One of the things Cindy did with the Occupational Therapist was a trip to the Teaching Kitchen to make sure she is able to get around the kitchen when she goes home.  She opened the refrigerator and opened the cabinets above and below.  She was able to get a glass and fill it with water.  The therapist was also going to test her with the stove and oven.  Anyone who knows Cindy would know that wasn’t necessary.

 Of course this brought to mind a new twist to an old joke.
 

Therapist to Cindy:  We’re going to make sure you can get around the kitchen when you go home.

Cindy to Therapist:  Will I be able to get a glass of water?

Therapist to Cindy:  Yes.

Cindy to Therapist:  Will I be able to use my Keuruig machine to make coffee?

Therapist to Cindy:  Yes.

Cindy to Therapist:  Will I be able to use the microwave?

Therapist to Cindy:  Yes.

Cindy to Therapist:  Will I be able to cook?

Therapist to Cindy:  Yes.

Cindy to Therapist:  Wow, That would be great.

Therapist to Cindy:  Why is that?

Cindy to Therapist:  Because I didn’t know how before I got here..

The Physical and Occupational Therapists kept Cindy busy all morning and part of the afternoon getting her to stand up, sit down, move here and move there.  Cindy kept the nurses busy running in and out of her room by asking for ice, water, and a bunch of other requests.  It was a very mutual give and take.

So Busy!!!

There’s Speech Therapy Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.  Sometimes she even gets to rest.  They will fit that in between all the other activities.

She also had Physical Therapy today.  She was able to get up mostly by herself, use a walker and get into a wheel chair by herself.  That was pretty amazing.  Everyone was impressed.  Then there was a discussion with the Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist, her day nurse and her nursing aide.  They thought that Cindy might be a good candidate to go the the rehab – in the hospital.  Who knew that the hospital had a rehab?  Just the kind that Cindy needs! 

They talked to the Social Worker, the same one that told us yesterday that the only rehabs with space for Cindy were in San Leandro, San Rafael, Sacramento and Southern California.  The Social Worker acted as if she didn’t know about the hospital rehab.  After she thought about it, she agreed that the hospital rehab would work well for Cindy. 

How did she not know and why was that never a choice given to us?  Even last year?

We (Cindy, Rita and myself) took a tour of the rehab.  It was perfect.  Cindy would be in a large single room with a bathroom that had a shower.  She would get three hours of Physical and Occupational Therapy every day except Sunday (just one hour).  There is a game room, a dining room, a gym, a recreational area and two outside garden areas.

We are just waiting for the insurance company to approve Cindy and then she will be moved.  The move will probably take place tomorrow.

Even with the good news, the Speech Therapist wants to be cautious.  They are going to turn off the food that flows through the nasal tube and have her eat five small meals a day.  If she is able to consume enough nutrition, they will remove the nasal tube.  This is great progress. 

The next step in the recovery plan is to move Cindy to a rehab within the next five days.  Unfortunately, there currently are no beds in any facility in the area.  This is not good, since Cindy relies on her Rita,Mary, and Debbie for support.  We’ll see how things go in the next few days.

So what does this have to do with mayhem?  Nothing.  I just thought I’d throw this in.  When I got to the hospital yesterday, there were a bunch of motorcycles parked in the parking lot at the hospital.  When I walked inside, there must have been three dozen members from the Mayhem Motorcycle Club in the lobby. 

Image from http://www.trademarkia.com/mayhem-mc-85861571.html

I have seen other large groups of people, families, in the lobby – even for days at a time.  But I didn’t expect to see members of an affiliate gang of Hells Angels hanging out quietly next to the fish tank and grand baby piano, being very supportive of one of their friends who had an accident early that morning.  It’s just one of those images you don’t forget.

Time for a funny story.

Cindy asked a nurse for some ice with water.  The nurse said she could have either ice OR water but not both.  Cindy asked why.  The nurse said that she might spill it.  Cindy said I’m allowed to pee in the bed and you have no problem cleaning it up, but you’re afraid I’m going to spill water? 

Cindy:   I would like some ice with water.
Nurse:  You can have either ice OR water but not both.
Cindy:  Why can’t I have them together?
Nurse:  You might spill it on yourself.
Cindy:  I’m allowed to pee in bed and you have no problem cleaning it up, but you’re afraid I’m going to spill water on myself?  Please bring me ice with water.
Nurse:  I can bring you ice OR water but not both.
Cindy:  Why can’t I have them together?
Nurse:  I can’t trust that you are able to handle the ice with water.
Cindy:  If I show you my driver’s license I can show you .I’m old enough to handle ice with  water.

This went on for a while and, of course, Cindy got her ice WITH water.

And then she peed in bed and the nurse had to clean it up.

“OK,”  I said.  (Well, I first asked what was going on a few times, and then I said OK.)

I called Rita and put her on speaker phone.

“I can eat popsicles.”  Cindy said with a smirky smile.  She was so pleased.  She had the next swallow test this morning and passed it.  All she has been asking for is popsicles and now was her big day.  So Rita bought her a box of popsicles so that the staff could put them in the freezer and Cindy can have one whenever she wants. 

And now a word from our sponsor.

Dr. Bear has ordered everyone to have a Happy Fourth of July!!!

What’s under that cover?

 Pureed Meat and Pureed Potatoes with gravy.  The green stuff peeking out is pureed vegetables.

Fruit

 Vanilla Pudding

Cindy tried the pureed meat and potatoes.  She almost choked because she isn’t ready for that yet.  Just the pudding.  So she started on the pudding and was full after a few bites. She currently prefers the ice over the food.  We’ll be watching what she eats over the next few days.  We just know there is no BBQ for her on the Fourth of July.