This is the story of my weeks at Golden Age of Welsh Therapy Center. My first and formost goal is to get out of here and go back toon our home just a few blocks away. This story started on August , when I was admitted to The Lady Of Lourdes hospital in Lafayette. I was going to have XNephrectumy Robotic procedure to take out my right kidney. All went well, but somewhere between the pre-op and the post-op room my eyeglasses disappeared. Never seen them since.
August 18
A bittersweet day .Pat and I were on telephone with Isabelle. Tomorrow she starts her road to independence. She will board the classic train route from NOLA. Eventually the tracks will take her to the university of Rochester.ed PT.
Also today I started PT. A 2 hour regimen which eventually take me out of this place.
August 19
Start with a dreadful breakfast. Grey and brown stuff. Then a shower. First since August 5.
Then PT, a shorter version
Allons a Lafayette. Having an appointment with Dr. Broussard, who took my kidney out. All staples were removed by his nurse. All looks fine.
Now I’m back at Golden Age. and I’m dead tired.
Supper was spaghetti Alfredo with chicken.
I’m promised another shower tomorrow morning. It’s kinda hard to take, but I better get used to the situation.
August 21
The day started on a bad note. Woke up in the middle of the night, around 1:30 am I had a bad B movement. I finally got tended to after NCI's answering to calls. Amy is in full control over stress. This morning my catheter was taken out by two MD’s. Actually just one. After the shower Amy and her opposite dried me and helped me put on my Rochester (hi granddaughter Isabelle) t-shirt, pants and socks.
In a sudden outburst ms S said if you don’t pee within 6 hrs we have to put it back in.
I will refuse if you try to force me to do it.
We can force you!
Amy calmly said: No, we can’t. I then had both feet and lower legs wrapped, then socks on.
Then off to PT. Physical therapy plus stress relief. Two hours later I was escorted back to my room, which I share with a nice man from Lake Charles. Then supper arrived. Now I’m just gonna try to daze off and eventually go to sleep.
I spoke too soon. Rolling thunder and thunderstorm warnings woke me up. Even more happened. I actually peed in diaper. No more catheter until further notice.
August 22
The night continued like evening ended. Urine continued coming. When it first happened yesterday, I called my wife. We cried tears of joy together. We both have gone thru a lot together since August 5, since my right kidney was removed. Our goal is have me home again. First waits weeks of physical therapy. Five days a week, two hours of daily PT. Maybe two weeks. Then home health is stepping in for support.
August 26
I really enjoy the privacy of my room.
I had a lot of visitors already. So far two phlobotomists came to draw blood, my night nurse came checked an change my diapers, my night doctor came check vitals. And now it’s 4:38 am.
It’s 7am and I’m still waiting to wake up for real. Since last time I’ve had my diaper changed twice. It’s such a different attitude on this floor, or I’m just lucky.
The nurse aid gave me a body wash in bed since they changed my shower days Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
Had breakfast with protein Cheerios and 1/2 banana and milk. Didn’t eat the scrambled eggs. Went to PT . Felt good I waited a lot between moments. She was alone, but as she said, the waiting between are also important. Touché!
When I get back from PT there was a big turmoil in my room, my remains kidney showed signs of having problems. To be continued…….
August 27
It continued on the 27th with me feeling tired but I ate good today. But a good appetite is not necessarily the sign of good health.
The test results came right during supper. My keratinin continued to go up. Crowley wanted to send me we wanted to Lourdes. We wanted stay he with the m here. We heard NP Love eye having a fraca at the nurses station. I heard Hospitalator Dr. Bergegeaux put his foot down. ”He’s my patient he stays here.
August 31
It’s a wonder how time flies.
I was admitted to Ochsner in Crowley. My kidney was about to give up, too. But Hospitilator Dr.Beareaux did not want that to happen.
After a couple of days my kidney responded. My karatinin levels started to respond. I must be honest. In my darkest hours I thought my kidney was giving up. With my new levels I started feeling more alert. Pat could tell a difference So could Pat;s sister NP Helen.
My keratinin levels have continued rise. My urine has gone from dark amber, clear yellow. One of the nurses even exclaimed: Mr. Lindell, your Urine looks beautiful.
