today, which is actually kind of nice to type. I checked in with Mom first and brought her a morning mocha, then wheeled her into the "Social Room" for a visit. She was glad to see that Dick and Beth had stopped by the day before and she told me about the new duds that Beverly had picked up for her (she was wearing one such sweatshirt today and it looked snazzy). She was concerned that Dad was still coming down to Maryville with her and I stressed that it was indeed the case, and that when I went up to visit Dad I would double-check on the timeline.
Good thing I did, too...it sounds like rather than Monday morning, the doctor (Dr. Ted, to be exact) is thinking more like Monday afternoon. The social worker at Maryville was not available for me to ask today (doesn't work weekends I guess) but I will call in the morning to find out the timeline and transport arrangements for sure. Ted also mentioned that Dad has some high cholesterol, which means we may need to talk about dietary changes, though we can save that for when some of the other stress subsides.
Dad was pretty wiped out for two physical therapy sessions this morning, but I brought him a mocha which made him perk right up. The Doc came in and gave him a quick once-over exam, and Dad indeed has pretty good strength in the right side--the right arm especially. It's the precision that gets him and that he will be focusing on in the future therapy sessions, but he's got a long list of exercises to do so I'm sure he'll be plenty busy even in between sessions. Dad also mentioned being concerned about catching the LOST finale this week, and I told him he could probably wrestle someone for control of the hi-def plasma that night, but if not I'd make sure and record it for him just in case (thank you, tivo!).
I stopped back by Mom's after some grocery shopping to let her know that Dad is doing well and should be released to Maryville tomorrow morning. She is really looking forward to having him to talk to, but the visitors have started to come through (Gary had been there and left in the time I'd been to see Dad) so that should help pass the time as well. I asked her if she would like me to get her a jigsaw puzzle, and she said that sounded interesting, so I'll go find a good one tomorrow.
Stopped by the homestead before coming home and fed the cats, checked the mail, etc. The house is doing well and the cats haven't taken over so there is hope yet to be sure.
Good thing I did, too...it sounds like rather than Monday morning, the doctor (Dr. Ted, to be exact) is thinking more like Monday afternoon. The social worker at Maryville was not available for me to ask today (doesn't work weekends I guess) but I will call in the morning to find out the timeline and transport arrangements for sure. Ted also mentioned that Dad has some high cholesterol, which means we may need to talk about dietary changes, though we can save that for when some of the other stress subsides.
Dad was pretty wiped out for two physical therapy sessions this morning, but I brought him a mocha which made him perk right up. The Doc came in and gave him a quick once-over exam, and Dad indeed has pretty good strength in the right side--the right arm especially. It's the precision that gets him and that he will be focusing on in the future therapy sessions, but he's got a long list of exercises to do so I'm sure he'll be plenty busy even in between sessions. Dad also mentioned being concerned about catching the LOST finale this week, and I told him he could probably wrestle someone for control of the hi-def plasma that night, but if not I'd make sure and record it for him just in case (thank you, tivo!).
I stopped back by Mom's after some grocery shopping to let her know that Dad is doing well and should be released to Maryville tomorrow morning. She is really looking forward to having him to talk to, but the visitors have started to come through (Gary had been there and left in the time I'd been to see Dad) so that should help pass the time as well. I asked her if she would like me to get her a jigsaw puzzle, and she said that sounded interesting, so I'll go find a good one tomorrow.
Stopped by the homestead before coming home and fed the cats, checked the mail, etc. The house is doing well and the cats haven't taken over so there is hope yet to be sure.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Another Day, Another Set of Visits
Mom and Dad were each in fine spirits today; we saw Dad first and he had just finished a morning session, so we chatted for a while. There was apparently some confusion on when he was going to be moved from the hospital, and the staff told him first that he was going to be discharged and going home, then to Maryville that day, then to Maryville on Monday, all in the span of about 20 minutes. I could tell Dad was frustrated by the mixed messages, but it sounds like they were working to free up space at Maryville that just didn't materialize. It's OK though; he's discovered the wonders of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, and anyone who knows the show probably can tell it's right up his alley. I can just see him as one of the Mythbusters, spending all day building machines designed to experimentally recreate mythical claims.
