Wednesday, October 19, 2022

7:36 PM

Welcome to this Wednesday!  "Enthusiasm Makes the Difference" by Norman Vincent Peel (20,000,000 copies sold since 1967) There's a lot of good stuff in that book, & I'm trying to infuse some of it into Larry's attitude each day.

  Larry's corner of the room was a-buzz with 3 physios working with him when I arrived this morning. For the first time, he dressed himself with PJ bottoms & shirt. He was sitting well, by himself on the edge of the bed, then stood up with little assist, then threw up. And that was the end of that! Almost every day, the nausea spoils the rehab exercises, or at least a happy ending to them. Although, he did get in a fair amount before he had to stop. He rested for an hour, then transferred to his wheelchair. No exercise, just the transfer. Being free of the feed-tube for another hour, we went for a walk. He wheeled himself along for a bit. Larry enjoyed watching a fellow climb 9 sorties up the tower ladder of the crane at the hospital construction site.

 He wanted back to bed when he got to his room. I gave him his guitar. He didn't feel like playing it, but he did strum it a little, then made a yucky face, saying it wasn't in tune. The O.T. came in while he was still holding it & asked if he'd like to do some exercises. I'm so impatient when I hear "What is today's date & day of the week?" I'll have to check my watch when I arrive & give him a heads up about what day it is, once I know what it is. When she was finished with him, she said she'd get more challenging activities for him to do. She asked, "Out of 10, what difficulty would you rate the exercises?" He said "Three!" He's become very dexterous with his fingers, as they don't shake any more. It really shows when he plays cards or handles his guitar.

 Brother Gordon called from the Island & was so happy to hear Larry's voice sounding so loud & clear. They talked guitar talk & Larry was very engaged. He was holding his guitar at the time & started tuning according to what Gordon had said. They had a great visit. Larry worked on tuning his guitar for quite a while, when the doctor came around. He said, "Hello Mr. Bowen!" to which Larry responded, "Can you tune a guitar?"

  This doctor is just getting to know Larry, but from the notes of the previous doctor, he was pleased to see that rehab therapies are progressing well, working toward Larry moving on to a rehab facility. He's got to have a fair amount of awake time & more stamina, for participating in sessions involving the various therapies that will be part of an everyday routine.

 Lovely, lovely nurse, yesterday & today. We're so blessed to be cared for by people who were born to serve with so much love & compassion. The therapists are a team who have become very familiar with Larry, making him comfortable with them. I enjoy & appreciate them too!

 The photo of the sky above, was taken at 5:15 pm. It's what Larry sees from his bed. The sun shining through the clouds is actually right above the place where Mom & Dad Bowen were laid to rest. Dad always said he wanted a place with a good view. Yes, the view of the Fraser & beyond is beautiful, & they are also looking down, over Larry … in many ways.

  God bless you. Thank you for hanging in with us on this long road. xoxo