March 25, 2013, Day 82

Day 82? What? It doesn’t seem possible does it? 82 days seems like a long time, yet it’s nothing when you really think about it. Heck, I’ve had relationships that didn’t last 82 days. I sometimes sound like a broken record when people ask me how Dad is doing. I nod my head, smile and tell them he’s doing well, slowly and surely making progress one day at a time. One day at a time right? One day at a time is all we have.

Since Dad’s recovery is based on the level of care Medicare and his insurance will pay for, the suggestion was recently made that maybe Dad could get more of an a la carte selection of therapies. In other words, maybe he could get more therapy if he pays for it. Well you can always get more of everything if you pay for it can’t you? I suppose money really does make the world go round? But Dad isn’t some pure bred bird dog you buy that you then ship off for training, to return a champion hunting animal. What we need to do is take the tools learned from all his therapies and actively help him out when the trained professionals aren’t around, because there will come a day when they won’t be around.      

I received a phone call from Dad’s physical therapist today wanting to set up a home assessment for some time this week. The questions they have asked all along and the concerns about the house have been railings (are there any in the house), bathroom setup (believe it or not a shower stall is exactly what they want) and steps (of which there are thankfully only 2). Mom and Dad made the right decision when they bought their little house because it’s a ranch. Part of the reason for buying the house was Mom has difficulty with steps and in the case of steps, less is best. Little did we all know how fortuitous it was for everyone that they purchased their current house. Everything happens for a reason right? Physical therapy wanting to come and asses the house, with Dad in tow, is huge because that means he’s coming home and soon. While coming home is the goal we all have at this moment, I also know that when it happens it will be another beginning for us all. We will all have to pull together to not just visit with Dad on a Sunday for a couple of hours but help him continue to improve to his full potential on a daily basis. I'm ready. Let's do this.  

Addendum: Last night when I saw Dad, he relayed to me that he was able to move his right thumb in therapy, something that surprised even him! It was the first time since his hemorrhagic stroke in mid-January that he was able to move it. Of course when I was there and asked him to move it, using all his as I call them Jedi mind tricks, he could not, but that's ok. He had moved it during the day, which means he will move it again. Yesterday was a stellar day!

Addendum to the addendum: Just got word this morning that Dad is approved for a 6 hour leave on Saturday to accompany us to Rockland for an Easter family dinner with Frank's (PJ's partner) side of the family! Like I've said before, it does not take much to make me happy and all of this news is more than I could have ever expected and makes me so happy. Pictures from this weekend will surely follow!