Monday, November 3

I think Tommy is enormously relieved to be home. Every once in a while at Ren, I got him to talk about his feelings, and deep down he was worried about a lot of things, even though he didn't show it much. Steve, Irv and I got him settled at home around noon on Saturday, and, so far, having him home has been manageable but difficult. A temporary setback is to be expected, because each time Tommy has been moved from one facility to another, it has taken him a couple of days to recover from the huge physical and emotional strain. So I expect he'll be more focused and relaxed in a day or two. I have to keep a very close eye on him, because even though he knows he's not supposed to try to get up by himself, he has those confusion issues and sometimes--especially right after he wakes up from a nap and his briefs are wet--he thinks he has to get in to the john by himself. So far, I have caught him early, i.e., while he's trying to inch his feet over the side of the bed, but it's unnerving.
For Tommy's meds, I bought a giant week-at-a-time pill box at Happy Harry's that looks like a Scrabble board, it has so many compartments. It took Steve and me about an hour to figure out how to organize the pills and get the right ones into the right places, but it'll be a lot easier from now on. Steve also installed the grab bars in the bathroom, with Tommy assisting (he held the box of screws, which he handed to Steve as needed). For Tommy's first evening home, I told him I'd make him a welcome-home dinner of his choice, and of course he asked for steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli and a salad. With his loose bottom teeth (which will have to be pulled soon and replaced by a new plate), he can't chew solid meat; so I got filet mignon, which Steve seasoned, grilled and sliced into very thin, small bites. Tommy was in heaven.
Yesterday morning, Steve headed home, taking Sandy with him for a visit; Sandy is a bit too rambunctious to be underfoot while Tommy regains his walking chops. Later, the visiting nurse, Jennifer, came over to assess Tommy's situation and fill us in on the schedule of nurses, therapists and aides we can expect. There will be someone coming here almost every day. Tommy's Medicare/medigap coverage will cover all of it for two months, at which time the degree of his "progress" will be assessed; if he's still progressing, he'll get coverage for another two months.
Last night, too tired to cook a meal, I gave Tommy homemade fish chowder--one of the many frozen meals Gaie made up for him while she was here. I told him, "Last night was your welcome-home meal from Steve and me, and tonight it's Gaie's welcome-home meal." He said, "This is so good. I wish I could thank Gaie personally." I said, well, maybe you can. So I dialed Gaie and Rich's number and gave Tommy the phone, and Gaie answered, and he said, "I wanted to thank you personally for this seafood chowder." It was a wonderful moment. I am so glad to have him home.