It's 2:50 pm and not much is happening.
Had a good breakfast. The hospitals came and said the continue to do better. Dr Beargeux also came by. He's the guy who really made things happening for the better for me and my kidney. I felt more alert. ut was a turnaround.
I had my hours of darkness, when I thought my kidney would give up.
"Love, reign over me" to quote Pete Townshend from Quadrophenia.
It also rains outside.
Now we are waiting for Acadian Ambulance touring me back GAW Nursing Home and my room.
Thanks to sister-in-law. NP Helen Love, who connected us with Dr. Bergeaux, who knew exactly what to do.
September 1
September came before knew it.. Not quite. September came with another load of urne. My kidneys still seems to do it's job. I'm a very. greatful and most humble man. Let's seee what September have inn store..
Breakfast is up next. Still waiting. Meanwhile news and weather. Waiting to see what tropical storm Eduardo will bring us.. I hope at least some much needed RAIN. Eduardo might be upgraded to hurricane Eduardo. Still nothing to expect besides more rain.
They forgot about when they were distributing the regular breakfast. Instead of a warm breakfast with breakfast sausages, scrambled eggs, and a pancake. Instead I had cornflakes, milk and a banana. while eating my banana it struck me way we humans eat from the stalk and chimpanzees eat from the other end. They are the experts. Just fot thought.
No PT today. Instead a team come from Lake Charles will come to evaluate me. No telling when they will arrive.
Just to hang fast and wait. Update will come.
The LC team will be here shortly. Meanwhile I got on a scale.A seal was put around me, and eventually I was lifted up. 216 pounds was the verdict, which is about 98Kg.
Shortly, is not a time like minutes and seconds. I had time time to eat my lunch, before I saw the LC rep.
My lunch arrived late, probably the last lunch today GAW. But it. was worth waking for. a roterissarie chicken quart, served with rice 'n gravy, plus green beans. dessert was peach cobbler. everything was very good.
Eventually, I got to PT and the evaluator.
So far I had two full and two part time sessions. I feel like am building up. strength, but I have long way to go, before I can return HOME, two minuts drive from here. I just have to stay strong.
Now I'm just waiting for supper. Will they miss me again? I hope not.
Have finished supper. A meat pie with a sting, a mac.n.cheseese, veggies. dessert was a peach cobbler.
everything was good. Tomorrow is shower time, then breakfast.
PT for two hours. So far PT has helped me to feel stronger.
I have along trip before I can return home, supported by home health and home PT.
I just have to fight.
September 2
Had a so-so night. Slept pretty good between medical interruption.. Before midnight the night nurse with night med.
then somebody woke me up for wellness check. Closer to 5 am I woke myself up from a BM. the night aides deciided
to give me a bed wash after changing my diaper, which was nice. since it as after II decided to go into the awake mode. and just take awake mode and wait for breakfast. It was the usual oat, which I passed on. I ate the flat breakfast sausage and scrambled eggs. I finished with bowl protein Cheerios, prepared for Pat. I love that woman so much.
After breakfast came the 2 hr PT. I really help me gain strength. iI the middle of session came a rep from Lake Charles to evaluate my progress Minutes later came doctors to evaluate me. By hen I was really tired. Im ready for an afternoon nap.
It.s not. easy to nap the afternoon. Interuptions from medical staff, who need to check my vitals. Or, staff who come in to make a wellness check. Or, my own needs (BM). Soon an afternoon has passed. But I did get some napping in between.
Pat came to visit, a second time today. She has struggled to to help me to get through these days. I am so grateful to have a wife, who do not help me to reacher goal, with me coming home. Wellat home I will get medical help and also PT, adapted to our home.
Now I will try to go into sleep mode.
I was a little early.
Yes, I was. Bloodwork, taking vitals. All of a sudden it was breakfast time..Pat came her morning visit. All of a sudden it was breakfast time. The usua oatmeal. I opted out. Focused on the bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. I ate with good appetiy[. However they forgot my apple juice. Bummers.
Then I focused on my protein multigran Cheerios. The Cheerios was a perfect ending the breakfast.
