It’s only been a couple of days since I updated you but I just have to share that I am amazed by how many new memories Bob is making. I was originally frustrated that he couldn’t remember what he had eaten ten minutes before, but now he remembers and can recount for me what he has done in therapy for that day and even the day or two before. And when I ask most people what they ate for breakfast, very few can answer me correctly anyway.
He remembers that Ranit is on a “people tour” (which is our way of describing a vacation with multiple stops to visit friends and family in multiple states) and Melissa is in Punta Cana. He tells me Ashley loves the notes I leave for her on his homework. He tells me that Brian is a “health-nut” who told him to stop drinking fruit punch at night. He told me that he made oatmeal in OT the other day with Brian and got to eat it, but it needed sugar. And that they plan to have him cook himself a full meal in the OT kitchen in the near future. He wants to be back with his Weber in the worst way.
Bob remembers staff members names from day to day. He told me he practiced getting in and out of the car that is on the roof at Magee.
He also showed me the artwork that he was making. One was a marker drawing and one was watercolor. The art therapist came to his day room to work with patients there. He told me, “Our door is red, right? Your grandmother wanted it that color so she painted it herself, right?” And the artwork has a house with a red door and green-ish siding.
We played bingo tonight and we each won a game. He picked a canvas with Philadelphia artwork and markers to color it in and I picked a word search book. We made a killing. And the people doing the calling were no joke. No repeating of the call and they clipped through it SO FAST. I got distracted for about five seconds and missed two numbers. I had to ask Bob which ones I missed. 🙄
Bob also FaceTimed with Mike, Terry, Dani, and Colin last night. He is looking forward to a Father’s Day BBQ at the Andrews and Fourth of July with Dani and Colin. And watching the Super Bowl with Colin. Happy Graduation Day Dani!
My friend, Michael, at the Sheraton also checked me in tonight so I’m back in “da club” level. He always asks me how Bob and Mikey are doing. Mikey has had a rough week. Vomited early Tuesday morning. Nothing like “Momma are you?” at 4 am and you expect to just comfort him for a second and he says “I frowed (throwed) up”. And he has been spiking high fevers here and there. My mom and dad (Gaga and Poppop) have taken him in during the day since Tuesday.
So I’ve been keeping it together. By fraying and extremely thin threads, but it’s together. And others step in and help hold it in one piece. But it’s not easy. And I fear that my collapse is coming. Yes, I am doing the best I can to take care of myself. Yes, I am trying to rest as much as I can, but small children tend to disrupt sleep on a normal day. Yes, I am eating (and drinking). Yes, I am arranging at least one fun thing a week to do for me.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Bob needs prayers for his bladder, his lower back, and his left shoulder. We love you all.