Saturday July 19
19 July 08 - 07:31
What a roller coaster ride this has been. Jim went from tube feeding to regular food in one day, as soon as he passed the swallow test! Of course he has to be fed by someone, but he is eating. Yesterday he said he wasn't very hungry but ate a small bowl of beef stew - no meat, too hard to swallow - and a salad. A salad! Can you imagine that? The staff was having a potluck luncheon for their departing boss & we could see into the room where they had everything laid out. Jim tried to get me to get him a cookie, but I wouldn't, of course! But the thing was, he wanted a cookie. Some things never change!
He continues to work in therapy & yesterday he had some movement in his right hand. It was turning the hand up & down - pronation & suppination. It was weak, but it was there! We were pretty excited about that! Jim is left handed, primarily, but he is also ambidextrous, so if he gets use of one hand, either one, that will be great.
There was an incident with the chair on Thursday & a different one on Friday. He got "stuck" halfway into the elevator, twice. This made me so anxious I had to leave for fear of throwing up. Once I succumbed to the anxiety, I believe I had a full blown anxiety attack, for my mind was racing with everything I need to accomplish to get him home & was totally overwhelmed. I don't seem to know what to do first & feel "paralyzed" by the enormity of the job ahead. I really need some serious prayer about this. It is not usually in my nature to have this type of reaction. So, please pray for me to have clarity of thought, proper direction, freedom from this anxiety, and no nausea. ( I had been waking up with the nausea for the last few days & now I believe it is anxiety.)
About visiting: During the weekdays, Jim is in therapy from morning until 2 or 3pm. He does not seem as tired now as a week ago & said visitors after 3 weekdays, or Saturdays & Sundays would be best. The posted visiting hours are 10 to 8, but forget the 10 to 3 time period.
I am getting a lot of questions about the MRSA. Jim has no fever, no pneumonia, no signs of active infection other than a productive cough. This is what I believe: He has probably had the MRSA for quite sometime, maybe back to Osborn when the high fevers & pneumonia were a problem. Now the "bug" is there in his lungs, but is not causing an active infection. It can remain there, forever maybe. He has to wear a mask when he leaves his room, & we have to wear a gown when we go in his room. Gloves are only necessary if he is touched. Please don't let this scare you off from visiting. He needs visitors, he needs to be touched on the shoulder or head, he needs the encouragement from his church family and others.
If anyone has any recent, local experience with a caregiver, I would like to hear from you. If you know anyone who is interested in a 5.1' Baby Grand, perfect condition, have them call me. If someone needs a work truck, runs good, has body damage, call me. If you know anyone who is looking to sale a van, wheelchair accessible, a hospital bed, or a Hopyer lift call me. If you know whether to build or do you buy, ramps, call me. These are basic needs for Jim to come home.
Please pray about our immediate needs & pray for this anxiety I am having. I know in my heart God will take care of us, but this is a true battle for me.
God Bless, Marilyn
one comment:
Marilyn – Since I no longer live in the Valley, I emailed my friend who does and has a lot of connections. She gave me a couple of numbers to call in regard to procuring some “free” equipment assistance for the home. Please feel free to call them and mention Judy North as your contact if necessary. Here are the numbers for everything from “hospital” beds to pulleys, etc. Marion and Pat (wife) Widger oversee a helps ministry in Mesa for the handicapped.
Home (480) 838-6279; Cell (602) 397-2003
I pray this helps! Love and hugz and prayers, Kaye
Kaye () - 20 07 08 - 10:24
