Rebuilding in Rehab

Getting over to the rehabilitation facility proved bumpier than expected, but Roy landed in his room at 9:45 pm Monday night with the suitcase from the back seat. The ascites and fluid in his lungs proved to be of insufficient quantity to warrant the risk of potentially introducing infection through draining it (thoracentesis or paracentesis). Waiting for EMS transport stretched a half-mile trip of from “you’re going” to “you’re here” through five hours. Settling in took a bit as they had his name scrambled with someone else’s.

Tuesday Roy met the physical therapist for an assessment, the treatment nurse (wound care), and the doctor who will oversee his care here. Because of the mix up with his late arrival, his medications were not ordered from the pharmacy in time, so I fetched those from home so he doesn’t miss any doses until they arrive. The doctor agreed he shouldn’t miss any. It’s a little challenging because the doctor cannot see his full records; they only have what the hospital sent over. Good thing he has me! I will take him on a field trip to see his PCP tomorrow and he has a check-in with oncology by phone on Friday. Our primary activity in between visiting carers was labeling all of his clothes and belongings.

Roy’s been issued a wheelchair so he can move about, but he’s not allowed to be walking on his own yet. I think Roy is particularly happy to escape the bed alarm; he is able to get himself up out of bed into the wheelchair and to the restroom on his own. The physical therapist instructed that we buy wheels for his walker or get him a different walker. Roy likes the clunky “lift and plant” of his hip replacement walker but the wheels would be safer because they would remove that moment when he could just pitch over. He thinks the wheels make things too easy. He will be doing PT/OT five days a week and once he is stronger, he has free access to that gym.

The rehab taught him how to get dressed around the foley (urology cannot see him until July 1) and he very gratefully got a shower last night. The edema is receding a bit, but he has not yet achieved wearing shoes. Good thing he has several pairs of the sticky-foot hospital socks to use until his feet shrink back down to shoe-able size. We’re still getting their kitchen used to the idea of lacto-ovo vegetarian on a low sodium diet, but are hoping they will catch on. In the meantime, I stocked his little room fridge with yogurt, fruit and Fairlife protein drinks because he needs the protein.

While he is at Accel, we are having another grab bar installed by Stearns. In all the house renovations to prepare for something like this, we forgot the one most necessary grab bar next to the toilet. This morning Jesus is here making sure it is installed and extra strong; someone else will come and redo the wall texture and paint later this week. Stearns has been great – I realized the need last week and they jumped into action to get things ready for Roy to be home again.

Roy has gotten a bit more rest since getting to Accel. Monday was a very busy day in the hospital. He was happy to have a chat with Pastor Dan in the midst of the swirling traffic. He also got to see a few of his favorite nurses who stopped by to check on him, even one from the long day in the Emergency Department. If you are interested in visiting, please know it is allowed and he’s much perkier than he was the past two weeks.