Tuedsay, December 14, 2010

Today was a much better day for John. The early morning visit by the support worker went well. She has been doing this work for 10 years and was really good. She also came back for the 11am one - and since John was feeling better she was able to get a lot of things done, like teeth brushed etc that have not been done in awhile because he was too sick. And she did it all amongst lots more confusion. First the man arrived with the lift - then the Occupational Therapist arrived to show us how to use it...and at the same time Dave and Manuel arrived to finish up the wood floor in the bedroom. As it turned out I really needed them as the rug in the living room had to be removed, and the sofa had to be put up on 6 inch blocks so the lift can slide underneath it. Sure hope I don't hurt myself climbing up and down on it!
However, it all got done. Now I am supposed to get a suction machine to help with all the saliva in his mouth - so far I can only find them to buy but not rent - and more and more of the workers are saying I should have a hospital bed for him.
In the afternoon Gus came and stayed with John for an hour while I ran out and did a few things I needed to do. Then two of our former students, both from Brazil, came to visit. Gilmara is not on staff at Gateway, but Junior just arrived two days ago from Brazil. It was so good to see him.
John had a better evening than he has had in some time. He needed to be sat up in his chair several times and using the lift worked quite well. It takes quite awile to get him into the harness and hoisted up and sat down again, but otherwise it worked much better than trying to haul him up myself.
Unfortunately, when bed time came, John had just begus to feel badly. And when we got him onto the lift, he suddenly collapsed and could not stand up even with the sling holding him. So we had to quickly put him in the wheelcaird and then put him into bed with the two of us moving him rather than using the lift again. He was not feeling too well during the preparation for bed, but he was asleep almost right away once that was done.
I am feeling better about the help. I also have someone booked for 2 hours on Sunday so I will be able to go to church again!
Although John did not have much voice and did not talk much today, he was able to make a couple of jokes with the workers, and actually wheeled himself in his wheelchair over to supervise what Dave and Manuel were doing.
It was so good to see him more at peace and not in such torment.
One thumbs up for today.