Well, I hope everyone does not think that Chel has been a slacker and not working - I have been a slacker and not been blogging. Mom has just been too tired. Tonight, it was so miserably hot and humid outside we almost stayed home. Mom sweated and Chelsie was panting by the time we got to the 4th floor of Dodd. My primary concern about tonight was that it would be very hot for little Belle in the patient rooms. Sometimes, it is very hot in the patients rooms, and with it being so hot outside, I was afraid it would be too much for her. But she was a champ, as usual. She still had energy when we got home, but there was NO WAY we were going out. To get back at me, she emptied her toy box.
Tonight, we had a first - a patient who was a prisoner. When I first got there, Barb, the nurse coordinator, said not to go in 4098. They could not tell me why (patient confidentiality) but said I would figure it out once I got there "trust them". So of course, we go down that wing of the hall, and I see the corrections officer sitting there. I know it is not Christian like, but I had to laugh. Suffice to say, we did not visit that patient. I don't think it would have mattered, this man was very "experienced" if you know what I mean (he was an old man).
One of the patients I don't know that I have written about is Jerry. Jerry is about a 30-40 man, I think he has cerebral palsy. He is a very nice guy - his body is somewhat shriveled up, and up until last week, he had a cast on his left leg. He has trouble speaking, but if you are patient and just listen, it is actually pretty easy to understand him. The last 2 weeks have not been good weeks for him, he has been in a lot of pain and the reason why is a mystery. He is supposed to go home on Wednesday, but he is not sure if he is going to go to his parents house or to his apartment (he lives in assisted living). He also runs a business, and has been away from his business for awhile. He finds this very frustrating. I think he enjoyed our company. I really hope they can manage his pain for him - as it stands, right now he is unable to use his walker. Keep Jerry in your prayers - he is a favorite among the staff. He was the first patient we saw last week, nurse Kori said to come with her, she knew someone who would want to see us.
Another patient I have not written about is Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon has been up here since the end of April, most of it in the Ross Heart Hospital. He told me tonight he weighed 237 lbs when he first came, but he certainly does not weigh that now, he is about 160. Today was a good day, he walked about 600 feet, which is huge. He is going to be transferred back to an assisted living facility in Upper Sandusky on Friday. He was quite happy to see us tonight, and little Belle was very cooperative and sat nicely in the chair for her pets. Mr. Dillon thanked us and said he would always remember us - he was in tears when we left.
All in all, I am glad we went, as I knew I would be. For some reason, I am quite exhausted this evening - I think it was playing soccer in the heat and humidity both days this weekend. After we got home, I sat on the couch and have not gotten up all night - not even to make my lunch for tomorrow. Bedtime is coming shortly for mom. The little princess has gone to bed herself, on the couch next to me, she is resting up for agility tomorrow.
We hope this finds everyone doing well. Please keep the Tom/Scott family in your prayers, as Adele Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer this week. The family is staying positive, and she is beginning treatment this week.
Love,
Nicole and the Chelsie Belle
