So, for Wednesday night...I decided to take my Mom out with some friends to see Neil Diamond at the Key Arena. She tried to bag out of the idea, but I insisted that she needed a night off. So, I had a limo pick her up and told her to dress in an outfit that would have Neil reaching out into the crowd! The limo showed up at my doorstep, where the rest of the group was waiting. The smile on her face when the driver opened the door was priceless. We continued on to a few destinations, cocktails, eats, then to the show. She rallied with us as if nothing was wrong in her world. I was very impressed with her poise. Our seats were better than I expected, but seperate from the group. I had to extra seats that I was forced to sell last minute due to cancellations...but it worked out for the best.
I have not cried for my Dad in awhile....I mean really cried. I have maintained my strength and composure for the most part, for him. As I have said before, there will be plenty of time for tears later. But, as I sat there with my Mom, I could feel her sadness that he was not beside her sharing this moment. She had a tissue on hand, and I noticed her using it several times. Neil had a few new songs, that were very powerful. On a few occasions, I couldn't even hear the music. He could have been playing the theme song to Gilligan's Island for all I knew. My thoughts were of who SHOULD be sitting with us. I began reflecting on his sacrifice again.
I thought of living 66 full years, only to be borderline paralyzed when you retire....when you are now able to enjoy all those years of hard work. Now he faces his hardest work yet. When does this man get a break??!! Then on top of all HIS hard work, his country is turning its back on him. So yeah, I cried...a lot. The night was a success, though it didn't run as smoothly as I thought it would. Post concert was a fiasco trying to get home. Anyway, she had fun...and that made everything else miniscule.
So Thursday came. His birthday!! I took the day off of work, and as soon as I was up and able, I cruised over to the SNF, and spent the next seven hours by his side. My Mom, Brad, and I took him in our car and for a drive down to the water. He held up wonderfully, and enjoyed it thoroughly. His "party" is going to extend throughout the weekend with a bevy of misc guests all weekend.
More talks of taking him home. I have to try to figure out how to make that place wheelchair friendly....economically speaking of course. Several thoughts have come forth. May be looking for help remodeling, if anyone out there is skilled. I am also being told that I may be forced to discontinue this blog. Stay tuned and keep my email handy in the event this suddenly stops. I posted it a few days ago....
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday (Day 58)
**After review of John's record I find he has been receiving daily skilled rehabilitation and/or daily skilled nursing, however his condition has improved and he no longer requires this level of care.**
This is classic to me. First they tell us that if he does not begin making significant signs of improvement, they will cut him from insurance. NOW, he has made TOO much improvement, apparently. Are you KIDDING ME???!!!!
He is barely getting his words out, lying in bed, left side still about 90% paralyzed. So, you can totally understand how this physician up above can come to this conclusion, right? Try coming down to the room and seeing for yourself, maybe?
Technically speaking, his Medicare runs out after 60 days anyway...so these people can't even give him his last few weeks?? There is a lot more to this that I cannot write about in here, due to the public nature of the site....but trust me, it's ugly.
On a brighter note, Brad & I took him to the gym last night and 'worked out' with him. His motor skills and strength in his right side are impressive. We lifted him off his chair and sat on the end of a bench together. Brad & I need to work on our technique of moving him...it was ugly. :)
Dad always seems to be cracking jokes lately, and laughing more. He and I have had some incredible chats lately, when we are just chillin alone in the room. Last night was one of them. He laid there with his eyes shut, pretending to be sleeping. Now, something about us Petrovich boys....we don't sleep quietly. So when he is lying there with his eyes shut, and no noise coming out...I know that trickster is faking!!!
So, I got down on my knees beside his bed and whispered into his ears:
"Are you awake?" His thumb goes up.
**laughter**
"Are you just laying there with your eyes shut listening to people talk about you?"
Thumbs up.
"I want you to know that I am very proud of you, and how hard you are working. I know this is not what you wanted, but I am proud to be your son. I love you very much, and am looking forward to getting past all this. You are strong, and still have a lot of good times ahead of you."
His eyes open up, as he beats his chest and says "Superman"
*smiles*
We have talks like this often.
This is classic to me. First they tell us that if he does not begin making significant signs of improvement, they will cut him from insurance. NOW, he has made TOO much improvement, apparently. Are you KIDDING ME???!!!!
