Thursday, September 22, 2011

Things are looking up!

Well, things are finally beginning to look up. Al was moved to Oro valley hospital rehab center yesterday to begin extensive therapy to strengthen him so he will be able to come home. He has been doing well at the Skilled Nursing Facility and the powers that be feel he no longer needs that level of care. Good news for us. Now I pray he can maintain the therapy level required as he has to do 3 hours a day to remain in this facility. Of course, those 3 hours are broken up to different segments during the day.

It was like old home week at rehab.  The nurses, CNA's and staff all were glad to see him and see him doing so well.  When he left there last July he was really in bad shape, so this made them happy.  They are really a great team to work with....we have been there enough, this is Al's 5th visit there.

The weather has finally started to cool off and feel a little like Fall.  Right now (10:00 a.m.) it is only 73 outside...of course that is in the shade...it is 93 in the sun.  Still it  is better than the 110+ we had there for a while.  And the weather guesser's say the monsoons are over.  So much for our rain.  We had a few good storms, but we still need rain.  However, once I said that, I realize we ARE living in the middle of the Sonoran Desert!!!!  :-)

Son Ric, Daughter-in-law Janet and niece Sherrie just finished walking the 3 - Day, 60 Mile Susan G Komen walk for the cure in Seattle last weekend.  Daughter Jenn and Granddaughter Cammie were the best walker stalkers as well.  Great job; so proud of all of them for supporting such a good cause.

Not much else new to report for this time.  I will keep posting to the Caring Bridge site for Al 's progress....check it out at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alfredwraspir

Until next time, hope this finds all of you happy, healthy and living life.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Doctor Visits

I took Al to two doctor visits today. He saw the "ologist" brothers, neurologist and nephrologist. It is quite a chore to take him to these appointments. First I have to let the SNF know in advance (usually they like 2-3 days notice) then I have to get him into the car (a chore in itself) then put the wheel chair in the car, which I swear weights 70 lbs by itself. Drive to the docs office, retrieve the wheelchair, get Al in it; wheel him into the doc's office without taking out people, door jambs, etc. Get him into the exam room with out doing the same as above. Then repeat the process all over again to get him back in the car. I did this twice today, no wonder I am exhausted tonight.

Both the ologist has good reports. Al's neurologist was amazed at his memory test...he scored higher today than he ever has...EVER! Glad Al didn't have to take this test last Sunday...he was having a very confusing day then. Doc said that will happen, but Al seemed very alert today. Then to the nephrologist (Kidney)...he too was amazed. Al's creatinin was almost perfect! Kidneys functioning at about 50%..doc says that very rarely EVER happens. So two good reports today.

However, by the time I got him back to the SNF he was completely worn out. Definitely not ready to come home -- even Al admitted that. 

Tomorrow is our 30th wedding anniversary.  We won't be celebrating it by going out on the town...or even going out to dinner.  Al's favorite meal is pot roast, so I will cook one and take it to him and we will have a romantic (?) dinner at the SNF.  (Skilled Nursing Facility)  We would both rather be on a cruise somewhere instead.  But that isn't about to happen.

The weather is still, hot, hotter, hottest, and more hot.  I love the heat, but even I am tired of it.  I am just thankful that we aren't in Texas.  I feel so bad for those poor people.  The weather has just be weird all over this year.  My mom used to say that when the weather got weird it was because of all the "rockets" that were sent into space...I am beginning to wonder if she wasn't right!

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