The off to PT. I got a bit disgruntled after doing my two hor. I'm not going to more than trying to pull mmd up at the a bar.
I said you've lot on your plate this morning but that is not rally my problem. We just have to do better tomorrow. I pulled me up at the bar, with a little help from Matthew (cauliflower head).
I finished up with the occupational therapist.
I finished her rather easy tasksks, all time related.
She said when was done, Tomorrow I will have some complicated tasks, because you are going so fa.
Bringer on I sai.d.
Now it's time for. lunch.
I arrived to PT, 8:;25 am. was wheeled ot trom there, around 11:25. It's just bad time management from their side.
I worked mainly on my body. I spent a lot of. time waiting for my next assignment. I worked many on mapper body. Also with the occupational therapist. She said there more difficult tasks tomorrow, since solved daily fast.
Then Matthew rolled me over to the bar and asked me to get up teatimes,holding on to the bar. sat f\downn my foot.
I will try to one I said, but not. I know haven extremely busy. You ran the PT one your wn most of the time. I have a long time between new tasks..But it's not residents causing the delay. It's management problem, maybe you are clung too, allowing to happen.
But tomorrow is a new and, and I will ask to of some walking first thing on my scheduled time.
September 4
So comes Friday. Can't believe I slept so good. Most likely over six hours uninterrupted sleep.
Breakfast came.with Oatmeales, which resisted. I did an an attempt , but. failed. Had my scrambled eggs, the irresistible breakfast sausages, and apple juice. I hope still have some multigrain protein Cheerios left in the drawer..
It's 11:15 am. Everything was much better managed today. But they had 2 trainer at hand. Much more was done, less minutes waiting between moment.
They focused on Myles. Started with the bicycle. Broke a personal best. Then excerisese of the upper body. I held a there pound bar, pumped my arms upwards, thee sits of 15 pump ups. Then three sets of 15 lift ups. then a coffee break. Pat came as usual in morning wit community coffee. Could have been the cappuccino roast. It is PT Kallie's birthday and she baked tasty upside down cupcakes, with a little placing on top.. Perfect with Community coffee, possibly the cappuccino roast.
Then. off to the bars. Kallie and the other PT helped me standing up, with legs straightened.. Seemed like broke a personal record, standing up. I get a little stronger each day. Kellie said they would give exercises to do over the weekend, but it never happened..
I have just been dozing off this afternoon..
Pat arrived around 4:30 with hamburgers with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes. the bread was dressed with mayo. It was good for a change to have a homemade hamburger. I love you, Pat.
Pat finally got hold of Dr. Broussard.s nurse. If I got it alright I will start practicing prostate, I will get back to you later with details.
My second supper arrived which was Pat's supper. It was all fried Fr A fried fish patty, Fried shrimp, hush puppies, fried corn balls.and a wonderful cole slaw. I w to bew]d.as tired after my day, and aske to be assisted to bed.
Pretty cool contraption is ised. It lifts me up, I off course wear a safety belt around my back, I hold on to the machine. while it lifts me up. I hold on to handles, while they slowly lift me up, until I stand with my legs are all straight. Then I'm posititined with my back of my legs are positioned against my med. Then I'm slowly are seated on the bed.
Then come the next phase, which s laying me down on bed.. Pat was very helpful in assisting the aide to get me in the right position, and put double pillows under my calves. I think It wore Pat out. She left after] mission completed.
The afternoon became kind of busy. In the mid=afternoon Clarence Prudhomme made a surprise visit. I didn't see that coming. We know each other since my membership day wthThe Rotary Club off Welsh. We had a long visit. I talked about my ailments since right Kidney was removed.. I asked about the club. He said the club was doing. They have several new members, mostly younger. Gene Selaassi, the same age as Pat and , is now a member. He's the same age as Pat and I. I think it 's good for him, after his wife unexpedly passed away. I know he's active in his church
Pat left. She was delivering the garbanzo beans/chick peas salad to Jim and Becky.
Let's see what September 5 have store. Tomorrow is shower day for me. it will be nice.
September 5
No shower. Only a bed bath, because of the compression bandages around my feet and lower legs .
Breakfast first, then bed bath. An aide informed, talking rather noice.
