Met the charge nurse, the doctor (Dr. D - we haven't had one of those, right?), a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. I'm not sure why the U did the superbug test, because St. Luke's ordered their own, and we're tentatively quarantined until they return. That means there's a big bag of infection control gowns hanging on her room, and staff is supposed to don those before entering the room.
The physical therapist did some basic assesement -- testing for sensation, strength and balance, and everybody asked what our goals were. We got Diana into bed about 2:30, I think, and she was sawing logs 10 minutes later.
The room is pretty nice -- this whole floor was just remodeled last summer, so everything is pretty new. It's a single room, mostly basic hospital issue. The remote that has the call light and the TV controls also controls the room lights and the curtain, so Diana has a little more control over her environment. There's a not-too-large dining room a couple doors over, and a big honking gym, complete with a mockup kitchen, mockup porch, mockup grocery store and a real car, so you can practice getting into and out of it.
There is a phone -- it's long distance from CR to IC, but tomorrow, I'll bring her cell, so we can talk as much as we want.
They make it sound like the program is pretty intensive -- physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy morning and afternoon, but Saturday afternoons and Sunday are pretty quiet. Visitors are welcome to hang out and observe therapy sessions during the day, but if you want to come and chat, it sounds like you should wait for evenings and weekends.
Take care, and beware the ideas of March... ;)
3 comments:
It actually looks pretty nice as hospital rooms go. Does it have internet access, too? Cable? Not that dp is going to have time for any of that, with her new job(s) and sll.
I'm thinking with the shunt working and the intensive PT, you're going to start making some good progress retraining those brain cells and muscles.
The cultures are a CYA for both hospitals. They are testing for MRSA and both places want to be able to say "She didn't get it here." And St Luke's wants to be able to say "we didn't let her give it to anyone else", thus the isolation gowns. It's a big pain for the staff for something that is the result of overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals.
(Whoops, who put that soapbox in here for me to use?)
Anyway, welcome to your temporary digs and work hard to make the best of it. Rah Rah
In CR there are two major hospitals that compete pretty intensely for patients. The result is that private rooms with amenities are the norm, and there are more specialized "programs" because in a very real way they are selling care.
I think, DP, you'll be able to make some of the progress you've been missing. I know you've really been hating sitting around asking for help. Now you can put your willfulness and independence (both positive qualities, of course) to work and get stronger again. Nobody I know is tougher, so go get it.
Robyn is recovering from influ B but still has a headache. No other symptoms erupting here. I'm taking tamiflu religiously. I simply cannot afford to get sick.
We move Mom into her new digs this coming weekend. I'm taking Friday off to prepare, and Monday off to recover. Jeff is helping me haul on Saturday. (Hint to other only children: adopt siblings! If not for you all, my adopted brethren and sistren - not cisterns, I would be significantly more lost.)
The new place is a memory care unit but really doesn't look much like one, and Mom didn't notice. They will serve her wine (first on real, subsequent glasses fake) and play with her cats, and she can move in and out of the unit as she wants, so I don't think she'll feel more restricted. If she does, she'll forget soon.
I guess Mom went to the store with Ridgeview the other day and they prevailed upon her to buy fake wine, but she bought a six pack of REAL beer as well and when they tried to talk her out of that, she cussed them out. The rec director there is very nervous and kind of uptight and I would pay for a video of my mother cussing her. Later they just popped into her room and confiscated the beer while she was away. No big deal. She forgot she had it.
After next weekend, Mom will reside in Marion. This, I believe, qualifies her as a "Marionette."
Oh, and I bought a couple kayaks yesterday. Walker and I will be on the water as soon as the move is complete. I bought two, so those of you locals who haven't tried this should really come out. You sit at "duck level" and the boats are very maneuverable, can operate in very shallow water, and are virtually indestructible. This is my birthday/father's day/don't ask for anything else this year you bad boy present for the year.
There it is. Finally, I salute DP with Amy Winehouse:
"They're tryin' to make me go to rehab,
I say:'No, no, no!'"
Yeah, it looks and sounds like things are on the positive side again. Keep up the good work. Your cheering section from Oregon/Washington.
Lisa and Sally
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