Mom was in equally fine fettle, and I arrived at her room to find Aunt Beverly chatting with her while she was having her lunch. Bev had apparently not heard about Mom's move or Dad's situation, so I took a moment and related what I knew as Mom enjoyed the mocha I had brought for her. Then Bev went off to buy Mom some clothes for her stay and we stayed to spend some time with Mom. It was a pretty nice day (overcast but warm with occasional sun breaks) so we took her by wheelchair around the facility to explore a little bit (the place is actually quite huge, with a really cool salt water aquarium in the front lobby) and then outside in the courtyard to give her some fresh air. I drove her by the roses growing out there so she could enjoy those and we hung out in the breezy outdoors for a while. Then when she was ready to go back in, we slowly cruised through the halls and we dropped her off in the TV room so she could watch a movie with Christian Bale (he's hunky, dontchaknow). We had a really good time and I was glad to give Mom a little more to do than just hang out in her room or in the eating area. Hopefully the weather will be good tomorrow so we can go for a spin again.
After stopping at home for some nourishment, I went to take care of the Gilchrist homestead, then brought Dad his afternoon mocha. He was pretty groggy and was complaining of a headache that had crept up on him, so I didn't stay long, but hopefully it will have passed by the time I see him tomorrow.
Mom was in equally fine fettle, and I arrived at her room to find Aunt Beverly chatting with her while she was having her lunch. Bev had apparently not heard about Mom's move or Dad's situation, so I took a moment and related what I knew as Mom enjoyed the mocha I had brought for her. Then Bev went off to buy Mom some clothes for her stay and we stayed to spend some time with Mom. It was a pretty nice day (overcast but warm with occasional sun breaks) so we took her by wheelchair around the facility to explore a little bit (the place is actually quite huge, with a really cool salt water aquarium in the front lobby) and then outside in the courtyard to give her some fresh air. I drove her by the roses growing out there so she could enjoy those and we hung out in the breezy outdoors for a while. Then when she was ready to go back in, we slowly cruised through the halls and we dropped her off in the TV room so she could watch a movie with Christian Bale (he's hunky, dontchaknow). We had a really good time and I was glad to give Mom a little more to do than just hang out in her room or in the eating area. Hopefully the weather will be good tomorrow so we can go for a spin again.
After stopping at home for some nourishment, I went to take care of the Gilchrist homestead, then brought Dad his afternoon mocha. He was pretty groggy and was complaining of a headache that had crept up on him, so I didn't stay long, but hopefully it will have passed by the time I see him tomorrow.
Friday, May 18, 2007
An Addition to the Cast
OK, so this blog is supposed to be focused on Mom, but Dad's an attention hog so he has decided he just HAD to have issues of his own. Some people just can't let the limelight go to someone else...
I'm being lighthearted, but this is not good news.
Dad called me at 12:40 AM Thursday morning. I saw his name on the caller ID and knew it wasn't a good sign that he was calling so late, but I braced myself for news about Mom. It wasn't about Mom.
"Jed, sorry to call so late, but I think I might be having a stroke."
I was out the door and at their house before I knew what I was doing and found Dad in their kitchen, trying to write his name on a piece of paper. He was noting that he had a lot of weakness and drifting in his right arm and that his right leg could barely support any of his weight. Apparently this all had started just about when he went to bed, but didn't really notice until he was tossing and turning and tried to get up to get a glass of water...and nearly fell over from the weakness on his right side.
I helped him out to my car and drove him to St. Vincent's E.R., and after some quick diagnostic questioning and some thorough information from Dad (it's as if he is intimately familiar with the symptoms of stroke somehow...), they put him on a gurney and wheeled him into the back for a CT scan. The front desk gave me a pager and told me they would buzz me when they had a room for him, and I set up camp in the waiting room.