He is barely getting his words out, lying in bed, left side still about 90% paralyzed. So, you can totally understand how this physician up above can come to this conclusion, right? Try coming down to the room and seeing for yourself, maybe?
Technically speaking, his Medicare runs out after 60 days anyway...so these people can't even give him his last few weeks?? There is a lot more to this that I cannot write about in here, due to the public nature of the site....but trust me, it's ugly.
On a brighter note, Brad & I took him to the gym last night and 'worked out' with him. His motor skills and strength in his right side are impressive. We lifted him off his chair and sat on the end of a bench together. Brad & I need to work on our technique of moving him...it was ugly. :)
Dad always seems to be cracking jokes lately, and laughing more. He and I have had some incredible chats lately, when we are just chillin alone in the room. Last night was one of them. He laid there with his eyes shut, pretending to be sleeping. Now, something about us Petrovich boys....we don't sleep quietly. So when he is lying there with his eyes shut, and no noise coming out...I know that trickster is faking!!!
So, I got down on my knees beside his bed and whispered into his ears:
"Are you awake?" His thumb goes up.
**laughter**
"Are you just laying there with your eyes shut listening to people talk about you?"
Thumbs up.
"I want you to know that I am very proud of you, and how hard you are working. I know this is not what you wanted, but I am proud to be your son. I love you very much, and am looking forward to getting past all this. You are strong, and still have a lot of good times ahead of you."
His eyes open up, as he beats his chest and says "Superman"
*smiles*
We have talks like this often.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday (Day 52)
I apologize for those of you keeping tabs in here, that I am unable to update as often. I have been so busy at work, that it's hard to pull away even for ten minutes to write in here. I will do my best to be more frequent with posts.
Ok, so...let's see...updates.
His speech is coming...just slowly. There are times when he is as clear as a bell, and then there are times that just boggle you as to what he is saying. So, I have been focusing on asking him odd questions to expand his vocab. Instead of "How are you feeling", I'll ask him what he watched on TV today for instance.
His swallowing is improving, and we hope to give him "treats" soon. ALL the nurses adore him. He learned how to "Blow kisses", and now everyone wants one when they see him. It's pretty damn funny.
If the insurance situation doesn't improve we may be caring for him ourselves at home, rather than pay the $7k + to keep him there. Speaking of home, my Mom has asked me to use this medium to see if anyone out there in our "fan base" is possibly home shopping. She is looking to sell their place and find something that is a little more handicap friendly, in the event we would take him home. If you would like to know more, please contact me @ petrofied@gmail.com.
**PLEASE do not solicit this email. Let's all give a big thank you to the gem of a man that solicited my gmail through this blog, as a representative of a donation agency. How do these people sleep?? Sigh...**
My Dad is getting more and more curious about what is going on, and being said in this blog. He wants to write in here, and just as soon as his speech is a little more legible, I will relay his messages to all of you.
All his trainers are pleased with his improvements of late...though slow, he continues to strive to improve and impress. More to come....on my way to go see him!
Ok, so...let's see...updates.
His speech is coming...just slowly. There are times when he is as clear as a bell, and then there are times that just boggle you as to what he is saying. So, I have been focusing on asking him odd questions to expand his vocab. Instead of "How are you feeling", I'll ask him what he watched on TV today for instance.
His swallowing is improving, and we hope to give him "treats" soon. ALL the nurses adore him. He learned how to "Blow kisses", and now everyone wants one when they see him. It's pretty damn funny.
If the insurance situation doesn't improve we may be caring for him ourselves at home, rather than pay the $7k + to keep him there. Speaking of home, my Mom has asked me to use this medium to see if anyone out there in our "fan base" is possibly home shopping. She is looking to sell their place and find something that is a little more handicap friendly, in the event we would take him home. If you would like to know more, please contact me @ petrofied@gmail.com.
**PLEASE do not solicit this email. Let's all give a big thank you to the gem of a man that solicited my gmail through this blog, as a representative of a donation agency. How do these people sleep?? Sigh...**
My Dad is getting more and more curious about what is going on, and being said in this blog. He wants to write in here, and just as soon as his speech is a little more legible, I will relay his messages to all of you.