You have to understand, we have to feed them who can't feed themselves.
I told her, just because I'm in bed and can't do much for myself, doesn't mean my hearing is gone.
Oh well, breakfast arrived, A cheese omelette, breakfast patty, and some kind of baked stuff I couldn't identify. I eventually got my cheerios, a bowl, and a spoon, so I could finalize my breakfast.
At last it was time for bed bath. Pat arrived during bath and asked gif she could be of any help. this Aide Cary said she got this. And she did. Cary finished it with a couple sprays of Cool Water.
Pat brought a book to me, Americana by Ray Davies. Time to read.
I enjoy Americana a lot' to his liking. They booked in for two week. Ray was looking for a more permanent place to Stay. He wanted to focus on the songs for. the next album.
Ray tries to explain how he is drawn further into what's now is called Americana music.
Ray and his girlfriend booked into nation hotel, recommended by his record company. The hotel was in the French Quarter, right by Bourbon Street. However, it was too noisy. The next morning they checked out and instead got a B&B in the Marigny district. It as more to Rays liking.
Got my lunch. It was a very tender pork roast, mashed Sweet potatoes, and vegetables.
Now I'm gonna reed some more Americana.
It is a good read. ray tells the story how he wanted to stay in New Orleans and focus unwriting song for the next album. His record company had housed his girlfriend and him at a hotel, right by Bourbon Street.
No, that wouldn't work. The next morning they got an apartment in a B&B in Marigny. It would better suit Ray and his songwriting. He found a perfect spot for his composing and writing. He had bought a smaller keyboard. He found it perfect to write and listen to street sounds outside.
September 6
Saturday came with cold scrambled egg, cold breakfast patty. Pat willl be here soon, with coffee and a banana for my Cheerios. Then she will hurry on to church.
I will be two long days here. PT is closed because of Memorial Day. Despite that, I will work hard to be able to get permission from here from Friday night through Sunday night. Maybe it's just a pipe dream.
No time for some reading, before somebody helps me out mout of bed.
American is an interesting book. Ray struggle with belonging To England, but also want to belong to somewhere else. His dad was was a labor guys and a Union guy..
Ray writes how they were banned to perform int the U.S. for five years. He still doesn't know why. When they returned to tour, When they returned to tour, an executive from the tour organizer, stuck a paper in from t of him and ask Ray to sign. He signed without even read the paper. He still to this day do not know what he signed.
The tour going from coast to coast was a success and The Kinks was once a game to reckon with.
Th. outr started at Billy Graham's Fillmore East in New York City. The Kinks played two shows per day. Ray said the best thing was they could go to Ratner's Delicatessen, a famous sandwich shop between shows. Ratners Delicatessen were, of course. famous for their sandwiches, but also for their rude waiters.
Ray sais they were a littlee shaky after the hiatus from the U.S. But the shows went well. They payed couple of smaller venues in NYC, before heading to to Boston and see rock festival. The music was a success, Ray's jokes about Noel Coward less so. Oh well. The Kinks 1969 album Arthur and the Decline of the British Empire had done well.
They played at a rock festival in Boston. They were more self confident. Their managersbthoughtbthey needed a big hit.
That hit was Lola. Ray remember an an incident at anight club,, when sir tour manager he had been dancing with a man most of the evening. The subject was maybe little risqué, but not enough for the label to find it offensive,
Lola became a huge hit in the U.S. and still it on the satellite stations. However, BBC called and said they couldn't play the song, because of cod-cola which mentioned in the song. Ray had to fly to London, He replaced coca-cola with cherry-cola. Problem solved an Lola became a big hit in GB.
Now I. waiting for supper. Lunch was pretty good today. Apork stew, served with rice. Rice'n' gravy topped with with pork, all was very good. Pat came before lunch and brought me a popsicle. Perfect with dessert before the main course. the was a dessert with the lunch, too. a song cake, topped with raspberries.. All was very good. Now, I'm just waiting for supper.
Eventually supper came... Before that Pat came with shrimp from Market Basket.. She had about half of them for supper yesterday. Shebhad rises the twice, but they were still too salty. They were too salty today, too. I didn't eat all of them, because of the saltiness. I just waited for my supper.
