Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Sep. 20, 2022
MEETING WITH FAMILY & HOSPITAL TEAM *Not Larry's Birthday, I'm too tired to find another photo! (09.19.22)
Hello, & welcome to day 80 for Larry in hospital!
Well, I kept waking up all night & so did Mary-Lynn. Neither of us like confrontation & our stomachs were doing a little flip. She sent me 'very well said' statements of the things I'd been tossing about, to type out in the morning.
Larry was quite drowsy up until the physios came to get him for a 'workout' in the gym. Shane & I got to see him do a full stand, holding onto bars in front of him. Strait & tall! It takes everything he has, but he does it. Any time he's awake, he is often exercising, arms, legs, even sit-ups & tilting his body side to side. He is determined to get stronger & mobile.
The meeting began as we expected, with the 'policies' being recited. When we were asked to start sharing, I began reading our notes, got choked, eventually Mary-Lynn stated our reasons for not sending Larry to Ridge Meadows, where he would need to be transported to & from Royal Columbian Hospital 3 X a wk. for dialysis. After a lot of 'how it's done' within the health region, it came down to this: They are putting in for a transfer to Royal Columbian Hospital, where Larry will be an in-patient and receive dialysis on the premises. They will include in the information that he must not go to Ridge Meadows but felt that he would go to Queens Park Hospital at some point (don't know when) & still need to travel for dialysis.
Our meeting with the hospital team was for 2:30. Gordon arrived from the Island, & Mary-Lynn, Shane & Jason were also there. Larry said he wanted to be at the meeting, so the physio wheeled him right in after his session with her. The team consisted of the unit manager, charge nurse, social worker, physio & O.T.
Once that was established, the manager asked if we had any concerns about care. We shared a few, at which eyebrows were raised. We were told to please forward in writing what we had expressed & not consider it complaining but advocating for our loved one. Also, she said that if there needs to be training in an area that is being neglected or not handled well, it's what the hospital wants. The social worker after the meeting said that she appreciated how united we are as a family, showing so much love. She said a few other very supportive & encouraging words. When we returned to Larry's room, he was repositioned in his bed, 'perfectly'.
I had asked Larry if he wanted to say something, but he declined & said he really couldn't hear well. He was feeling uncomfortable in his chair & Shane took him back to the room. When Shane returned, he said he asked Dad if he understood what was happening. Larry said "I guess I'm going to Royal Columbian & not Ridge Meadows.
I came home a bit earlier than I have recently, as Gordon was sitting with Larry. Two brothers holding hands, while both 'resting their eyes'.
So, the transfer can happen at any time. We are hoping to have a little more time where Larry is at, especially with the speech therapist's plan for examining Larry's throat & vocal cords this week to assess his swallowing. He mentioned her a few times today & when was she coming.
I thought I'd feel more excited, but I'm just hoping that whatever care Larry will receive along the way will be the very best for him to continue progressing, body, mind & spirit.
Thank you so much. We received tremendous outreach with prayers & good wishes for a positive outcome for today.
Night, night! God bless you! xoxo