All his trainers are pleased with his improvements of late...though slow, he continues to strive to improve and impress. More to come....on my way to go see him!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday (Day 47)
Apparently, even when partially paralyzed, barely able to speak, and stuck in a bed all day and night, my father still is capable of playing matchmaker. His newest nurse, who will remain anonymous, was caring for him the other day when he blurts out that his sons are all available. Mind you, when he says ANYTHING, it is blurry at best...but apparently this was as clear as day, according to her. I confirmed this the other night, beside his bed, by asking him if what I heard was true. He gave a huge smile, and confirmed his sneaky moves.
Brad and I stayed late with him last night, and he asked me to show him this site. He asked me how many people have viewed it, and I told him a little over 2000. He asked me about the donations, and we talked about where we were at with that, and he told me to give them back. I asked him how he would feel if someone gave back the money he had donated to a cause. He admitted that this would not be cool. I told him to be thankful, and when he is ready, he can show his appreciation to everyone in here. He agreed.
I then asked him what he wanted for his birthday coming up in a couple weeks, and after about 10 minutes of trying to decipher what he was trying to tell me, I figured it out!!! "I want you all to understand me", no doubt referring to his speech.
His writing and his speech get better day after day. He hasn't cried in a long time, at least, not for me....so his spirits are up it would seem.
Most of the help at this facility have somewhat taken to him, and get excited when he is up in his wheelchair on his way to PT. His speech therapist is wonderful, and has taught him a great deal.
It will be a shame when we have to pull him out of there.
Brad and I stayed late with him last night, and he asked me to show him this site. He asked me how many people have viewed it, and I told him a little over 2000. He asked me about the donations, and we talked about where we were at with that, and he told me to give them back. I asked him how he would feel if someone gave back the money he had donated to a cause. He admitted that this would not be cool. I told him to be thankful, and when he is ready, he can show his appreciation to everyone in here. He agreed.
I then asked him what he wanted for his birthday coming up in a couple weeks, and after about 10 minutes of trying to decipher what he was trying to tell me, I figured it out!!! "I want you all to understand me", no doubt referring to his speech.
His writing and his speech get better day after day. He hasn't cried in a long time, at least, not for me....so his spirits are up it would seem.
Most of the help at this facility have somewhat taken to him, and get excited when he is up in his wheelchair on his way to PT. His speech therapist is wonderful, and has taught him a great deal.
It will be a shame when we have to pull him out of there.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday (Day 43)
43 Days. *shakes head* WOW.
Let me start by apologizing for my lack of posts this last week. I've been crazy busy dividing my time up with work, visits to Dad, and trying to manage any personal time I have left. Regardless, this weekend saw it's highs and lows. His neurologist was in on Friday and turned on the Neurostimulator for the first time. I wasn't there, but my brothers tell me that his eyes lit up, and he wrote the word "dizzy" on his dry erase board. Keep in mind, we just gave him this board a few days prior, and he couldn't write anything that we could understand. We also bought him some flash cards a while back, but he never took to them. I decided to try them again this weekend, and we played a game. I would show him the card with my Mom sitting behind me, he would say the word and she would try to guess the word based on what he is saying. He was able to say almost 75% of the cards (I didn't show him all of them), and a great deal of them were very recognizable. We brought in Jack again on Sunday, and my Dad was in his wheelchair. We put Jack on his lap, and took a stroll outside. He seemed to enjoy this, but it wore him out pretty good.
My Mom bought him one of those stress balls to help strengthen his hands, and without warning he suddenly threw it across the room to play "ball" with Jack. This was the first time that Jack really interacted with my Dad. My Dad even tried to fake him out with the ol dummy toss trick. Jack goes nuts over the ball...but I don't think he quite understands what is going on with my Dad. He reached up while on his lap at one point and licked his nose. ALL the nurses love Jack, and were quite fond of the site of my Dad up in his chair with Jack on his lap. We watched the Seahawks after Jack left, and then he wanted to hit the sack. I managed to get a "GO SEAHAWKS" out of him, which was awesome. Sounds like his insurance is going to end soon, though. Amazing to me, since we ARE seeing progress. They are going to monitor how he reacts while having the nuerostimulator on for about a week, then assess the situation. I try to block out the financial side of this...our Healthcare system is just disgusting to me. Our country spends so much money on medical techonology and finding cures for life threatening illnesses such as Parkinsons and Cancer....but once we find these cures, who will be able to afford it??!!
My Dad tried this "breakthrough" treatment....and it forever changed him, so I guess they got that part right.
