Training Day

This morning the therapists trained us (Ma, Isa, Tito Lum and me) how to take care of Pa once he's home. They showed us how to help him in and out of bed and how to assist him when he walks. Pa has some use of his right hand and arm, so we have to remind him to use them when dressing and washing up and not be tempted to do things for him. Buttoning up his shirt may take longer than usual using his left hand, but he can do it himself. We also have to remind him to speak slowly and loudly, and to eat small bites and drink small sips of liquids instead of gulping them down.

The nurse showed me how to feed Pa through his feeding tube. Isa and Tito Lum are too squeamish to do it. But maybe I can train Ma. Or maybe Pa can do the work himself with some assistance from Ma.

Pa is supposed to be released on Friday, but the hospital is working to get it extended for another week. We could know by tomorrow if the insurance company approves it. I really don't think he's quite ready to be sent home.

Another development is that Pa will need 24-hour supervision once he's at home. He's not progressing as fast as the therapists had hoped. But he will get home health care for a while, maybe a month, before progressing to outpatient therapy. A nurse and therapists (speech, physical & occupational) will come to the house to work on Pa.

One of the nurse assistants checked my blood pressure and Ma's and Kit's. They were all high, around 140/80. Aack! Only Pa had normal blood pressure. I couldn't go to the hospital Monday because I was feeling sick from my high BP. Ma had high BP that evening, too, and she stayed home yesterday. Kit has no symptoms.