Friday, August 15

In some ways, it's been a long tunnel since June 23, when Tommy was taken to Beebe Hospital in an ambulance. Which is to say that this week, for the first time, both Tommy and I are "coming to"--asking "What hit us?". It has affected us differently: Tommy has begun expressing his feelings this week, beginning with a short meeting he and I had with his Ren rehab doctor, Dr. Aurigemma, a very warm man who couldn't get Tommy to answer his questions. In an effort to help, I said, "Tommy, tell Dr. Aurigemma about what you did in Washington." After a very long pause, Tommy said, "I sit here like a dummy." It was the saddest moment I've experienced since this whole thing happened. I know that Tommy feels safe and comfortable at Ren rehab (as he did at Milford), and that he's working hard for Tim, Barb and Holly--his PT, OT, and speech therapists, and that he likes the nurses and aides (who, of course, are enchanted with his blue eyes); but at that moment his despair cut through, and it was difficult for me not to cry. So, for Tommy, coming out of the tunnel means that he is expressing his feelings, which Dr. Aurigemma told me later, in private, is a good thing, even as it's painful. For me, coming out of the crisis tunnel means that I have been feeling a lot more mortal this week, and also am sleeping more than I had been.
But, all that said, the news on the whole is good. The ramp is now finished and looks great. And, yesterday afternoon at Ren rehab, the first staff-assessment meeting was held; and Tommy and I were asked to attend. Tim represented the therapists, while the rehab head nurse, Judy, represented the "caregivers"--the nurses and aides. The purpose of these meetings is to assess how Tommy is doing, to set "realistic" goals for him, to discuss any problems anyone may have, and to review the very tentative date for his discharge to home. So, in order: Regarding progress, the therapists agree that Tommy is working hard and making good progress. Regarding goals: The long-term PT goal is for Tommy to walk short distances (c. 11-20 feet) using a walker, with one person assisting; and, for transfers, to be at the "minimum-assist level" (e.g., to be able to take 75 percent of his own weight for a transfer, such as while standing up and pivoting from bed to wheelchair). For OT, the goals are for Tommy to be able to dress his upper body; to groom and feed himself; to overcome the "ungrasp" problem he has with his right hand; and to be able to propel himself in his wheelchair. Regarding any problems: The only one I mentioned is an ongoing problem with the laundry situation--his sweat pants keep disappearing! (Thank heaven for the good folks at the thrift shop where I volunteer on Wednesday afternoons, who keep watch for men's XL sweat pants that come in the back door.) Finally, the tentative discharge date, which was set when Tommy first arrived, remains at Sept. 6, but Tim stated that it will almost definitely be moved to later in the month.