Laughs–
My mom works with three and four year olds. Right now one of her goals is to convince them that seven is a number with MEANING. It’s not just the word you say between six and eight en route to twenty.
re: the really long thread thing–a young man of my acquaintance was in a serious car accident last November. Coma for 51 days, rehab of various forms ever since. Now, yes, he’s “real” in a way your husband isn’t–I got to see him standing up and singing during the Opening Set at Church, but I’ve been following the blog on his progress since November some time, and will continue as long as his family posts it.
So, I’m glad there seems to be some progress, I’m sorry it’s taken so long, and unfortunately, if they sent him home tomorrow, he’d still have a significant recovery in front of him before getting back to “normal”.
Take care of yourself–in case you haven’t gotten that lecture enough.
I have been reading this thread from the beginning and haven’t commented as I don’t really know what to say. I am very impressed with you and your strength. Even though it might not seem like it, you are an inspiration.
This thread has also translated into more hugs for my husband and kids. I realize how fragile our health could be and but for the grace of God, it could be one of them.
You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
I mentioned that to his parents earlier (we were talking about potentially putting in a wheelchair ramp for steps to the front door, wondering how temporary/permanent the structure would be, etc.) and it sounds like we can probably find space in his parents’ attic for a couple of chairs and the freaking chainsaw taking up space in our hallway.
You reminded me of the day that I leared “ehlehmehnohpee” is actually five separate letters.
His physical therapist works weekdays, so before she left today she brought him two big yellow rubber band type thingies for him to use to exercise his arms. One tied securely to his bed, for him to yank against, and one free for him to do whatever. Hopefully his biceps will be a little sore by the end of the weekend.
Oh, and I am under strict orders to not let him sleep through a visit again… (Dude, the doctor came in and didn’t lower his voice one bit! If you slept through his blahblahyadda, you must have been tired!)
A note about the wheel chair problem. It’s possible a Transfer Chair will fit his needs. They are smaller, made to fit in tight spaces, like the bathroom. They have a narrower wheelbase, so can navigate easier.
He (and you) would also probably appreciate a shower chair. Also, get a hand held shower head and install it. They are dead easy to install yourself, and they are so much easier to use when you’re recovering from illness or injury-I had a spiral fracture of my left distal fibula, and couldn’t put any weight on it for about 2 months. I’ve never gone back to an old-fashioned shower head! The one we have in our shower now we bought at Ace Hardware for about 20 bucks. Money well spent!
Its only going to be temporary. I had to laugh about the chainsaw in the hallway, TOS is such a guy.
StGermain has a good suggestion about renting a ramp. I fully agree with Cheez_Whia about the hand held shower head. I don’t get along with plumbing, but managed to install my hand held shower heads with no leaks or cussing. Grab rails in the shower would probably be a good idea as well as the shower chair. I know you don’t have much time, but if there are any thrift stores on your commute, you could probably find a shower chair for pretty cheap.
This IS only temporary. TOS IS going to recover and want to fire up his chainsaw again.
You can’t uninstall grab rails, so they will stay. You both will enjoy the hand held shower head so much that you won’t want to uninstall it, but the shower chair and ramp will be temporary.
Just checking in to say you’re still in my thoughts. I had to take some time out to visit my family in Buffalo so I spent some time tonight catching up. Seems he’s making progress and I hope things continue to improve.
There’s still a lot of road ahead before he fully recovers, but I’m hoping you’re both over the worst.
don’t go crazy worrying about/planning for what he will need when he comes home just yet. people get better in one area moreso than another…so wait until you know more. therapists often will do a “home eval” to tell you exactly what you need. or he may go somewhere else for more intensive therapy.
so happy to read your last few posts!
Shower stools aren’t all that expensive, as I found when I broke my foot last year - one shower taken while standing on my good foot was enough to convince me I didn’t need to try that experiment again. I may have spent 60 dollars on mine, and they had cheaper ones as well (got it at Bed Bath and Beyond, Wal-mart has 'em as well).
Another thing: Flatlined or someone mentioned grab bars - while it’s a bit of a hassle to install “real” ones, the suction cup ones might be sufficient depending on how Schmoopie is doing when he comes home.
I ran both of these through on my flex spending, as well (if you have money to spare there).
We already have the hand-held shower head - those things are awesome even for the totally-abled! Will look into seeing what insurance will cover, as far as the shower stool and etc. once we’re there.
(Ewwww … shower stool … )
In the meantime, I’m pissed-to-homicidal-levels because his parents and I are butting heads about some stuff. They’re stressing him out too (yo, FIL: he’s told you a zillion times that his toes hurt. STOP ***PINCHING ***THEM!!) and I’m about to go all nuclear bitchy-daughter-in-law on them.
Well, you’ve had to be in close contact with them for two months. That’s bound to take a toll. They’ve been doing their best. Have theey been visiting every day? You may need to suggest they take a couple days off. Assure them that’ll call if Schmoopie needs them. Couch it in terms of being concerned for their health.
Hey, that’s not even an exaggeration! If they keep up pinching his toes, he’ll wind up being discharged from the hospital to the knowledge that his wife is in jail for murdering his parents! :D.
That’s the kind of thing my dad would do. Is your FIL by any chance complete crap at talking about difficult emotions and/or anything even remotely touchy-feely? That could be the reason for the toe-pinching (but not an excuse. Someone eneds to tell him to stop). Just his hamfisted way of trying to connect.
His mom left me a nice apology voice mail, and came by during the noon visiting hour to apologize to Shoe as well - she just went … a bit nutso, I guess. Anyway, we’re cool.
Every day? HA! Try four times a day.
Ooooooh … on a happier note: guess who just texted me to let me know that he successfully spent **an entire hour off the vent **today!
