Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. This was what a typical physical therapy session looked like in the hospital. Pictured with Mattie were his social worker (Denise), his physical therapist (Anna), his child life specialist (Linda), and his running mate, Meg. Meg was a child life intern and she knew how to engage Mattie in his therapy sessions. What she found worked, was being Mattie's competitor. Who could do a lap down the hallway? Of course, Meg hammed it up and Mattie loved it. Mattie always won and Meg would make a big deal out of that. This may not sound like anything noteworthy, but it truly was! Walking for Mattie was difficult and painful and without Meg's diversions and energy, Mattie would have focused on the pain and would have been less inclined to walk. I will always be grateful to all these amazing women who did the extraordinary for us under the worst of circumstances.
Quote of the day: Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms. ~ George Eliot
This morning I truly did not want to get out of bed. But by 7am, the cat was knocking her head against my bedroom door. Literally it sounded like we were having an earthquake. It was my cue to get up! My dad's physical therapist came over today and though I felt pressure to get my dad showered, dressed, and downstairs by a certain time, her visit broke up a very long day. Remember I am surrounded by people who have dementia all day. So a fresh perspective and someone to talk to makes a big difference to my day.
Before the therapist came over, my dad had a large bowel movement. I figured we were done for the morning. However, around 20 minutes into my dad's physical therapy session, I heard him moaning. I jumped up because I knew exactly what that meant. Of course he did not make it to the bathroom in time, so I had a big clean up job to do while the therapist waited. I am quite certain dementia and irritable bowel syndrome are a hateful combination. Keeping my dad clean and his skin intact are full time jobs.
For the past two days I have had pain in my left ear. First it started with a fluttering sound and now it feels like pressure/fullness in my ear! I was beginning to wonder whether I was getting an ear infection and then I focused on my head. Naturally I have been having migraines for weeks and with migraines can come ear pressure. Triggers of migraine ear pressure include sleeping issues, anxiety, stress, and depression. So I fit the bill for all of these things, and frankly it is amazing that I don't have more physical ailments. My head is like a compass. It always alerts me to how the rest of me is feeling. Given the intense headaches I have been suffering, I am clearly not okay. I will be starting my migraine rescue medication and it is my hope I get some relief from this ear issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment