Brandi (Jeff's oldest daughter) came to the hospital around 10:00AM so that Annette could spend the rest of the day taking care of the many errands that she has been needing to complete.
At 10:30 it was Physical Therapy with Kelli. They worked on transferring from the wheelchair to the bed to a laying position and back again. Kelli also showed Brandi how to complete the many stretches that need to happen with Jeff's legs so that he can maintain his flexibility. They also practiced some balance and Brandi got to play catch with her dad as they tossed a pink kick ball and then a balloon back and forth. Brandi enjoyed that part of therapy and she said that she thought Jeff did too as he had fun trying to bat at the balloon so it would hit her in the face.
Jeff was experiencing a lot of funky nerve issues today which was making it very hard for him to do much of anything. He tried very hard during Physical Therapy and he did his best, but his strength was just not there and it was frustrating for him. Out of all the health issues that he has to deal with the nerve issues are the most bothersome and he wishes he knew what to do to make them better.
After PT Brandi & Jeff went back to the room for lunch. Jeff ate a cheeseburger and chips and did really well holding it and feeding it himself.
After lunch it was time for Occupational Therapy with Josh. Josh asked Jeff if there was anything that they hadn't worked on that would help him do something that he couldn't do. Jeff is in the process of creating devices that will help him brush his teeth with a electric toothbrush and he is even having Ryan and Ron rig up a knife so that he can cut his own food. After a bit of brainstorming Josh asked if Jeff would like to go down to their assistive van and try it out. Of course he couldn't drive it, but Jeff would be able to sit behind the wheel, turn the wheel, test out the gas and break (while in park), etc. Once they got Jeff in the car they had to do a bit of problem solving to get him into the seat. Once in the seat they couldn't get the seat to move forward so they had to problem solve that situation too. All-in-all it was an eventful OT session and they learned a lot about what will work for Jeff and what wont.
On the way back from OT the hospital had a Code Red which meant that there was a fire somewhere in the building. They were on Lower Level 2 in the basement of the hospital when this happened and the elevators were locked so while they waited Josh had Jeff try out the new power wheels on the wheelchair to see how many pushes would allow him to coast down a long hallway.
The elevators started working again and they went up to the 12th floor. When they got off the elevator the fire alarms were still going off. There was a small electrical fire on the 14th floor. When Brandi and Jeff went back to his room they opened the door and were greeted with a very strong smoke smell. They told several people of the problem and no one seemed to care enough to help so Brandi and Jeff waited out in the hall. Josh the OT was with another patient, but they told him what was going on and he stopped what he was doing to help them find a fan to push the stale smoke air out of Jeff's room. We are so thankful for Josh and the time that he takes to make sure our dad is well taken care of.
After the smokey room smell had mostly dissipated they entered back in the room, got Jeff back in bed and because he was feeling so crapy and didn't sleep well last night he decided to take a nap.
Jeff doesn't like to take naps because he says that when he does he wakes up feeling worse than before the nap and the nerve issues are worsened. He figured that since he already felt crappy a nap might not make things worse. He took a little over an hour nap and when he woke the nerve issues were still there. We were hoping it would go away, but it hadn't. He also had some real intense pressure and described feeling like a turtle in a shell that was 3 sizes to small. Please pray for him that the nerve issues will become more manageable so that he can have fewer nerve issue days and more good days!!
Brad & Maureen Benson came to visit Jeff tonight and brought with them Zach, Kaisalyn & Sierra. We all had a nice visit. We are thankful for Brad & Maureen and their concern for our dad. They have been asking what they can do to help and tonight it was decided that Maureen would sew Jeff an adult sized towel bib so that when he eats he can keep his clothes clean. This sure will beat having to tuck and entire towel or paper towels in his shirt.
Tonight Josh Lloyd stayed with Jeff to keep him company and help him with anything he may need before bedtime. We can not say it enough, but we are so grateful for Josh and for everyone else who has taken time out of their busy schedule to spend evenings with our dad!
Brent & Jan Lloyd (Josh's parents) and friends Patrick and Greg stopped by to visit tonight as well.
Pray for a better day tomorrow!!
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