Let me start by apologizing for my lack of posts this last week. I've been crazy busy dividing my time up with work, visits to Dad, and trying to manage any personal time I have left. Regardless, this weekend saw it's highs and lows. His neurologist was in on Friday and turned on the Neurostimulator for the first time. I wasn't there, but my brothers tell me that his eyes lit up, and he wrote the word "dizzy" on his dry erase board. Keep in mind, we just gave him this board a few days prior, and he couldn't write anything that we could understand. We also bought him some flash cards a while back, but he never took to them. I decided to try them again this weekend, and we played a game. I would show him the card with my Mom sitting behind me, he would say the word and she would try to guess the word based on what he is saying. He was able to say almost 75% of the cards (I didn't show him all of them), and a great deal of them were very recognizable. We brought in Jack again on Sunday, and my Dad was in his wheelchair. We put Jack on his lap, and took a stroll outside. He seemed to enjoy this, but it wore him out pretty good.
My Mom bought him one of those stress balls to help strengthen his hands, and without warning he suddenly threw it across the room to play "ball" with Jack. This was the first time that Jack really interacted with my Dad. My Dad even tried to fake him out with the ol dummy toss trick. Jack goes nuts over the ball...but I don't think he quite understands what is going on with my Dad. He reached up while on his lap at one point and licked his nose. ALL the nurses love Jack, and were quite fond of the site of my Dad up in his chair with Jack on his lap. We watched the Seahawks after Jack left, and then he wanted to hit the sack. I managed to get a "GO SEAHAWKS" out of him, which was awesome. Sounds like his insurance is going to end soon, though. Amazing to me, since we ARE seeing progress. They are going to monitor how he reacts while having the nuerostimulator on for about a week, then assess the situation. I try to block out the financial side of this...our Healthcare system is just disgusting to me. Our country spends so much money on medical techonology and finding cures for life threatening illnesses such as Parkinsons and Cancer....but once we find these cures, who will be able to afford it??!!
My Dad tried this "breakthrough" treatment....and it forever changed him, so I guess they got that part right.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday (Day 38)
A double entry today since Tuesday night was pretty uneventful.
Last night I arrived to find him in his "Mariner Dad" t-shirt, that I gave him earlier this summer.
We new his former roommate was nearing the end of his stay, so we pushed to get Dad over on the other side of the room by the window. He now has his room to himself, though I am sure this is very temporary. He likes looking out the window for sure, and it brings some fresh air in on him. Brad brought in a Dry Erase board for him to draw on, and he is elated by this new concept. He is trying to communicate just about as hard as we are to hear him. I spoke with his Speech Therapist and she gave me some tips on how to work with him in the off hours, so I have been writing letters, then having him follow me. He was able to write his name, then when I wrote the word MOM, for him to write...he stopped suddenly and looked at me asking where Mom is. I said she was here all day, but you were sleeping...to which he replied, "Liar". Ha!
So, I called my Mom upon his request, and asked her to come back down. Luckily she was nearby. Now, let's be clear...I can get him to do a lot of stuff, as can Brad and Matt. But when she walks in that room, you would think he was a little boy that just met Santa. He motioned with his finger for her to come closer, to which he gave her a big smackaroo on the cheek.
We showed her his writing, some more motions, etc...before he started to get tuckered out again.
Prior to crashing, he held my Mom's hand and asked "What Happened?" He continued to ask this, despite her assuring him that nothing happened. We both agreed that he may be asking why he is still not well. We explained what happened, and that he needs to let his body heal. He has been quite impatient lately, and this may be why. He seemed very peaceful after this, so we asked him if he wants us to leave so he can sleep, to which he replied "Yeah". We shut the lights down and left him to his z's.
Last night I arrived to find him in his "Mariner Dad" t-shirt, that I gave him earlier this summer.
We new his former roommate was nearing the end of his stay, so we pushed to get Dad over on the other side of the room by the window. He now has his room to himself, though I am sure this is very temporary. He likes looking out the window for sure, and it brings some fresh air in on him. Brad brought in a Dry Erase board for him to draw on, and he is elated by this new concept. He is trying to communicate just about as hard as we are to hear him. I spoke with his Speech Therapist and she gave me some tips on how to work with him in the off hours, so I have been writing letters, then having him follow me. He was able to write his name, then when I wrote the word MOM, for him to write...he stopped suddenly and looked at me asking where Mom is. I said she was here all day, but you were sleeping...to which he replied, "Liar". Ha!
