Because Zach was out helping his dad on the muzzleloader hunt today he came earlier in the week, on Wednesday to do some initial demo. He removed the toilet, counter top, and the vanity so they'd be out of the way and safe from the demolition crew.
This coming Monday Kameron, Jeff's nephew & the family plumber, will be meeting Randy there to discuss how they are going to move the pipes and rebuild the bathroom to make it as functional for Jeff as possible.
Here are some pictures from today's demolition:
We are so blessed to have such a wide range of talents and expertise in our family! Their willingness to serve is amazing and truthfully speaking we couldn't do it without everyone's help. Our extended family is an incredible group of people who have rallied together for our family during this trial and we are so grateful for each and every one of them!
Josh is included in this as we've unofficially adopted him into our family. He's done so much for us and has shown nothing but love and respect to each of us. He even showed up to the demolition party with two big bags of bagels with cream cheese!
Jeff had a rough morning as far as being tired goes. He said he slept "pretty good" with the CPAP machine, but that he had to remember to keep his mouth closed. He says when he opened it, like to talk, it made him feel as if he was being suffocated. We think it may be similar to when wind takes a baby's breath away, but much worse. He doesn't want to try the mask that goes over his nose and mouth because he is worried it will make his cotton mouth worse.
The respiratory therapist tonight, Shirley, went above and beyond her call of duty. She said the machine and mask he had used last night was an older model. The plastic pushed on his nose and left a red mark even after they tried to pad it.
Shirley took the initiative to find him a better machine and a mask that fits over his mustache without leaking. She also turned the humidity up to help keep him more moist. We are really hoping that tonight will be easier for him now that he knows what to expect and because of all of Shirley's help. Annette says she was awesome!
Jeff seemed a little down today, mostly about being so tired and not having the use of his hands. He has more than enough reason to have low days after all he's been through. He woke up tired again and struggled to stay awake for a lot of the morning. Things got better as the day progressed.
After his shower this morning Julee brought him and Annette smoothies from Jamba Juice. He liked his Peanut Butter Berry, but didn't like Annette's Aloha Pineapple. Then Julee helped him narrow his shower chair options down to two. With a little more research she hopes to find the exact features he needs and decide which one will be the best fit for him.
Some bad news for today, Jeff has his first UTI (urinary tract infection). It is an inevitable part of life when you have to rely on catheters to empty your bladder and we are grateful he made it this long without one. He wanted to avoid antibiotics and go straight for the cranberry juice, but the doctor wouldn't go for it. So he is on antibiotics and Annette will be bringing cranberry juice to help prevent future problems if possible.
Good news for today, Jeff's blood pressure is continuing to stabilize. Just two weeks ago he was taking 15mg of a blood pressure med (midodrine) 4 times a day to keep it elevated properly. Now he only takes 10mg twice a day! They tried to go without it this morning, but he's not quite ready yet and his blood pressure was lower than desired in the afternoon.
He didn't have therapy until after lunch because the weekends are more relaxed. He was given a manual (self propelled) wheelchair today and practiced pushing himself around the hallways. Because he doesn't have stomach muscles he had to be strapped in to keep from falling forward. He also helped by telling the therapist how to adjust it properly so he was at a better angle and more comfortable. As expected he went an impressive distance by the time they were done.
After therapy he had some much needed visitors.
Alysia and John Maynard visited with their family. They brought Jeff some Krispy Kreme doughnuts and watermelon to help get rid of the water in his legs. Thank you for being so thoughtful! We'd discussed watermelon before, but none of us ever actually got any!
Roxane also came again to visit and have dinner with Annette. Annette says she really enjoyed it and likes spending that time with Roxane when she comes.
Randy emailed Jeff his plans for the bathroom and they discussed them. It was determined that the design wouldn't work and Randy went back to the drawing board. His second set of plans switched the locations of the sink and toilet and allowed for better wheelchair accessibility. Jeff liked the plans and is now one step closer to a new bathroom!
Cherie took her turn staying with Jeff tonight and found it very difficult emotionally. She says she can only imagine how he feels right now and it's hard for her.
It was a quiet night and they couldn't find anything good to watch on TV to entertain him and keep him awake. So she tried to make conversation and he kept falling asleep anyway. This is very normal for him this time off day, but she felt bad and like she wasn't a good enough entertainer.
She told him that she needed him to get better so that he can be a grandpa to her daughter Aliyah who is almost four months old. Cherie wants him to be able to play with her children someday. He said that he would do his best to get his hands and legs back, but it will be as the Lord wills it. Cherie says it was difficult for her to hear him say that even though she knows he's right.
She helped him eat a doughnut and then helped him brush his teeth. She felt bad but also laughed when she spilled some water down his neck.
Cherie asked him, "Does it frustrate you that you can't do these things alone?"
Jeff responded, "It's a new way of life. It makes me more grateful for those who help me do it."
Cherie says she has a whole new perspective on things now. It's one thing to hear that others have to brush his teeth, feed him, etc. It's completely different to be the one helping him. It really made things real for her. It really made her sad.
No matter how great of an attitude Jeff has, what's happened to him is sad. We are grateful that he's been holding up so well up to this point. He always says that he has to have a good attitude or he wouldn't have anything. We have all been blessed by the strength of his testimony and are so grateful that it has withstood so much opposition as he faces each new day.
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