Hasta La Vista....

"El Fin”

By no means is Melissa out of the woods when it comes to balance/mobility or dodging swallowing the wrong way and choking, but she is getting there slowly.  Remember I said small steps, marginal gains, long journey and marathon.  She will eventually be released to the next phase of her healing, but not until she is safe and will not hurt herself.  I have nothing else to report or write about and therefore.  I am done.

So this is my final submission.  Remember the old Virginia Slims slogan, "you've come a long way baby."  Well Melissa has done exactly that, from fighting for her life beginning June 15th to now.  I am proud of her tenacity, but I am dealing with a Fox who can be very sly.  She will be fine in the end, when that is WE do not know.  She may want to return to her old life or make changes (I hope) WE shall see.

It is interesting to know how many new people I have reached via the assistance of those who passed the “Daily M” along.  I am so happy to know that AWL were informed of their good friend’s journey.  Thank you so much. This was very therapeutic and creative for me who did not pay attention in high school English class because I was going to play football or baseball in college.  And if you see Mr. Livingston my College Prep English teacher, tell him that I did need to read Hamlet and know what a dangling particible is now.  Oh, and tell him I am not a clown like he predicted so many times that year in class. 

If you want to reach me, I will be in Pocatello, Idaho.  

p.s. Melissa has opened AWL your cards & letters sent since “June-ish”. She is really touched by your well wishes, support in tough times and love.  She thanks you very much and will be corresponding with you soon—no texts, no emails, no social media but the old fashioned way via USPS.

"Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are."

Elvis has left the building.

6 weeks....

“6 weeks does not a therapy regime make”

Today it is 98 days in hospitals AND next week on Tuesday 6 weeks at HELEN Hayes.  That is 4 weeks of Acute Therapy and 2 weeks of Subacute Therapy.  That means 4 hours whittled down to 2 hours. [hope I have peaked the interest of the “Numbers People” who read this].  The next 2 weeks will be crucial for Melissa.  She has to pass a swallow test for solid foods & liquids.  Work on her core for stability for the mobility.  And get rid of the stomach “peg” to supplement feeding.  She is eating purée food now, and had a test grilled cheese today with MUCH coaching from her Speech Therapist.  Melissa doesn’t like the food and I said this isn’t a 4 Star Michelin restaurant.  I taste the food and it is better than NY Presbyterian which is rated #5 in the universe.  Although my Mother claimed it was the filthiest hospital she has ever been to.  She was a very tough nurse and knew the profession of giving care. [tough love ya’ll] 

If by chance you get a “wacka-doodle” (love this Liz thnx) phone call, TXT, Email, sorry.  Melissa right now suffers from “sundowners” (a form of dementia). I gave her the Smart Phone but....  Might be taking it away soon if this gets worse.  Dementia is a byproduct of the injury, but could change with time as the brain heals.  I witnessed this in 3 generations of my family and one in another’s, the chapter has not ended on that one.  I am dealing with a lovely person but when the clock hits 3:30-4pm it begins.  

Melissa and I played cards today.  It was fun, she was really focused and calculating.  She lost twice but really won, she did not count her cards correctly.  So it shows me her memory is good in some areas, but needs more time to heal.  She cracks me up, so serious about winning.  HAH.  We have lovely conversations about back packs/luggage she says is on the top floor with money hidden in them/it.  Melissa said she saw my Mother and Father the other day with my sister, Angela.  I asked her what Mom was wearing, she said she looked good.  My Father was nervous, talking much.  Was it a dream or a visitation....  if it was a visitation, “Mom and  Dad can you contact me, I have many questions about what lies beyond.” 

To Sum it up 6 weeks could evolve into 8 or 9 weeks in West Haverstraw NY.  Got to Swallow, chew solid food, find your stability/mobility and no more feeding tubes in the tummy.

*pray for healing in the brain, no more dementia

**start eating food to gain strength, accept the quality of food, as my Grandfather would say, “We have plenty to eat and nothing to waste.” 

No place like home....

"I want to go home”

“There’s no place like home.”  Immortal words uttered by Dorothy Gale after a cyclone ripped through her Aunt and Uncle’s farm.  But what was her reality when she finally made it back to the place she yearned and hoped for:  more of the Great Depression, hard work in a bleak landscape, maybe life would change after her fantastical journey to a colorful and foreign reality.  An experience like that should temper your life and your choices right?

Melissa also wants to come home.  Her “Toto” is waiting her to comfort her on a journey to the unknown.  She has stairs to conquer, bathrooms not equipped for her special needs in her current state of disability (which will change slowly), a rambling living space designed for those who are very mobile.  Nobody ever thinks of creating their dream home to accommodate situations that develop through aging or bad luck disability.  Melissa and I have often discussed designing a home with such features “just in case”.  I have seen these events occur in my family and Melissa’s and now it has struck like a bolt of lightning on our wonderful life together.  