It was an all fried Sunday supper.. Chicken nuggets, hush puppies, tater tots, and a little cabbage, carrot salad, with ranch dressing.. At least it wasn't salty.
Time to start wind down...
August 7
I need to apologize to the aide. I let it all on her this morning. Then it's time for breakfast.
I will do as usual.. Put my oatmeal's aside, then eat my scrambled eggs, and my breakfast sausages before it'll gets cold. The multigrai cheerioos will as usual be the highlight. it will be two long days. Tomorrow is Labor Day and everything will be closed.
Not everything was closed was closed (PT as open).
Bot my lunch. It wa a bean gravy, over rice.tater tots and chicken nuggets. I dipped the tater tots in ketchup. The chicken tots dipped in honey mustard.
After much it was PT.
We started on the bicycle for 15 minutes. I think I broke my personal best with 3 km+.
Ten it was a workout for the upper body. Four different moment, or five. Then off to the bars. I got help to stand up. I was standing for a while to get my feet strain' My feet must be underneath my feet. a knees straight. Then I walked to the end of the bars, with feet and hand in sync. I turned around and walked back.
Then it was time for my brain exercise. By. then I was too tired solve the problems.
Now I just want to go back to to rest, until supper is served.
Pat came just in time for supper. She is my faithful angel. Comes twice a day, despite she has things to do at our home. She didn't stay long, but got two popsicles out of the freezer, down the hall.. Dessert, before supper, a golden rule.
Now the thunder is rolling. I hope we get some rain.
Now a little reading, then I will try to shut my eyes and wind down.
I hope tomorrow will be more structured.
August 8
I slept late, til 8 am.. I got a breakfast morning call. Breakfast was ok. The usual oatmeal. Scrambled eggs, bacon, for a change. Orange juice, instead of apple juice. I rested in bed for a while. but called for help to get in the wheelchair. it didn't take long until I got attention from an aide..She just had to get one in the shower. I waited and eventually I got help. Meanwhile I was resting in bad.. I had a clean Rochester University T--shirt. clean shorts, somewhat clean shorts, and a diaper, changed just before breakfast.
I waited in my wheel chair, and finally got help from the RN to wheel me to PT. I arrived around 10:45 am. But first the RN wheeled me to the scale, I had lost 16 lb, since the last weigh in.
Pt was tough today, tougher than yesterday, I started out with with 3 lb weight. raised. it 3x15 times over my head, followed by3x15 behind my head and up, the 3x14 straight out and 3x15 straight out. I almost didn't make the last round, but it did it. then off to the bars. Two rounds of standing with straight leg and knees. I got help to get up.
Occupational therapy followed. I think I solved the worksheet. my two ours were up and I was rolled back to my room. My lunch was waitingmfor me there. It. was mashed potatoes, chick fried steak,, white gravy and peas.I think it's time for me to call for help to get back to, bend, and maybe take a nap. it's now1:22. Still waiting to get back in bed.
The NP stopped to ask how I was feeling. I said I wa sore after PT. But he wanted to know I was feeling after the kidney removal. I'm so grateful that my prime care physician, Dr. Douget discovered the tumor dung the preventive care appointment. The NP said he was impressed impressed Dr. Douget's skills. I am, too. she sent me to get an ĊT scan, and it was there, a tumor, about an inch an inch in size.
The asked how I as feeling before the surgery. I said surprisingly good. My wife and I walkedninto the hospital and checked in. I left the requested urine sample, and we were soon called to go to the pre-op room in the new annex. It was a busy place. seemed like there a lot of patients waiting for surgery.
We didn't have to wait for our turn.
All pre-op things went smooth. I got anasthesia shots, told Pat see you later, a nd was rolled out to operation. Driving the I told the ho impressive the surgical room looked. It was the last I remember..
I woke up. about 2 1/2 hours later. Pat was waiting for me in the post-op room.
The day after we discover my eye glasses were missing from the personal belongings bag. We were both certain I had given the to her, and that she put them in the bag together with shoes, shorts, shirt and underwear. But thy were not there. To make a long story short. We arrived home without them.
