Before Lift Off -- Last week June 2006 progress report
Dear All,
It seems like a good time to write my final update of this trip, while I await the live-in caregiver to arrive and start moving in.
It has been a very long, very challenging three weeks, with twists and turns that have been negotiated and now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel for Graham to move into his apartment.
The most recent twist was that yesterday I learned that the doctors won't let him come to his apartment without someone being with him 24/7. This came as quite a shock, although it made sense to us, and we had but working on the premise that he could have 7 hours a day paid...so that is what we had arranged. However, with some effort I believe this has been worked out, at least for the time being. The live-in caregiver will be here many more hours (after all she LIVES here) and she likes being home. She will not be doing things for him all the time, but she will be here. We also have a baby monitor that we can set up so that he can call for help. He will have his phone, too, that he can answer by voice but has to hit a button to call out. [So you can phone him and he can answer the phone with his voice!!] But basically I have worked out a proposed schedule that covers Graham all but a few hours a week -- 4 hours on Thursday afternoon are not covered, and 3 hours on Sunday (although 3 hours for church on Sunday have been factored in).
Therefore, those of you who visit Graham regularly, we are hoping will be able to make it possible to be here on a regular basis, so that Aura (live-in) can get out once in a while, and so that Kathy (day-time caregiver) does not leave him alone until Aura arrives. If you are from the church, Genny Bolton said she would try to help coordinate this so please contact her (I have not been able to contact her by email, so someone tell her!) and then this can be worked out with Graham.
He can also do other things -- like visit a day center, for example. And visitors can come and take him out for a stroll in the area, have a meal out, or whatever...
Right now Graham is in the Rehab Institute (RISB) and getting lots of workouts with the OT and PT folks. He is learning to feed himself again and that is really wonderful. He is also getting physical therapy that is aiming to strengthen his arms. They are also planning to put in a baclofen pump which entails an operation to put this into his body so that the baclofen is pumped directly into his spine rather than him having to take tablets. This should help him in many other ways, too. It means he will probably be there until around the 17th of July (and we will be here just 9 days later!).
The therapists from RISB visited the apartment yesterday and said it was really well thought out and set up and I believe it is ready for him whenever he moves in. They are working with the insurance company to provide the final equipment he will need (bed, commode chair, shower chair).
However, the insurance company will not purchase him a manual wheelchair, so I would like to ask the church folks if there is one of your spares he can store here for back up if his other one does not work. The only stipulation is that the seat be 18' x 18' to fit his wheelchair cushion. It does not need to be one that he pushes himself, though that would be helpful if he had to be in it for a day or two. Basically, however, it is not good for him to be in that type of chair except in an emergency situation.
The apartment really is lovely! Craig has been staining the table and desk and will varnish them both during the next week or so. That will give easy surfaces to clean. The ramp worked perfectly when Graham visited here. The hoist is so simple to operate, I believe it will take almost no time for the caregivers to master it with Graham. Just to reassure you, no visitors will ever be asked to hoist Graham in and out of bed or chair! That is done by those who have been specifically trained. But you will SEE it when you are here and I am sure you will all want a little play with it!!
So many people have been so kind again during my visit. I thank you all for making sure I had enough Mexican food (I could STILL have more!!) and I even had some really good Chinese food as well. The Woodmans opened their home and hearts to me again, not only lending me a car for the duration of my stay, but also a cell phone for the first two weeks! I could not have done what I did without the car as I have put around 300 miles on it!
People have given gifts of kitchen goods, bedding, strength in moving boxes, and help in cleaning. I am so grateful to all of you.
The summer holiday is prepared as well. We will be collected in a 12-seater bus from LAX and whisked to the house we have rented on Vista de la Playa off Cliff Drive. We have kind people who are helping to make sure the party on the 6th happens without a hitch. I have had responses from folks who will be coming to it. Some of you have not responded yet, so I hope that means you are not sure but may come.
I would appreciate it if someone at the church would print out the invitation and put it on the board, and perhaps also mention it in the church bulletin and on the couple of Sundays before the 6th of August. Those at Clio, also please pass the word. Even though you don't know Airasa, it is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate not only her marriage, but also Graham's change in his life. But if you can't come to the party, hopefully you will find time to visit Graham in his new apartment when he finally has settled in here.
To remind you all the address is:
5832 Mandarin Drive
Apartment A
Goleta CA 93117
Phone number 805-683-6492
I also got to have some fun while I was here. I went to the lovely Summer Solstice Parade and also to the wedding of Airasa's best friend here! Plus I have seen some of the sights and enjoyed meals out. I confess it has been a little hotter than I like!
Before I get all sloppy and sentimental now, thanking you all for your kindnesses again, just know how appreciative I am. I will finish this now and hit the send button.
