Special Exposure Wednesday

Even though this has been one of the dryest summers on record for my little corner of the country, the herbs in my garden have really flourised. Probably because they are so closely related to weeds - and weeds are the only thing keeping my lawn somewhat green right now.

These are some pictures that my son, Chip took of my garlic chive plant. I love how the blooms look like little garlic cloves as they first start to burst forth. And just for a size reference, the little cloves are about the size of a pencil eraser, and the flower is about the same circumference as a tennis ball.

Beautiful job, Chip!

Not Quite Yet

Ronnie had his first follow-up doctor's appointment today with the urologist. We were all really hoping that he might agree to remove two of the three catheters that Ronnie came home from the hospital with. But sad to say, that was not to be today.

Ronnie's urologist is ultra-conservative. But, he's one of the best. So, if he thinks it is best to leave the catheters in a while, I believe it will be for the best.

So, for at least another week or two, Ronnie will have three catheters, and two collection bags attached to him at all times. It really makes transfering from his wheelchair to the couch, bed or bathroom facilities difficult, and those transfers always require assistance. The good news is that by the time school starts in early September, all the 'connections' will be history and Ronnie will once again be one of the gang. The doctor said Ronnie is looking great, and that he's really pleased with Ronnie's progress.

Today was also my first day back at work in two weeks. It felt really strange not to be donning exam gloves, and I may have slipped a few times and asked my co-workers if they needed their catheters flushed :)

Captioning on Demand

Finding closed captioned movies at the theatre is difficult in my area, to say the least. There is only one theatre that shows captioned movies, and the movies are never at the theater until weeks after the opening shows. For example, it took about 4 weeks before Eclipse was available with captioning, and then the show times were not such that we could go.

But Chip, my ever resourceful son, has found a solution - a solution that will allow Ronnie to go to any movie at any theatre and have captioning available.

Chip found an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch application that will display captioning (or subtitles if one doesn't need the captioning as it is presented to the Deaf). He's checked dozens of movies, including first run ones, and captioning is available!

Here are some screen shots. First you enter the name of the movie you wish to see captions for and perform a search:



Any matches show up and you select the correct movie:



And here is an example of the captions. It's very similar to the technology used in rear-window captioning (which the theatre near us does not offer).



Ronnie can use it in a movie theatre or at home, as pictured here. Chip set his iPad up right next to Ronnie's TV.



How cool is this, and how brilliant is my geeky son??!!!

Hospital - Day 9 and The Homecoming

Tuesday was Ronnie's 9th day in the hospital. The doctor told us his stay would likely be 10 days, but he sure seemed ready to go home to me. Especially when I saw him consume pancakes, eggs, bacon and cereal for breakfast!

We kept hearing rumors all day that MAYBE he could go home Tuesday afternoon or evening. Being the obsessive/compulsive person that I am, I had come to the hospital that morning with a list - a list of things I felt needed to be accomplished or put in place before we left the hospital. We got very lucky and had a nurse who was just as OCD as me, and she started ticking off the list early in the morning.

Finally the decision was made - we could go home! The meds were ordered - my training was completed - the orders for skilled nursing care were put in - and all the clothes, toys, cards, and ballons were packed up. We looked like a wagon train heading to the car with everything, but none of that mattered - we were headed home!!

Wednesday was Ronnie's first full day at home. It wasn't the easiest day. He was still in some pain, and we all had to work out a new routine - a routine that included three catheters and two urine collection bags. Little things like taking a shower became quite a production.

A nurse stopped by for about 30 minutes to change his dressings, dressing which started to come off about an hour after the nurse left. Then one of the catheter connections came apart. Chip and I kept trying to get it back together, and could for a little while, but it's not a permanent fix. What it is, however, is a huge mess maker. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that today's nurse will be able to secure the connection.

This home care stuff is a whole lot harder than I thought it would be. Harder even then when both Ashley and Jessica had brain surgery. The lifting, the transferring, the toileting, the bathing, the hassles with the catheters - all that equals one very tired Momma. Especially considering that I am still the fulltime caregiver for Ashley this week also ( her regular aide is on vacation this week ).

Thankfully, the wonderful Diane, Ronnie's social worker, has arranged for some in-home nursing help, which hopefully will start this weekend. Some help with the bathing and toileting would be much, much appreciated!!!

Even as difficult as it is, I know that Ronnie's quality of life and health are going to get much better after all this is said and done. That alone is worth everything we are all going through.

Special Exposure Wednesday

Let's see just how many things are wrong with this picture.

This was taken in Ronnie's ICU room last week. Ronnie needed a new DVD player - one that could have closed captioning. So, hospital maintenance came to the rescue.

In came the new DVD player - in came a ROLLING, MESH office chair - and on that chair the maintenance man stood. His buddy was NOT even holding the chair steady for him.

At least they were in a hospital....



Be sure to check out all the other Special Exposure Wednesday shots at 5 Minutes For Special Needs!

Hospital - Day 8

Yea - yea - yea! The doctors said Ronnie might be able to come home on Wednesday!!

His NG tube has been removed, and he is MUCH happier. He has been allowed a clear liquid diet, but suprisingly, he hasn't wanted much to eat or drink. Does a person's system start to shut down after about 10 days and just not desire to eat or drink? He needs to pick up the pace a little so we actually can go home Wednesday.

He really is back to his old happy self now. He and Chip were teasing like typical brothers, and he was laughing a lot with the nurses. The doctors say everything is looking really good, and even though we will be going home with three tubes still in place, and I will have to learn how to flush and drain some attached bags, I don't care. I just want him home!

I took a couple of pictures today but they didn't turn out. I tried taking them with a new phone, and I apparently haven't figured out how to get a good picture yet. So today I am just going with my stack of happiness blocks!

Hospital - Days 5, 6 and 7

Recovery is progressing - probably not as quickly as Ronnie would want, but progressing nonetheless.

Friday found my brave boy down in the dumps because he was hungry, thirsty and wanted the tube out of his nose. The doctors again said 'No.' Friday found me a little happier because I finally won the interpreter battle. I was informed Friday morning that interpreters would now be provided from 8am until 9pm.

Saturday was hectic because Ronnie's roommate was going on, and the roommate's parent was not understanding at all what would need to be done at home for her son. I was really glad that Ronnie couldn't hear the language that was flying because roommate's mom didn't want him to leave the hospital. She said she couldn't afford the formula, change her son's NG tube, couldn't work the feeding pump, etc. etc. She was quite beligerent. All I wanted to do was the bring the boy home with me.

Saturday night, Ronnie and I watched and ICarly marathon. His belly laugh was starting to come back, and I really enjoyed the time we spent together. Just look at that smile! That's my Ronnie!!



Unfortunately on Sunday, I had no one to stay with Ashley, so I couldn't go to the hospital. Both Chip and Corey spent the day with Ronnie, and both said that they felt he was back to his normal happy self - even the full-on belly laughs!

Rumor has it that Ronnie's NG tube can be removed tomorrow and he can start on clear liquids. Since he hasn't had anything to eat or drink since a week ago Saturday, I know he will be thrilled.

I really, really hoping that he may be able to come home mid-week. Keep your fingers crossed for us!