Today was just as busy as every other day. Jeff woke up feeling okay, despite a fever, and then ate breakfast with Annette's help. Then, like every other day, he crashed and was unable to stay awake for very long for several hours.
This phenomenon is the most frustrating thing for Jeff right now. He wants to be able to do his therapy to the best of his ability and to use his time efficiently when the therapists are with him. Yet, he literally can't keep his eyes open at times. Annette said they were able to get him in the shower and he slept the entire time, not even remembering it had happened later.
Jeff thinks it is mostly likely a combination of how his body reacts to the food he eats and his blood pressure issues. He's going to try to do things a little differently each day to see if he can prevent or even just reduce this problem. We are praying that he is able to find a routine with eating, medications, and therapy that will allow him to do the things he desires to do and needs to do to get better.
They switched out his bed today to a demo bed that is supposed to help reduce pressure. It's made of gel and has special controls to tilt it side to side to aid in turning and repositioning.
So far he has found it to be comfortable, but his bedside table doesn't work with it. Because of the wheels and other parts underneath, when trying to put the table in a position where he can use it, the table is either right in his face or too far away to be helpful. They are working on finding a different table to try.
Jeff now has an electric wheelchair! The controls are very touchy, but he's doing really well figuring out how to use them. When asked why they don't turn the speed down to make it less sensitive he said he couldn't stand going that slow down the halls and wants it to be faster.
There was a lot of rain and a beautiful view with rainbows out Jeff's window yesterday and today. Annette kept taking pictures with her phone to show him the view because he can't turn his head to see for himself. He'll be excited to be rid of the bulky neck brace when it's time. Here are a few of the pictures from yesterday:
This phenomenon is the most frustrating thing for Jeff right now. He wants to be able to do his therapy to the best of his ability and to use his time efficiently when the therapists are with him. Yet, he literally can't keep his eyes open at times. Annette said they were able to get him in the shower and he slept the entire time, not even remembering it had happened later.
Jeff thinks it is mostly likely a combination of how his body reacts to the food he eats and his blood pressure issues. He's going to try to do things a little differently each day to see if he can prevent or even just reduce this problem. We are praying that he is able to find a routine with eating, medications, and therapy that will allow him to do the things he desires to do and needs to do to get better.
They switched out his bed today to a demo bed that is supposed to help reduce pressure. It's made of gel and has special controls to tilt it side to side to aid in turning and repositioning.
So far he has found it to be comfortable, but his bedside table doesn't work with it. Because of the wheels and other parts underneath, when trying to put the table in a position where he can use it, the table is either right in his face or too far away to be helpful. They are working on finding a different table to try.
Jeff now has an electric wheelchair! The controls are very touchy, but he's doing really well figuring out how to use them. When asked why they don't turn the speed down to make it less sensitive he said he couldn't stand going that slow down the halls and wants it to be faster.
There was a lot of rain and a beautiful view with rainbows out Jeff's window yesterday and today. Annette kept taking pictures with her phone to show him the view because he can't turn his head to see for himself. He'll be excited to be rid of the bulky neck brace when it's time. Here are a few of the pictures from yesterday:
The insurance has a very backward view on what they'll cover as far as therapy and useful tools go. For instance they won't cover a shower chair that can sit in the shower or over the toilet because they say patients can use a brief (grown-up diaper), be changed in bed, and get bed baths instead. Anything more than that is not seen as necessary. It will cost $1,400 just for a shower chair that will help improve quality of life, allow increased dignity, make personal hygiene much easier, and encourage independence. I guess that makes it worth the money, but why can't the insurance see it that way?
Jeff's legs have been swelling and an ultrasound was completed to rule out blood clots. They were thankfully clear! He continues on blood thinners, compression socks, ace wraps to further compress his legs, and sequential compression devices, or SCD's (the leg squeezers that promote blood flow) when in bed. These precautions are important to keep fluid from building up in his legs (edema) and blood flowing properly so the risk of blood clots decreases.
In the afternoon Jeff started to feel much better and he no longer had a fever. That is his best time of day. Ryan and his family came to visit and more adjustments were made to Jeff's trackball mouse to make it easier for him to use with his laptop. The visit was cut shorter than Ryan and Julee would have liked by a tremendous meltdown from 4 year old Talon. He fell asleep once they started driving away. The effort he put into that tantrum would knock anyone out!
Just for anyone who wanted to know, Elder Craig Cardon is the name of the Quorum of the Twelve Area Representative who visited Saturday and helped to give Jeff a blessing. Brian and Julie Oldham helped remind us of his name.
Brian and Julie are dear friends to Jeff and Annette and came to visit them tonight. They said it was strange to go to their recent Stake Conference (where Elder Cardon spoke) and not see Jeff and Annette sitting in the front. Jeff's response was, "I always go early because I can't stand to sit in the back."
The amount of support the Oldham's have given our family during this time is overwhelming. They have been a true blessing to us in our time of need. Julie said that the Seminary class she teaches has prayed for Jeff every day since she told them about the accident. We feel those prayers and are so grateful to them for remembering our dad!
Jeff's cousin Troy and uncle Leroy also came to visit tonight. They drove a long way to show their support and help lift his spirits! We are so grateful for the time they took to make the trip up here. It's great to see Jeff come alive when talking to people. No matter who it is he can find a common interest.
Everyone who visits or even works with our dad comments about how amazing his attitude is in light of his situation. It would be so easy in his shoes to become angry, bitter, and a victim. He has made the choice to count his blessings instead and to see what else this life has in store for him. He knows his life was spared for a purpose and he wants to make the best of this second chance, no matter the obstacles that he is facing.
When asked tonight how he manages to stay so positive he responded, "I realized that if I treat others the way I want to be treated and I am an example of Jesus Christ, then everything will be okay."
We are so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. It has been a saving grace for our dad and our family.
A lot of us are still struggling with what has happened and are finding it difficult to cope. We want everyone to know that it's okay to be sad. What has happened to our dad's body is overwhelmingly sad and seeing him struggle is heartbreaking. Grief is expected and we are all still mourning what he's lost and questioning how much he'll regain.
We encourage you to visit him and talk to him about it. You will be amazed at his strength and will in turn be strengthened by his determination and testimony. We have been lifted by him so much in these past few weeks you might begin to wonder who is actually helping who through this trial. He is a true disciple of Christ on this earth through his example and faith.
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