Love and peace to you all,
Linda
It seems like a good time to write my final update of this trip, while I await the live-in caregiver to arrive and start moving in.
It has been a very long, very challenging three weeks, with twists and turns that have been negotiated and now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel for Graham to move into his apartment.
The most recent twist was that yesterday I learned that the doctors won't let him come to his apartment without someone being with him 24/7. This came as quite a shock, although it made sense to us, and we had but working on the premise that he could have 7 hours a day paid...so that is what we had arranged. However, with some effort I believe this has been worked out, at least for the time being. The live-in caregiver will be here many more hours (after all she LIVES here) and she likes being home. She will not be doing things for him all the time, but she will be here. We also have a baby monitor that we can set up so that he can call for help. He will have his phone, too, that he can answer by voice but has to hit a button to call out. [So you can phone him and he can answer the phone with his voice!!] But basically I have worked out a proposed schedule that covers Graham all but a few hours a week -- 4 hours on Thursday afternoon are not covered, and 3 hours on Sunday (although 3 hours for church on Sunday have been factored in).
Therefore, those of you who visit Graham regularly, we are hoping will be able to make it possible to be here on a regular basis, so that Aura (live-in) can get out once in a while, and so that Kathy (day-time caregiver) does not leave him alone until Aura arrives. If you are from the church, Genny Bolton said she would try to help coordinate this so please contact her (I have not been able to contact her by email, so someone tell her!) and then this can be worked out with Graham.
He can also do other things -- like visit a day center, for example. And visitors can come and take him out for a stroll in the area, have a meal out, or whatever...
Right now Graham is in the Rehab Institute (RISB) and getting lots of workouts with the OT and PT folks. He is learning to feed himself again and that is really wonderful. He is also getting physical therapy that is aiming to strengthen his arms. They are also planning to put in a baclofen pump which entails an operation to put this into his body so that the baclofen is pumped directly into his spine rather than him having to take tablets. This should help him in many other ways, too. It means he will probably be there until around the 17th of July (and we will be here just 9 days later!).
The therapists from RISB visited the apartment yesterday and said it was really well thought out and set up and I believe it is ready for him whenever he moves in. They are working with the insurance company to provide the final equipment he will need (bed, commode chair, shower chair).
However, the insurance company will not purchase him a manual wheelchair, so I would like to ask the church folks if there is one of your spares he can store here for back up if his other one does not work. The only stipulation is that the seat be 18' x 18' to fit his wheelchair cushion. It does not need to be one that he pushes himself, though that would be helpful if he had to be in it for a day or two. Basically, however, it is not good for him to be in that type of chair except in an emergency situation.
The apartment really is lovely! Craig has been staining the table and desk and will varnish them both during the next week or so. That will give easy surfaces to clean. The ramp worked perfectly when Graham visited here. The hoist is so simple to operate, I believe it will take almost no time for the caregivers to master it with Graham. Just to reassure you, no visitors will ever be asked to hoist Graham in and out of bed or chair! That is done by those who have been specifically trained. But you will SEE it when you are here and I am sure you will all want a little play with it!!
So many people have been so kind again during my visit. I thank you all for making sure I had enough Mexican food (I could STILL have more!!) and I even had some really good Chinese food as well. The Woodmans opened their home and hearts to me again, not only lending me a car for the duration of my stay, but also a cell phone for the first two weeks! I could not have done what I did without the car as I have put around 300 miles on it!
People have given gifts of kitchen goods, bedding, strength in moving boxes, and help in cleaning. I am so grateful to all of you.
The summer holiday is prepared as well. We will be collected in a 12-seater bus from LAX and whisked to the house we have rented on Vista de la Playa off Cliff Drive. We have kind people who are helping to make sure the party on the 6th happens without a hitch. I have had responses from folks who will be coming to it. Some of you have not responded yet, so I hope that means you are not sure but may come.
I would appreciate it if someone at the church would print out the invitation and put it on the board, and perhaps also mention it in the church bulletin and on the couple of Sundays before the 6th of August. Those at Clio, also please pass the word. Even though you don't know Airasa, it is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate not only her marriage, but also Graham's change in his life. But if you can't come to the party, hopefully you will find time to visit Graham in his new apartment when he finally has settled in here.
To remind you all the address is:
5832 Mandarin Drive
Apartment A
Goleta CA 93117
Phone number 805-683-6492
I also got to have some fun while I was here. I went to the lovely Summer Solstice Parade and also to the wedding of Airasa's best friend here! Plus I have seen some of the sights and enjoyed meals out. I confess it has been a little hotter than I like!
Before I get all sloppy and sentimental now, thanking you all for your kindnesses again, just know how appreciative I am. I will finish this now and hit the send button.
Love and peace to you all,
Linda
posted by Cosmic Sunshine at 11:30 AM
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