Wednesday February 19, 2014 and it's time to talk to the nurses...

Today was  another fairly quiet day.  I was later getting there because I was on the phone with our wireless company, arguing about the price of the phone.  When I told them I was on the verge of returning all the phones and saying "here's your phones back. Cancel my contract" they finally agreed to match the price.  *sigh*


I got there and Larry wasn't in his bed, or in the wheelchair... and then, the bathroom door opened.  He looked so guilty, because he's not supposed to go by himself yet.  It's just to easy for him to fall!  So, I asked him why - and he said that he didn't want to bother anyone.... hmmm...
Larry and I chatted a bit and then went to the day room.  He mentioned to me that his left shoulder was hurting.  I mentioned it to his nurse, and she said she'd tell the doctor.

After supper, we went back to his room.  He mentioned that I had to make sure to take the chair out of the room, because the night nurse gave him a hard time about it "how can I do anything with a chair there?". And then I found out that he went to the bathroom by himself last night, because when he used his call button to get help, he didn't know that his room-mate was in the bathroom in his room.  There's a "big bathroom" that he could have gone to, but she didn't take him.  The nurse was supposed to come back, but she never did. Anyone who knows Larry knows that he won't call again.  He'd mentioned a couple of instances where he felt...uncomfortable asking for help.

He then said that he's got a good crew tonight, so he'll certainly call for help if he needs it.

That was the final straw... I went and had a quiet conversation with his day nurse, and laid out all of my concerns.

1) There is one nurse that makes Larry feel like he's "bothering" her when he buzzes for help
2) The weekend crew does the same thing - or they just don't answer the call.  Even at night, when it's quiet...they ignore calls for a long time
3) Larry's not a big fan of the urinal - he can't do it very well one handed (shush Mike) but the night crew keeps having Larry use it instead of helping him to the bathroom. So, it spills and he ends up wet - and won't call for help because he's embarrassed.  So, he the wet blankets are on the floor, and he's cold.
4) Larry once woke up at 5 am with his "jammies" off sitting on the edge of his bed, and sat there cold for over 2 hours. No one looked in on him, or noticed that he wasn't in "jammies"
5) the fact that last nights nurse made him feel so uncomfortable that he risked a fall rather than call her again.

I also told her that Larry is very shy and won't call a second time if he feels like he's going to cause trouble.  He didn't even want me to talk to his nurse, for fear of getting into trouble!  That's NOT right, and I won't stand for it!!!

The nurse I talked to was very nice, and told me that she'll try to talk with her manager tomorrow, but there's been a death in the managers family so she may not be in.  If nurseK doesn't get a chance to speak to her supervisor, she'll let me know and I can call the patient advocate on Friday.

Don't worry Larry! It's my job to help you - and help you I shall!!!!

Tuesday February 18, 2014

Maybe I will start using funny titles... at least people would read this :P

Ah well...it's more for Larry when he gets out of rehab anyway :D

Another quiet day today - physio and some movement of his left arm. it's slowly coming along - he's got more feeling in it every day.

On the apartment front, we got a call from the resident manager.  There's an apartment in the unit available April 1, 2014.  But...it's got different carpet and is painted in shades of white... and she wanted to know if that was okay!
I called her back, and said "Unless it's fluorescent green, I really don't care. and if it was ...I'd paint :P"

So...now we wait to see if we're approved for it.

Monday February 17, 2014

We've been back in Winnipeg for almost 7 years now...and I still forget that the grocery stores close early on holidays :P

Today was a good day.  Larry was pretty chipper when I got there, and we watched some of the olympics. Larry had a nap, which is a good thing, and then we went to the day room for supper and solitaire.  He's getting better at it.

There's definitely movement in that left arm..he was showing me yesterday how much! WOOOHOOO!  He's determined, I'll give you that :)

Not much else to report...it was a long weekend, so no physio or other visits.  Might get more information tomorrow.

Sunday February 16, 2014

Looked at another apartment today. WOW! It's a bit smaller than the other one, but much more usable space :)

I applied for it...think "please get it" thoughts, would you? And think "windfall" LOL  I will need a bit to move. *sigh*

Not much on the Larry front today - more walking and a bit more movement in the left arm.  He's getting a bit frustrated and bored. I hope he gets a rehab spot soon!

Saturday February 15, 2014

Today was a very quiet day.
Both Larry and I were tired, so I just sat quietly and he rested for most of the day.

We did walk to the bathroom (him using a walker), which was a success :)

He's getting a bit more strength in the left arm - he can resist quite well. No movement yet, but it's a start.

Friday February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day!

Larry and I had cheesecake to celebrate ;)  It was very nice

I looked at an apartment today - WOW!  It was big, it was new, and it was gorgeous.  I loved it. Only problem...they don't know yet if one will be available April 1st.  I'm thinking, unless I find an awesome one, this is where we'll end up.  It's alllll the way across the city from where we are now, but ...you've got to do what you've got to do.

I also gave our official notice *gulp*  Now I really have to start packing and find a place!  Good thoughts would be appreciated :)

Larry was having a bit of a down day today - just getting frustrated. He really would like his left arm to start working...I did remind him it's only been 3 weeks, and he's come so far already! I also told him it's okay to be frustrated. He doesn't have to be strong all the time...it's going to be hard work.

He is able to walk now...slowly, and with help, but he's getting there!!  No more bedpans! WOOT!

Thursday February 13, 2014

Today is my little sisters birthday. Happy Birthday Thea!!!! :D


I got to the hospital just as Larry's dad was leaving. I mentioned we're going to have to chat about how the hell I'm going to move...and where :P
I'm really hoping the apartment tomorrow is a good one! I've got a couple other leads, but man it's tiring looking for a place ....

Larry had some good news for me today!

1) He was walking up and down the hall! WOOT WOOT!  

2) He's been accepted to the Rehab Program at Riverview. However, there's a few folks ahead of him, so he'll be in hospital for another week or two.  The rehab program is 6-8 weeks, so I'll be able to find a good apartment.

We played some solitaire in the day room again - he's really coming along.  The final good thing - we configured his phone, and he's able to text. He was quite happy about that!

That's it for today....