Visiting Fred

I went over to see Fred at the rehab center this afternoon with his daughter Diane and her husband. Although I have spoken to Fred a couple of times on the phone, this was the first time I had gone there. I was favorably impressed. The facility was clean, attractively decorated  and didn’t smell of urine. {So much for pre-misconceptions. } There are two floors for the rehab crowd and the top two floors are for the people who need a nursing home. Fred is in a two-person room in the rehab area, but so far there is no one in the second bed. He does have a phone. {I was told he would not when I called for info before he got there. This really bothered me.} He can watch television if he wants to. {But, not, alas, his favorite soccer channel!} His bed is one where he can raise and lower the various parts easily by himself and that was good because a small amount of easy adjustment can mean a big difference in comfort.

While we were there, he hit the button to ask for some ice water, and although no one came immediately, the request was dealt with in a reasonable time. While we were there, a young lady came to prick his finger and check his blood-sugar level. The doctor at the facility has put him on a much lower dose of insulin than he usually has and so his numbers are higher than he would like. The young lady listened to him patiently and it was agreed that I should bring his book from home so that the doctor could see what he had been doing. Apparently, the doctor had started him on the usual level and the young lady assured him that the doctor would come and talk to him after seeing his book.

 There was a schedule on his table of the physical therapy he was having every morning {except Sunday.} He has about three-and-a-half hours a day. At the moment, he is being helped with standing up and supporting his own weight. I took him some clothes and put them away for him. He gave me a list of things he wanted me to do for him including calling whomever I need to to get an absentee ballot sent to him. It is great to see him taking an interest in something other than how bad he feels. He is eating well and the food seems reasonably good. The paper for choosing his meals tomorrow was on the table, the evening meal carts were being brought into the halls as we left, and the food smelled appetizing.

I will visit him tomorrow and Monday, and Diane will be coming as well on Tuesday. We decided we will go out to eat together after we visit him on Tuesday–my treat since she paid last time! Oh, and that reminds me that she and her husband took me with them to the diner up the road that Fred and I used to enjoy going to before he became housebound. At the weekend, they serve from both their breakfast and lunch menus. I had an omelet. I decided not to go for my usual Mexican omelet with all kinds of spicy good stuff in it, so I ate a cheese omelet with home fries and toast. I ate all the omelet, most of the home fries and half the toast and it all seems to be staying where it is supposed to be without discomfort. I had a cup of tomato soup when I got home and there is another cup if I need it, although I don’t think I will.

Tomorrow I want to buy a few groceries before I go to see Fred. We need everything!

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks,

breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

— Mary Lou Cook

"We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change." — Katherine Hepburn

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know.

You are the guy who’ll decide where to go. ~ Dr. Seuss