Hours passed, and I tried to be patient, but a Colbert Report, KISS documentary and countless music videos later I'd still heard nothing, and as daylight started to creep through the window, I decided to be "THAT guy" and go ask for a status update. Good thing I did; they had forgotten I was there. Apparently they figured I went home and neglected to notify me that Dad had landed in a room on the 9th floor about 45 minutes earlier.
I choked back my anger (being exhausted and delirious helped) and quickly found my way to Dad's room, where I found him sleeping at last. I decided to let him rest and found his attending nurse (Celeste), who gave me the lowdown: the CT scan didn't show any damage or blockage, and a sonogram on his carotid arteries came up negative as well, but all symptoms and signs pointed to him having had a small stroke.
I went in to see if he was awake, and he was groggy but talkative. We chatted and he explained that the strength kept coming and going but at the moment was pretty much gone, then showed me the drifting of his arms again. His speech was fine (no slurring) and there was no aphasia...all the symptoms seemed to be concentrated in his right arm and leg. So after I while I left and let him rest.
Now, though it made me uneasy, we decided we wouldn't let Mom know about this turn of events until we knew more information, but I vowed that if he had to stay another night or more, I'd tell her. And now we know more information, and as I write this, Mom is now aware. It was hard telling her and she's of course very worried about Dad, but I've stressed to her that he's OK, and he is (I even called him from her room and let her talk to him to prove it).
I saw him again yesterday afternoon and this morning, and he is involved in a PT, OT and ST battery of his own (just like Mom's!). All signs indicate that with an aggressive short term approach he can expect a substantial recovery, and though the course of that approach still changes now and then, it appears he will be transferred to Maryville as well come Sunday. I was there during one of his OT sessions and he's a bright, willing patient, so I have no doubt he will make full use of the therapy he's given. He's none too thrilled about going to Maryville (and, frankly, Mom's not crazy about being there), but the fact that they'll be together in the same facility is great.
I'm working with the staff to get Mom and Dad as close as possible, whether in the same or adjoining rooms are at least down the hall from one another. And I'm also pressuring the staff to release Mom well ahead of the 60 day period and supplement with homecare once Dad is able to go home (1-2 weeks from the sound of it).
Dad is currently at St. Vincent's in room 905, but come Sunday that will change.
Mom is at Maryville room 214
Both have seemed reluctant about visitation (as you know they can be), but use that information as you will.
I will be calling on several of you reading this in the next week or two to help out with a master plan I have involving car removal, paving, and general cleanup on the exterior of the house. Dad has requested that we leave the inside alone for now and I will respect that request (but I have ideas when he's ready).
Thank you all for your kind words, your love and your support. I know you're there and ready to help, and it means the world to me.
I'm being lighthearted, but this is not good news.
Dad called me at 12:40 AM Thursday morning. I saw his name on the caller ID and knew it wasn't a good sign that he was calling so late, but I braced myself for news about Mom. It wasn't about Mom.
"Jed, sorry to call so late, but I think I might be having a stroke."
I was out the door and at their house before I knew what I was doing and found Dad in their kitchen, trying to write his name on a piece of paper. He was noting that he had a lot of weakness and drifting in his right arm and that his right leg could barely support any of his weight. Apparently this all had started just about when he went to bed, but didn't really notice until he was tossing and turning and tried to get up to get a glass of water...and nearly fell over from the weakness on his right side.
I helped him out to my car and drove him to St. Vincent's E.R., and after some quick diagnostic questioning and some thorough information from Dad (it's as if he is intimately familiar with the symptoms of stroke somehow...), they put him on a gurney and wheeled him into the back for a CT scan. The front desk gave me a pager and told me they would buzz me when they had a room for him, and I set up camp in the waiting room.
Hours passed, and I tried to be patient, but a Colbert Report, KISS documentary and countless music videos later I'd still heard nothing, and as daylight started to creep through the window, I decided to be "THAT guy" and go ask for a status update. Good thing I did; they had forgotten I was there. Apparently they figured I went home and neglected to notify me that Dad had landed in a room on the 9th floor about 45 minutes earlier.
