Bill at Rehab January 30, 2021

This morning I was able to visit Bill again for one hour. I won't be able to visit again for three days because of impending snow. I don't travel in the snow. Slipping on the snow and ice three years ago was the cause of me tearing my left leg quadricep which put me out of commission for months. I cannot take any chances that I won't be here for Bill when he is discharged from the rehab facility next Friday on February 5th, 2021.

Thank goodness he was more lucid this morning when I talked to him but he's still so tired. I'm still concerned about his mobility. I couldn't get him to maneuver himself so I could put a shirt, that I brought up, on him. His mobility is a big concern of mine when he is home. I would like to see more improvement. But we have another week to go at the rehab facility. Hopefully he'll be able to have more mobility. I'm not sure if I could manage if he was completely bed ridden.

I brought his glasses up to him but he didn't want me to leave them. He's afraid they would get broken like his hearing aid got broken a day after I brought it up to him. Bill might have broken it himself, because I noticed his hand movements weren't that good when I first give him his hearing aid to put on. 

I also brought him up his favorite sweater.  He likes maroon with a design. Pat bought him that sweater for Christmas several years ago. It's hard to get a cardigan sweater that is colorful with a design. It seems the only cardigan sweaters for men or either a dull brown or black. Bill hates those colors, especially black. 

The hour that I was allowed to spend with him quickly went by (yesterday they told me I'm only allowed to have an hour because of the COVID protocols).  It always breaks my heart to leave him there but I'm getting our home ready for his return with a walker and possibly a wheelchair. I've already taken up almost all of our throw rugs and runner rugs on the first floor. At first I didn't like the look, "too bare" I thought. Now, however, I'm growing to like it. Maybe I'll keep it that way. Easier to clean the floors (which I did with Murphy's Oil Soap today) and gives our place a spacey, modern look. However, the areas where I had the runner rugs are darker than the wood that's been exposed to light these past fourteen years since we lived here. 

I'm going to try and watch a movie tonight, the first movie I've watched, since Bill's accident on January 14th, a day I will always remember the rest of my life. A day I knew would come but still was a shock when it did come.

Soon, Bill will be home again and I can make him comfortable, give him his favorite food (he hates the rehab hospital food, something which he always tells me when I visit him, I tell him not to say it too loud), and place him whether it be in a wheelchair, hospital bed or that big elderly elevated chair in his favorite spot in our sunroom where he can look out the windows to our back yard and see the first arrival of the robins for the new spring and the daffodils bloom again. 

My route (bottom of the map) to Bill's rehab unit in Dover, Delaware. Delaware is a small state (second smallest in the United States). I cover almost half the state driving to visit Bill but it doesn't take long. Light traffic. If he lived in Pennsylvania and he was in a rehab facility up there, I would have a much more difficult drive. So thankful we're living in Delaware. By the way, President Biden's summer home is only a few miles away from our home here on the Delaware Bay. Small world. 

Bill's Rehab Update January 27, 2021

Me and Bill today at his rehab facility -Bill in his favorite sweater and blanket

This morning I took two pairs of pajama bottom pants with pull strings for Bill to wear during his stay at his rehab facility in Dover. His regular jeans are too hard for him to put on because he is so weak.

I was very fortunate again in that they let me go up and see Bill.  When I walked into his room his doctor was talking to him. It was a good thing I went up in person today because his doctor had a chance to talk to me as well as his physical therapist and occupational therapist. Always better to ask and answer questions in person to those who are helping Bill get better and return home. 

Today the doctors have their weekly evaluation of the patients and decide which ones who will be discharged. I don't know if Bill when be discharged but they did ask me to come back Friday at 8:00 for training for caring for Bill when he returns home. 

During my stay for the first time I saw Bill walk, albeit with the help of his physical therapist who steadied him with a wide white strap around his middle, also holding up his XXL (too big for him) scrubs. The pajama bottoms (XL and in his favorite blue color) will fit him better. What a relief to see Bill actually walk. He was tired though because he had just finished about an hour and a half of physical rehab, like walking up steps. I know what physical therapy is like, I did it for three months when I recovered from my torn quadricep leg muscle.

I showed Bill's occupational therapist a video tape I had taken of the entry (from our garage) into our home to our sunroom, where Bill will be sitting most the day. Bill will also probably be sleeping there because he prefers to sleep in his chair. I don't think he can manage the thirteen stairs down to his bedroom so he'll have to sleep in the sunroom. I ordered one of those elderly cushy chair that elevate a person out of the chair. The chair is called a "Elderly-Heavy Duty Power Lift Recliner Chair with Antiskid Fabric Sofa Overstuffed Design". First thing she said "You'll have to take up those throw rugs and the runner rug. A wheel chair can't handle that." Our house is going to look strange/different but I will take up those rugs. This house is going to be Bill friendly.

Bill's new chair

I also had to measure the width of the door from the garage into our house to determine what size wheel chair Bill will return home in. He may have to come in through our front door, which we never use. We may have to use it now. Not a problem.

Life around here will be different when Bill comes home. Adjustments need to be made. I am glad to do that. I am just thankful that I have the opportunity to be with Bill and to care for him at this time of his life. 

Bill will be discharged with hospice care. That means we'll have help, which I know I'll need. Bill doesn't like anyone else in the house but I'm sure he will accept now because he knows we'll need that help.

This is the next stage folks. I hope Bill is home by this weekend but if he isn't, next weekend for sure. 

My wish is to be with Bill, caring for him during this time, the end of his life. I'm reluctant to write those words but that's what this is, the end of his life. Last week I was so upset and beside myself because I thought I lost Bill and I hadn't had a chance to be with him at the end and tell him I love him. Now I can do that every day. I can make everyday pleasant for him where he wants to be most, here at home with me. This is my privilege. 

Bill standing up with help today