What an amazing day! What started out with uncertainty is ending up fantastically! (be prepared for a boat load of exclamation points) I got word in the late morning that he was being discharged from Acuity and admitted to Magee. I have only been here for a few hours but have been moved to tears on more than a few occasions.
The building and staff have so much to offer us as a family with our healing. Everyone here is just as concerned about me as they are about Bob. He had dinner and really enjoyed his pudding tonight. He asked for ice cream and wouldn’t you know, they brought him ice cream! The doctors cognitive assessment was sooo much more intense. Count backwards by three’s from 20. Remember these three words (ball, piano, cardinal) and I’ll ask you to tell me them in a few minutes. Name as many animals as you can in a minute. What day of the week is it? What month is it? What were those three words I told you before? (he said giraffe) I also learned that I need to not always correct him when he gives wrong information, but redirect him instead. Whoops. I’ve messed up a bit in the last week and a half. But I didn’t know any better. It just frustrates him and his brain to feel like he has bad information.
The staff are intensely caring for his wounds and any scrapes and cuts he has. He has a wheelchair and has all of his clothes moved in. PANTS TOMORROW! I have met his case manager, his physician and resident, and his OT. Every one seems to be on the top of their game. And I also met the horticulture therapist, Jeanette.
It was open greenhouse tonight and she asked me to come up. I thought I was going to be moving bags of soil and planting flowers to just help out in the room. But no! I got to repot a few houseplants and I can take this to keep in Bob’s room!
Our tour guide, Ruth, came into Bob’s room to check on him and me. One of my student’s uncles works here (Keith) and I caught up to him in the parking lot. He was making sure I was ok and that Bob was being taken care of. It’s been an overwhelming day but with so many amazing things that happened and people to guide us along.
Being here is an unbelievable blessing. For Bob. For me. And for our family. Oh! I almost forgot. When I first got here today, I asked Bob if he remembered the foster baby we (and our village) are caring for and he called him by name!
Thank you for your continued prayers. I’m not thrilled to be on this journey, but I’m glad that the ride has brought us here and that you all are in the car with me.
Karen and Bob xoxo
Today’s theme:
Selfie on the sixth floor
The view from the sixth floor
Me trying to cultivate a green thumb
I was having so much fun
My finished repotting project for Bob’s room
