When I taught middle school a few years ago I would lead the students in a song every Friday.
It went like this:
It went like this:
Friday, Friday, Friday is my favorite day.
Monday is a bummer; Tuesday's just the same.
Wednesday we're on our way; Thursday's almost there.
But Friday, Friday, Friday is my favorite dayyyyyyyyyy!
I loved teaching school every day, more so than teenagers loved attended school, but they loved to sing the Friday song and it always started each period with a bit of fun and lifted everyone's attitude.
So what does all this have to do with Jeff's Journey? Now once again, Friday is my favorite day, because it is the one day of the week I have the opportunity to spend all day with Jeff, giving Annette a break in her week. This Friday was very hectic out in our valley, traffic was especially heavy and slow, which made me 15 minutes later than I intended.
Jeff was asleep, but his breakfast was waiting for him. Breakfast first, take off his boots, then push the button for his nurse. Now that was another test for Jeff's patience. New Nurse, really new nurse, only 3 months on the job. Louis is a very large rotund guy, and he moved very slowly and a bit too methodical. His finer points were his gentleness and willingness to be of service; which he did, but in a dragged out way. This frustrated Jeff, but he held it nicely and treated Louis kindly and offered detailed instruction on how things functioned; Jeff even bypassed his shower to hasten the preparation.
Even so we were not ready for the scheduled Occupational Therapist, but once again she jumped in and got Jeff transferred to his power wheel chair to make it a lighter day for Jeff. In just a week, comparing last Friday, Jeff's balance is really improved and rolling over he surprised me how quickly he can do that simple task we all take for granted. After a round of stretches, Jeff worked on transferring from bench to wheel chair. I enjoy the bantering between his therapist and Jeff, always ending in laughter.
Lunchtime, his dad Jay dropped in. I cut up his mini pizza and salad, Jay helped with Jeff's special fork, and eat he did, along with lot of conversation with Jay concerning the remodeling of Jeff's house, which is on track. They talked most about Jeff's truck and what he wanted to do as far as transportation now and in the future. As usual Jeff has thought it all out. Jay had to then leave to meet the delivery of the replacement doors for Jeff's house.
Next came setting up the computer for Jeff with a little help from me. He found the information he needed to call and transfer the condo's he had reserved for his November trip to Nevada, for his annual trip to Front Site. Jeff, Annette and all his children and spouses have taken the use of guns and training for all situations at the Front Site Organization. The RCI agent was very helpful with Jeff's request, canceling with a full refund after learning of his new life with disability. She also assisted Jeff with future reservations and answered all his questions about the availability of handicapped condo's. She assured him there was no problem fulfilling his future travel and encouraged him to do so.
Just prior to Physical Therapy, a manufacturer's representative came to visit Jeff regarding his wants for a manual wheelchair. His therapist came to get him, but joined in on the discussion of wheelchairs. Everyone involved is on track to help Jeff get the wheelchair he wants. Off to a lighter therapy workout.
I took advantage of getting a personal assignment completed which was a lot of texting and phone calls. I managed to join the therapy for the last 15 minutes. Again working on his balance, sitting on the edge of the work out bench reaching and grabbing bean bags from every direction, all the while informing his therapist on Park City Time Shares and how valuable her Canyons Resort 13 weeks time share she already has is and how to use them to travel through RCI.
Back to his room, back in bed, v e r y s l o w l y w i t h L o u i s' h e l p. Prior visits throughout the day by the social worker and the respiratory therapist requests to purchase Jeff's own CPap machine. Louis did manage to talk to Dr. Dodds and report to Jeff that the Doctor is getting the ball rolling for Jeff to buy his own CPap machine. It is hard to understand the financial workings of the hospital/insurance organization when they will pay $500 a day renting a CPap machine, when you can buy one for $1,000.
Same frustration on the wheel chair; they will pay $24,000 for a power wheel chair, but you have to fight them for a $5,000 light weight titanium chair. This bugs Jeff to no end. After therapy I set up the computer and we worked on a couple of items in his Quick Books for the shop business. Finished that chore and now a little time to rest. Before you realized the time, dinner arrived as did Annette. My time to exit after catching up Annette on the day's events.
