Latest news halo off; collar on
Dear all,
I went to see Graham yesterday and took the attached photos to send to you. I am unable to upload photos to the blog so you will just have to cope with them being attached to your emails.
It is good to see Graham without all the metal work and that uncomfortable jacket on holding the halo in place. Towards the end of the 3 months he was quite uneasy in the whole contraption because he has lost some weight and so things were no longer fitting snugly. Now he just has this collar he has to wear, and some square bandaids over the holes in his head where the halo had been fastened.
The new collar is one of two types. His own consultant, who is on holiday for 3 weeks, prefers the collar he currently has on. However, the consultant who is covering during the absence prefers a different type that he has ordered for Graham to try out on Monday. The niggle with the one he has on is how it fits tightly on his chin and makes his beard a bit itchy. He says he spent the first night opening and closing his mouth/jaw trying to get it to move away from his chin a bit. Of course it is all new sensations compared to the metalwork and jacket. It takes time to adjust to any new feelings I think.
When I arrived yesterday there was the package for him that had been mysteriously delivered without a postmark that came from his church family. There were 11 cards, photos, a book gift, a video that may (or may not) have to be transmuted to British video playing format, and some newspapers with articles close to Graham's interests (books, sports) [and a cheque to be changed to English money for him which I will do this week]. He was very touched by the package and came to tears while I read the cards to him and showed the photos. He is really looking forward to being back in Sunny (warm) California and being pampered by all you lovely people!
He now has an earpiece telephone that will hopefully be able to be used, though his frustration at not actually being able to put it on himself, or use it without help, was obviously upsetting him yesterday. He wants so desperately to be able to use his hands and is incredibly irritated that he can't do anything with them. It is quite amazing how much he has been able to hold back on voicing his frustrations, if you ask me. When you do phone, it might take a while before the gizmo is attached to his ear. I believe he has a separate phone number that is only his, however, so if you are able to wait until someone answers it, that would be wonderful. [Airasa could you send the phone number as I don't seem to have it!] We had talked about a code whereby you would phone and let it ring and then hang up and phone back in a minute or two. We don't know what will be the best way forward. The nurses are busy and some things are not as urgent as others -- depending on the time of day and what they are doing. We missed a phone call yesterday as we had gone to sit in the day lounge to open the package where it was quieter, but they left a note saying Craig (I think) had phoned. At least Graham is able to get around a bit more.
I know he wants a miracle cure (don't we all!?), but it is probably not going to happen like that. When he got the halo off he was actually hoping the collar would only be on for a day. This was because another patient, who recently got halo off and collar on was told it would be 6 weeks but had the collar off in a day. As it has already been more than a day, I think his hopes have been dashed and the frustration does get overwhelming for him sometimes.
The OT and PT folks are still working with him and he will be going to church this morning -- he asked that they have him ready by 9 a.m. while I was visiting him -- and he does get comfort from his regular visits from the chaplain. I think he is just still adjusting to how terribly slow the whole process is and wishes it would be faster.
However, when Dylan saw what progress he had made, having not seen him for 8+ weeks, it was obviously a positive moment for Graham as well.
We heard from Gale (cousin) that he has now got his passport and is coming to visit Graham sometime soon and that was very cheering as well. I am sure he will perk up to see someone besides the same old same olds.
Oh, he had his first shower yesterday and found that to be wonderful, though too short. They washed his hair twice (!) and that was also wonderful after 3 months without much washing possible. I brushed his hair for a few minutes and that really felt good to him as well. I also washed his face which they do rather quickly and without much umph. I did a thorough job with his eyebrows, ears, beard and forehead and that made him feel better. It must be so hard to be unable to have some sort of good scrub.
So there you are, folks. The latest on Graham. He is so touched by all of the love you are pouring out to him; please don't stop. I know what he is doing is extremely difficult and he is doing his best to stay calm, take it one day at a time, let go and let God, and all that. But it would try anyone's patience to be patient in this situation. He is doing remarkably well.
Keep those cards and letters coming!