So, I called my Mom upon his request, and asked her to come back down. Luckily she was nearby. Now, let's be clear...I can get him to do a lot of stuff, as can Brad and Matt. But when she walks in that room, you would think he was a little boy that just met Santa. He motioned with his finger for her to come closer, to which he gave her a big smackaroo on the cheek.
We showed her his writing, some more motions, etc...before he started to get tuckered out again.
Prior to crashing, he held my Mom's hand and asked "What Happened?" He continued to ask this, despite her assuring him that nothing happened. We both agreed that he may be asking why he is still not well. We explained what happened, and that he needs to let his body heal. He has been quite impatient lately, and this may be why. He seemed very peaceful after this, so we asked him if he wants us to leave so he can sleep, to which he replied "Yeah". We shut the lights down and left him to his z's.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tuesday (Day 36)
Ok, so...where was I?
Last night was the first I had seen him since Friday morning. Despite the news of the weekend, he looks great. Friday morning my mom and I found him in a sweat, robe pulled almost all the way off, sheets gone, and contorted in such a way that he could not be comfortable. I was shocked that the nurses could walk by this and not do anything about it. My Mom got a cold towel and wiped his head down to cool him off, as I sought out his nurse to ask what was going on. She said they took his temp and he was just fine, and had been moving him every two hours as scheduled, but he is getting more and more mobile in his bed, and hard to keep still. I am hardly complaining about this, but I worry he may try to get out of bed and hurt himself.
The nurses came in and gave him a fresh robe, and turned him once more. My mom then took me to the airport. I called on Sunday to check in and apparently this sweating was a sign of infection. They took a chest x-ray and found no sign of liquid in his lungs, so that is good. His urine and blood test are yet to come back.
I found him last night sitting up right, practicing what he has learned through PT. Unfortunately, the PT's give him such a workout, that by the time the Speech Therapist comes...he is dead tired and out cold. Great timing, right? One would think a Speech Therapist would come before a Physical Therapist, but what do I know?
Still very little movement on the left side, but very agile on the right. His hair is now thicker than my own. He loves it when I scratch his head for him. He hasn't improved very much on speech, though when I asked him if he remembers where I was all weekend, he whispered,
"California". Not the clearest, mind you, but enough to understand him.
My mom says he was able to sit upright in his wheelchair w/out assistance, and Brad tells me it only took 3 nurses to assist him standing, compared to the 4 it took the first attempt.
Thank you to all of you that continue to send us your stories of encouragement and support. I got home last night to see almost 1800 hits on the website. Amazing.
Last night was the first I had seen him since Friday morning. Despite the news of the weekend, he looks great. Friday morning my mom and I found him in a sweat, robe pulled almost all the way off, sheets gone, and contorted in such a way that he could not be comfortable. I was shocked that the nurses could walk by this and not do anything about it. My Mom got a cold towel and wiped his head down to cool him off, as I sought out his nurse to ask what was going on. She said they took his temp and he was just fine, and had been moving him every two hours as scheduled, but he is getting more and more mobile in his bed, and hard to keep still. I am hardly complaining about this, but I worry he may try to get out of bed and hurt himself.
The nurses came in and gave him a fresh robe, and turned him once more. My mom then took me to the airport. I called on Sunday to check in and apparently this sweating was a sign of infection. They took a chest x-ray and found no sign of liquid in his lungs, so that is good. His urine and blood test are yet to come back.
I found him last night sitting up right, practicing what he has learned through PT. Unfortunately, the PT's give him such a workout, that by the time the Speech Therapist comes...he is dead tired and out cold. Great timing, right? One would think a Speech Therapist would come before a Physical Therapist, but what do I know?
Still very little movement on the left side, but very agile on the right. His hair is now thicker than my own. He loves it when I scratch his head for him. He hasn't improved very much on speech, though when I asked him if he remembers where I was all weekend, he whispered,
"California". Not the clearest, mind you, but enough to understand him.
My mom says he was able to sit upright in his wheelchair w/out assistance, and Brad tells me it only took 3 nurses to assist him standing, compared to the 4 it took the first attempt.
Thank you to all of you that continue to send us your stories of encouragement and support. I got home last night to see almost 1800 hits on the website. Amazing.
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