Day 8 - August 31, 2015

Day 8

 

It's been a week since the accident. Probably the longest week of our lives. As we get closer to bringing Jeff home the reality of the changes that need to be made have really hit home. Tension has run a little higher today and patience is wearing thin (Julee is nice and is sugar coating this - but we know we will have hard days and we will get through this!). We all know if we can hold out just a little longer things will settle down when he's finally here.

 

We miss the calming and gentle touch of Annette. We got together tonight for family dinner and oh boy without Grandma Net, the peace maker, things got a little rough between parents and kids.  We are so grateful that she has such a nurturing and calm spirit because it will really help in the months to come. She has been so blessed with a sensitive, yet strong nature that has been toughened over the years from putting up with Jeff! We are so blessed to have her in our lives and we know our dad couldn't be in more capable hands than hers.

 

Julee had a conversation with Peggy this morning that led to a misunderstanding where Julee thought Jeff was being transferred today. Her tears went from excited relief, to disappointment, to tears of laughter in the course of about thirty seconds. Peggy told her, "Cool your jets!" which led to a fit of the giggles.

 

We are happy to announce that after research was done, referrals made,  and phone calls completed the total cost of transport will be at the very least a third less than expected, and maybe even closer to half! We are so grateful for all the input we received today to help us with this problem. Peggy is great at making phone calls, getting information & making arrangements.  We are truly grateful for her talents!

 

The routine for Jeff today was much the same as the others with just a few differences. Biggest difference this morning was that when breakfast came Jeff said he was starving. Yahoo! Annette had him drink a chocolate Ensure which filled him up so even though breakfast looked good he only ate a few bites.

 

Then they completed another CT scan for one more check on things. Results are still unknown at this time.

 

Then it was clean up time again. New sheets, new gown, clean Jeff!

 

We forgot to tell you that yesterday he held up his arm and asked why it was green... they tried to explain that the insecticidal soap they had used when trying to clean up all the dirt and dust he was covered in from the wreck was still on there. Jeff responded, "Well why didn't they get it off? Who wants green arms?" While regular soap wouldn't take the green off, they got results when Annette used an adhesive remover used to take off sticky tape.

 

They continued with turning him from the left side to the right side and switching the boot from the right to the left foot every two hours.

 

Naptime came and the T.V. was put on the music and scenery/art channel. Claude Monet was on this time.

 

All 3 of his physical therapists gave him a pretty good workout today. They were impressed with the strength in his arms and wrists. They reminded him to be patient as they rubbed his arms and legs to get the blood flowing.

 

Then they used the sling with the power lift and got him in a wheelchair! Annette took him for a ride outside. He only wished he had his glasses to see the view. Back to his bed via the sling, which he loved. He says hanging in the sling is way comfortable and prefers that over the wheelchair.

 

 

By the time they got Jeff into the wheelchair and wheeled outside he was asleep, it just plain wore him out.

 



Don't you just love those green socks!  I think they could win an ugly sweater contest!! 

 

Then it was back to his bed & naptime as he was very tired. He was even too tired to eat lunch after all the work he did.

 

 

Annette and Peggy went to the cafeteria for lunch and chose the Cobb Salad which we are told is VERY good.

 

Later the nutritionist came in to evaluate Jeff's swallowing abilities and to change his diet to no restrictions. Peggy says, "Happy Boy! He can have what he wants, even if we bring it in with us." He can also have water without the dreaded thickener now.

 

Now the entertainment of the day as told by Peggy:

"The same nutritionist evaluated Jeff's cognitive level. It started out asking him what day it is and which month came before this one. So this went just fine. Then she asked, "Who is the president of the United States?" Jeff answered, "Asshole!" She paused and then started laughing and asked where the president lived. Jeff answered, "Unfortunately the White House." This really got entertaining. We all had a great time laughing at Jeff's dry, blunt humor. Obviously, he passed with laughing colors."

  

The balance of the evening was quiet after a busy day. Annette and Peggy made it back to the hotel and enjoyed some clam chowder for dinner. Where they are staying has a small kitchenette so they don't have to try and find a place to eat all the time.

 

While nothing is set in stone yet if Jeff's blood pressures remain stable and they can get him off of certain meds he'll be ready for transport! They are still crossing their fingers for Wednesday. Peggy says, "My Lincoln is living in the Hotel parking lot and is getting very dusty and dirty."

 

We want to give a special shout out to Peggy for being so patient with all of us. She's dealt with all of us calling her, texting her, and asking her a million questions every day since the accident and she has not once complained. She puts together a run down of every day so we can pass the news on to everyone else, and she finds something positive to report no matter how rundown she might be. We are so grateful for her strength, positive attitude, and dedication to our mom and dad and we love her so much!

 

Your continued prayers, well wishes, warm thoughts, and kindness have helped us more than you'll ever know. Thank you all for being here for us during this difficult time!