I choked back my anger (being exhausted and delirious helped) and quickly found my way to Dad's room, where I found him sleeping at last. I decided to let him rest and found his attending nurse (Celeste), who gave me the lowdown: the CT scan didn't show any damage or blockage, and a sonogram on his carotid arteries came up negative as well, but all symptoms and signs pointed to him having had a small stroke.
I went in to see if he was awake, and he was groggy but talkative. We chatted and he explained that the strength kept coming and going but at the moment was pretty much gone, then showed me the drifting of his arms again. His speech was fine (no slurring) and there was no aphasia...all the symptoms seemed to be concentrated in his right arm and leg. So after I while I left and let him rest.
Now, though it made me uneasy, we decided we wouldn't let Mom know about this turn of events until we knew more information, but I vowed that if he had to stay another night or more, I'd tell her. And now we know more information, and as I write this, Mom is now aware. It was hard telling her and she's of course very worried about Dad, but I've stressed to her that he's OK, and he is (I even called him from her room and let her talk to him to prove it).
I saw him again yesterday afternoon and this morning, and he is involved in a PT, OT and ST battery of his own (just like Mom's!). All signs indicate that with an aggressive short term approach he can expect a substantial recovery, and though the course of that approach still changes now and then, it appears he will be transferred to Maryville as well come Sunday. I was there during one of his OT sessions and he's a bright, willing patient, so I have no doubt he will make full use of the therapy he's given. He's none too thrilled about going to Maryville (and, frankly, Mom's not crazy about being there), but the fact that they'll be together in the same facility is great.
I'm working with the staff to get Mom and Dad as close as possible, whether in the same or adjoining rooms are at least down the hall from one another. And I'm also pressuring the staff to release Mom well ahead of the 60 day period and supplement with homecare once Dad is able to go home (1-2 weeks from the sound of it).
Dad is currently at St. Vincent's in room 905, but come Sunday that will change.
Mom is at Maryville room 214
Both have seemed reluctant about visitation (as you know they can be), but use that information as you will.
I will be calling on several of you reading this in the next week or two to help out with a master plan I have involving car removal, paving, and general cleanup on the exterior of the house. Dad has requested that we leave the inside alone for now and I will respect that request (but I have ideas when he's ready).
Thank you all for your kind words, your love and your support. I know you're there and ready to help, and it means the world to me.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Big Day
Just got home and it's been a long one. Got a lot of info in my head floating around and I'll get it all down if I can, but if I miss something...sorry?
I took today and tomorrow off to help with Mom, and I was there at 10 AM with decaf mocha and paper in hand. Mom had been up for at least two hours doing physical therapy by this point and I found her in the packed TV room watching The 700 Club on a 42" Samsung Plasma HDTV. Seems to be something of a waste of hi-def technology, and Mom wasn't into it anyway, so we went back to her room to chat and hang out.
She seemed in good spirits and I opened her drapes so she could see what a gorgeous day it was outside. The physical therapist was doing an evaluation in the morning and was going to return later in the day for a followup, but Mom wasn't sure how long she was supposed to be staying there and I wasn't either. When I went to look for the PT for a consult, they were off site and unreachable, so when Mom finished her coffee and got settled in with the paper, I went out into the day.
Flash forward to this afternoon, and when I arrived with a crossword puzzle book in hand, Mom had apparently just taken a small spill when getting to/from the bathroom. She was doing OK, but a nurse was taking her vitals to make sure everything checked out. Her blood pressure and heart rate are looking good (heart rate is still somewhat elevated at about 95-105 bpm) and after we chatted for a while, it seems she was pretty worn out from the day's PT sessions, so she got ready for dinner and I went to find the Therapy Manager.
