HOME!

After three and a half weeks in the hospital the idea of going home was very attractive but also very scary. I had little idea of what sort of therapy would be offered, only that it came from the Visiting Nurses Group at Sutter. Beyond that I knew nothing.

Nancy holds our grand-dog Mini.

Recall where I was in recovery. I had taken a few steps with a walker and a therapist holding on. One finger was moving on my otherwise paralyzed right hand and the motion in that arm was very restricted. I could transfer from my wheelchair to a chair or a toilet with help and do a modest number of other things including eating.

That was a major set of achievements given such a short time in recovery from the stroke. But it was a long way from recovery that I could really use, and I wanted to get there fast. It also meant that I was wholly dependent on my wife Nancy, and whatever I needed she had to provide.

Being wheelchair-bound redefined home. I had to announce my bathroom needs and ask for help – there was of course no privacy. My showers were done with Nancy’s help, and getting into bed, dressing, and so on were impossible to do by myself. And cooking (which I love to do) was out of the question.

We hired Visiting Angels to provide home help to offload Nancy. Christina was our assigned helper, and she is here four hours a day to provide my shower and generally help around the house which allows Nancy to return to her work.

I like to do things for myself, so I hate the whole thing and that’s without mentioning the wheelchair itself. Not only is a wheelchair generally uncomfortable, mine has to be narrow in order to fit through our 32” doorways. That meant it had to be shorter too and I’m about 6’ tall so it is overall too small for me. It is always uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous – and I was to spend most of my waking hours in that chair!

Regaining Momentum

Meanwhile, I was afraid I would lose the momentum built at the Dominican Acute Rehabilitation Unit. So, when I didn’t hear from anyone after a few days, I took the initiative and called Sutter VNA. They said someone would call, and in the meanwhile I did the few exercises the folks at the rehab had given me.

Finally, a man named Christoph called. He is a physical therapist who did an evaluation and determined that, although I could not stand up without help, walking would be the priority. When he proposed two visits a week, I asked for three, he agreed because he saw that I would work as much as needed.

Christina is our helper from Visiting Angels.

Then man named Peter called. He is an occupational therapist who did an evaluation and determined that the hand and arm would be a challenge but that we would work toward eating as the focus of our work. It would be slow work because the hand is quite complicated, and it had been completely paralyzed. Then there was the shoulder, elbow, and wrist to deal with.

Because this was to be at home the house was important. Our house had been built for aging in place and while not perfect it was very adequate. The living room is large and flexible, so it became something of a gymnasium. It has a 30-foot aisleway which became a handy measuring device. And the dining table is perfect for hand and arm exercises.

The bathrooms were a bit too small, and the doors were a bit too narrow with troublesome thresholds. Nothing could be done about those things except to get a wheelchair that fit the doors and struggle with the thresholds. There were a few things that could be done that Nancy took care of while I was in the hospital.

Anything else like that had to be put aside for now because there was important work to do!

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10 thoughts on “HOME!

  1. Wow,I’m so impressed with your progress John. I don’t know if you read about my grandfather and his limited recovery in the 1950’s. It was a very difficult thing for our entire family. This is so exciting that you’re able to rebound in such a positive way. We send you healing thoughts and lots of good energy!

    Gini & Gordon

  2. John, keep your spirits up and keep exercising.You’ll make it, buddy.

  3. Thank you for the (well written, as usual) progress report, and insight into your rehab program. I have every confidence that you will move to a full recovery.

  4. Thanks for keeping all of us involved in your recovery. You are an inspiration and your dedication to wellness is a treasure to read about.

  5. So happy to hear of your progress! Being home will make a tremendous difference in your recovery. Look forward to the next progress report.

  6. John: Thank you so much for sharing the challenges you are facing – and the heroic steps you are taking to get back to something like you were before the stroke. I am inspired by all that you are doing – and especially by your willingness to make all of us, in a small way, part of your journey. All the very best to you and Nancy and the whole family!

  7. Hooray for all of you–Nancy, Mini, Christina, and yourself! Thank you for the update. I’m wondering if cushions in the chair relieve discomfort at all. And is it too early to talk about standing against a solid surface or walker? Well, it looks like you are in very good hands.

    Carry on, friend. We’ll talk again soon.

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