Kind regards,
Linda
I went to see Graham yesterday and took the attached photos to send to you. I am unable to upload photos to the blog so you will just have to cope with them being attached to your emails.
It is good to see Graham without all the metal work and that uncomfortable jacket on holding the halo in place. Towards the end of the 3 months he was quite uneasy in the whole contraption because he has lost some weight and so things were no longer fitting snugly. Now he just has this collar he has to wear, and some square bandaids over the holes in his head where the halo had been fastened.
The new collar is one of two types. His own consultant, who is on holiday for 3 weeks, prefers the collar he currently has on. However, the consultant who is covering during the absence prefers a different type that he has ordered for Graham to try out on Monday. The niggle with the one he has on is how it fits tightly on his chin and makes his beard a bit itchy. He says he spent the first night opening and closing his mouth/jaw trying to get it to move away from his chin a bit. Of course it is all new sensations compared to the metalwork and jacket. It takes time to adjust to any new feelings I think.
When I arrived yesterday there was the package for him that had been mysteriously delivered without a postmark that came from his church family. There were 11 cards, photos, a book gift, a video that may (or may not) have to be transmuted to British video playing format, and some newspapers with articles close to Graham's interests (books, sports) [and a cheque to be changed to English money for him which I will do this week]. He was very touched by the package and came to tears while I read the cards to him and showed the photos. He is really looking forward to being back in Sunny (warm) California and being pampered by all you lovely people!
He now has an earpiece telephone that will hopefully be able to be used, though his frustration at not actually being able to put it on himself, or use it without help, was obviously upsetting him yesterday. He wants so desperately to be able to use his hands and is incredibly irritated that he can't do anything with them. It is quite amazing how much he has been able to hold back on voicing his frustrations, if you ask me. When you do phone, it might take a while before the gizmo is attached to his ear. I believe he has a separate phone number that is only his, however, so if you are able to wait until someone answers it, that would be wonderful. [Airasa could you send the phone number as I don't seem to have it!] We had talked about a code whereby you would phone and let it ring and then hang up and phone back in a minute or two. We don't know what will be the best way forward. The nurses are busy and some things are not as urgent as others -- depending on the time of day and what they are doing. We missed a phone call yesterday as we had gone to sit in the day lounge to open the package where it was quieter, but they left a note saying Craig (I think) had phoned. At least Graham is able to get around a bit more.
I know he wants a miracle cure (don't we all!?), but it is probably not going to happen like that. When he got the halo off he was actually hoping the collar would only be on for a day. This was because another patient, who recently got halo off and collar on was told it would be 6 weeks but had the collar off in a day. As it has already been more than a day, I think his hopes have been dashed and the frustration does get overwhelming for him sometimes.
The OT and PT folks are still working with him and he will be going to church this morning -- he asked that they have him ready by 9 a.m. while I was visiting him -- and he does get comfort from his regular visits from the chaplain. I think he is just still adjusting to how terribly slow the whole process is and wishes it would be faster.
However, when Dylan saw what progress he had made, having not seen him for 8+ weeks, it was obviously a positive moment for Graham as well.
We heard from Gale (cousin) that he has now got his passport and is coming to visit Graham sometime soon and that was very cheering as well. I am sure he will perk up to see someone besides the same old same olds.
Oh, he had his first shower yesterday and found that to be wonderful, though too short. They washed his hair twice (!) and that was also wonderful after 3 months without much washing possible. I brushed his hair for a few minutes and that really felt good to him as well. I also washed his face which they do rather quickly and without much umph. I did a thorough job with his eyebrows, ears, beard and forehead and that made him feel better. It must be so hard to be unable to have some sort of good scrub.
So there you are, folks. The latest on Graham. He is so touched by all of the love you are pouring out to him; please don't stop. I know what he is doing is extremely difficult and he is doing his best to stay calm, take it one day at a time, let go and let God, and all that. But it would try anyone's patience to be patient in this situation. He is doing remarkably well.
Keep those cards and letters coming!
Kind regards,
Linda
posted by Cosmic Sunshine at 12:44 AM
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