Evergreen 406
Thursday afternoon- Ben's settled into Evergreen Nursing and Rehab right behind the old Memorial Clinic- he's in room 406 and he LOVES visitors. He continues to make progresses each day- he is truly like watching a miracle unfold right before my eyes. He was a riot when they moved him from St. Pete's yesterday on this tiny gurney with 2 tall hot babes who drove him across the street in the ambulance- he was ecstatic with his new digs- just as thrilled as if it were the Ritz-Carleton.
He's working with the three physical therapies and making progress in every area- it's slow but steady uphill- and this is the first time he's been off the sedation. Yippee! So his moments of clarity are a bit longer and more lucid. He still falls asleep when you're talking to him, but they say that each time he does that his brain is repaying itself.
Yesterday after being in his wheelchair (for the first time ever in is life) he had figured out how to take the feet dealy-boppers off and put then back on (I still can't figure it out), he'd figured out the brake system, he'd unfastened the belt around his waist (I couldn't figure that it out either!), he was figuring out how to push himself around with his hands and feet and pulling on tables etc. and generally giving the caregivers at the nursing home a run for their money.
Of course, ever the social-lite, he's already made friends with a couple of the residents there. His long term memory is improving every day- I went through all the cards that had been sent to him and he recognized every friend so that was good and I told him all the people who had been up to see him and he was deeply touched. It's hard to say if his short term memory is improving or not- time will tell. When I brought Bones, our dog, into see him yesterday he said "Bonesy-Pie.' He had Bones pulling him around the hall in his wheelchair which was a bit distressing when the resident cat Murphy chased us down the hall and swatted poor Bones in the face! You can take your pets to visit- you just have to have proof of current rabies shots. Visiting hours are totally open- it's not like the hospital or like it will be as soon as he's strong enough to be transferred across the street to St. Pete's rehab which is much more structured. So all in all, this is an upgrade- we're talking it one day at a time and Ben's absolutely a ray of hope and sunshine.
Thanks to all you wonderful people who showed up to help me on Sunday. Thanks for all the calls, emails, notes, flowers, stuffed animals, even gummi boobs! We couldn't ask for better friends and we both feel your love and support. Love, B
He's working with the three physical therapies and making progress in every area- it's slow but steady uphill- and this is the first time he's been off the sedation. Yippee! So his moments of clarity are a bit longer and more lucid. He still falls asleep when you're talking to him, but they say that each time he does that his brain is repaying itself.
Yesterday after being in his wheelchair (for the first time ever in is life) he had figured out how to take the feet dealy-boppers off and put then back on (I still can't figure it out), he'd figured out the brake system, he'd unfastened the belt around his waist (I couldn't figure that it out either!), he was figuring out how to push himself around with his hands and feet and pulling on tables etc. and generally giving the caregivers at the nursing home a run for their money.
Of course, ever the social-lite, he's already made friends with a couple of the residents there. His long term memory is improving every day- I went through all the cards that had been sent to him and he recognized every friend so that was good and I told him all the people who had been up to see him and he was deeply touched. It's hard to say if his short term memory is improving or not- time will tell. When I brought Bones, our dog, into see him yesterday he said "Bonesy-Pie.' He had Bones pulling him around the hall in his wheelchair which was a bit distressing when the resident cat Murphy chased us down the hall and swatted poor Bones in the face! You can take your pets to visit- you just have to have proof of current rabies shots. Visiting hours are totally open- it's not like the hospital or like it will be as soon as he's strong enough to be transferred across the street to St. Pete's rehab which is much more structured. So all in all, this is an upgrade- we're talking it one day at a time and Ben's absolutely a ray of hope and sunshine.
Thanks to all you wonderful people who showed up to help me on Sunday. Thanks for all the calls, emails, notes, flowers, stuffed animals, even gummi boobs! We couldn't ask for better friends and we both feel your love and support. Love, B
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