Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Sep. 6, 2022
WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO! (09.05.22)
Monday, September 5, 2022
7:37 PM
This is one of those days, which I've had over the history of this blog, where I think "There's really not much to report!" But that's part of the mix of ups & downs & in-betweens.
Hello again! When this hummingbird visited me while eating breakfast, it lifted my heart in a special way, that these little birds do. They haven't visited much this summer, or perhaps I've not been there to enjoy them if they have.
Larry slept most of today. Itching caused him the most discomfort. Anti-itch cream pretty much covered his whole body. He's coughing much less. Yesterday, for the 1st time, he said his head hurt, from all the coughing. I've been surprised & grateful that it hasn't been so, for the past 2 months of incessant coughing. Hopefully soon, it won't be an issue at all!
Larry for the past couple of days has been expressing himself clearly with words. Sometimes, we don't know if he's being funny or serious, i.e. "Get me out of this bed, I can't lay around all day!" He has insisted for the last 3 days that he needs to get out of bed & walk to the bathroom. "No you can't!" is for sure not going to work. I ask if he has been walking. "No, but I want to try!" I tell him that his legs work, he doesn't have hemiplegia, (to which he tests the movement in his legs by wiggling them) but his legs are very weak & not yet weight bearing. I ask if he's walked in physio sessions & what does he have to do. "No I haven't, I need to practice, practice, practice!" So here's the obstacle he faces with that: he's not awake enough, when his sessions happen. Best time of day, is not predictable. I did ask him to try to stay awake today, so he'd sleep tonight & hopefully be awake tomorrow. He's usually back to sleep before I finish the sentence.
Messages come in each day, from people from all areas of Larry's life, in some form or another. He was very attentive, & smiling, as I showed him videos of our grand-nieces wishing him well, a photo of little Miley at 1 mo., which he said "Is she ever cute!" & a photo of 4 yr old Sahra, confidently sitting on a camel, like it was her pet. He said "wow" , shaking his head, with a big grin to that one.
Once, he woke up staring at the ceiling. I asked what he was thinking about. "My clients!" I told him that I let various people/departments know when he first had the stroke & that his driving school colleague said not to worry, as he had taken care of his clients. He was so relieved & grateful that I had let the people he regularly works with, know about his situation. Larry was so pleased when I told him of one fellow in particular who has worked with him for many years, with adaptations to vehicles for clients, & expressed great concern & the best wishes for Larry's recovery. He talked about what a great person he's always been. Larry was also, very moved to hear of a client that made sure I would tell Larry, not to worry at all about him, but to do his best, to do his best to get well. I'm just realizing, that its time again to read from the many messages from colleagues, who refer to themselves & Larry, as part of 'The Family' of driver rehab specialists. I've sent a message to Rick Hansen through his foundation, hoping that he can send a few words of encouragement to Larry. I know it would mean so much if he did. Larry has some history with Rich & his wife Amanda.
I met a woman today whose 48 yr old husband got hit & thrown by a car as they crossed a street last night. He's in pretty rough shape. She was very moved by the kindness of folks who witnessed the accident & came to offer whatever help & comfort they could. She asked me about my 'hospital' story. I've had less encounters like this at Surrey Memorial, than I did back in ICU at Royal Columbian. We both gave & both received from each other in our brief time together. I told her I'd pray for Jarret & she said she would do the same for Larry. They have 4 very worried children 12 - 15 & no family here for support. Please consider including Jarret & his family in your prayers.
It was so hard to keep Larry's attention today. He'll say 'turn that off' to music from the tablet, that usually he enjoyed. I asked him to sing "You are my sunshine!" He did, & while I danced a silly dance. It made him laugh! That was a first. I'm looking fwd. to more of that.
God bless you! September is here, I hope it's a good one for you! Can't believe its dark so early! Can you?