Now, time to read a bit, then wait for supper.
I'm still waiting, so I might as well update. It' to explains 4:15, so supper might come soon.
Pat came. She had tries do call me, but I didn't hear my phone buzzing.
The day at Lake Arthur Elementary 4th graders had been good. The floor nurse Heather also came, to explain the bladder training, starting Friday. I might understand it now, I just don't cause stress for my remaining kidney.
Now, let's see what supper might bring. I'll be back with a report.
Supper came with tater tots and chicken nuggets, and smothered cabbage. I used the ketchup patch fort the tater tots. The honey mustard sauce fitted well with the chicken nuggets.
After supper I did some writing, and continued to read Ray's book. It is fascinating..
I watched some TV, but didn't find something to catch my eyes. I turned off tube, read some more, then decided it was time to wind down. My night meds hadn't come yet. When so, I will ask her to turn off the light.
The meds came. All my vitals were good.Oxygen level in the blood was 98 percent. Blood pressure was 133/76.
September 9
I slept well. Almost to breakfast time. It came with 2 waffles, a breakfast patty, scrambled eggs. Oatmeal of course. I put the bowl aside. I finished tall, except for the oatmeal. When done I scraped out the oatmeal on my plate. Tried to clean the bowl and was just waiting for my tray to be picked up' I got help to getting dressed and helped into my wheelchair. When I finally made to PT it was 10;40 am.
I started with a color thing, put in the colored pins according to an image.
Then off to the bicycle. My legs felt fresh, despite the soreness. I made 3 km in fifteen minute.
Then upper body strengthening.. I get a little stronger every day. I thank the different moments in the upper body is the result of that.
After my 2 hours, I walked to my room, with a walker. it is a pretty long walk.
Then I was helped to bed by the two PTs who walked with me from the PT. My luck plate was waiting for me there. It had just been delivered. An over baked piece of salmon, a rice pilaf of some kind and boiled beans. The was a patch of remoulade same in the tray also. All tasted good , despite the dry salmon.
I wrote down these notes, now it's time for some Ray reading.
I don't want to be a touring musician. After reading the hectic tour schedule for The Kinks I almost felt stressed out. Not only concerts, but all the commitments between concerts. No Thank You. But it's still an interesting reading. I saw the band at Olympian, Lund. The were touring on SchoolboyIn Disgrace. Must have been 1975. Maybe the plot at an English school, might not apply to Swedish schools the time. But it touches subject like authoritarian school leaders, bullying, mischievous students, and more.
I'm gonna read a little more. Pat will come one more time. This time she'll bring my eyeglass cleaner. They are dirty.
Pat arrived with eyeglass cleaner. Jim arrived moments later with a double smash burger from Red Cardinal. It was good ,but difficult to eat. I told Pat after Jim had left, the burger she brought the other day was better. One could taste everything. After they left, I read more from Ray's Americana.
He was less hectic in this chapter. It wa a little about tThe Kinks' last album for RCA, Everybody's A dreamer, Everybody's A Star).
Now started the years. with Clive Davis and his new label, Arista Records. That's it for today. see you tomorrow.
September 10
Maybe it was the new light protection goggles Pat gave me. I pu them on and all went black. I slept til 6 am. Woke up twice. One time before midnight, when my night meds were distributed and my vital were taken. Blod pressure was 133/73, oxygen level 98 percent. Now im just going to wait for my shower and then breakfast.
Knock, knock. It was the phlebotomist, the morning meds lady, and breakfast all arrived at the same time..
Right now I doubt there will be a a Thursday morning shower for me, which saddens me. A bed bath, then 2 hour of PT.
I hope Pat will arrive so I get my morning coffee. She can help me with my cherioos, too. Maybe the aide will help me to get my C fix.
Pat arrived with coffee. Nothing smells like Community coffee in the morning. She also made my Cheerios bowl.
eventually made it to PT. Started with bike ride. I try to keep my speed at 40-42 (whatever this is). 15 minutes on the bike. As I write this I got my pneumonia shot.