Tanya (the Therapy Manager) had just pulled up Mom's charts and had a lot of information to bestow, most of which were in the forms of various test scores and percentages, but the basic gist is that they have been evaluating Mom's status based on three areas of therapy: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
In the PT realm, Mom is progressing quite well. Obviously her right side (due to the stroke) is weaker than her left, but both sides are weaker than they could be so they're focusing on the right while incorporating the whole core. Lots of resistance training like pushing herself out of beds and chairs, etc. is being used, and on average, she is able to do most of these tasks 70-80% on her own. She has some balance issues while walking for a stretch, but with a walker she's able to manage just fine.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Contrary to how this sounds, it's NOT about finding Mom a job--this is about things that occupy one's time, like grooming, hygiene, etc. With feeding herself and brushing her hair and teeth, she's able to operate with about 80% independence once the tools she needs are lined up for her. But in things like bathing, using the toilet and dressing, she needs more assistance, and her percentages fall to the 50% range (meaning she needs more help doing these tasks). The OT will work on these trouble areas and find ways to make things easier for her, whether through augmentation of environment or through techniques learned in conjunction with the PT. The therapist also noticed that reading things seemed to be difficult, so there may be a vision issue afoot that they're going to dig into...whether it's based on the eyes themselves or on how the brain processes the information provided by the eyes. Should have more on that in the next few days.
SPEECH THERAPY
The main areas of work here seem to be comprehension and short-term memory. Tanya noted that she was sometimes not able to repeat things back as requested, or not able to answer complex yes/no questions. I asked if the hearing loss was factored into this and she said it may not have been...I told her that I've had good luck communicating if I speak slowly and clearly (not necessarily more loudly) and make sure I have eye contact. She made a note of that for future evaluation. When asked to remember and complete simple tasks (lift your foot, then blink your eyes), she was able to complete 1-2 tasks, but only sometimes 3 and never 4 or 5, so there is some concern about comprehension and retention. Additionally, listening to and repeating things was nearly impossible, so short-term memory seems to be very limited. Tanya noted her aphasic moments and I mentioned they had occurred for some time. There are a number of exercises lined up to help improve many of the speech and comprehension issues, and possible the short term memory as well.
BOTTOM LINE
Tanya's suggestion was to keep her for 60 DAYS. She said this is a worst case for the insurance company approval (and it's better to ask for the full possible amount up front than modify later), but that's still a LOT longer than we were thinking (1 to 2 weeks tops). I don't know how this jives with the doctors wanting to do the ablation procedure they had in mind for her heart, so that's still to be seen. And I have not given her this news yet since it was obtained on my way out of the facility, so breaking that to her is going to be hard. They're thinking some of that can be cut by substituting in-home care instead, but that a month is probably wisest. We shall see.
More tomorrow!
I took today and tomorrow off to help with Mom, and I was there at 10 AM with decaf mocha and paper in hand. Mom had been up for at least two hours doing physical therapy by this point and I found her in the packed TV room watching The 700 Club on a 42" Samsung Plasma HDTV. Seems to be something of a waste of hi-def technology, and Mom wasn't into it anyway, so we went back to her room to chat and hang out.
She seemed in good spirits and I opened her drapes so she could see what a gorgeous day it was outside. The physical therapist was doing an evaluation in the morning and was going to return later in the day for a followup, but Mom wasn't sure how long she was supposed to be staying there and I wasn't either. When I went to look for the PT for a consult, they were off site and unreachable, so when Mom finished her coffee and got settled in with the paper, I went out into the day.
Flash forward to this afternoon, and when I arrived with a crossword puzzle book in hand, Mom had apparently just taken a small spill when getting to/from the bathroom. She was doing OK, but a nurse was taking her vitals to make sure everything checked out. Her blood pressure and heart rate are looking good (heart rate is still somewhat elevated at about 95-105 bpm) and after we chatted for a while, it seems she was pretty worn out from the day's PT sessions, so she got ready for dinner and I went to find the Therapy Manager.
