Thursday, August 13, 2020

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken during August 2008. It was Mattie's first week in the hospital. At that point, we weren't sure what to dress Mattie in. He did not want to wear clothes. So the hospital gave him this outfit. Subsequent photos, Mattie was always in PJs. We bought several sets, because this was his clothing of choice! That particular day in the hospital, Mattie and I created this Mardi Gras mask out of model magic. Back then there was no child life playroom, so we literally did arts and crafts in the middle of the hallway. Where there was a will, there was a way. I still have this mask in our kitchen today. 

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins. 

• number of people diagnosed with the virus: 5,244,238
• number of people who died from the virus: 167,029

It was another busy day in paradise! My dad had a visit from the wound care specialist at 9:30am. His back sore is healing, but will take several more months. In fact, because he has a wound, Medicare requires weekly nurse visits and wound care specialist, until it is healed. My hope is that the sore is healed by December. Mind you we have been dealing with it since MAY!!!

After the wound care specialist, then Jon arrived. My dad's physical therapist. My dad was put through his paces today. Jon has him doing an obstacle course on the patio. Which involves walking on grass, and walking around the potted plants. Walking on different type services proves to be very challenging. 

My dad is making progress from where he was in June, but cognitively he isn't what he once was. In addition, he still has trouble doing activities of daily living like dressing and toileting himself. 

As of next week, my dad will have had 15 physical therapy sessions with Jon. That is only because we made a fuss and demanded Medicare cover more sessions. Otherwise, he would have only been granted 7 sessions. Which is better than no sessions, but it just isn't enough to help someone try to regain their independence. 

After Jon left, we were visited by Yana. My dad's nurse. I have noticed that my dad's blood pressure is high particularly in the morning. I suggested to his doctor on Monday that we change the time of day we administer his blood pressure meds. The doctor was having my dad take them at night. However, I changed them now to the morning, and thankfully this has helped stabilize my dad's blood pressure. 

Peter and his parents drove to Connecticut today to visit Peter's uncle and aunt, Dave and Cheryl. They live on what I constitute as a farm. 

This horse's name is Hawk and he is 1,300 pounds! Mattie once rode one of Dave's horses years ago and loved it. Mattie would have loved this trip today! I know Sunny did! 

How do you like this cutie?

Every farm needs some chickens! My understanding is that Uncle Dave has several dogs. However, Sunny got along splendidly with a 16 month old German Shepherd named Lela! You know if I were there, I would have been snapping LOTS of photos of Sunny in action.