Well, there's a lot new here! Okay, not that much really, but there is some stuff. I've been avoiding the blog because I've been in a crummy mood the past couple of weeks. I hurt my back putting Dad in the car, and was pretty shaken by that (I hope by this time you've deduced that if I were to really hurt my back, well, we'd be screwed). Luckily I was just a little sore for a week or so. But that put me in a funk and then there's the whole never leaving the house except for class twice a week. I'll put it is way: I knew this was going to be tough, but I didn't completely realize how it would take over my life. Okay, now that I've reached my whining quota for the day, let's get down to the update.
So we'll start out where we left off. I actually don't know where that was, but I'll take you back to three weeks ago when mom and I sucked it up and bought something she surely thought she would never own again...a minivan. Now, for those of you who don't remember, we Comstocks were once proud owners of a stunning green Ford Windstar affectionately named Phyllis. Once her days of carpooling and family camping trips (the only time Dad would dare drive Phyllis) were over, Mom traded her in for a sexy little Jeep Liberty (okay, not exactly sexy, but certainly a step up from the minivan). But here we find ourselves once again, with a minivan in the driveway...albeit a super tricked out minivan this time. She's no Phyllis, but she's made my life a lot easier so far. And I guess the royal blue is nice. I'm thinking she's a Barb. Thoughts?
Now that we have a way to transport Dad (that doesn't involve me having to physically pick him up and shove him into the front seat of the car), you may be wondering "Where do they take him?" Well, this leads me to another piece of news. Dad has now started twice weekly occupational therapy sessions at the Los Robles East Campus Rehab Center. It wasn't easy to get him in, and it's not nearly as much as he needs, but it's a start. Luckily we are working with some really talented occupational therapists (who are sneaking in a little physical therapy where they can), and we've discovered a lot of changes that need to be made. We're now working on getting a customized wheelchair, he's been fitted for new wrist and elbow splints, and Dad will be in the care of a new doctor starting in November, a physiatrist. I'm ashamed to admit, I'd never heard of this type of doctor, but I can assure you, he's real and seeing as he specializes in "physical medicine and rehab" he's exactly what Dad needs right now. I'll keep you updated.
Another thing that has put me off from writing is that I worry I'm giving you all the wrong impression of Dad's true condition. I know the picture of him in the car looks good (that's why I put it up here), but I'm not entirely sure it tells the whole story.The best way for me to describe exactly what he's like right now (without a positive spin) is to direct you to something called the Rancho Los Amigos Coma Scale:
Just so you know, Dad falls almost exactly at a 3 on this scale. He's definitely working his way up, but in order to be eligible for the acute in house rehab we're hoping for, he needs to be at a 4 or better yet, a 5. Clearly, this is going to take some major improvement. Mom and I are not naively optimistic, but there comes a point when planning for the worse just makes things worse. So we choose to stay in the moment, keep our expectations low and be pleasantly surprised by his progress.
Sorry if this update has been at all a downer; it's been a rough month, but life goes on. AND Halloween is coming up, so that's pretty exciting!! Don't worry, I won't dress Dad up or anything...okay, maybe just a hat ;)
Hopefully I'll have something really great to write about next time. Goodnight!
P.S. Just so you all know, these are the wristbands that Dad's triathalon team wore during the Nautica Triathalon they dedicated to him. If you want one let me know!
Thanks for the picture, Ahelee! See you Monday morning!
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