Friday

One thing about HS, if it is on the schedule it happens and usually right on time. Mom and I got there around 9:00 and Dad was dressed and ready to go. Mom and I began packing up all the stuff you accumulate. It is at pack up time you start to realize how much Medicare got billed. Dad wanted to go hunt down his PT Jennifer and tell her thanks, so we wheeled down to the gym and found her with 3 patients at once, one of who Dad recognized. They talked a while and we said our goodbyes and went back to the room and waited for the nurse to come give us final instructions. The new furniture arrived, wheel chair, bath transfer bench, and the best, bedside commode. Nathan showed up about the time the nurse came in so we all got to listen and try to assimilate how and when to administer 16 prescriptions, and 2 over the counter medications. We have 4 appointments with 3 doctors next week. After we asked all our questions, we were outta there. Of course they announce your departure over the intercom and any staff around claps as you are wheeled down the hall. Dad transferred to the van fairly easily and we headed home. 

Home sweet home...Mom managed to back into the carport okay, only hit the garbage can, and Dad navigated to the back step and fortunately the new hand holds I installed this morning held up and he made it in easily. He sat in his chair and looked plum natural. We unpacked the van and Nathan and I ran the obstacle course with the wheel chair. We determined, as I expected, that it will not fit through one of the main bathroom doors. Dad wanted to take a tour and get the lay of the land with the walker.  He struggled to get out of the recliner (fix #1) but he made it up with a little help and he was off, the step up to the kitchen (fix #2) was not too tough but it is an obstacle to use extra caution with, then we went to the primary bathroom door, no problem, into the bathroom but we got stuck in the door to the bedroom (fix#3) because that door is only 22" wide and the walker won't go through unless it is turned sideways, not safe. We backtracked and got through into the bedroom. He navigated to the second bathroom okay and came back to the bed. He transferred to the bed okay but transferring back to the walker was a struggle (fix #4) because the bed is too low. We went back through the sun room and living room and back to the den. All in all he did real well. He got back to his chair and I went to get his meds while Mom and Dad ate. I loaded the the cart with all the drugs and came back to sort and verify. We got out the list and started separating the ones he has to take once, twice, and three times a day. Turns out they charged us for 16 but we only had 15 not to mention the over the counter ones. So I called and we determined which one it was and I went back to pick them up.

Dad made some phone calls and did his inhaler and then Suzanne arrived from Conway for the weekend and we went over all the procedures she would need to know. Dad decided it was time for a nap and so he walked back to the bedroom with Suzanne's assistance and laid down for a siesta. I left for lunch and to re-tool for some of the fixes.

God is good!