I am very good at making something out of nothing, my theater craft and my childhood experience and creativity will come in handy.  You take what you have and you adapt.  My Parents taught me at a very early age, you can make a situation a positive one despite the circumstances, despite the odds that are set against you—be strong, be creative, stay focused on the goal.

Yes, she will come home when her Care Team feels she is ready or the insurance company says no more.  The insurance companies control the health process, boy do I get that.  I want her home but she must be mobile, eat and no stomach feeding tubes.  I know she will REALLY heal once she is in her comfort zone.  This will “up my game”, but I am ready to get Melissa back on track.  So as Glinda tells Dorothy that she doesn’t need to be helped any longer. She’s always had the power to go back to Kansas. “I have?” Dorothy asks. The Scarecrow exclaims, “Why didn’t you tell her before?!” Glinda responds, “She wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.”

Where have you “bean” Ben....

"I am trying so hard but need my rest"

Melissa is once again asking for no visitors, it is just too much for her right now.  She said when she is home, drop by to say hello.  I am sure we will have a welcome home celebration for her.

Her therapy sessions are going good.  She has real balance issues right now, but they have verified it is “the core” that needs focus; her legs are very strong.  With some work she will get there, to “right the ship”.  I am so happy that she is maybe trying to do things too quickly, but no work now, means no going home sooner.  When she stops to think about the process, then  she is quite successful.  So no need to rush, understand how it works then execute the task. They have been teaching me how to do some simple assisting things to help Melissa be a bit more independent not relying on aides to come, it can be too late for some things; if you get my drift.  But having said that, this is a process for her and much to think about with a brain that is already challenged with information central.

I spoke to key members of her Care Team today about progress and discharge.  As always the insurance company weighs in on the level of care.  Tomorrow she will be at a subacute level.  From this point on I need a weekly report to know what her progress is because I want to get her home as fast as possible.  She will heal quicker I know.  I am asking them to teach me how to assist her like I said previously.  Their goal is to make sure she can function at home without a care-giver.  I get it, but they don’t know Melissa and her “home base” yearning.  I am confident in 2-3 weeks she will be ready to be challenged with a new routine.  And there will still be outpatient or in home physical therapy.  By the way HH has a “Smart Apartment” sorta real stage set to teach the patients how to access the kitchen, bathroom, shower, get off the couch and retire the unit’s electrical system.  I was impressed with the thought and detail that went into this learning space.  Bravo HH, this is a quality place y’all. 

Melissa and I discussed the 3 things she has to do—eat food/ swallow, use the bathroom even with assistance and walking even with a walker or assistance.  She almost has 2 down and she is working on the swallowing/eating thing with her Speech Therapist.  Although she did not like the food they gave her today.  Sorry this is not a Michelin Star Menu, it will get better. [I hope]

*pray for stability, swallowing/eating & the troops in Afghanistan (seriously)

**believe with me that she will be discharged soon to begin a new way of living—sounds like “West Side Story” I actually prefer the East side, in a Cal Trask sorta way.

***Sasha used to say, “Where have you ‘bean’ Ben old friend.”

Another Room, Another View...

"You are such a Boy Scout!"

Musical Rooms again and now Wings. Melissa is now in Wing 4B RM 7, Bed B with the view.

Please comply to these rules if you happen to get an audience with “M”.

ABSOLUTELY no removal of seat beat while in the wheel chair.  Melissa has fallen twice and once she hit her head.  She cannot stand right now with out balance assistance. Do not listen to the pleas of Melissa about taking the belt off.

DO NOT take her out of her chair and put her in bed or take her to the her bathroom.  Once again she is a fall risk and you could hurt yourself.  Call the aides and be patient, they will come.  She has fallen once trying to get out of bed on her own and is on a 24 hour watch.

NO FLOWERS.  Give your money to the Spring Lake Borough Shade Tree Committee.  This will make Melissa very happy, she loves trees, “they are the answer.”

https://www.springlakeboro.org/boards/shade-tree-committee.html

IF YOU make a surprise visit, let me know.  It will give me a day to focus on my other patient and our life maintenance things.  Maybe I can sneak in a bike ride.

Melissa is still not very sociable right now and sleeps much.  She is getting better but very much on a plateau right now.  She needs to have patience and soon she will be home: mobile, eating and resting in her bed.

* pray and send positive thoughts about patience in the patient.  Also to move forward off the plateau to ascend and meet goals—this is not going to be a “oh whoa is me party”.  

**WE thank everyone for their support—this journey is not over so enjoy the ride....

Keep checking in, this will be sporadic; maybe a weekly review unless there is something to report