Dad continues to make great progress. He is walking with a cane and independently managing all of his personal care such as shaving, dressing etc. Although he doesn't mind the young, cute CNA who keeps an eye on him while he showers. He is continuing with Occupational , Physical and Speech therapy. He continues to have some word finding difficulties at times and sometimes needs cues to pull from memories. His biggest challenges continue to be the right visual field cut which causes some depth perception issues and his inability to read. He is starting to identify a few words and is beginning to write short words with a visual model. Not being able to read is his biggest frustration so we will be working on getting him speech to text software so that he can dictate letters to the computer. We will work to get books on tape and other reading software. I also hope to get him set up with video chat so that he can visit with friends and family without having to type or read at this point. He will continue therapy to improve these skills. His room mate is challenging him as he is not friendly and can be rude. Jason and dad joke about the east wind blowing in his rom as apparently there is a lot of gas a blowing from the roommates side of the room. He has of course charmed all the ladies who work there and they will miss him when he leaves.
Speaking of leaving he is no longer in need of skilled nursing. Jason and I have been working on locating an assisted living community for him. He went out with us today to visit two and decided on one. Marquis vintage suites in wilsonville. We will begin moving furniture in this weekend and he will move in on Monday or Tuesday. He is looking forward to his own apartment. It is a studio, so space is small but he gets to eat in the formal dinging room , has access to exercises room, television room, library, and formal loving room areas. The assisted part is that someone will manage his medications and ensure he is taking what he needs, weekly they will do his laundry and clean his apartment, what more could a bachelor want. He will have opportunities to go shopping and out to eat with the other residents regularly. The opportunity to socialize and visit with others will be good for him.
I will update everyone with the address and a phone number when we secure the room number and get him a phone. If you don't know how to video chat I would encourage you to learn how and/or determine what you might need to do this. It is a great way to communicate and to see people that you can't always get out to see.
Keep sending your positive thoughts and energy his way. It is working.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
we're back
Wow, didn't realize how long it has been since I posted last. Lots to catch you up on. Dad got settled into Avamere. It was a rough start at first as they didn't do things MY way. For those of you who don't know me that posed a huge problem for them. We did get over that hurdle and have reach some compromises. Fortunately for dad I know the system and I don't take no for an answer.
He started off with a room mate that isn't the most friendly. Add to this that the remote control works both televisions. The televisions are about 6 feet apart so competing volumes are interesting. A short sheet separates the two beds. The phones ring and Dad doesn't know whose phone is ringing. Interesting to watch him be a rule follower. Struggles with asking for things in part because he is trying to follow the rules as he thinks they exist. He also doesn't ask because he can't always find the words to ask for what he wants.
Continuing to have headaches. Doing therapy both physical and occupational with some reluctance. He has befriended one Physical Therapist named Lars. He even got Lars to walk him down the street to the local coffee shop. His charm and sense of humor get him bonuses.
Went to see the GI doctor to talk about the colon mass that he chose not to have surgically removed prior to the stroke. He has let 9 months go by so the GI doctor feels he should wait to recover a few more months. Dad doesn't want surgery so we will do a follow up colonoscopy in a few months to try to determine prognosis with and without surgery to make a treatment decision.
Saw the neurologist yesterday. He was overwhelmingly surprised by dad's progress. All are hopeful that he will soon be ready for an assisted living facility, We were able to get orders for a speech therapist to work with him to help with his aphasia( inability to word find) and reading. His inability to read may also be impacted by his visual field cut so we are also following up with and optometrist to talk about prism lenses or other treatment options. His visual field cut also affects his balance and ability to reach and hold things.
We were able to get both of the cats corralled an taken to Shane's house to foster. It was quite an adventure catching the kitten. Jason and I both were wounded and had a well needed intense laugh at each others attempt to chase and capture the wild one. Both cats are now scheduled to be spayed and neutered and can them visit dad at the center.
Had a brief scare when he was transported by ambulance this week to the ER for shortness of breath. His Oxygen level was at 80%. He had several tests to confirm that it was not his heart or a a blood clot. Treatment with inhaler resolved the problem. Likely it was his COPD causing the problem. We did learn that the facility didn't know that he needed a rescue inhaler and he had one in his drawer that he used prior to the paramedics arriving.
Packing up dad's apartment this week. Seems as dad stays busy healing, Jason and I stay busy with all of the other work to be done to support his healing. Everything is done best with a team.
He started off with a room mate that isn't the most friendly. Add to this that the remote control works both televisions. The televisions are about 6 feet apart so competing volumes are interesting. A short sheet separates the two beds. The phones ring and Dad doesn't know whose phone is ringing. Interesting to watch him be a rule follower. Struggles with asking for things in part because he is trying to follow the rules as he thinks they exist. He also doesn't ask because he can't always find the words to ask for what he wants.
Continuing to have headaches. Doing therapy both physical and occupational with some reluctance. He has befriended one Physical Therapist named Lars. He even got Lars to walk him down the street to the local coffee shop. His charm and sense of humor get him bonuses.
Went to see the GI doctor to talk about the colon mass that he chose not to have surgically removed prior to the stroke. He has let 9 months go by so the GI doctor feels he should wait to recover a few more months. Dad doesn't want surgery so we will do a follow up colonoscopy in a few months to try to determine prognosis with and without surgery to make a treatment decision.
Saw the neurologist yesterday. He was overwhelmingly surprised by dad's progress. All are hopeful that he will soon be ready for an assisted living facility, We were able to get orders for a speech therapist to work with him to help with his aphasia( inability to word find) and reading. His inability to read may also be impacted by his visual field cut so we are also following up with and optometrist to talk about prism lenses or other treatment options. His visual field cut also affects his balance and ability to reach and hold things.
We were able to get both of the cats corralled an taken to Shane's house to foster. It was quite an adventure catching the kitten. Jason and I both were wounded and had a well needed intense laugh at each others attempt to chase and capture the wild one. Both cats are now scheduled to be spayed and neutered and can them visit dad at the center.
Had a brief scare when he was transported by ambulance this week to the ER for shortness of breath. His Oxygen level was at 80%. He had several tests to confirm that it was not his heart or a a blood clot. Treatment with inhaler resolved the problem. Likely it was his COPD causing the problem. We did learn that the facility didn't know that he needed a rescue inhaler and he had one in his drawer that he used prior to the paramedics arriving.
Packing up dad's apartment this week. Seems as dad stays busy healing, Jason and I stay busy with all of the other work to be done to support his healing. Everything is done best with a team.
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