Tanya (the Therapy Manager) had just pulled up Mom's charts and had a lot of information to bestow, most of which were in the forms of various test scores and percentages, but the basic gist is that they have been evaluating Mom's status based on three areas of therapy: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
In the PT realm, Mom is progressing quite well. Obviously her right side (due to the stroke) is weaker than her left, but both sides are weaker than they could be so they're focusing on the right while incorporating the whole core. Lots of resistance training like pushing herself out of beds and chairs, etc. is being used, and on average, she is able to do most of these tasks 70-80% on her own. She has some balance issues while walking for a stretch, but with a walker she's able to manage just fine.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Contrary to how this sounds, it's NOT about finding Mom a job--this is about things that occupy one's time, like grooming, hygiene, etc. With feeding herself and brushing her hair and teeth, she's able to operate with about 80% independence once the tools she needs are lined up for her. But in things like bathing, using the toilet and dressing, she needs more assistance, and her percentages fall to the 50% range (meaning she needs more help doing these tasks). The OT will work on these trouble areas and find ways to make things easier for her, whether through augmentation of environment or through techniques learned in conjunction with the PT. The therapist also noticed that reading things seemed to be difficult, so there may be a vision issue afoot that they're going to dig into...whether it's based on the eyes themselves or on how the brain processes the information provided by the eyes. Should have more on that in the next few days.
SPEECH THERAPY
The main areas of work here seem to be comprehension and short-term memory. Tanya noted that she was sometimes not able to repeat things back as requested, or not able to answer complex yes/no questions. I asked if the hearing loss was factored into this and she said it may not have been...I told her that I've had good luck communicating if I speak slowly and clearly (not necessarily more loudly) and make sure I have eye contact. She made a note of that for future evaluation. When asked to remember and complete simple tasks (lift your foot, then blink your eyes), she was able to complete 1-2 tasks, but only sometimes 3 and never 4 or 5, so there is some concern about comprehension and retention. Additionally, listening to and repeating things was nearly impossible, so short-term memory seems to be very limited. Tanya noted her aphasic moments and I mentioned they had occurred for some time. There are a number of exercises lined up to help improve many of the speech and comprehension issues, and possible the short term memory as well.
BOTTOM LINE
Tanya's suggestion was to keep her for 60 DAYS. She said this is a worst case for the insurance company approval (and it's better to ask for the full possible amount up front than modify later), but that's still a LOT longer than we were thinking (1 to 2 weeks tops). I don't know how this jives with the doctors wanting to do the ablation procedure they had in mind for her heart, so that's still to be seen. And I have not given her this news yet since it was obtained on my way out of the facility, so breaking that to her is going to be hard. They're thinking some of that can be cut by substituting in-home care instead, but that a month is probably wisest. We shall see.
More tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Move Complete!
Mom's settled in at Maryville and she is already involved in a battery of physical therapy. Dad's brought her some personal goodies to make her stay more relaxing and there is talk of a drop-in appointment by her case worker early next week, but nothing set in stone.
The Move to Maryville
Just got word via voicemail from Dad that Mom will be discharged from St. Vincent's at 11 AM this morning and will be transported to Maryville from there. Sounds like she will spend 3-4 days there for some physical rehab and then be prepped for the ablation procedure to help with the persistent arrhythmia.
Click here for info on the Maryville facility. Access and visiting hours are still TBD.
All reports indicate that she has been working well with the physical therapist that has visited 1-2 times a day for the past week, and that she is getting a lot of her strength back, even if the process is exhasuting.
Reason for Being
I have created this blog to allow people on-demand access to updates about Jeanne Gilchrist, mother to me and undisputed greatest woman on Earth.
Jeanne was admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital on Saturday, May 5th with chest pains and shortness of breath. It was later determined that she had experienced a pulmonary embolism, and later sonograms found clotting in both legs. Application of diuretics and attempts to balance coumadin levels followed, and as of now her heart rate is stable, bleeding in the brain has minimized, and she is on the verge of release to a physical rehabilitation facility.
I will update this blog as soon I have any new information. Thank you for your love and support.
Jeanne was admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital on Saturday, May 5th with chest pains and shortness of breath. It was later determined that she had experienced a pulmonary embolism, and later sonograms found clotting in both legs. Application of diuretics and attempts to balance coumadin levels followed, and as of now her heart rate is stable, bleeding in the brain has minimized, and she is on the verge of release to a physical rehabilitation facility.
I will update this blog as soon I have any new information. Thank you for your love and support.
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