Today was quite a day for events and visitors.  When I arrived, David was quite upset about something.  He finally explained to me that he had rung the bell for assistance earlier in the morning, and one of the nurses aides came in, asked what was the matter, and then left.  Not sure if she understood what he was asking for, or just didn’t care.  He rang again, and the same aide came in, and again, I am not certain what transpired, but he did seem to be upset by whatever did happen.  He simply wanted to be taken to the bathroom.  I asked him if there was someone who was not nice to him, and he said yes, so I asked him to let me know if the person came into the room so I could identify them.  Then I went to the nurse, and told her that David had asked twice to be taken to the bathroom, and still needed to go, but wasn’t sure what had transpired, but that she needed to get someone to help immediately.

A few minutes later, two nursing aides came with a lift to hoist him out of bed and take him to the bathroom.  I told them that this wasn’t necessary and that the aides simply need to help him get to his wheelchair and then to the toilet and I thought this was a step backward and refused to let them use it.  David then pointed at one of the aides, and I asked if this was the one who upset him earlier, and he said yes.  I asked them both to leave immediately, and that another attendant would need to be called.  I then went to the nurses station and asked if there was a nursing supervisor that I could speak to.  I was in luck, because the woman at the desk was the weekend nursing supervisor, and that she would be with us in a few minutes.  She came down and David confirmed the story to her, and she said that she would submit the report and that another attendant would be sent to help.  Needless to say, David needed to go now, so, I took matters into my own hands, got him dressed and transferred him to the wheelchair and then to the toilet.  When he was done, I moved him back to the chair and we sat for a while.  After a few minutes the supervisor came by and saw that he was dressed and in his chair, and she chastised me for moving him, and asked if I had taken him to the toilet as well.  She said that I should not have had to do that, and would make sure that it never happened again.  We then, took a stroll to the garden, and while there, I thought to myself – if I can transfer him to the chair and the toilet, what the hell are we doing in this sub-accute facility?  If I could have some help at home, why not move him there?  At least I would know he was safe, and I think that outpatient therapy would be just as effective, if not more so.  So, on Monday, I am going to talk to the social worked and see if I can spring him from the Jewish Home!  I mean the private room is nicer, but, after today, I think he could get better care at home.  Not to mention, he would be happier.  The big question is the therapy – how much and the quality.  Also, how will the insurance company feel about it?  Please, chime in and tell me this is a good idea or what the hell am I thinking?

The rest of the day was much better with a steady stream of visitors.  Margot Steinberg, an old UNIS staff member, followed by Hilary Ainger and Judith Honor and husband Ron, then Gwen Lipsky and finally we were joined by my brother Chuck and his wife Doreen.  We had an engrossing conversation about Honey Boo Boo, and now I know who that is, because I kept hearing comic references, but had no idea.  I’m so out of it.  We also got a lesson in all the types of reality TV from Gwen, who is something of an expert, and she promises to bring a diagram showing how they all work together.

Heres another picture of the baby!