It’s been almost two weeks since the last update, with more ups and downs on the planet of the Bob. But one thing that's remained in the up category has been Bob’s steady emotional and cognitive improvement. With a few understandable exceptions, he’s remained philosophical, if not downright sunny, tipping a little but never losing his balance as he’s processed each new wave of information.
Also in the up category:
Bob was moved to a room with a regular bed - no more “boondoggle” of a confining tent!
As his swallowing has restored itself, his appetite has improved.
He’s begun to be able to navigate in his wheelchair and to help a little with his transfers from wheelchair to bed.
All these things have been real progress - rehab! So his expected transfer to a nursing home was put on hold for awhile, and this delay has given him two extra weeks in the same excellent program at the Shady Grove Adventist Rehab Hospital, with its talented staff. We feel great thanks for their caring and dedicated work. The delay has also given him the gift of consistency of place, so important after the massive displacement and disorientation brought on by his accident. Now he knows many of the staff, and they greet each other by name when they meet, as familiar friends.
He’s become more conscious of his surroundings. At supper in the dining room the other evening, he mused, “One of the things I love about this place is how many different kinds of people there are here - the patients and the staff.”
There are things he loves about this place.
And down:
A CT scan of Bob's chest last weekend, to try to locate the source of his persistent cough, revealed a pulmonary embolism in one of his lungs. His doctors have prescribed blood thinners to dissolve the clot and prevent others from forming.
At his visit to the orthopedic surgeon this past Monday (made possible by Mom’s heroic calling, conferring, cajoling, and last but by no means least, couriering of the x-rays), Bob was told that while his left leg will probably be healed sufficiently to bear some weight in about three weeks, his right leg, with its very injured ankle as well as broken tibia, will take much longer - no date projected. That was a blow for him to process, which he did with loving help from the aforementioned Mom.
And down AND up:
That news also prompted Bob’s rehab team to decide that he’d reached the end of the rehab line for now - till the legs can bear weight. Mom & Dad visited two recommended, Blue Cross-approved, nursing homes with “sub-acute rehab” and felt strongly that the Hebrew Home’s rehab facility in Rockville is the best choice for now. A transfer was worked out, and he’s moving there today (Monday). One exciting prospect - the sunny recreation room with a beautiful piano. The entire rehab program at the Hebrew Home looks wonderful, and we’re looking forward to the next chapter in Bob’s recovery.
We write this, as always, with enormous thanks for the words and thoughts of support that have been flowing from all of you. Bob sends his love to all - and we hope he’ll be writing soon himself. (He was actually in a writing group at Shady Grove, and though he still isn’t able to get many words on paper, his ideas were described as inspiring.)
- Susie & Barbara
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8 comments:
Dear Bob,
We have just learned of your accident, and you are very much on our minds and in our hearts. We are grateful to Jenny for her excellent informative blog which helps us keep up with the progress that you are making. It certainly takes patience to be a patient--but it sounds to us like your progress is good and also steady. With your great spirit and determination, we know that you will continue to recover. We wish you the very best as you settle into the Hebrew Home. I look forward to coming to see you when you feel up for visitors.
With much love from all of the Boruts,
Carol
Hey Bob - Sounds like the past two weeks have been hard work and like you are making progress every day. The upcoming move sounds interesting and exciting. I read the brochure of the place you are going to, and the food sounds fine!! I so appreciated another update this week. I just figured out how to send notes to this new website too. Can't wait to read your own updates that you write for us all. Looking forward to hearing what you think of the new place's room with the piano. Lots of love to you. Your cousin from Maine, Jane!
Hi Bob,
Dick and I just heard about your accident, and we are so sorry to learn about all the challenges you have been dealing with so courageously. We know that with your determination, great sense of humor, and loving family you will progress nicely. We hope there is a nice television in the Hebrew Home for you to watch the baseball games. We are routing for you. Keep up the good work!
All our love, Ruth and Dick Crone
Hello, Bob!
Heard from your Uncle Donald that his sister said that you were your philosophical self. I hope you're also your humorous self some of the time, too. And some you make laugh make you laugh, too.
Up here bugs have bloomed along with the flowers. Just now, taking some stuff in as the skies begin to blacken overhead, the air around me began to blacken with mosquitos. Okay, so maybe that's an exaggeration. But they're more than before. I think it's because of the bit of sun and warmth we just had which is encouraging them.
Of course, what with our recent repeated rains, we could all use some heat and light for encouragement.
We send our love,
Peter and family
Hi Bob. I think about you every evening as I sit down to check my emails. I keep looking for another note from you. Do write something when you feel up to it. Today was the first day in about 12 days that we saw any sun I think! I like the rain, but it was starting to get pretty soggy everywhere. It is hard to believe it is almost July because the weather has stayed so cool. Do you ever think about the time you stayed in Maine for our wedding? It was July 4th 1995. It was so great to have you there that weekend, and to see you, and hear what you had been up to since I had last seen you. Almost 14 years ago! One day at a time, right? Lots of love, your cousin from Maine, Jane.
Hi Bob, hope you are doing well. You are in our daily thought and prayers. Good to hear that your spirits are good, nobody has spirit like you!!!!! Hang in there my friend. Bill
Hi Bob,
Amy and I wanted to send ou love to you and to tell you we know you are hanging in there and getting well! We know what a fighting spirit you have and we'll see you in St. Louis next summer. Love to both of your parents.
Nene and Amy
Hey, Bob -
Miriam's friend Louis here. It seems as though you're getting better and better - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Keep up the good work. Your friends in Philadelphia are pulling for you!
Louis G.
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