The regular schedule besides a two - three add ons. And I stood up at the bars. First I was just standing, trying to keep my legs and knees straight. I sat down to rest for a bit. The another standing session. But this time the PT brought out a step. I stepped onto that step, for a number of times. I was about to sit down, but then he said, - Just five more. That I did.
Then it was time for the occupational therapist, I think her name is Kimberly. She asked me to finish the second half of the sheet I did yesterday. Then my two hours were done. She rolled med back to my room.
I waited for my lunch. I think it was supposed to be a chicken and sausage gumbo. But it was very thick. It was a lot of rice in the bowl. It came with a potato salad. It's funny, one of the neighbors here, talked with his son. The guy talks very loud. -I thought we'd gumbo o today? The son said, - That was your gumbo.
-That ain't gumbo!
I had a nice visit with Pat and her friend Mary. They were on their way to Lake Charles, and a class about hawks. I bet that will be interesting.
Now I'm just waiting for supper.
Maybe will remember what was as I write.
I was dozing off in front of the TV. I settled for The food channel. They seem to have less cooking these day, and more of these peculiar competitions. .Well, was perfect, since my brain just wanted to to rest. I also watched two Batman movies. They were good enough. After the last one, I turned off the TV. I put on the sleep mask Pat bought for me.
September 11
The sleep mask seemed to work well this night also. I never noticed when Pat came home. First thing I remember was when the night nurse poked me a little on my left shoulder. I lifted up my sleep mask, and stared into bright lights. - Good afternoon, Mr. Lindell, it's time for your night meds, and for your night vitals. It was low, as expected, 108/73.
She left and I fell right back to sleep.
Next time it was 4:30 am and the night aide did a wellness check. She left immediately, and I went back to sleep. I woke up around 6 o'clock, and decided to wake up. Breakfast came pretty early. It was oatmeal, scrambled eggs and the charming little breakfast sausages, just wish I had some English mustard to go with them.
Got dressed and brought to PT, too early. they don't open until 8:30 am. I remember now, you brought me there.
The bladder training has begun, at 2 pm. They will check it again at 6 pm. I asked her what to do if I felt an urge to pee. She said do nothing, unless it starts to hurt, then I just press the red button and ask for the nurse.
PT went well, but it convinced me to stay here over the weekend. Maybe I should ask for permission next Saturday, or some other day, late in week, if the ramp is built.
supper came finally. A chicken salad sandwich. im not complaining, just noting there was a thin layer of salad on one slice. but there as iceberg salad slivers on the plate, so I managed to get them on salad side. plus there were chips also on the plate. I pusume of on the salad side. this added a crunchy texture to the sandwich. I don't know what the dessert was. blueberry/vanilla cream something.
now the clock is 6 pm and the bladder nurse came to unclamp me. she unclamped me and left. I assume she will be back at 10 p.m. I tried to get her attention to ask what the next part of the bladder training is.
September 12
The night went almost undisturbed. Around 12:30 the night nurse came with my night meds. she also took my vitals. She left and and I pulled down my sleep mask and soon went back to la-la land.
Around 2:30 am to knocked on the door. It was the night aide who asked me if I a bowl movement.
I said, I think so, but wasn't sure. She checked and I had a little one and enough for diaper c see went back tohange. She changed it, turned light off and shut the door. I pulled down my mask and eventually went back to sleep. Around 4:30 am (I think) was another knock, but it was just a wellness check. I just made a thumb up. She left and closed the door. guess she turned on the light. I woke up around 6 am. This time I . I thought I had enough sleep. It was almost time for breakfast anyway.
Breakfast and the NP arrived almost at the same time. NP Heather gave me my morning meds and said would be back she But she left before I could ask her what occasion was. I assumed it had to do with my bladder training.
Breakfast was the oatmeal, a cheese omelette and a breakfast patty. After finishing my breakfast, I turned the oatmeal down to my plate, and cleaned out by bowl with napkin, I waited til my tay was removed and asked the aide if she could pour the Kashi cinnamon harvest cereal in my bowl. She did and told to say when . I said when, when the bowl was almost full. Poured in my my breakfast milk. The Kashi has n nice fast of cinnamon, and was fun to eat.
The NP came around 3:40 pm to unclamp my bladder and said the would be would bw back in about 20 minutes.
