- Life in the hospital here at Parkwood moves haltingly ahead. I'm being kept very busy, but there are lots of gaps in the schedule I have to fill, especially on weekends. I get two hours of physio and occupational therapy each weekday, and I'm supposed to practice the exercises in between. Butjust getting up, washed and dressed takes 3 hours of the day, and I fear I'm getting lazy just sitting here reading blogs. Oh, I forgot to mention that I still can't eat or drink. I've been on a tube feed since I arrived. I could SO enjoy some real food and drink!
I'm sitting at my window looking out at the gardens while I write this (wih one baby finger and one thumb mostly), and it's a beautiful mixture of greens - trees, grass and plants with paved pathways interweaving between them. There are several small shelters within sight, as well as the frogpond. And visitors pushing patients in wheelchairs. Often there are families around, so there are children too, though it's quiet on weekends. There's an active day care centre aound the corner during the week.
There are amazing areas to explore here in the building itself, from a bowling alley tothe chapel, from thelibrary to the Tim Horton's outlet, and lots of lounges. It's a very interesting building and community. Unfortunately for me, I'm not allowed to leave the floor alone until my tracheotomy is removed. Hopefully only another week or two.
They held a 'family conference ' the other day to report on their initial assessments of me, and lay out what I need to accomplish before I can get out of here. It seems like an awful,lot of work and dedication is required, but my planned discharge dat is Sept.11th! Can we get the house ready for me to return to in time?
I'm certain that just being around family and in a more personal space will help you to feel much more motivated. Life changes for all of us and unfortunately your's will have its challenges but with your upbeat outlook it will inspire those around you.
ReplyDeleteKeep your Chin up.
It's about time.
continued prayers and hugs
ReplyDeleteI am sure all will be ready for you to come home, and greenery outside is the best. Still with a tracheotomy? Hope you get company for those outside jaunts. Down here, grey, very grey, rain, cold wind, says it's 11C but as I look out the window to the west, those clouds are getting whiter all the time.And the rain is sounding sharper,maybe some hail on the way. I wish that all those years ago after my spinal surgery I had some of your strength in your heart, and that will power to get along, no matter what.SO good to read your words. XX from NZ.
ReplyDeleteIt must feel impossible at times FG. You’ve come so far. Sept 11th isn’t that far away! Keep working at it. Take care!
ReplyDeleteYou sound so upbeat and a good attitude is half the battle. September will be here before you know it. I'm sure you are looking forward to getting home. Praying you will be able to enjoy food again soon and daily improvement.
ReplyDeleteHang in there my friend. : )
Wow, Stew! I'm pretty amazed at your determination to get home and get on with life. You make me want to find/take some good pictures just so you can see them. Prayers.
ReplyDeleteSept 11...let the countdown begin! Best thoughts and prayers for your recovery!
ReplyDeleteGood to read your up beat attitude for all you have and are going through for that makes a lot of difference on how you look at things and act upon them regardless of ones situation , good on ya FG , we will be rootin for you to be home for Sept 11th with bells on .
ReplyDeleteI wish you much success in this journey.
ReplyDeleteHi Stew----As I always say, my love and thoughts and prayers are with you. With your awesome attitude, you will be home by that Sept. 11 date.... I hope so!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep pushing forward....
Hugs,
Betsy
Hopefully you're on the mend and most likely will make a better recover once you're home.
ReplyDeleteIt's hotter than you-know-what here in the USA Pacific Northwest right now. Stay right where you are and enjoy the scenery! Wow, September 11 can't come too soon I bet. My very most best to both of you for a September 11 and a home-coming that gets here real soon!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Stew, moving right ahead, the therapy will pull you together and Sept will soon be here what a goal have.
ReplyDeleteYou are making that Parkwood Hospital sound so hospitable that I may have to snap a leg and come down there to join you. Years ago driving the wheelchair van I was in and out of all the London Hospitals and it was Parkwood I had the best feeling about. It didn't seem as zanily crazy as the others. Like you, if I were there I would be seeking out all those 'amazing areas to explore' as well. Keep that thumb and baby finger in action, they are your gateway to communication with the rest of us out here.
ReplyDeleteHello, sending my prayers and well wishes. You seem pretty upbeat and have the positive thinking. That is good. The days are flying by quickly, September will be here soon.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are at least in a very nice place to 'rehabilitate' your body, mind and soul. While living in London, it was just basically down the road from us and we always heard positive things. They've constantly been improving it over the years, inside and out.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, you should soon be typing 6 words per minute with those 2 digits! :)
Thank you for the updates in your condition. I am thrilled that you are able to maintain your posts with so little help from the old bod. Two fingers that seem to be working well. And I'm glad you can see all the green. Sending you lots of healing vibes. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're well taken care of.
ReplyDeleteI remember the family conferences when my mother was in a rehabilitation hospital. They weren't always the easiest while they were happening, but very important for all of us to be working in the same direction. That sounds like what's happening for you. As I said yesterday, your positive attitude will go a long way. Here on the west coast there is a lot of smoke, but so far the fires are on the lower mainland or in the interior. We had one little one set by a person up the coast, but it got knocked down in two days before getting out of control. My garden is doing well and has a lot of green like the gardens you can see outside. The only problem is I have to be at home to keep it watered, so our boat trips and other adventures have to be limited to three days right now. Keeping you in my thoughts. - Margy
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're making progress -- keep working at it even though it must be extremely frustrating at times. I recall when H's mother had a stroke, was completely paralyzed on one side and couldn't eat, speak or write. Things looked pretty bleak for a woman who had always been very active and vibrant, but the therapists did a great job and she could feed herself, communicate in different ways and navigate her wheelchair. She enjoyed her now different life and had many, many happy days.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have a goal and something to work towards. Hope you get rid of the feeding tube and the trach soon...real food must be on your progress list. What will you ask to eat first...although you will probably just get liquids and soft foods for a bit:)
ReplyDeleteContinued good thoughts coming your way …
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
ooooh when i read the latest post, i thought you had been discharged...sorry!! it sounds like you have been through so much, hang in there, you are making progress and will be home before you know it!!
ReplyDeletei am super happy that you have a garden to look at!!!
Oh my gosh, it is SO good to know you are on the mend! I kept going back to your blog,hoping to hear news of you, and finally, here you are. I am so sorry to learn of your ordeal. I pray that your recovery may be rapid and complete and that we may once again see your lovely photos and read your wonderful commentary about the amazing place you live.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear of your positive progress. That day will come flying at you so fast!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness you are going through tough times but there is light at the end of the tunnel by the sound of your post. Or I hope so. If it’s any help I was very seriously ill last year following a small stroke and finally 16 months later I am very nearly back to normal. I do so hope you make it back to what you feel is normal. We all miss you out here in blogger-land. Although I confess I am quite addicted to Instagram 🙂 . You take care of yourself and please keep letting us know how you are going on. xxx
ReplyDeleteSoon--soon--soon---that day will come and you will see your home again and walk in the woods
ReplyDeleteMB
Finally, I am able to connect enough to comment. It is quite some time since you wrote this post. I am catching up on reading this entire ordeal that you have been through. The day you go home is closer today than when you wrote this. I am touched by your formidable spirit.
ReplyDelete