Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Nov. 23, 2022
REALIZING THE HOPE, WE DARED TO HOPE FOR! (11.22.22)
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
8:27 PM
Hello, welcome to our big day!
From confusion yesterday, to signing on the dotted line today. The case manager spoke with us today, explaining the form we were given yesterday to sign for Larry's transfer to Queens Park Hospital. We found out today, it's happening tomorrow, the 23rd! If we were to delay at all, the spot offered to Larry would quickly be given to someone else, & the wait for another opening is uncertain. Queens Park Hospital Rehabilitation Centre is the best rehab facility in the Fraser Health Region, which we are part of. The feedback we have been given by health care professionals in rehab that we personally know, is excellent. Larry is confident in going there for his rehabilitation. Some folks ask us to try to get him into GF Strong. It's not that easy! And Larry agrees that it may be traumatic for him to be in the environment he served in, helping patients with the needs he himself has now. Not to mention the commute for most of his loved ones to visit. GF Strong is on Oak St. in Vancouver, near Children's Hospital.
Larry did his own therapy today. As he wheeled himself out of the unit, I asked if his therapist brain was dialoguing with his patient brain. He said it was! He admitted that he's a little nervous, frightened & excited at the same time. He's biting the bullet for sure. Larry's health care team on this unit, will be the hardest to say "Good bye!" to. There is a lot of love & friendship between us, as well as with some other patients & their families. We are looking forward to reconnecting with Larry's roommate from September, who is also at Queen's Park.
It was great to see our young friend who came for a visit today. He agreed to help with taking Larry's guitar & the peddle device Mary-Lynn brought, to save me having to move it. He & Larry went for a stroll, while the O.T. questioned me about the wheelchair/walker accessibility of our home, for when that time comes. Fortunately, there will be little we have to modify. I know for sure we'll fix up the shower to accommodate Larry sitting. He can't wait to feel the warm water showering on him. I was asked if we have a support system. Ohhhhh yessss! We are always being offered assistance from many family & friends.
So, although we know its Wednesday that Larry transfers, we don't know the time. I'll get a call as soon as the hospital knows. I bought Larry a few new comfy things to wear. He needs to have 4 sets of everything. One set is red, as he's starting to talk Christmas. He asked me to pick up 200 mini candy canes today! Hmmm! He'll make something happen for sure, re: a new role for Santa.
Covid continues to rear its ugly head among family. One, just got over it & now 2 more are fighting it. We just can't relax about not visiting Larry if we feel at all sick. Every time I get a scratch in my throat, I immediately test for Covid & am very aware if it goes further than that.
We were pretty tired from the excitement & emotion of getting ready for the move. The next update should be full!
Thank you for your continual love & support. I blurted out a cry today & Larry asked why! I told him that in the darkest days my hope was that he would wake up before 3 months, or he never would come back to us. We were so focused for such a long time on Larry overcoming one serious set-back after another. I used to say, "Can he please, just get on with rehab!" Well, now he is! Surely his suffering wasn't wasted, as there has been so much good come out of the love & appreciation of so many, for Larry's courageous fight. God bless you! See you tomorrow!