One ill Bill

This was a busy week. Bill is doing well enough that we went out for dinner with friends twice this week. He has made excellent progress with his eye exercises at rehab. The eye seems to be moving more and more.We had a visit with the “wound doctor” on Thursday to check the incision in Bill’s scalp. He was very amusing. He said he loves patients like Bill since they make him look so good. He told me I could stop doing the dressing on his head and agreed it was ridiculous to try since nothing would stick to his head. He felt sure the incision would heal well in about three weeks if we just put neosporin on it. In fact, he said we could come see him every day and he could spit on it and it would heal just the same in about three weeks.

I have been busy with studies for my class. I checked the blog statistics and saw that there were about 50 visits per day last week. There were 12,000 visits to the blog in total since July 18th. Some great communication tool. Just stayin’ in touch.

We had such a pleasant evening on Friday that I didn’t even think of the blog. Life is starting to feel normal. We went out to supper together for the first time since July 18th. In fact, it’s the first time we went out together anywhere except to see a hospital. Bill is able to handle doing his medicines and treatments himself this time. I am disciplining myself to let him be and take care of himself. Since he is not taking so much Dilantin, he is not confused and forgetful like before. He is also more physically able to handle things. He is careful with his back, but not having any pain as far as I can tell. We will be careful to get enought rest, etc.

There seem to be appointments most every day. He will be going to occupational therapy 3 Xs a week for a while. They want him to continue working on eye exercises to keep the muscles in his eye strong and possibly improve the length of time he can use his left eye.

I can’t say enough good things about the rehab unit at GRMC. We were so lucky to have it close to home. There are many people there from long distances. It was one of the few lucky breaks we had all summer. This morning I am also feeling so indebted to our children and friends and who did countless things for us since July. I am hopeful we are on the mend. Perhaps I can get Bill to start doing this blog again and let our friends hear from him directly. He makes more work of it than I do. His literary side insists he make it a work of art, I just start blabbing how I feel. It takes all kinds.

I know there are lots of readers who have never posted a remark. Consider just a hello so we know who is out there. It is a little intimidating at first, I know. But we are constantly amazed when someone says I’ve been following progress and we had no idea!! What sweet friends.

Well we are home together again. Barry was here for supper – a pizza feast. Bill and I are watching TV. He will only be going for occupational therapy as out-patient at the local hospital. Most follow-up appointments with the rehab docs can also be handled at our local hospital. We have no idea what Iowa City will want from him, but that can wait. Bill is feeling good and looks good too. He is no longer required to stay at home. He cannot drive, of course, but we can go out together.

Two of my friends, Barb and Cathryn, orchestrated “happy hour” with Bill for his last night in the hospital while I went to class. I think they all had a good time. There was plenty of laughing when I telephoned. Cathryn’s husband, Ron, not only put a railing on the stairs to the garage, but fixed the stairs to be wider and level. Things are much safer now. Safer for Bill and my mother, too. It’s a good night. Good night.

Bill will be coming home tomorrow afternoon. He will NOT be on homebound and will typically have only occupational therapy appointments. These will work on exercises for his eyes, and basic safety things having to do with the double vision and back issues. There will be a couple appointments with a doctor who will care for the wound on his scalp.

I am feeling fairly confident about his return home. He is more alert and should be more independent this time. There will still be plenty to do, but it won’t be as overwhelming, I hope. And, since I will be able to take him away from the house, we can have a little more recreation. That will be good for both of us. I will still be very careful with his schedule in order to not exhaust him.

The whole rehab unit has been encouraging and helpful – every single person including nurses, aides, therapist and especially the social worker. They will do anything, and I mean anything, to make life better for us. They have literally taken care of Bill from the top of his head to the tips of his toes with none of this “not my job” attitude.

I will be going to class tonight – the third in the semester – and Elizabeth has no automobile to come to Burlington tonight. This is the first evening he will be alone in the hospital since the brain surgery. Barry is planning to come to our house tomorrow night, and Liz and Joe (I hope) on Friday evening. If you want to talk to Bill, tonight might be a good time.
(319-768-1091.)

Well, Bill is looking good!!! In my clinical opinion, he is as good as he has been since the surgery. Having his brother here this weekend has been a big plus in terms of fun. John and Cynthia visited last night, this afternoon, and are coming back this evening. We plan to go to dinner together, poor Bill will have to just hear about it. They brought him a pirate hat/scarf to go along with his eye patch. Pretty charming, I must say. So don’t worry, we a doing well again.

It’s late and I’m home from class. My carpool worked out great, and I will not actually have to drive, just contribute for the gas. Lucky me. AND Bill is settled into the rehab unit. He was taken down about three o’clock. Liz was there and I went home to get ready for class. I think I’ll go to bed now.

Still waiting for clearance from the insurance company. Won’t believe we are there until we see the threshold of the door at rehab. Wait and wait and wait. Liz coming this afternoon and I will go to class in Iowa City tonight. Feels like a month since I went to class last week.

Well, Bill is definitely going to a private room in rehab here at the Burlington hospital. I am so greatful for that. He will be in room 109 and can be reached at 319-768-1091. I would not telephone before 4 PM on weekdays and not before noon on a Saturday. He will be busy with rehab appointments getting stronger in preparation to go home. I will try to blog more this afternoon. For now, just wanted to share the GOOD NEWS.