Yes, Friday is My Favorite Day!
Monday is a bummer; Tuesday's just the same.
Wednesday we're on our way; Thursday's almost there.
But Friday, Friday, Friday is my favorite dayyyyyyyyyy!
I loved teaching school every day, more so than teenagers loved attended school, but they loved to sing the Friday song and it always started each period with a bit of fun and lifted everyone's attitude.
So what does all this have to do with Jeff's Journey? Now once again, Friday is my favorite day, because it is the one day of the week I have the opportunity to spend all day with Jeff, giving Annette a break in her week. This Friday was very hectic out in our valley, traffic was especially heavy and slow, which made me 15 minutes later than I intended.
Jeff was asleep, but his breakfast was waiting for him. Breakfast first, take off his boots, then push the button for his nurse. Now that was another test for Jeff's patience. New Nurse, really new nurse, only 3 months on the job. Louis is a very large rotund guy, and he moved very slowly and a bit too methodical. His finer points were his gentleness and willingness to be of service; which he did, but in a dragged out way. This frustrated Jeff, but he held it nicely and treated Louis kindly and offered detailed instruction on how things functioned; Jeff even bypassed his shower to hasten the preparation.
Even so we were not ready for the scheduled Occupational Therapist, but once again she jumped in and got Jeff transferred to his power wheel chair to make it a lighter day for Jeff. In just a week, comparing last Friday, Jeff's balance is really improved and rolling over he surprised me how quickly he can do that simple task we all take for granted. After a round of stretches, Jeff worked on transferring from bench to wheel chair. I enjoy the bantering between his therapist and Jeff, always ending in laughter.
Lunchtime, his dad Jay dropped in. I cut up his mini pizza and salad, Jay helped with Jeff's special fork, and eat he did, along with lot of conversation with Jay concerning the remodeling of Jeff's house, which is on track. They talked most about Jeff's truck and what he wanted to do as far as transportation now and in the future. As usual Jeff has thought it all out. Jay had to then leave to meet the delivery of the replacement doors for Jeff's house.
Next came setting up the computer for Jeff with a little help from me. He found the information he needed to call and transfer the condo's he had reserved for his November trip to Nevada, for his annual trip to Front Site. Jeff, Annette and all his children and spouses have taken the use of guns and training for all situations at the Front Site Organization. The RCI agent was very helpful with Jeff's request, canceling with a full refund after learning of his new life with disability. She also assisted Jeff with future reservations and answered all his questions about the availability of handicapped condo's. She assured him there was no problem fulfilling his future travel and encouraged him to do so.
Just prior to Physical Therapy, a manufacturer's representative came to visit Jeff regarding his wants for a manual wheelchair. His therapist came to get him, but joined in on the discussion of wheelchairs. Everyone involved is on track to help Jeff get the wheelchair he wants. Off to a lighter therapy workout.
I took advantage of getting a personal assignment completed which was a lot of texting and phone calls. I managed to join the therapy for the last 15 minutes. Again working on his balance, sitting on the edge of the work out bench reaching and grabbing bean bags from every direction, all the while informing his therapist on Park City Time Shares and how valuable her Canyons Resort 13 weeks time share she already has is and how to use them to travel through RCI.
Back to his room, back in bed, v e r y s l o w l y w i t h L o u i s' h e l p. Prior visits throughout the day by the social worker and the respiratory therapist requests to purchase Jeff's own CPap machine. Louis did manage to talk to Dr. Dodds and report to Jeff that the Doctor is getting the ball rolling for Jeff to buy his own CPap machine. It is hard to understand the financial workings of the hospital/insurance organization when they will pay $500 a day renting a CPap machine, when you can buy one for $1,000.
Same frustration on the wheel chair; they will pay $24,000 for a power wheel chair, but you have to fight them for a $5,000 light weight titanium chair. This bugs Jeff to no end. After therapy I set up the computer and we worked on a couple of items in his Quick Books for the shop business. Finished that chore and now a little time to rest. Before you realized the time, dinner arrived as did Annette. My time to exit after catching up Annette on the day's events.
Yes, Friday is My Favorite Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment