Today we had the family conference with all the therapists, the case worker and Dr. Qu. Alex called in and participated, and we got basically a rundown of what has been happening since David arrived at HJD. It was good to hear all the progress that David has made, but daunting to think about how far there is still to go. Liat mentioned having to use some sort of speaking aide, which I hope will be a step to getting his full voice back, but any help will be great. David’s physical recovery is moving along nicely, it is the speech that seems to be just out of his grasp, but hopefully in time. I told him that we have to remember that with all the detours – 8 days in Albany, 5 days in the SCU, he has really only been in rehab for about two weeks, and his progress has been amazing. He is getting a little impatient with the forward movement he has made, and isn’t nearly as impressed by himself as he should be.
At the end of the meeting, David let me know that I should tell Alex that he loved him, and I began to tear up, followed by the therapists, followed by David and as Alex told his Dad he loved him too, he sounded a little choked up. Sorry Alex, not the best way to start working with fifth graders.
Soon after the meeting, I finally got in touch with someone at Amsterdam Nursing home, and they have tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm, so I took a chance and called the Jewish Home Lifecare and set up a time to meet someone at 2pm, so off I went to the 1 train, and the trip uptown. I was sad to be missing David’s second day of walking, but I needed to start looking at the possibilities for the subacute chapter of his recovery.
As I walked up Amsterdam Ave from W 103rd St, I was filled with dread from what I imagined these “Nursing Homes” would be, and was not so shocked. Maybe I expected much worse, but they are not so bad. I think that the Jewish Home has better rehab facilities, not as good as HJD, but clean and filled with activity. Amsterdam, not so much, and nobody was working. Amsterdam also says that each patient gets 1/2 hour of OT, PT and ST each day for five days a week, and Jewish Home has 1-1.5 hours, 5-6 days a week, depending not the patient’s needs. They also have the option to get a private room for $38 a day, which seems very reasonable, Amsterdam has private rooms, but it all depends on what bed is available. I still have an appointment to see Park Terrace in Queens and will continue to try to see Village Care on W Houston St.
When I got back, David wanted to tell me about three people who had come to see him. After much hand signaling, I figured out that it wasn’t anyone from UNIS, not from Burke and not from Fieldston. I then got that it was one man and two women and that there was a couple and the single woman was related somehow to the man. It finally came to me and with much eye rolling and many “come on”‘s from Davie. It was his brother Harvey, his wife Madeleine and his sister Judy. He said they had a nice visit.
They sent him for another CT scan because of the headaches that won’t seem to go away. The Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist said that his sinuses looked OK, so that is ruled out. It is a mystery and we continue to battle. While he was getting his scan, I ran out to get some Lasagna from Bruno’s Ravioli around the corner, and when I came back, David practically devoured it! He still has a very healthy appetite.
The final treat for the evening was a visit from UNIS alum, Burke parent and all around great friend, Chrissie McHenry. She regaled us with stories of the families trip to London for the olympics, and visits to Italy, Provence and Nantucket for the summer. It was great to see her, and after David began dozing off, we headed off to dinner, and had a great evening talking. Thanks Chrissie!
Tomorrow, I WILL NOT miss the walking. I may even bring the video camera!